Simple Arrangement Read online

  “Hush, both of you. There is no one vying for anything. They are just flirting. Weddings make people stupid. They get all starry-eyed and thinking they want to pair up. Find that love connection.” She used quotation marks. “I’m not looking for or needing that.”

  “But sex, it does a body good.” Kendrix moaned deep in her throat. “Someone knock out my curls and make me speak in tongues, sex is good for the soul.”

  Iona stared at her in shock. She had never heard her talk like that and hadn’t even known she could.

  “What?” Kendrix widened her eyes and blinked, trying to look innocent.

  “I think you made Iona mute.” Deyon hooted with laughter. “She didn’t know that there was a little wild child under that cool exterior.”

  “Humph. Nothing on me is little.” Kendrix ran her hand over her curves. She and Deyon had been well-known plus-sized models. Deyon had retired a long time ago and Kendrix had recently retired about seven months ago. “Including my inner hoyden—she is crazy and larger than life.”

  “After all these months of renovating the house you bought, how did I not know this side of you?” Iona laughed in delight. “I love it.”

  “When you’re working you are intense, Iona. So focused on what you are creating it can be a little intimidating.” Kendrix shrugged. “That’s what they said about me, too, when I modeled.”

  “And now when you are designing clothing for Deyon’s.” Deyon shook her head. “I thought I was a perfectionist, but Kendrix has me beat.”

  “Whatever.” Kendrix flipped her off. “Don’t make me beat you.”

  “Such violence. This is a wedding,” a woman said, coming up to them.

  “Rissa, we all seem to have some violent tendencies in us. This is another in the long line of weddings we’ve been in and had to attend. Including most of yours.” Iona grinned at Leonardo’s sisters and Harmony—who was Leonardo’s brother Jonathon’s wife.

  “It does seem like we have been going to wedding every time we even breathe.” Rissa chuckled. “It’s an epidemic of marriage. Or so Dimitri used to grumble about until he met Shannon.”

  “I wonder how long it’ll be before he asks her to marry him,” Deyon said. “I’ve already started working on the dress for Shannon’s wedding.”

  “When our parents asked I thought Dimitri said even if they get married, it won’t be anything big or fancy. It was for Mom’s benefit. She loves planning weddings. Since Dimitri will be her last one, she wants to go all out for it.”

  “The dress is simple to suit Shannon.” Deyon shrugged. “She can wear it or not. If she doesn’t, I will give it to her as a gift.”

  “Well, your mother-in-law better not plan for a big one.” Iona shook her head then turned to Rissa. “Shannon won’t have it and she is blunt enough to tell your mom to back off. Your mom will have to be happy with possibly being involved when some of the rest of your cousins find someone and gets married.”

  “Or when you or someone in your family gets married.” Deyon smiled.

  It made Iona uneasy.

  “Which could be soon, since our girl Iona here has two men vying for her attention,” Deyon said slowly. “And she didn’t give either one her ‘Get the hell away from me, I’m not interested’ look.”

  “Who?” Katiya, one of her best friends and another of Leonardo’s sisters, asked. “Wait, I need to get the others so they can hear this.”

  “Sto—”

  Katiya called over the rest of the women and the man who were good friends in their circle. Some they’d known since they were kids and others they’d met in college, but their closeness was the same.

  “What are we talking about?” the man asked.

  “Sex and Iona.”

  “My cue to leave.” He pivoted on his heel and left.

  The women laughed.

  “I have to remember to use that at work to get him to leave when he is annoying me.” Iona grinned.

  “Now back to sex and the possibility of you having some.” Deyon wiggled her eyebrows.

  Iona glanced toward the men and licked her lips when she saw Jackson watching her. She turned her head and focused on the women around her.

  Jackson Carlyle continued to stare toward Iona, wanting to be near her. He couldn’t even pinpoint when he had recognized that he wanted her. Iona was a captivating woman and stubborn as they came. Although he was attracted, he would not approach her, since he knew of her track record of avoiding any sort of entanglements. Iona was fully focused on her career and her company, Edge Design Group, which she co-owned with five others. She was a premier architect and the demand for her, as well as the others in her business, took them from McKingley to all over the world to work on different projects. Iona tilted her head back and laughed at something someone in the group had said. Even though he was not close enough to hear it, he knew her laughter was a melodious sound that made him grin whenever he heard it.

