An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Lunch With Ivory

LENA POV

"I'm just looking for my mother. Is she working today or no?" I hear someone ask as I turn around to see a young girl who looks to be around Stefanie's age talking to Michelle.

I am not fully sure who she is as her back is turned to me, and she has a hat on with long, reddish brown hair under it. She looks as if she is an artist herself as she wears very baggy jeans with what appears to be paint on them.

"I'm sorry. I don't know who your mother is."

"Denise Mercer. She works here and told me to stop by whenever. She here or what? Can you tell her Ivory is here, her daughter?"

"Oh, of course! I didn't know you were her daughter!" I hear Michelle say as I stand now and see Denni walking out of her office as she catches my eyes and softly smiles. But she also has an expression on her face that I am unfamiliar with as Ivory turns around locking eyes with her mother.

"Oh, Dr. Mercer! I didn't know this was your daughter!" Michelle hurries over to her. "Oops! I'm so sorry!"

"No issue, Michelle. I can take it from here," Denni says as she still has her black readers on, looking stern as she turns to her daughter. "Ivory, I didn't know you were stopping by today. I wish you had called so I could accommodate you better."

"Well, my afternoon classes were cancelled, and I was in the area, so I'm here. You mentioned the other day on the phone that you wanted me to come and look at your gallery. You want me to leave?"

"No, of course not. I can move some things around." I hear Denni whisper as I sit back down trying not to stare, for Ivory looks a little different than in the photo I had seen of her as she takes off her wool, red hat despite how warm it is outside, and she has a head full of red dreads which is massively different from the long curls I had seen in the picture. She is sporting a large white tee shirt which has giant black black letters on it. I can't make out what it says as I see her sneakers with graffiti writing on them. "But um, your attire, honey, and appearance, this...is this a new look?"

"Yeah, like it? I finally feel like myself, Mom." She does a quick spin before bowing as Denni continues to stare.

"It is rather jarring, and if you need money for some clothing, we can certainly do that. But please come into my office and we can quickly go to lunch." Denni says as they make their way to my desk, and Denni stops, smiling softly at me. "Lena, I would love for you to meet my daughter, Ivory. Ivory, this is Lena."

"Nice meeting you, Len." She grins widely.

"Darling, her name is Lena." Denni corrects as I stand up now and smile at her sticking my hand out.

"It's okay. Many people call me Len. And it's nice to meet you, Ivory."

"Same. Are you coming to lunch with me and my mother?"

"Um..."

"Of course, Lena, we would love for you to join us. Are you free?" Denni asks looking at me as I just still can't get a read on her face, but what comes to my mind first is that she is very uncomfortable with her daughter's appearance.

"I am. I pretty much am caught up with everything."

"Wonderful. Let's leave in five. Ivory, please come with me to my office." Denni says rather sternly as I watch the two head into her office, and I nervously sip my water for I wasn't fully sure how lunch was going to go. I knew that I'd be meeting Ivory soon, but I realize Denni didn't set this visit into motion at all.

As the three of us make our way down to the little coffee shop down the street, we take a seat at the booth in the corner as Denni sits beside me. Being that we are so close to work, she doesn't grab my hand as Ivory looks at the menu and sips her water without a care in the world as I clear my throat and open my menu.