Episode 87

Episode 87

Sink or Swim

NAOMI

"This is a bad idea," I mumbled while frantically pacing back and forth across Memphis' small living room.

"How so?" Memphis asked and plopped his large frame on the couch. His lips twitched as he covered a chuckle behind his hand, clearly enjoying my nervousness.

I gritted my teeth and inhaled sharply through my nose. "Because I'm going to screw it up."

"Baby, it's shopping with my family," he answered with humor in his tone, proving he thought I was being ridiculous.

My entire body trembled with anxiety as I waited to be picked up by a member of the female Taylor clan. And Memphis didn't understand. How could he? Simply put, Memphis was a guy.

The first time a woman spent time with her soon to be mother-in-law and sisters-in-law alone shouldn't be picking out her wedding dress. Did women even go with their in-laws to do such a thing? I had planned on going with my mother, but of course, the dinner from hell and Lucifer himself ruined that plan entirely. Then, when Robin Taylor overheard me telling Memphis I would be busy shopping for a dress today, she not only invited herself, she invited her daughters too. Claimed we'd make a girls' day of it.

So I paced, trying desperately to get the gnawing fear of letting my new family down out of my system. I don't have a sister to fall back on, nor a best friend to call and hash out every minute detail of what was to happen before these women arrived. I don't even have any real female friends that aren't employees of my company or jewelers I work with. It certainly made me realize how out of touch I'd become in my workaholic lifestyle.

Basically, I was on my own.

Sink or swim.

Memphis stood up and caught me mid-pace, tugging me against his body.

"Hey there," he whispered while cupping my neck. "My mother and sisters already like you. They are excited about being involved in our wedding. You're going to have a blast with them today. I promise you."

I slumped against him and rested my cheek on his chest. "You think so?"

He held me close. "Baby, I know so. Now you have got to relax. Besides, you'll finally meet Sydney. And she's already a fan of yours."

"The model. The second oldest. The one you are the closest to. That Syd?" I frowned as the nerves swallowed me whole.

Memphis chuckled and rubbed my back. "Yeah, that Syd. She's also the most down-to-earth person you'll ever meet. Plus, she lives in New York. That means, when we set up shop in NYC, she'll be there to help me get adjusted. I actually have some great news about that…" he hedged, leaving that juicy morsel dangling.

"Oh? I thought you were worried about the big move to New York from Georgia."

He shook his head. "Naw, not worried. More like concerned I wouldn't know what to do with myself. But my options may be opening up. I've got a meeting with the head of the sports division at Cornell University next month."

My eyes bulged and my mouth fell open in shock. My cool-as-a-cucumber man simply smirked at my surprise.

"That's an Ivy League school…"

"Yep. And they're looking to fill an assistant defensive coaching position. They want someone young and hungry to help the team win their division. Coach told me he believed having new blood on the coaching team could be their ace in the hole."

"And they are considering you?"

He nodded. "Actually, he said the job was mine…on one condition."

"Which is?" My mind ran rampant with ideas. Who did I know in the Ivy League circuit that I could pull some favors with, to ensure my man got the job he wanted.

"I have to finish up my degree this year so I can be ready for spring training. I'm shy some credits, which means I need to sign up for those classes this coming enrollment period in order to secure my bachelor's degree."

I pushed at his chest. "That's it? You take and pass those classes and you're guaranteed the job?"

"Well, not exactly. Obviously the in-person interview means a lot."

"But you're great in person. The interview will be a cinch! And I can reach out, make some calls to some people I know and put in a good word if you'd like me—"

He cut me off with two fingers pressed lightly over my lips as he spoke gently. "No calling in favors, Nay. I applied and did all the work for this prospective job myself. And I'm going to get the job based on my own skills and experience in the field. I do not need my very powerful, extremely connected fiancée to score me a job. I'm perfectly capable of doing that on my own."

"I didn't mean to overstep…" I whispered right before he dipped forward and kissed away my next words.

"I know what you meant, and I'm grateful to have my woman at my back. If I need help with this, I'll ask. Okay?" He looked deeply into my eyes, his kind and sincere.

I nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, be happy for me. For us. Means I've got something worthwhile to look forward to in my career that wasn't there before. It also means things are falling into place for both of us. Me finding a great job at a well-respected university, with a stellar athletics department, only helps settle me into my new life in New York, with you."

That made me smile. "I'm happy for you."

"Thank you."

"I'm also proud of you."

"Thank you for that too." He kissed me again. The kiss went on until we were interrupted by a knock on the door.

Instantly my anxiety rushed back to the surface and my skin became flushed. "They're here." I gulped.

"Stop fretting. It's shopping, Nay. Something about how fine you always look tells me you are no stranger to shopping."

I smacked at his back jokingly as he went to open the door. "It's different, and you know it!" I whisper-yelled.

