Imagined Love (21 page)

“Wow, that was crazy, wasn’t it? I thought some chairs were about to get thrown up in here.”

Jade stared at the man who’d plopped in the seat next to hers as if he had two heads! “I’m sorry,” she said, leaning away from him. “Can I help you?”

“I sure hope so. I’ve been waiting for a chance to talk to you all night. But that guy you’re with is pretty rough on the brothers so I was hoping to catch you alone. I’m Levi, by the way.”

“Okay, Levi, so you’ve been stalking me? Lurking in the shadows because you were too scared to come talk to me?”

“No, girl, it’s not like that,” he laughed. “I was just waiting for my number to come up.”

“Your what?”

“You know the number? Like when you go to the bakery and you have to take a . . . well, I guess it’s not funny if I have to do all that explaining, huh? So let me start over. Like I said, my name is Levi Johnson and I think you’re a very beautiful woman. I was wondering if I could buy you a drink and hang out with you for a while. That’s all.”

Jade looked at him for a few moments as if she was just seeing him for the first time. He was kind of cute, though, and she thought it wouldn’t hurt to talk with him for a while. Levi was pleasantly surprised to learn she didn’t drink. He actually preferred women who didn’t and told Jade she was winning him over.

“Oh, so I’m winning you over, huh?”

“What, you think because you fine you don’t have to try to impress men? Hey, I was just kidding,” he said when Jade frowned at him. “I’m sorry. People tell me I’ve got a dry sense of humor and it’s not easy to tell when I’m joking or serious. But I was just playing, okay?”

Levi and Jade were about to head to the dance floor when Landon and Gabrielle returned. The smile on her face was all Jade needed to see to know her big brother had handled the problem. Knowing Landon, he’d probably taken his wife for a quickie to reassure her that his heart and body belonged to her alone.

Jade introduced them to Levi and they spoke briefly. As usual, Landon made it necessary for her to get up and take her suitor somewhere else. So the two of them went upstairs to the lounge area where they spent hours exchanging information about one another. Jade found herself becoming more attracted to Levi the longer they talked. Physically, he was very different from the type of men to which she was normally attracted. Levi was only three inches taller at 5’11” and a lot thinner than Jade typically liked her men to be. She liked big, burly men who could pick her up and throw her over their shoulders. Levi didn’t look strong enough to lift a twenty pound box! However, the more time they spent talking the more Jade got to see his big heart and how genuine he was.

It actually made her sad to learn that thirty-two-year old Levi would be leaving in a few days to return to Germany where he’d been stationed for nearly two years. Serving in the Army was a childhood dream of his which he pursued right out of high school. Levi was born and raised in Los Angeles and was the middle child of three. He had an older sister and younger brother, both of whom lived in Southern California along with his parents and his four-year-old daughter Levia. Levi’s eyes sparkled when he spoke of his child and Jade found that endearing and sweet. The only thing she didn’t like was the pack of Marlboro cigarettes sticking out of his shirt pocket.

“Believe it or not, I’m quitting. I’ve had this pack for two weeks when I would normally smoke it in a day. It’s just been harder to quit than I thought it would be. But for you, pretty lady,” Levi said, as he balled up the package, “I’ll quit right here and now.”

Jade didn’t know how much she believed him but she appreciated the effort. The idea of someone kissing her with the smell and taste of tobacco on his lips turned her stomach. Levi viewed the disgusted look on Jade’s face as motivation to do what he already knew he needed to do.

“Ten, nine, eight . . .” the crowd counted down before confetti flew everywhere.

“May I?” Levi asked then kissed Jade’s cheek. “Happy new year, pretty lady. I hope this will be the first of many.”

On the ride home Landon told Jade not to even waste her time on that clown Levi because he wasn’t the one for her. Gabrielle pointed out that no one would ever be good enough as far he was concerned. Then an old suspicion she’d had when she first met Landon crept back to her mind. She wondered if he talked badly about Jade’s boyfriends because he believed he was the one for her. Gabrielle

pushed those thoughts out of her mind and encouraged Jade to live her life. They both thought Levi was a nice guy and deserved a chance to show if he was in fact the one. Landon strongly disagreed and they argued about it the whole ride home.