  “Staring at her will make it obvious you want her,” Chandler murmured by his side.

  “And so do you.” Jackson elbowed him. “I didn’t know you did until today,” he said, just as low as Chandler had.

  They didn’t want the other men who were standing with them in a loose semicircle to hear. Just like he was, Iona was considered family, and the Wright men tended to be overprotective of the females. Although they saw him as family, that wouldn’t stop them from going Big Brother on him if they found out about his attraction to Iona. Chandler was new to the group with his connection to Deyon. He and Jackson had become friends after Leonardo had been injured and Chandler had come to the hospital with Deyon.

  “Who wouldn’t be?” Chandler shrugged, an elegant move.

  Jackson held back his growl at hearing that. Chandler grinned and Jackson pushed at his shoulder.

  “Why are we friends again?”

  “My winning personality and awesome movie collection.” Chandler grinned. “Are you coming by for movie night on Saturday?”

  “I’m off so I’ll be there. That is, unless I get called in.” Jackson frowned. “You’d better be cooking.”

  “You are like a bottomless pit—all you think of is your stomach.” Chandler chuckled. “Of course I’m cooking and I’ll have more than enough to feed you.”

  “Good.” Jackson glanced toward Iona again.

  “Let me know.”

  “Know what?” Jackson asked absently.

  “If you are going to go for it with Iona or not.”

  “Why?” Jackson turned to him.

  “Because if you’re not, I will.” Chandler shrugged again. “If you do, I’ll not go there. But if you don’t…”

  Chandler didn’t continue but he didn’t need to. Jackson glanced once more at Iona and she was watching him. He looked away, not focusing on either her or Chandler.

  “I’m not, so feel free to give it your best shot.” Jackson gulped from his glass of Scotch.

  “Stubborn idiot.” Chandler’s tone was fond.

  Jackson looked at him sharply. “What do you mean?”

  “Maybe you will figure it out soon, before it is too late.” Chandler slapped Jackson on the shoulder then joined the conversation with the other men around them.

  Jackson could have pushed but knew from Chandler’s tone that he wouldn’t tell him what he’d meant. Instead, Jackson signaled for the bartender to get him another drink. He faced the front and couldn’t help but look at Iona again. He noticed, as he had before, that she was watching him. Jackson wondered why but he didn’t think he would ask her. Iona McKingley was off limits. He knew getting involved with her would lead to nothing but complications. He was also focused on his career and with his hours, as well as being on call, which meant having to cancel plans… Most women didn’t understand it. At first, they would say it was fine, but eventually it led to hard feelings and fighting he didn’t need or want.

  Yep, it is best to steer clear of her. With his mind made up, Jackson pushed her out of his thoughts, looking away t
o the men and joining in the discussion.

  * * * *

  Jackson placed his stethoscope around his neck, holding the edges as he walked out of the curtained area. The last patient was already on their way upstairs to surgery. He stopped a moment to look around the bustling emergency room. Although it would look like it was chaos to someone who didn’t know the inner workings of a trauma center, it actually wasn’t. The emergency room was highly organized madness and when working there, a person got used to knowing instinctively where they needed to be or what was happening. Jackson loved the bustling activity and nothing made him happier than being right here in the thick of things. His job as co-head did come with loads of paperwork but he was still able to keep doing what he loved—helping others.

  He headed toward his office, stopping along the way to answer questions for those working in the emergency room who reported to him. When he entered his office without some emergency stopping him, Jackson let out a breath of relief. It had been a long shift. Although he loved his job, he also appreciated the times he was able to relax away from it. Jackson sat at his desk, shrugging his shoulders to ease some of the tension from them. His cell vibrated in his pocket. Pulling it out, Jackson noticed he had a text. He opened it, read the message then laughed. The next moment his cell rang and, seeing the number, he grinned then answered the call.

