Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
JESSICA
I haven’t told Caleb or Noah yet, but I came off my contraceptive. I wanted it to be a surprise for our wedding night. I also have something else in mind, it’s why they don’t know it yet, but I will be asking that we all abstain from sex at least a week or so before the wedding.
I know how much Caleb loves delayed gratification, so this could just work in our favour.
And that is also why me, Lily, and Avery will be heading to Ann Summers after we’ve had bottomless brunch, so I can treat myself to some sexy lingerie.
They’re here to celebrate my engagement, but that’s not the only reason.
I reach into my oversized tote, pull out the two gift bags, and slide them towards the girls.
Avery glances at the bag and then back to me.
“What’s this?” she asks.
“Open them and find out,” I reply, suddenly really bloody nervous.
They pull on the ribbon and reach for the small note and personalised bottles of prosecco. Then they each pull out the cookies I handmade and iced. It took me four attempts to get them just right.
Lily squeals and Avery stares back at me, her lips parted in surprise.
My palms sweat. What if they say no?
Avery pushes to her feet and rounds the table.
“Come here,” she says. I stand up, and she immediately pulls me into a hug. “Hell, yes, I’ll be your bridesmaid.”
She draws back and wipes under her eyes as Lily takes her place and hugs me too.
“Thank you. I’d be honoured,” she says, her eyes sparkling with emotion as she returns to her seat.
“I was worried. I mean, I know I’ve not known you long, but you’ve been amazing friends.”
“Time is irrelevant when you find your people,” Avery says.
I nod because, yeah, she’s right. They’re both like the sisters Inever had and always wanted.
Don’t get me wrong, Mason is great. I love him to bits, of course I do, but having Lily and Avery to confide in and to do things like this with, especially after I fractured so many friendships due to my past, it’s like I get to start again.
“Very true. Thank you,” I say, unable to hide the emotion in my voice.
“You don’t have to thank us,” Lily says, reaching out for my hand.
I nod and blink away my tears.
“Toast,” Avery says, raising her glass.
Lily and I reach for ours.
“To friends who are family. Cheers!”
We clink our glasses and take a sip, the bubbles tickling my nose.
“Right,” Avery says as she pulls out her phone andholds it above us atthe endof the table.“Get in here. We need a selfie, ladies, to document this occasion.”
After she’ssatisfiedshe has theperfect shot, we ask her to send us a copy beforeshe moves to arrange her cookie and bottle of Prosecco before taking a couple more.
“Need to update my Instagram,” she says. “And this is most definitely grid worthy.”
By the time we make it to Ann Summers, to say we are half-cut is an understatement.
“I think we might have had a little too much to drink,” I say as I beeline for a sexy two-piece.
“Pftt, we’re celebrating. We’re allowed to indulge every now and again,” Avery says as she looks at the underwear I’m holding up.
“Oh, that’s hot,” she says, flicking through a similar one in purple. “Doubt they have it in my size.”
I glance to see her chewing on her lip as she flicks through the hangers and pauses when she must find the size she’s looking for.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” she says, pulling it free. “What do you think?” she asks, holding it up to her body.
“One hundred percent,” I reply.
“Oh, yes,” Lily adds as she comes over with a few things hanging off her arm. Avery raises an eyebrow.
“Planning a little something something?” she asks with a wink.
Lily laughs. “A lot of something somethings if I have my way. What about you? Who is that for?”
Avery straightens before flicking her hair over her shoulder. “It’s for me.”
“Uh-huh,” Lily replies.
“What? it is. I don’t need a man when I have perfectly good toys to keep me entertained,” she retorts.
“I never said anything,” Lily replies, not missing a beat.
Avery pokes out her tongue in response. “No, you didn’t have to. Whatever you’re scheming up, you need not, okay?”
That piques my interest. “Oh, are we setting her up?” I ask.
Avery huffs with a shake of her head. “No, and I’m right here,” she says.
I can’t help but hide my smile as she pouts.
“Oh, come on, you were the one moaning about not getting any dick recently.”
