After The One (The One Series Duet) (21 page)

“This place is amazing!” Koko yelled as she hugged me and Julian at the same time.

Another round of hugs and pleasantries were exchanged before I quieted the group down.

Unfolding the papers in my handbag, I glanced down at my itinerary and map. I grinned as an excited burst of energy rippled through me. “Ahhh! We’re getting married!”

They laughed in response.

Julian put his hand on my ass and patted gently as he dropped a kiss on my lips. “Finally.”

My heart swelled.

“So this is where we are staying.” I gestured to the five villas that sat on the hilltop in a circle. Because of the height of the shrubbery, we could only see the tops of each of the villas.

Keisha looked impressed. “This isn’t some normal vacation spot. This is why we don’t see people like Oprah on a regular vacation. She goes to places like this.”

We all nodded in agreement.

As we drove through the property to get to the only villas on the hill, everything from the landscape to the buildings looked opulent and over-the-top gorgeous. We were told by the event planner that they referred to the hilltop villas as a private oasis.

“They call this up here the Hilltop and even though it’s five villas with five bedrooms each, they only rent this area as one collective unit. Don’t worry about having to share a room since each of the five villas has five bedrooms.” I gestured to the pathway on the other side of where Julian parked his car. “We take this path and we’ll be secluded in our own little oasis.”

“Well if it’s an oasis, I hope the email from the event planner was just a gross rumor…but she said the boys and girls will be separated,” Omar joked, folding his arms across his chest. “What gives?”

As everyone laughed, I rolled my eyes.

Pointing to it on the diagram, I continued, “This is where Julian’s family will be. Next one is where my family will be.” Going back to the diagram, I dragged my manicured finger to the next villa. I narrowed my eyes at Omar. “Ladies, this is where we will be, and next to us, you fellas will be there. Just for right now, Beverly and her husband will be in this one right here.” I turned around and pointed to the villa we were standing in front of, the only villa able to be seen from the cul-de-sac.

“Wait a minute! So Bev gets the place to herself and I have to stay with you guys?” Omar joked.

I glared at him, but after a few seconds, I couldn’t help but giggle. “Omar, stop! My cousin will be here on Saturday before the rehearsal and she’ll be staying there,” I replied with a shake of my head then I looked at Julian for help, gesturing to Omar.

“And both of my cousins will be here tomorrow night and they’ll be staying in there too,” Julian followed up. “You know Beverly hates when you call her Bev.”

Omar chuckled. “Bev loves me!”

I rolled my eyes dramatically. “So park in the carports on this side of the cul-de-sac, grab your stuff, and follow the path. Let the wedding weekend begin!”

The women cheered happily and started jumping up and down, hugging one another.

“I’ll hop on the grill and break out some beers so we can get the party started,” Julian shouted, causing the men to mimic us by jumping up and down and squealing.

Everyone dispersed slowly as a playful, borderline flirtatious argument broke out between my best friends and Julian’s. Since Julian and I had already parked, we grabbed our stuff from the car and headed down the path.

The villa we could see was beautiful, but walking around the shrubbery, we were in the midst of a circle of five uniquely different and gorgeous glass and bamboo vacation homes with an enormous pool situated in the center. There was also a complete grilling station and outdoor eating area near a large veranda positioned in the exact position to take in a beautiful view.

“Wow,” I breathed, my eyes wide. “The brochure did not do this justice.”

“Not at all,” Julian agreed as we gaped at our surroundings.

I could still hear our best friends giggling and talking loudly as they unloaded their cars. Julian and I walked into the villa where I would be staying first. With my wedding dress cradled in my arms like a baby, I swiped the card to enter the tallest of the five structures.

We already knew what the layout was so we made our way to the only bedroom upstairs. It took up the entire second floor and had access to a rooftop patio.

I hung my dress up in the closet and then looked around in awe. The floor to ceiling windows, the view of the ocean in the distance, the crisp white linens on the bed, the billowing sheer white curtains and the exposed bamboo beams in the ceiling gave the room a sexy island vibe.

“This is beautiful,” I gushed.

