Chapter 28
Jackson
”So areyou okay to mingle a little bit more?” I ask Zara as we walk back towards the door and back to the party.
”I”m willing to do whatever you want to do,” she says and then pauses. ”Within reason.”
”I get it,” I say. I nod slightly and then I see her eyes light up. ”What is it?”
”They”re here,” she says, pointing to the front of the house.
I turn to look and I see Lila and Elise, Charlotte and Luke standing there. Lila and Elise both looked gobsmacked and the kids looked absolutely ecstatic at the ongoing party.
”Well, let”s go and greet them,” I say as I stride towards her friend and family members. ”I’m so glad you made it safe and sound.”
”That was so cool,” Luke says, jumping up and down. He grabs a hold of my hand. ”We went in a plane over the water.”
”I”m glad you liked it,” I say, glad that the little boy and I can now be friends. It almost feels like a lifetime away when he was splashing me with the water in the fountain at Rosser International, even though it wasn”t that long ago.
”Would you like me to show you to your rooms now or?—..”
”Oh, hell no,” Elise says, shaking her head. ”I think we need to meet some people.” She leans towards me. ”I don”t suppose you know Andy Cohen, do you?”
”Sorry, who?” I ask her, frowning slightly.
She rolls her eyes. ”Andy Cohen from Bravo, The Real Housewives. Come on.”
I stare at her for a couple of seconds and my lips twitch. I look over at Zara, who”s rolling her eyes.
”Elise, Jackson is a professional, okay? He is not watching trashy reality TV shows.”
”Andy Cohen is so rich though,” Elise says. ”I thought rich people knew rich people. And I thought if you knew Andy, then maybe he could sign me up for one of the shows.”
”Forgive me if I”m mistaken,” I ask her. ”But are you a housewife?”
”You don”t have to be a housewife to be on that show,” she says, throwing her head back and laughing. She looks over at Zara as if to say what a dummy your fiance is.
”Forgive me for thinking that a TV show called The Real Housewives of something would be about housewives.”
”Oh, you”re forgiven,” she says. ”Now are there any hotties here? Rich hotties, that would make a good stepfather to my kids?” She looks at Luke and Charlotte. ”Wouldn”t you like a rich step daddy?”
Luke and Charlotte both look up at her and I can tell they”re not sure how to react and if their mother is joking. I”m pretty confident that she”s not joking, but I”m not going to say anything because the fact of the matter is there were several men here who would be more than happy to be with Elise. She was gorgeous. She was a younger version of Zara, though I didn”t think she was as pretty.
Elise claps suddenly and hands Zara a box. “This is for the two of you. Open it now.” She grins and I watch as Zara takes it from her.
“Now?” She asks and Elise nods wickedly. I have a bad feeling in my stomach, but I don’t say anything. Zara rips open the box and we all stare at the flimsy lingerie that she pulls out of the lace paper.
“I mean, I know you guys don’t really need it.” Elise says loudly. “Seeing as you bang all the time, but maybe for the honeymoon?”
“Elise.” Zara hisses at her and her face is flushed. We can both see my grandmother a few feet away, staring at us in disgust. “Really?”
“What? Are you going to pretend that he wasn’t inside of?—.”
I’m about to step forward and tell Elise off when Lila taps me on the shoulder and leans in. ”You can ignore her, you know. We all do.”
I stare down at Lila in surprise. ”I don”t want to be rude but I feel like I need to say something,” I’m pissed and I am sure Lila can tell.
”Oh, trust me. Now that you”re marrying Zara, you”re going to have to be rude to Elise if you ever want her to shut up, or I guess get her a TV deal.” She laughs. ”And if you”re getting people deals, let me know if you know Steven Spielberg or Christopher Nolan because...”
”Because you”re an actress looking for a role, right?”
”Yeah,” she says. ”But I wouldn”t actually want you to get me in the door that way.”
”You wouldn”t?” I ask her in surprise.