Avery rolls her eyes. “I was not moaning... okay, maybe I was moaning, but it’s fine. I’m fine. Like I said, I have plenty of toys.”
Someone nearby calls over, “Amen to that, sister.” And we all burst out laughing.
“Hmm, if you say so, but if you want a date for my wedding, I’m sure we can set you up.”
“Nope, I’ll be going alone. And let’s normalise being single.”
I suddenly feel bad. “I’m sorry, Avery. I didn’t mean it to shame you.”
She shakes her head. “God, sorry, I know you didn’t. It’s my mom. She’s been really pushy lately.”
Lily looks as contrite as I feel. She steps up beside Avery and wraps her arm around her back. “I’m sorry, Avery. I thought she’d backed off.”
Avery just waves it off. “No, it’s fine. Anywho, we’re celebrating, right? And buying underwear that makes us feel good, regardless of who is going to see us in it.”
She points at a one-piece over my shoulder. “Now that is gorgeous.”
I turn around as she grabs the one-piece bodysuit, floral lace and mesh with silver diamanté strap detail and cut-outs at the front.
“Wow, that will look stunning on you. You’re getting that too, right?” I ask.
She smiles as she pulls out her size. “Absolutely.”
My phone rings, and I pull it from my bag. I smile when I see a Facetime call from Mason.
I swipe the screen.” Hey, big bro.”
His eyebrows draw together as he looks over my shoulder and then clears his throat.
“Jessica, where are you?”
“Shopping with the girls,” I reply, turning the phone just as Avery holds the lacy body suit up to herself in the mirror.
“What the fuck,” he replies, causing Avery’s face to snap in my direction, her lips parting when she sees Mason on FaceTime.
She freezes as she stares at him on the screen.
“Oh Mase, it’s just an underwear shop,” I reply with an eye roll.
He mumbles something under his breath, gripping the back of his neck. At the same time, Avery flips him the bird, flicking her hair over her shoulder and sauntering over to the tills.
“Whatever,” he replies. “I just wanted to know what time I’m picking you up?” he asks gruffly.
Oh shit, I forgot he’s coming to ours for dinner tonight.
“Give me another hour.”
He nods. “Okay, and I’ll pick you up at the normal place.”
“Yes, see you in a bit.”
“Bye, Jessica.” He hangs up before I even have a chance to reply. What the hell is it with him and Avery , I think as I watch her laughing and tapping her card on the reader.
Lily sidles up beside me. “You know, I swear there’s something they’re not telling us.”
I nod. “I think you might be right.” There’s something they’re not telling us, that’s for sure. As much as I know I should keep my nose out of it, I can’t help myself when a plan forms, and I turn to Lily.
“Hey, do you both fancy grabbing a cocktail after this and then coming to mine for dinner?”
“I’m game if Avery is,” she replies as the woman in question comes to join us as she stuffs her purse back into her bag.
“Avery what?” she asks.
“Fancy grabbing a cocktail and coming back to mine for dinner once I’ve paid for these?” I ask, holding up my underwear.
“Yes, and yes.”
“Excellent.” Lily follows me to the cashier and whispers to me when Avery is out of shot. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing. What makes you say that?”
She shrugs. “No idea, but you have this gleam in your eye like you’re up to something.”
“If you must know, Mason is coming, and he’ll be picking us up.”
Lily’s eyes go wide before she chuckles. “Hmm, well, this should be an interesting evening.”
I’m called forward, and my items are run through the till. I just hope this doesn’t backfire. I know there’s some tension and animosity there, and it might be better if they sort it out before my wedding.
It’s not until we’re two cocktails down and Mason is burning up my phone that I realise we should have been there, ready for him to pick us up.
“Shit, we need to go,” I say, and knock back the rest of my margarita.
“What’s the hurry?” Avery asks.
“Our ride is here.”
“Whoops,” she replies with a giggle, slides out of the booth, and starts making her way to the exit.
“Oh shit,” Lily says, jumping to her feet and nearly knocking her half-finished drink off the table in the process, but by the time she’s halfway through the bar, Avery is already leaving with a cocktail glass still in her hand.
Shit, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.