Julian put my suitcase on the hardwood floor. “It is.” He turned and looked at me, sliding his sunglasses on top of his head. “Yet somehow, it’s still not as beautiful as you.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck as he pulled me close. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“We are getting married in three days.” I let my mouth hang open for a second before I mouthed the word days again.

“How do you feel?” His grey eyes conveyed a nervousness his voice didn’t.

“Ready,” I answered honestly.

He smiled before bringing his mouth to mine, kissing me sweetly. As soon as his lips parted, the fire that burned deep inside me reignited. I ran my fingernails against his scalp as I deepened the kiss. His hands roamed over my back and dipped to my ass, pulling me flush against his him.

“Holy shit!” Lenny’s voice carried as she entered the villa. The sound of our friends reacting pulled us out of our kiss.

I made a whiny noise as I shut my eyes tightly.

I just want some alone time with my future husband!

I pouted. “I want you so bad.”

He slipped his hand between my legs. “After we get everyone settled, I plan on coming back and taking care of you.”

I moaned. “I’m holding you to that.”

“I’ve been thinking about getting inside—”

“They’re up here,” Koko’s voice erupted from the hallway, just outside the open door.

We startled apart, creating a few feet of space between us as she strolled into the room.

“Well, well, well…” She looked between us and put her hands on her hips. “What do we have here? A little afternoon delight?”

I threw my head back and laughed, but didn’t deny it.

“You know I’m not one to cockblock, but the guys can’t get into the villa without your key.” She slowly backed out of the room. “There’s too much sexual tension in here. I’m going to meet you downstairs.” She flipped her blue tinted hair over her shoulder and ran away.

“Thanks Koko,” Julian yelled after her with a laugh.

We went downstairs and found the group talking loudly in the spacious living room that looked out to the Olympic-size pool.

“Where are your parents? I thought they were right behind us,” Scott questioned as soon as he finished teasing Keisha. Although she didn’t respond, the smile she gave him said a lot.

“All four of them are with Beverly, meeting with the wedding planner and the venue coordinator,” Julian answered quickly. “Can we talk to you for a minute?”

Everyone was already seated aside from Lenny and James. They stopped whispering by the glass door that led to the patio, the interconnecting pathway to the next villa, and the outdoor bar and grilling area outside the veranda. When they sat on the beige couch next to Koko, I noticed they were extremely close.

Hmmm.
I smiled.
Interesting.

“So, while our family is handling last minute wedding stuff, we have an announcement to make,” I stated, clapping my hands together.

We had their undivided attention. I looked over at Julian and his facial expression was so cute. He looked like he was about to burst.

Putting my hand in his, I grinned. “You know what, my love? Why don’t you make the announcement?”

He lifted our intertwined hands to his lips and kissed the back of my hand. His eyes were closed and as the kiss lingered for a few seconds, I knew how much that moment meant to him.

My stomach fluttered.

He opened his eyes and looked around the room. “Zoe and I are happy you’re here.” He squeezed my hand and I squeezed back. “And we want to let you in on a secret.”

They were waiting with baited breath. I actually saw Lenny move to the edge of her seat.

“Zoe and I are going to be parents,” Julian informed them with pride lacing his words. “She’s three months pregnant.”

Every single one of them jumped to their feet. We were bombarded with hugs and stomach rubs.

“I knew it!”

“What? Are you serious?”

“You’re having a baby? That’s amazing!”

The room filled with a shocked excitement that gave me chills. After the immediate yelling, we were enveloped in some sort of eight-person hug and I loved it. After a minute or two, the men wiggled their way out of the group hug. After a few more minutes, the rest of us disengaged.

There was a lot of love and support in the room.

“No one knows except for the doctor, our parents, and you so do not say anything to anyone—especially this weekend. Don’t even talk about it amongst yourselves. Once the producers get here tomorrow, they will probably try to get you to spill anything juicy just for ratings. We don’t want anyone to know yet.”

“I’m so happy for you—both of you! That baby is going to have the coolest parents,” Koko enthused.

I put my hand over my heart. “Love you,” I mouthed to her.