Memphis opened the door and the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen in my entire life turned around and smiled. Perfect white teeth gleamed against her summery, sun-kissed umber skin tone. Her black hair was pulled into a sleek, high ponytail, the long strands hanging over one shoulder. She wore big Jackie O sunglasses and a glittery pink lipstick. Her midnight-colored turtleneck blouse was tucked into a pair of skintight black leather pants. The platform suede stilettos made the already tall woman an Amazon in comparison to me.

"Syd!" Memphis called out with what could only be considered boyish glee.

"Big Bro!" Sydney squealed and flung herself into her brother's arms.

Memphis swung her from side to side then kissed her cheek before stepping back a couple feet. "Let me get a look at you. Damn, girl. You look like a million dollars."

"I know." She pursed her lips playfully in a haughty expression.

"Seriously though, NYC must be treating you good."

"I think so too. Best city there is." Syd slipped off her glasses and directed her gaze at me. "And this must be your fiancée."

I held out my hand. "Naomi Shaw."

"Oh, I know exactly who you are, and I'm so excited to meet you in person. I actually worked on one of your jewelry campaigns awhile back. Unfortunately, my face didn't make the cut, just the jewels on my neck and hands." She chuckled.

I started to laugh as she shook my hand, because how absurd. My team had the opportunity to show this angel's face with my jewels, and they chose to cut her out? I would be speaking to my marketing director at my earliest convenience.

"That's rather shocking. I can't imagine why they would do such a thing. You're…breathtaking," I said on a slight gasp.

She grinned as her cheeks pinked, and her eyes shimmered with joy. "The marketing director told me my face was competing against the beauty of the jewels, and he was in the business of selling jewelry. I told them as long as I got paid, I didn't care what made the final cut."

We both burst into laughter. "Well, in all honesty, he was probably right. Your beauty is unmatched."

"Uh, I beg to differ. My sister is gorgeous, even her own brother can see that. But my fiancée is no slouch in the beauty department either," Memphis interjected, his gaze tracing my form up and down as though he could eat me for lunch.

Today I chose to wear a pair of wide-legged trousers in camel with an off-white button-up silk shirt, open far enough to show the delicate gold lacing around the cups of my corset underneath. A huge solitary pearl hung down between my breasts on a gold chain and a pair of strappy gold Jimmy Choo heels accentuated the look. I'd left my long hair down so I could manipulate it when trying different style dresses.

I went over to Memphis' side and looped my arm around his waist. "Thanks, baby."

Sydney clapped her hands together. "Okay, I'm supposed to pick you up and then meet the others at the bridal store. You ready to take on the Taylors?"

"As ready as I'm ever gonna be." I sighed.

"Then let's go!"

* * * *

"There she is!" Robin announced as Sydney and I entered the bridal store. Robin held a glass of champagne as did Granny Althea. Odessa, Cheyenne, Paris, and Holland held what looked to be glasses of apple cider as the color in the flutes was far too dark to be actual champagne.

"Here we are," Sydney cooed. "Where's our bubbly?"

"Right here, ladies." A blonde woman wearing a pink business suit approached the two of us with filled glasses. She handed one to Syd and the last to me. "You must be the bride."

"I am. What gave it away?"

She grinned, her pretty blue eyes twinkling. "I've known Syd most of my life. If she were getting married, I'd know about it, seeing as I'd be the maid of honor."

"Hey now, don't be pushing her sisters to the side just yet, Jennifer. She could pick one of us," Odessa griped.

The bridal attendant made a frustrated sound at the back of her throat. "Dess, we've had this conversation a million times over the past twenty years. I am Sydney's BFF for eternity."

"And I'm her sister!" Odessa fired back, heat in her tone even though her body language and smile expressed this was a long-standing argument between the two women.

"Yes, but I'm her soul sister . Which means she chose me. She was stuck with you. Big difference. Besides, how does a woman pick between four sisters? She doesn't. She picks her best friend. And that, Dess…is moi !"

Odessa rolled her eyes and made a snarky miming action with her hand and lips as though a duck were quacking.

"I love you too, Dess. Now let's get back to the bride. I hear you've snagged the previously unsnaggable Memphis Taylor. The lone wolf of the Taylor clan."

"Unsnaggable?" I asked.

"Jenn, just because Memphis wasn't into any of your sisters or the women you tried and failed to set him up with, doesn't mean he wouldn't find the right woman on his own."

"We could have been related," Jenn sighed. "But it wasn't meant to be. Such is life," she said in a melancholy tone. "Unless maybe you have a brother or two?" Jenn's gaze snapped to mine.

"Uh, no. Fresh out. Sorry."

"Fine. I guess I'll have to find another hunky family man to hook my sister up with."

"Or you could just leave it alone," Granny added. "Not smart to stick your nose where it don't belong."

