Chapter 12
Twelve
Present
Nicole looks me up and down, making me feel uncomfortable with her gaze on me like that. She definitely doesn’t hide her dislike.
She looks away from me and looks back at Natalia who heads to the kitchen. “So where is he? I asked Killian and Rowan but none of them want to tell me what he’s doing. Pretty sure he is with both of them.”
“Jaclyn, come and have some wine,” Natalia says. “I don’t know Nicole, you know how he is. When he wants to be alone he’ll be alone,” Natalia answers as I get off the floor and walk to the kitchen.
Chris has his back facing us while he stirs something in a mixing bowl.
Nicole crosses her arms over her chest. “I need to know where he is because we leave for Italy soon and I need to make sure that he and my dad have everything set. He hasn’t even decided on what to wear for the wedding or reception.”
My heart drops.
Just a little.
But it’s fine.
He’s not mine anymore so I can’t act sad or butt hurt. I’m the one who left him.
I can’t be sad that I’m not the one getting married to him in Italy.
I remember telling Hayden one night that my dream wedding would be held at Lake Como at the Villa Balbiano. Hayden asked if we were to ever get married where I would want it. When I asked him he said that he wouldn’t care as long as I was happy.
I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from crying or tearing up.
It’s pathetic I still feel this way after this long. I’m not allowed to think of those memories and miss them.
Nicole continues to complain about Hayden while Natalia just looks at me and gives me a sympathetic look. I give her a reassuring smile and just listen to Nicole.
Lilah is still playing with her dolls in the living room and Chris is barely even paying attention to Nicole.
Nicole turns her head to me. “Where did you say that you and Natalia met again?”
“College. I met her in our journalism class.”
It’s like realization sparks on Nicole’s face. She widens her eyes lightly, making it noticeable that she knows exactly who I am. “So you’re that Jaclyn?”
“What do you mean by that?” I raise an eyebrow at her.
Nicole smirks. “You’re the one who dated Hayden in college right? You weren’t just a part of Natalia’s friend group?”
Natalia rolls her eyes at Nicole. “You don’t have to answer her, Jaclyn. She’s just mad that Hayden doesn’t care about her.”
“Eat shit, Natalia.” Nicole shakes her head lightly before focusing back on me. “Well?” She raises an eyebrow waiting for me to answer.
Someone needs to knock some manners into this bitch. “Yea, we dated. But we broke up so there’s nothing really to talk about,” I say, before sitting down on the stool next to the island.
Natalia pours wine into two glasses. She takes a sip of hers and pushes another towards me.
A little wine won’t hurt, especially with Nicole asking about my history with the group.
“So you know the boys well?”
I nod my head and take a sip of the wine. “Yea. We all hung out pretty much everyday.”
“They all mentioned you. Hayden never said a thing about you to me but I would overhear conversations that he would have with his brother. And then Max never stops mentioning you. Don’t get me started on this one here.” Nicole looks at Natalia but Natalia just glares at her.
“We were all pretty close.” I shrug. “How did you meet Hayden?”
“Family acquaintance introduced us. We were at a business party when my dad met Hayden through a family acquaintance,” Nicole says, like it’s nothing. Usually people who are engaged would smile and talk about how happy they are with that person but Nicole looks so nonchalant. “How did you end up becoming close with Natalia and the boys?”
“No clue. We just grew closer as time went by. Natalia and I got along instantly.”
Can’t say the same about Hayden though.
“Has Hayden always been bad at answering the phone?”
Not with me.
Natalia rolls her eyes again. “Nicole, stop being stupid and just leave Jaclyn alone. She’s here to have lunch with me, not to get intimidated by you.”
I furrow my eyebrows. “I’m not intimidated by her. I just think it’s funny with all the questions she’s asking,” I say, a smile slowly growing on my face. This girl seriously sounds desperate with how much she is asking about Hayden and my past with the group. “Hayden does what Hayden does, Nicole. No one can really control him or keep him in check.”
“Let’s hope he fixes his fucking attitude once we’re married. I thought this was going to be easy.”
“No one’s forcing you to marry him,” Natalia mumbles as she sips her wine.
Nicole glares at her before looking at me. “Have you ever been to Italy?” I shake my head ‘no’. “You want to come to Italy for a wedding?”
Did she just ask if I wanted to come to her wedding?
Is this bitch high or something?
She wants her fiancé’s ex to go to her wedding? What’s wrong with this girl?
Before I can say no, Natalia speaks up with a smile returning to her face. “Oh my God, Jaclyn, yes! You have to come. Nicole’s dad is setting us up in the nicest hotel near Spiaggia della Gaiola! Super nice.”
I shake my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
For the first time since we have been in the kitchen, Chris turns his head. “You should come. It’ll be fun and you’ll get to see everyone again,” Chris suggests.
Going to Hayden Night’s wedding where I’ll be face to face with Hayden, the boy whose heart I broke while breaking mine in the process? The father of my son?
How is that a good idea?
Yes, I’ll be able to see everyone but I’ll also have to see Hayden and see him kiss the girl he is marrying.
Why the fuck would I want to do that?
“See? You should come? We’ll be going to clubs, parties, nice bars, the beach, everything. You’ll have fun.” Nicole smiles but I can tell it’s fake.
“I have work.” I smile back. “I won’t be able to.”
Not to mention I won’t be with Junior.
And the thought of that alone scares the shit out of me.
Since I had Junior, I’ve been with him every single day. There hasn’t been one day where I was without him.
“Tell your boss that you are going on a business trip. It will be for research purposes. You can tell her that you are going to Hayden Night's wedding, the famous world champion boxer, and you will get an interview with him and details about everything. Your boss won't say no to that and I'm sure my brother will happily accept.” Natalia gives me a mischievous smile that I know means bad news.
Jules has been pissed off with me lately and if I tell her about this opportunity she will without a doubt let me go.
One big con is just seeing Hayden.
Why the hell would I want to say ‘yes’ to go and see him?
That’s screaming for trouble.
But my heart can’t help but say yes.
So like a fool, falling I say, “Yes.”