“When are you due?” Keisha asked, cocking her head to the side and staring at my belly.

“Mid-June,” I answered, putting a hand on my miniscule baby bump. “June sixteenth to be exact.”

She nodded. “As long as everyone can keep their mouths shut, no one will even know. You do not look three months pregnant at all.” Keisha shook her head. “My sister is pregnant and she started showing immediately.”

“Yeah, my doctor said that because it’s my first, it may take a little longer, but I don’t care. As long as I can still fit into my gown on Sunday, my belly could pop out on Monday and I’d be good to go.”

“I can’t wait to see that dress,” Lenny threw out as she stepped over someone’s suitcase. “And then I can’t wait to see that baby. Seriously, that baby is going to be gorgeous.”

“Then he or she will take after their mother,” Julian replied smoothly.

Warmth filled me as I wrapped my arms around him. I opened my mouth to respond, but Omar cut me off.

“Okay, okay, you already got her to say yes. You don’t have to show us all up,” Omar teased, as he walked closer. He looked between us, sincere happiness and maybe a little pride emanating from his eyes. “You two are the real thing. I’m proud of you, man.”

I let go of Julian so they could do their intricate handshake-hug thing.

“This calls for a toast,” James announced in his serenely deep voice.

We relocated to the kitchen. Scott made his notoriously strong drinks with alcohol in the fully stocked bar. Everyone lifted a glass except for me; I lifted a bottle of water.

James tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. “To Zoe and Julian, and of course, the ba—”

“Knock, knock!” Beverly said as she walked into the villa, interrupting James’ toast.

As our friends greeted Beverly, I whispered to Julian. “Did you tell Beverly yet?”

“I didn’t want to tell her before our parents and she was on vacation so I was waiting until today,” he answered in a hushed tone.

I nodded, but didn’t reply as Beverly walked over to us. The room cleared out as our best friends carried the party out of the kitchen.

“You look nice,” I complimented the older woman as she kissed me on my cheek.

“So do you,” Beverly returned. “And I can’t wait to see you in your dress. I couldn’t get the full effect from the text message you sent me.”

I grinned. “I can’t wait to put it on.”

She gestured to the mess Scott had made with bottles littering the counter. “I’m going to let you kids get back to your party, but I wanted to let you know that a security guard will be stationed at the bottom and the top of the hill. The crew arrives at eight in the morning and between me, Peri Moore, and the resort staff, your privacy up here will be protected.”

“Thanks for taking care of that, Beverly.” Julian scratched his beard contemplatively. Lowering his voice, he continued, “There’s something I want to tell you.”

“Good, because there’s something I need to discuss with you as well. I know we aren’t focusing on business this weekend, but…”

“How about you two talk business and I’ll take the keycard and get everyone settled?” I offered, bumping Julian with my hip.

He dropped a kiss against my lips and then gazed at me. “Thank you, Beautiful.”

He handed me the keycard.

With a wave, I followed the sound of uncontrollable laughter and people trying to outtalk each other on the patio.

I strolled by them and called over my shoulder. “Get your stuff. We’re heading to the man cave.”

The villa the men were staying in looked almost identical to the one we were in. I noticed that the master bedroom, the one that would presumably be Julian’s room, did not have roof access as mine did.

We’d been in the men’s villa for twenty minutes before Julian marched in with his bags.

Announcing that it was time for ‘girl talk’, we left the guys to unpack. The four of us sat in the living room of the villa with wine and popcorn, dressed in comfortable clothing, and we just talked nonstop. We discussed the things we needed to get off of our chests: our wants, fears, desires, challenges, and happy moments. Any and everything we hadn’t gotten a chance to catch up on over the phone over the last few months, we chatted about. The sun had started to set by the time we started wrapping up the conversation and it really sank in how important it was to have close friendships with like-minded, yet completely different, women.

I love my crew.

When we saw the guys strolling out with speakers, alcohol, and food, we knew our cookout was about to take place. Sparking up the fire pit, we spent hours enjoying each other’s company. Our parents and Beverly came out to spend time with us for a little while, but soon, it was just the eight of us.