Jade spent the next day with Levi and really enjoyed his company. He was definitely a lot more mature than the men she’d dated before, but she thought it may have been what she needed. Laughing and joking all the time hadn’t exactly gotten Jade the type of relationship she desired, so perhaps it was time for her to be a bit more serious. She gave Levi her address and asked him to write to her. Jade decided not to take his address or phone number saying it was up to him to make the first move. If he was really interested then he’d make the effort. The first letter she received had been mailed before Levi even left for Germany and that definitely won Jade over.

As the weeks went by she found herself rushing home to check the mail. Levi called a few times but the letters were how they really got to know each other. Soon Jade and Levi received a letter or card from each other every day. Some were more like notes depending on how busy their days were. Most, however, were pages and pages of them baring their souls to one another. Jade fell in love a little more each time she heard from Levi.

“Baby girl, I think this whole thing with Levi is sweet and romantic and all but I don’t want you to be sitting up waiting on this guy,” Willa said during her and Jade’s weekly lunch date. “I think that fellow Demetrius is really nice. And he truly likes you, honey. I talk to him almost every day when he calls your office and I sign for those beautiful flowers he sends to you. So why don’ t you give him a chance? I really think you’ll like him.”

“I do like Demetrius, Ma . . . just not like that. We went out a few times like seven or eight months ago but he just won’t accept that I don’t want a relationship with him. And I really wish you would stop encouraging him because I’m not gonna change my mind.”

“Nobody’s saying you have to marry him, Jade. Just go out and have some fun. You need something more than a pen pal, baby girl. I hate seeing you up in your apartment all the time writing letters when you could be out with friends or on a date with Demetrius or somebody. You’re too beautiful and way too smart to waste your time falling in love with letters.”

“I understand what you’re saying, Ma. I do. But I love Levi. And I think he’s a lot more than a pen pal,” Jade said, as she grew frustrated with her mother. “He asked me to marry him and I said yes.”

“Yeah, you told me. And like I said, until you have a ring on your finger it ain’t official,” Willa stated. “I know you think you know everything about him, baby girl, but it will be different once he’s here everyday. You’ll get to know who he really is. And maybe he’ll be wonderful. Maybe Levi will be the same guy he’s

portrayed himself to be in all those letters. But don’t rush things, okay? You and Levi have only known each other for six months. And in that time only two days were actually spent together. You might feel differently in a few weeks when he gets here. So don’t commit yourself until you’re sure he’s the one.”

Jade understood what her mother was saying. And there was a part of her that feared what it would really be like when they were finally together. She knew the relationship wasn’t perfect and that they had things to work through like any couple. Levi had the tendency to be jealous and that was a huge turn off for Jade. She’d been very candid about her feelings on the subject and noticed changes in his behavior. Levi changing his words in a letter and what he’d be like in person, however, were two very different things.

There was also a male chauvinist part to his personality which Jade didn’t care for at all. Levi said he was proud of her success with the business but he still thought a woman’s job was to wait on and cater to her man and stay home to care for the kids. The only reason it hadn’t turned into a huge problem was because Jade wanted to be a stay-at-home mother whenever she decided to have kids.

Overall, though, Jade felt confident about her relationship with Levi. It was the first time she felt as though she’d really gotten to know a man. Although it was lonely at times not being able to catch a movie or have dinner together, Jade felt in some ways it was beneficial. The two of them were forced to connect in a way they may not have otherwise. Jade liked not feeling pressured to have sex. It was refreshing to have a man taking the time to find out what made her tick instead of rushing to hop into bed with her. She could only hope that wouldn’t change when Levi was actually in her presence.

“Hey, Jade, Gabrielle and I were thinking of taking you to San Francisco for your birthday. We haven’t been to Pier 39 in forever. Maybe we can get on the Hornblower for an evening cruise. You gotta do some grownup stuff now that you’re turning twenty-three. I think you getting too big for Chuck E. Cheese’s,” Landon laughed. “So what do you think? Does the pier sound cool?”

