Chapter 37
37
Like clockwork, Jackie knocked on Michelle’s door before she finished her first cup of coffee. “Good morning, sunshine,” Michelle greeted her.
“Good morning.” Jackie air kissed her. “Now, give me the news that’ll be the second-best wake-up call I’ve had this morning.”
Michelle laughed and held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear about the first.”
Jackie winked as she poured herself a cup of coffee. “How did it go last night?”
“Wonderfully. The girls were starstruck, which was funny. Cade and Nelson were polite and cut us some slack. Adam was Adam.” Michelle shrugged. “Belynda thinks I need to sit down with him. Keith understands that he’s only protecting me and is willing to give him time to get used to the idea. Adam thinks once Keith has finished filming, he’ll be gone for good.”
“What do you think?”
“I’m taking it one day at a time. I want to believe Keith when he says he wants a future together, but I’m not stupid. Even Belynda pointed out this morning that his life is on the other side of the country, where I don’t want to be.”
“Would you go visit?”
“Maybe.”
“May I ask why?”
“Same reason you wouldn’t move for Mr. Almost Right. This is where my family is, my life.”
“But your job isn’t dependent on your being here.”
“No, but the West Coast isn’t someplace I’ve ever been interested in visiting, much less moving there.”
“Not even the wine country?” Jackie cocked a brow.
“Okay, maybe the wine country.” Michelle chuckled and held up her finger. “For a visit.”
“What happened after everyone left?” Jackie waggled her brows over the rim of her mug as she took a sip.
“We kissed... really kissed. It was good and rekindled a part of me that I thought had died with Bill.”
“That’s fantastic.”
“He wants to stay with me when the film crew moves to Asheville.”
“Really? How do you feel about that?”
“I’m not sure.” Michelle poured herself another cup of coffee. “I want him to, but it may be odd being here the first time, ya know?”
“I can see that.” Jackie’s mind seemed to drift into space. “Why not get a new bed or something?”
“I like my furniture, but a new mattress wouldn’t hurt.”
“Do you think you’ll... you know?” Jackie raised her eyebrows.
“I don’t know. I think we’ll see where the night goes. I’m definitely not rushing it.” Michelle shrugged. “But I’m becoming more open to it by the day.” She smiled. “Enough about me. So, you and Oscar are doing well?”
“We are.” Jackie beamed. “We’re talking about moving in together.”
“What? Really?”
“It’s a big step for both of us, but I think I’m ready.” She grinned. “He says he is.”
“Wow, that’s wonderful!”
“Do you really think so?”
“If this is something that makes you both happy and in the direction you want to go, then I really do.”
Jackie hugged Michelle. “Thank you. I couldn’t wait to tell you.”
“When is this move taking place?”
“His lease runs out in a couple of months. Since I own my house, it makes more sense for him to move in with me. This will give me time to clear out some of my junk to make room for him. If we decide to take the next step, we can look for a different place later.”
“Sounds like you’ve thought it through. And since you deal in real estate, you’d know the best places first.”
“I don’t want a house where the previous marriage failed. I think that’s a bad omen.”
Michelle shook her head. “Don’t you also close real estate deals?”
“Yes.”
Michelle raised a brow. “Then you’ve got connections, right?”
Jackie blushed. “Right. I was still on the whole marriage and moving in together thing. Yeah, I have connections.”
Michelle laughed. “Glad we got that cleared up.”
“So, how’s the book coming?”
“Good.”
“Did you tell Keith about your little side gig?”
“Yes, and he wants to read them. I made him promise not to.”
“That’s still so strange to me.”
“Maybe one day in the future, but not now.”
“Are we going to the gym today?”
“How about I meet you there in an hour?”
“Perfect. I don’t have any appointments until this afternoon.”
They hugged before Jackie left.