”No. If I”m talented, I”ll make it by myself.” She looks hopeful. ”And I think I”m an okay actress, and Zara tells me all the time that I”m a great actress. I mean I know your best friend telling you you”re a great actress is akin to your mother telling you you”re really pretty, even if you”re a dog. But...” She pauses. ”Sorry, am I talking too much?”
”Not at all.”
I can feel myself warming to Lila. I can see why she and Zara are best friends. They”ve both got that quirky, self-deprecating, sarcastic sense of humor.
”I”m sure you will definitely make it.”
”Thanks,” she says, nodding her head. ”Is there food at this party? I”m kind of hungry.”
”Yeah, of course. Who else is hungry?” I look down at Luke and Charlotte.
”I”m hungry for ice cream,” Charlotte says, and Elise just sighs.
”Darling, you can”t always eat ice cream. What about Brussels sprouts or spinach or...”
”I don”t want Brussels sprouts,” Charlotte says, her lower lip quivering.
”Me either.” Luke stomps his foot in anger. ”I want ice cream and french fries and cheeseburgers. Aunty Zara, can we?”
”It”s okay, Luke, you don”t have to eat Brussels sprouts,” Zara says, ruffling the top of his head. ”Elise, let them just enjoy some junk food today.”
”Well, if they want to stay skinny, they”re going to have to start watching what they eat.”
”They”re kids Elise.” Zara glared at her sister and Elise just shrugs.
”I”m just saying if they hit teenage years or older and they start getting chubby, it”s not my fault.”
I press my lips together. I really want to go off on Elise and tell her off worse than I”ve told off anyone in a really long time.
Lila gives me a look. ”It”s not worth it,” she whispers. I frown for a second and she leans closer to my ear. ”I know you can see what I see. Elise is a bitch, but she”s Zara”s sister and Zara loves her.”
She pulls back slightly, a look of knowing in her eyes and I nod slightly. I understand what she means.
”Just have to wait for her to have had enough,” Lila whispers and nods over to Elise and Zara.
Zara grabs the kid”s hands. ”Come on, let”s go and get some cookies.” She looks over at me. ”Do you mind?”
”It”s fine,” I say. ”We”ve got plenty of time.” I smile at her. ”Plus, it will give me more time to get to know Lila.”
”Okay,” she says, and I can tell she”s not sure if that”s a good idea. I”m not sure if that”s a good idea either.
”I”ll be back,” Elise says, holding her head high. ”I see a very handsome silver fox in the corner,” she says, pointing towards the mayor and I try to stifle a groan. ”If he”s single...” She pauses and grins. ”Who am I kidding? Even if he”s not single, I”m going to get that man”s number.”
Lila and I both watch her head over to the other side of the room. ”So you haven”t changed your mind,” Lila asks with a warm smile.
”Changed my mind about what?” I ask her.
”About marrying Zara,” she says.
”No. Why would I have changed my mind?”
”I don”t know. Because her sister”s crazy and she most probably will always have an active interest in her, Charlotte, and Luke’s lives. And just wait until you meet her parents.” She rolls her eyes. ”Trust me when I say the apple doesn”t fall far from the tree.”
”And I”m guessing that apple is Elise?”
Lila grins. ”I”m not trying to speak badly about them or anything, but I want you to be prepared. I mean, I know that you love my best friend, but I also know that you don”t really know her that well. And I know when people rush into these things, sometimes love isn”t enough.”
I nod solemnly, my heart sinking. Zara was right. Lila had bought this entire thing hook, line and sinker. I feel a huge amount of guilt as I stare at her and nod. I also realize that part of the reason I’m upset is because I want this to be real.
”Zara”s family will not cause me to change my mind about the way I feel about her.”
”Good,” Lila says softly. ”I”m glad to hear that.”
”Well, I”m glad you”re glad to hear that. So is there anything else you want to tell me about Zara?”
”There”s so much you need to know,” she says. ”I bet you don”t really know anything.”