“Yeah, I’d love to do that! Maybe we can go when I get back.”

“When you get back from where?”

“What do you mean?” Jade frowned. “Hel-lo? Levi will be in L.A. next week.”

“Whoa, hold up a second! I thought you were planning to take a few days off to spend time with him here!” Landon barked. “You are not flying down there alone to meet this dude, Jade! I’m sorry but no!”

Jade laughed as she walked out of his office and headed to hers.

“You can laugh all you want to but I’m serious, Jade. You ain’t going nowhere,” Landon said, as he followed her. “What is going through your mind,

girl? You don’t know this guy like that. He could’ve been saying any thing in those letters! Have him come out here to meet you so we can keep an eye on him because you’re not going out there alone.”

“So you’re my father now?”

“No, I’m your brother and I love you and I’ll be damned if I let somebody hurt you!” Landon said with fear and concern in his eyes.

“Landon,” Jade cooed. “I’ll be perfectly safe. Levi is planning to marry me, not hurt me. So don’t worry, okay? I’ll be fine.”

“I know what to do with you . . . crazy ass,” he mumbled then grabbed her phone.

“What are you gonna do, tell on me?” Jade giggled.

“Damn right! You laughing but . . . oh good she’s here. Hey, Ma, tell Jade she ain’t going to L.A. to meet this man. I don’t know what she’s thinking but tell her to keep her butt here!”

“Tell her?” Willa frowned. “Landon, Jade is grown. She can go where she wants.”

“She can go where she . . . what the . . .? What is wrong with y’all? We do not know this guy and I don’t think it’s cool for her to be jetting off to meet him when none of us will know where she is. He might not even have family down there. For all we know he could be planning to hack her up in a million pieces and spread her around L.A.! I mean, come on, Jade. You said yourself Levi’s a little possessive and jealous acting. If you can feel that from some letters what do you think he’ll be like in person? He could be a psychopath and you going on his turf! Nah, I don’t like this one bit and it upsets me that y’all okay with it.”

Gabrielle had just gotten out of the shower when she heard Landon yelling. Sometimes she wondered if he thought Jade was his child and that he had the right to control her life. I wish he cared that much about what I did, Gabriele thought as she hurried to get dressed. She threw on her scrubs and rushed downstairs hoping she could calm her husband before he exploded.

“Babe, Jade will be fine,” Gabrielle said, gently stroking his face. “You can’t honestly believe Levi is planning to kill her, do you?”

“So you agree with this mess too, huh?” Landon huffed. “That’s alright. I know somebody who’ll be on my side,” he said then pushed the speed dial button on Jade’s phone. “Hey, Mr. Phillips, I need your help.” Landon explained the situation hoping their California dad could talk some sense into Jade.

Mr. Phillips listened and completely agreed with Landon. However, he wasn’t one for telling grown folks what to do. And he knew Jade well enough to know it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. When she got something in her head to do there was no talking her out of it. He reminded Landon of that fact and told him

to give her room to make her own mistakes. Neither of them really believed Jade was in any physical danger so they had to let her go. She was an adult after all.

Before she left Jade made sure Landon had Levi’s parents’ phone number and address. It was the only way she could keep him from buying a plane ticket to come with her! He was truly her big brother, overprotective and all and Jade loved him to death for it.

“Call me as soon as you get there,” Landon said after they’d checked in her luggage.

“Okay.”

“I’m serious, Jade. Don’t have me blowing up those people’s phone because you forgot to call. You know I’ll do it too, so spare us both the aggravation,” he fussed. “And you know I’ll be there in a heartbeat if you need me.”

Jade gave Landon a huge hug and kissed his cheek then promised to call the moment she got there. She knew him well enough to know he’d call every fifteen minutes until he was able to speak to her.

“I love you, Landon.”

“I love you too, baby girl. Be safe, okay? And don’t forget to call me as soon as you get there.”

One last hug and Jade boarded the plane hoping she’d finally found the one true love of her life.