  “So you wanna be my date for Dimitri’s wedding?” Jackson teased.

  “You better had asked me. I asked you last time.” Chandler laughed. “Didn’t we just attend a wedding two days ago?”

  “Yep. But now we’re going to another one.”

  “Can you believe they sent the invitation by text?” Chandler snickered. “Since I’ve been in McKingley, I’ve gotten to know Dimitri’s mom, and she must be having a fit right about now.”

  “I’ve known her longer than you. So I can say with certainty she is.” Jackson laughed. “And she is also having a meltdown that they are getting married this Saturday—in less than five days. She’s probably plotting how she can plan a wedding that quickly.”

  “She can’t.” Chandler clucked his tongue. “Anyway, come by tonight to Deyon’s so I can make sure your suit fits you for the wedding.”

  “What suit?” Jackson frowned.

  “The one Deyon had me start designing months ago in preparation for Dimitri asking Shannon to marry him. I swear that woman must be psychic and knew they would use it. Shannon is already here to try on the gown Deyon made for her. Thankfully, she likes it. Dimitri is also already here trying on his suit.”

  “But I’m not in the wedding party,” Jackson protested.

  “You should be getting the text that you are now.” Chandler chuckled.

  Jackson’s phone dinged with a message. He sighed. “Mister Know It All. What time?”

  “As soon as you get off work. I have to fit all the men in the wedding party.”

  “I thought it was going to be a simple wedding,” Jackson said.

  “It is, but Shannon was insistent that Dimitri choose who he wants to be included in the wedding party. And you are one of them he wants.”

  “It comes with being part of the kooky clan of Wrights.” Jackson shook his head.

  “Exactly. Hell, I was even roped into it.” Chandler sounded surprised.

  “You are important to Deyon, so that extends to you too.”

  “I’m getting that.” Chandler lowered his voice. “Shannon even asked Kendrix to be one of her bridesmaids along with Dimitri’s sisters, her friend Carmen and Carmen’s sisters, who seem to have decided to adopt Shannon as their own, even though she has the wrong first letter in her name.”

  “Huh? What does that mean?”

  “Ask Carmen to explain it to you.” Chandler’s amusement was clear even across the phone line.

  “From your tone I’m even afraid to ask.” Jackson thought of who else would be in the wedding. “What about Shannon’s cousin—James—is he going to be in the wedding?”

  “He is and I thought everyone had exaggerated that he was a little weird. He wants me to make a tux for his pet bird Sigmund, since he is in the wedding too. I’ll be damned if I’m going to dress a bird.” Chandler sounded offended.

  “He does? Maybe you just don’t have the designing awesomeness to dress Sigmund. After all, he is famous in McKingley.” Jackson laughed until tears rolled down his face.

  “Fuck you. I can design anything. Even a tux for a rooster,” Chandler said.

  “You can? That’s great,” a male’s voice said close to Chandler, so Jackson heard them. “See, I told you, Sigmund, we could count on Chandler. We might even become friends.”

  “I hate you so much, Jackson.” Chandler growled then groaned. “James, I don’t need any more friends. I have enough and I’m not designing a suit for a bird.”

  “Now, now. Don’t say it like that, Sigmund is sensitive.” James made a cooing sound. “He didn’t mean it, Sigmund.”

  “He has the bird there at Deyon’s store?” Jackson asked.

  “Yes.” Chandler said. “And no one even thought it was weird he did. I sometimes wonder if my settling down in McKingley is a good idea. A celebrity that is a chicken—”

  “Rooster. Sigmund is a rooster. Now apologize,” James said cheerfully.

  “I’m sorry, Sigmund.” Chandler groaned. “Oh Christ, I apologized to a rooster. Help me. He’s already driven me around the bend.”

  “You’ll be fine.” Jackson laughed. “I’ll be there after work. With the wedding Saturday, we’ll have to put off our movie night.”

  “Maybe. It’s an early morning wedding so we might still be able to watch movies.”

