Chapter 24
twenty-four
. . .
Indi
" W ell, the pink dress returns," Kinsley chirps as she looks up from her book. She has the morning off, which is why I could keep the car overnight. "And along with the dress"—she tilts her head—"slightly rumpled, I might add, you're positively glowing." She drops the book on the cushion next to her. "I insist on hearing every detail. Within reason," she adds with a blush.
I walk to the kitchen to make myself a piece of toast. "We had a nice chat. And stuff."
Kinsley laughs as she follows me into the kitchen. "Indiana Nash and Jameson Wilde. It's as if a second dimension opened up, and we're now living in it. You two spent your entire high school years scowling and snapping at each other. I guess I was right—all that passionate hate was really just passion," she says.
I grab the peanut butter from the cupboard. "I think we both just grew out of that overwrought emotional phase of our teen years." The entire way home I was asking myself—did that just happen? I can still smell his soap on my skin. I can still feel his hand between my thighs. And my tender lips assure me those kisses were all too real.
Kinsley takes my lead and drops a piece of bread in the toaster. Minutes later, we're both leaning over El Honey's hundred-year-old, scarred pine table nibbling peanut butter toast and washing it down with cold milk.
"Do you think it'll last?" Kinsley asks. It would figure today would be the one day she felt like being a pragmatist.
The question hits me hard. I really want it to last, but the way my life is prone to regular roller coaster bumps and dips, I worry that it won't.
Kinsley is waiting anxiously for an answer. "I hope so," I say and hate the way my voice sounds, as if I've already accepted inevitable defeat. Just a day ago I was sure I would leave Rockhurst to start my next adventure, and now I've tangled myself up in an emotionally-charged relationship. And emotionally-charged isn't hyperbole. Jameson and I were entirely incompatible as teens. Or at least that was the way I perceived it. It seemed he had an entirely different perspective on it. This wasn't a new, fresh-off-the-production-line relationship. The kind where you're not entirely sure what will happen next, and your feelings are in flux because you're still getting to know the person. Jameson and I have a long history together—some of it volatile. We've seen each other at our best and at our worst. Being with him seems right, like I've finally come home, but is that just the feverish vapors from making love all night? I haven't felt so safe and loved in someone's arms since—since my dad was alive.
"I'm picturing a wedding out on the beach," Kinsley says. "We'll wear colorful satiny dresses, the kind that shimmer in the sunlight. We'll throw flowers around the beach to dot the sand with color and fragrance, and after the ceremony, we'll all go to Jameson's house for a barbecue and a vanilla bean cupcake tower."
I stare at her as I chew my toast. "You sure have a lot of details ready to go. Been planning this long?"
Kinsley sighs. "It's actually my own wedding, but since my love life is in the toilet, I'm happy to pass my plan over to you. Someone might as well get some use out of it."
I reach across the table to take her hand. "Your prince is out there waiting for you to find him."
Kinsley laughs. "Look at you talking about my prince when you only just found yours. Actually, he's been there all along. Just took you a second to open your friggin' eyes, Sleeping Beauty. I always thought you'd end up together."
I release her hand and sit up straight. "Really?"
"Nah, that's total bullshit, but I did know Jameson liked you … a lot."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
She raises a brow. "Would it have mattered? You were with Zach, and you were the it couple. There were even rumors that Zach would propose to you on the stage at graduation."
"Oh my gosh, our entire graduating class was filled with a bunch of starry-eyed, romantic dorks. Zach and I drifted apart during senior year. We were just good at ignoring the obvious signs. I guess we did that mostly not to ruin the storyline. Like you said—everyone expected us to end up together after high school."
Kinsley picks up a few toast crumbs on her fingertip and licks them off. "One thing is certain?—"
"Yeah? What's that?"
"Absolutely no one thought that Indiana Nash, the school jewel, would end up with Jameson Wilde." She slaps the table. "Have you told Weston? How do you think he'll react?"
"I haven't told him. I've barely told myself. I think he'll be happy for me." I pause and give it a few seconds thought. "Maybe."
Kinsley stands and picks up the dishes. "I'm going for a run on the beach. You interested? Or maybe you're too, you know, tired?" She winks.
"Speaking of dorks," I say as I get up from the table.
"Hey, my sex life is zombie-level dead. Allow me to live vicariously through the adventures of Indi Nash. I'll bet Jameson doesn't disappoint in the bedroom."
I can't hide the smile or the blush. "He's pretty amazing."
She claps. "I knew it. Well, even though my vagina is drying up like an old prune, I'm happy for yours."
I shake my head. "I forgot that you have no filters. But that's why I love you. You go ahead. I was thinking of heading over to Bassett to see about that bartending job."
"Good idea and have you given any thought to working at the sandwich shop?"
"Yes, if Nev will have me, I'm happy to work for her."
Kinsley claps fast and does a little tap dance. "No more smelling like onions and pastrami." She stops. "Not that it's all that bad, and I think you'll be just as fun if you smell like pastrami. Jameson might even like you more," she says with a giggle.
"Go on your run, you silly woman. Oh, wait, can I borrow your car? I take back the silly woman comment."
"Yeah, go ahead."
"Thanks." I turn to head down the hallway for a shower.
"Hey, Indi," Kinsley says.
"Yeah?"
"I'm happy for you, but I'm even happier for Jameson. I think Nonna was right. Everyone misjudged those Wilde boys."
I nod and smile. "El Honey was always wise."