Jade was a nervous wreck during the flight. She and Levi had been anticipating their reunion for months, but somehow it seemed unreal. She was about to come face to face with the man she had agreed to marry and her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest! Suddenly Jade began to wonder if Landon was right and that it was a stupid idea for her to go to L.A. alone. By the time the plane landed an hour and a half later she was convinced she’d made a mistake. She should’ve waited for him to come to Union City. What if Levi really was crazy? Jade’s mind was spinning out of control with such thoughts when she saw him walking towards her.

For weeks Jade had envisioned them doing the slow motion run across the airport into each other’s arms, their hearts overflowing with love and passion. However, what Jade felt at that moment wasn’t nearly as romantic. In fact, she didn’t feel much of anything. “Hi,” she uttered. And even when Levi held her close to him, there wasn’t much going on in the way of sparks.

“Wow! I can’t get over how beautiful you are,” Levi smiled brightly. “Let me look at you, lady. God, you are so pretty. And I love this dress you got on. It’s a little tight at the top, though. I bet all kinds of men were trying to hook up with you, weren’t they?” Levi put a smile on his face when he saw the frown on Jade’s. He tried to make it seem as if he was just joking. “So how was your flight?”

They chitchatted while waiting in the baggage claim area but it was obvious Jade’s yellow sundress was really bothering Levi. He kept staring at it with a frown on his face as she talked to him. However, what shocked Jade was when Levi stopped in front of the ladies’ room instead of heading to the parking garage.

“I thought you might want to freshen up a bit. The stalls are pretty big so you’ll have enough room to change. We have plenty of time to get to my parents’ house so take your time.” Jade thought Levi was joking and started laughing. “What’s funny?” he asked, clearly annoyed by her laughter.

“Oh, you’re serious? You really think I’m gonna change my dress because you don’t like it?” Jade asked, staring at Levi like he was insane! “I guess you must be confused so let me help you. Your daughter’s name is Levia, not Jade. So now that we’ve gotten that cleared up, do you want to go to your parents’ or do I need to go back home?”

“What . . . no, of course I don’t want you to go back home, baby. Look, I’m sorry, okay? I just . . . you’re so beautiful, baby, and I get a little riled up at the idea of other men looking at you and wanting you. I’m sorry, though, baby,” he said then embraced her tightly.

Things were getting off to a rough start but Jade hoped that was the last of the drama between them. Levi apologized profusely and kept hugging and kissing her. They finally left to see his parents who he said were very excited to meet her. Thirty minutes later Jade received a warm welcome from William and Ruby Johnson and Levi’s brother Calvin and his sister Martha. They laughed and joked with one another for a few hours before it was time to get dinner started. William asked Jade how she liked her steak but before she could respond, Levi answered. He thought the only way to eat a steak was medium rare and hated that Jade liked hers well done. In his opinion that killed the flavor.

The look on Jade’s face let everyone know she wasn’t happy. “I thought I made myself clear in the airport when I reminded you that I’m not your daughter, Levi. You don’t decide what clothes I wear and you don’t speak for me. I’m an adult who’s very capable of making my own decisions,” she said, rolling her eyes at him. “So if you don’t mind, Mr. Johnson, I’d like my steak well done.”

“Yes, ma’am . . . and call me William,” he smiled. He and Ruby liked that Jade had a backbone and wasn’t a pushover like the women Levi usually dated.

After dinner Levi took Jade on a tour of the house and they ended up in his bedroom. He pulled her close to him but she pulled away. Levi was definitely frustrated. He thought they’d be all over each other but Jade didn’t seem interested in being intimate with him.

“So are you still mad the reason you won’t let me touch you?”

“Well, your attitude hasn’t exactly put me in a romantic mood.”

Levi apologized and promised to straighten up his act. Then he leaned in to kiss her. Jade kissed him back but still didn’t feel any fireworks. It was nice but nothing incredible, although Levi seemed to have a difference of opinion. He embraced her tightly as his kiss grew more intense and urgent. Jade stopped him when he began lifting her dress. It seemed as if Levi’s willingness to wait for sex was no longer the case.