Jenn covered her chest with her hand. "Granny, that is not nice. Everyone is looking for love, which is why I have to help my sisters find it."

"What about yourself?" I queried.

"Married my high school sweetheart right after graduation and have been living in romantic bliss for the last four years. Bought this place just so I could get my fix of all things romance and weddings every day."

Syd nudged my shoulder. "Jenn is a hopeless romantic and knows her stuff. She won't steer you wrong on finding the perfect dress."

"Well, I'm all yours."

"Do you have any ideas about what you're looking for?" Jennifer asked.

"Something that will look appropriate in the Taylor's backyard garden."

"Awwww you're getting married at Casa de Taylor? How lovely. Sooooo…" She tapped her bottom lip. "Green, lush background, roses of varying colors, and a body that was made to be fitted for a gown…" She looked me over. "I already have some ideas. Drink your champagne and follow me to the dressing room. I'll gather what we need, and we can get started. Let's see if we can find you the perfect gown to marry your prince charming."

Sydney blessedly followed me into the dressing room.

"Your best friend seems nice," I offered.

"She is truly amazing. We've been friends since first grade. A couple girls were making fun of my hair and calling me names. Jennifer went right up to them and shoved one down and bit the other girl, leaving teeth imprints on her skin. When they were both crying and carrying on, she pointed at them and said, ‘Mean girls get treated mean back!' and we've been best friends since. My girl may be blonde, blue eyed, and look like a fairy princess, but she's mean as a snake with the sharpest tongue when someone hurts those she loves."

"Good one to have at your side," I nodded.

"Exactly. Speaking of the devil," Syd said as Jennifer came in holding a stack of dresses in each hand. She hissed at Syd as she passed, making us both laugh.

"Okay, start with the most extravagant and work your way down. I gotta hit my own quota this week," she teased and winked.

I put on the most expensive "extravagant" dress first. It was lace at the neck, down the long sleeves and all the way to the floor. It was stunning and very regal but didn't seem to fit the setting of a backyard wedding. Still, I dutifully walked out and stood on the riser in front of the Taylor women.

"Wow, that dress fits like a latex glove," Odessa called out.

"It's mighty fine," Granny said and sipped on her champagne.

"Don't you think it's a little…I don't know…old?" said fourteen-year-old Cheyenne. Leave it to the youngest of the group to lay down the truth.

"I agree. It's pretty but not really appropriate for a garden wedding," I admitted, hoping they weren't upset.

"Good point. Next!" Robin called out.

"Who do you gotta ask to get some more bubbly around here?" Granny lifted her empty flute.

"Hold your horses, Gran, and I'll fix you right up!" Jennifer hustled behind a short wall and grabbed a fresh bottle.

"You have my thanks, Jenny," Gran said.

"Oh, do you prefer to be called Jenny?" I asked as we made our way back to the room.

Sydney snorted through her laugh.

"No, I hate it. But Gran is the matriarch of all matriarchs. You don't mess with her. If she wants to call me Jenny, she can."

"But no one else," I confirmed.

"Right. Try on the poofy princess one."

I looked at the dress with dread. It was absolutely not my style in any way. Corset on top with mounds and mounds of chiffon falling from the waist in a big bloom. I hated it.

Once again, I walked out to show the crowd. Immediately Cheyenne and Holland started laughing. The rest of the group wasn't far behind so instead of stepping on the riser, I made an about face and went directly back to the room. Their cackling could be heard echoing throughout the entire store.

"She looked like an upside-down flower!" one of the younger ones blurted, and she wasn't wrong.

Instead of going through each dress, I filtered through to my favorite. It was a soft eggshell white satin with spaghetti straps and a cowl neckline over the breasts. The fabric was buttery smooth, and the fluid drape hugged my curves all the way to the floor. The back was completely bare all the way to my tailbone. It was sexy, sultry, and beautifully simple.

My heart started to pound, goosebumps rose on my flesh, and I couldn't help but smile as I stared at my image in the mirror. I'd never felt more beautiful. It broke my heart a little that I was seeing myself as a bride for the first time without my own mother in attendance. But I was a strong, independent woman and I could handle the disappointment of her absence the same way I had my entire life. With grit and grace.

Sydney gasped, her hand over her mouth as she stared in awe. "That's the one. Show them. They're gonna die when they see you."

I walked slowly back out to my audience with my head held high and my heart in my throat. I wanted them to like it more than my next breath.

I needn't worry. The second I came out and stood up on the riser, Robin started crying. Odessa whooped and high-fived Holland. Cheyenne cried out, "Heck yes!" while Granny smiled and nodded.

Jennifer watched everyone's faces and then turned to me with big teary doe eyes, her hands clasped in the center of her chest. "Are we saying yes to this dress?"

"Absolutely. This is what I want to wear when Memphis sees me for the first time as his bride."