  “Movies? Sigmund and I like movies,” James said.

  “If you come to watch movies you are not bringing the rooster,” Chandler said.

  “I’ll see you at movie night,” James said then he chuckled. “Sigmund, we’ll convince him to let you come along before Saturday.”

  “You might as well give in. James has a knack for getting people to do things without them knowing why they agreed.”

  “Ha ha. Mister Laughy Boy.” Chandler sighed then said in a soft tone, “I forgot, one more person will be in the wedding. Iona is a bridesmaid. Maybe this time you’ll get your head out of your ass and actually let her know you’re interested.”

  “Fuck you,” Jackson snapped then blew out a breath. “I thought we already discussed this. You’re the one who’s going make a play for her.”

  “Play for her?” Chandler snorted. “What are we, teenagers? Man up and go after the woman.”

  “No.”

  “Stubborn ass.”

  “See you later.” Jackson hung up. He sat back in his chair. Another wedding to be in and, most importantly, a chance to see Iona again.

  Thought you were going to stay away from her. He was, but the thrill he had at knowing he would be seeing her so soon didn’t dissipate.

  * * * *

  Jackson drank his champagne, glancing around the area between Shannon’s and James’ homes. The hot New Mexico sun bathed the area in a bright light, making the glasses shine. The yard was decorated for the wedding and the reception. The ceremony had been simple, beautiful and poignant. The halter-top sundress-style gown had suited Shannon well and her bridesmaids, in similar style dresses in various colors, had complemented her. For the groomsmen, the color of each of their tunic-hstyle, button-down, short-sleeved shirt and casual slacks had matched the bridesmaid they had escorted in the wedding.

  “We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” Iona spoke behind him in her melodious smoky voice.

  “Maybe.” Jackson braced himself to look at her as he turned.

  He wasn’t prepared, just as he hadn’t been earlier when he’d first seen her. Her heavily lashed pale gray eyes were offset by her hair—dark brown with streaks of gold—framing her face. The pale gray bridesmaid gown looked so good against her sienna skin. He studied her sculptured cheeks, rounded chin and full lips, wondering how ea
ch would feel if he kissed them. He imagined making the trek with kisses from her forehead down all over her face, then stopping against the pulse of her neck before going lower to more soft and lush flesh. He watched her eyes, resisting the urge to touch the curls flowing around her face to rest just below her breasts.

  “You look really spiffy.” Iona touched along the one side of his unbuttoned shirt.

  “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were flirting with me, Iona.” Jackson smirked. “Better be careful before rumors start about us.”

  “Rumors could become fact.” Iona pulled out a piece of paper from her purse then slid it into the pocket on the left side of his chest. “Text me and let me know if this works for you.” She winked then turned and sauntered off.

  Jackson stared at the sensual sway of her ass as she walked away from him. When she disappeared into the crowd of people, Jackson pulled out the paper and looked at it.

  Meet me at Lena’s for brunch at 11 a.m. tomorrow. —Iona

  Jackson gazed after her as he pulled out his cell. He sent her a confirmation to accept the invitation. He put his phone away and wondered what had happened to his plan to keep away from Iona.

  “It’s her eyes. The no-nonsense look she gives you that makes you feel she can see all you are,” Jackson muttered.

  He slid the paper back in his pocket.

  * * * *

  Jackson opened the door to Lena’s, going in then taking off his shades before hanging them in the rounded neck at the front of his T-shirt and looking around. He’d heard that the popular restaurant had really great food. The place was packed with patrons and waiters and waitresses were bustling, serving people. He approached the hostess stand and the woman looked up and smiled at him.

  “I’ve got this, Daphne.” A female voice spoke before Jackson could say anything.

  Jackson studied the lady who had approached from behind the hostess. Her features let him know who she was, although he had never met her.

  “Iona didn’t do you justice when she described you.” The woman put up her hand. “I’m Lena—the owner of this humble place.” She gestured around with an elegant motion. “And even if Iona tells you that I’m a pesky little sister, don’t you believe her. Now come on and let me take you to her.”