He was definitely frustrated with Jade’s lack of interest and asked if she was involved with someone else. His question led to an argument and she accused him of cheating. Levi swore he hadn’t and never would because he loved Jade so much. Again he apologized profusely for upsetting her and suggested they start over fresh by celebrating her birthday the following day.

Wanting so much to believe she hadn’t made a mistake with Levi, Jade agreed to start with a clean slate. They both thought meeting his family on their first day together may have been too much. The two of them needed time alone to have fun and enjoy each other. As Willa often pointed out, they’d only actually been together two days and needed time to get to know each other. So at six o’clock the next morning, before his parents awoke, Levi and Jade left for the entire day. And they really did have a good time. Jade saw more of the sweet,

generous guy she’d come to love from his letters and she liked it. Levi went out of his way to make her feel special and she appreciated that.

“Come on, baby,” Levi said, as he led Jade through the mall. “I want to be sure you get exactly what you want,” he smiled when they arrived at the jeweler’s.

Jade lit up and began bouncing and clapping. Levi was about to make their engagement official. She didn’t want to admit it, but what Willa said about the ring really struck a nerve with her. It was easy for him to ask her to marry him but it seemed like a sham without the ring. And it wasn’t a thing of being materialistic it was more about feeling like Levi was serious and really wanted to make that type of commitment.

“Show me what you like.”

Jade went right for the big, flashy rings which were naturally more expensive. She laughed when Levi’s eyes grew wide with panic. He let out a sigh of relief once he realized she was joking. Then he took it upon himself to ask to see the plain wedding bands. Jade laughed again until it became clear he wasn’t kidding. The two of them decided to meet in the middle by looking at rings that weren’t quite as flashy or as bland as the ones they each had chosen. After twenty minutes of trying on rings, Levi and Jade found one they both liked. So she was confused when he took it off her finger and let the jeweler put it back in the case. Jade became enraged when Levi walked towards the exit without any explanation.

“Let’s get something to eat, Jade. I’m starving.”

“Is this your idea of a joke?” she fumed.

“What do you mean? What’s wrong?” he frowned. “Oh, no! You didn’t think we were getting the ring today, did you? I’m gonna come back for it later.”

“Why? It’s obviously not a surprise so what would be the point to coming back tomorrow when you can get it now?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yeah, because you’ll be with Levia all day tomorrow and we fly out early Monday morning so when else could you come here to get it?”

Levi grabbed Jade’s hands and placed kisses on both. “I just can’t seem to get it right, can I? I’m sorry I gave you the wrong impression but I’m not getting the ring this weekend. I wanted to know what you like so when I do get it, you’ll be happy with it.”

“You are so full of . . . ooh!” Jade shouted trying hard to resist the urge to hit Levi! “Ooh, I can’t believe I’m this stupid! You’re just playing games!”

“Sh, calm down, baby,” Levi whispered when people began looking at them. “Can we talk about this privately?”

“It’s nothing to talk about,” Jade cried, as she made her way out of the jeweler’s. “I’m the idiot that actually fell for this crap . . . and the crap you pulled last night!”

Jade felt like the world’s biggest fool! For the past month all Levi talked about was how excited he was to put a ring on her finger. And after Willa told him he was full of it for proposing in the first place, he assured Jade she wouldn’t be going back to Union City without being officially engaged. Then, after sneaking into her room in the middle of the night, he went on about how much he loved Jade and couldn’t wait to be her husband. Levi whispered all the wonderful things he was going to do for her and how happy they would be together. Soon after, he was kissing and touching all over her and one thing led to another!

“Take me back to your parents’ house. I wanna get my stuff and get the hell out of here!” Jade shouted, as she raced through the mall.

“Come on, Jade, don’t do this,” Levi said, jumping in front of her. “Just be patient and you’ll get everything you want. Trust me, okay? But you can’t be threatening to leave every time things don’t go your way. That’s not fair, baby.”

Jade wanted to slap off his face! She didn’t give a damn about being fair. Her time with Levi had been nothing like she expected or was promised. And the truth was Jade was angrier at herself. There was absolutely no reason she should have slept with Levi. She hadn’t really wanted to and completely regretted doing so. Katrina’s words suddenly came back to haunt her. Once she’d said all people had to do was tell Jade how much they loved her and she’d give them whatever they wanted. Her three former lovers had all done it and gotten exactly what they were after. Then she’d gone and let a fourth man do it! Jade felt embarrassed and ashamed and wanted to go home to the people who really loved her. The ones who’d tried to warn her all along.

“I don’t have the money, Jade,” Levi blurted, in the parking lot.

“What?” she barked.

“I had every intention of getting your ring this weekend but some things came up and I had to spend more than I planned. The flights were a little more expensive than I thought and then I had . . .”

“You were the one insisting on paying for them. I told you I could pay for my own flight out here.”

“I know you did, but I still feel like it was my responsibility. I was the one asking you to come here to meet my family and it was only right that I pay for it. So I’m not blaming you, Jade, I’m just trying to explain what happened. Then Nina called saying Levia needed a few things and she didn’t have the money. So on top of the child support I already pay, I had to give more and I wasn’t expecting that. I mean, I could’ve said no, but . . .”

“I would never expect you not to provide for your child because of me, Levi. You know better than that. All you had to do was be up front instead of making me look like a fool! Of course I thought we were getting the ring because that’s all we’ve been talking about for weeks. So for you to stand there acting like you had

no idea where I could’ve possibly gotten that idea really pisses me off!” Jade snapped. “Maybe my mom was right. Maybe you did propose just to keep me from seeing other people.”

“Damn, Jade, you really know how to hurt me, don’t you?” Levi asked. “Please tell me you don’t really believe that. After everything we’ve shared with each other do you honestly think I would do something like that?”

Jade took a deep breath. “I don’t know what to think, Levi. Nothing has gone right since I got here. You were tripping in the airport and even more when we got to your parents’ house. And, according to your mother and sister, Nina still thinks you’re coming back to her. So unless she’s just crazy, you have to be doing something to give her that impression. Then last night . . . I don’t know, Levi. A part of me wonders if this is all happening too fast. Maybe we shouldn’t be considering getting married. Maybe we shouldn’t even be together.” Jade shook her head as she paced back and forth. “But then again it’s only been a day and perhaps we need more time to work things out. Man, I don’t know.”

“Well, I know, so I guess I’ll have to be confident for the both of us. I have no doubt we’re meant to be,” Levi said, as he planted a kiss on her hand. “I’m in love with you. And last night? God, Jade, last night was incredible! I know you said you wanted to wait a while but I couldn’t help myself. For months I’ve been daydreaming about the day I got to make love to you and knowing you were right down the hall was too much to take. I couldn’t wait anymore, baby. I needed to hold you and be close to you. And you were every bit as sexy and wonderful and amazing as I imagined you would be. I love you, Jade. So please don’t give up on us, okay? I just need to do a better job of communicating with you. Please forgive me for the misunderstanding about the ring. I never meant to make you feel like a fool. I was embarrassed and didn’t handle the situation the right way. Please give me another chance to make things right. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Jade, and I don’t want to lose you. Please.”

Knowing how important it was for Jade to have her ring, Levi suggested opening a credit account at the jeweler’s they’d gone to. He felt humiliated but saw no other option outside of making her wait a few months until he could afford to buy it. So they went back to the jeweler’s and he opened the account. Levi was already embarrassed that he couldn’t afford an eight hundred dollar ring but when his poor credit made it necessary to make a three hundred dollar deposit, he wanted to die! And to add insult to injury, Jade whipped out her credit card to pay for it. Levi promised to repay the deposit and make the monthly payments.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered after sliding the ring on Jade’s finger. “I promise to make this right, baby. But can we keep this between us? I can only imagine what your mom would say to me if she knew.”

Jade couldn’t believe he thought it was necessary to say that. She had no intentions of telling anyone. Jade didn’t say it but she was embarrassed too.

William and Ruby were thrilled about the engagement and wanted to treat the lovebirds to dinner. The four of them cleaned up and changed and were about to leave when Nina showed up to drop off Levia. Levi wasn’t expecting her until the following morning but was overjoyed to have his daughter there.