”That”s true. Do you think that I was rash rushing into this engagement?” I tilt my head to the side because I”m curious to see what she thinks. Even though this engagement isn”t actually real, I wonder if Zara”s best friend even likes me.
”I think it”s amazing,” she says. ”You guys are perfect for each other.”
”We are?” I ask her in surprise.
”Yeah, you”re both a little bit broken. You”re both completely and utterly in love with each other.”
”You think?” I say, not knowing what else to say.
”Zara”s had a lot of hurt in her life. I mean, she”s had a lot of laughter as well, but...” She pauses and blinks. ”Did she tell you about Sandra?”
”No. I can”t say I”ve ever heard of her. Why?”
”Oh, nothing.” Lila swallows and looks around. I can tell she”s trying to avoid eye contact with me.
”Is there something I should know?”
”No,” she says and then her eyes look up at mine. ”I mean, when Zara is ready to tell you, I”m sure she will.”
I stare at Lila for a couple of moments. ”Tell me what?”
”It”s not a big deal. She didn”t murder anyone or steal from anyone or do anything crazy. It”s not my place to say anything, but...” She pauses and I frown.
“What is it Lila?”
“I shouldn’t say, but Zara doesn’t really like talking about it, but I think it’s important for you to know something. To really understand her.” Lila chews on her lip. “You really do love her, right?”
“I do. More than I ever thought was possible.”
“I thought so.” She nods. “I will tell you, but please don’t tell her you know.”
“I promise.” I’m scared about what’s she’s going to tell me. “Was she in love with someone else?” My voice cracks. “Did he break her heart?” I can hear the tinge of jealousy in my tone.
“No.” Lila shakes her head. “It’s not that. No man has ever left her broken.” She frowns. “But I’m sure you must wonder why she puts up with so much with Elise. And why she loves on those kids so hard.”
“Because she’s a good sister and aunt?”
“That’s part of it.” Lila nods. “But it’s more than just that. When Zara was growing up in Florida, she had a best friend. Her name was Sandra. They were thick as two thieves. Spent their childhoods together. Got through high school together. Zara said they were both a bit boy crazy and constantly talked about falling in love.”
“Okay.” I frown. There’s a pit in my stomach. I know I shouldn’t be jealous hearing about Zara falling in love with another man, but I am. I don’t want to hear it. But I know I have to. I’m ashamed to admit that I want to be the only man she’s loved. I want to be her everything. I want to be special. Because she’s the only woman who I’ve ever loved. And the only one who’s ever made me feel like I’m special.
“They would go on double dates and try and flirt with boys, but neither one of them ever had a boyfriend.” Lila pauses. “And then they got to senior year of high school.”
“What happened?” I ask “They both fell in love with the same guy?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “Zara decided to focus on college applications. She wanted to leave Florida. But Sandra was still focused on getting a boyfriend.” She looks around and smiles weakly. “She started hanging out with other friends, smoking weed, drinking, that sort of thing.”
“So they drifted apart? Their friendship ended?” My heart aches for Zara. I knew how hard it was to feel alone.
“They were still friends, but it wasn’t the same.” Lila takes a deep breath. “Zara got a job at a pizza place and didn’t go out as much. Sandra ended up meeting some guys from a local college. One of them showed her a lot of attention.”
“Did that make Zara jealous?”
“A little.” Lila nods. “She wanted to enjoy dating and parties as well, but between her part time job and studying, she couldn’t. She told me that she used to be so pissed off when Sandra would tell her stories about her college boyfriend.”
“So Sandra finally got herself a guy?”
“Yup. And she lost her virginity in a Walmart parking lot.” Lila frowns. “Dude was a loser.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Anyway, Sandra goes to this party. It’s a Saturday night. Zara wasn’t working that night, but Sandra hadn’t invited her. She said Zara was boring and college guys didn’t like nerds. It hurt Zara’s feelings. About midnight, Sandra calls Zara, but Zara doesn’t pick up, as she’s mad.” Lila pauses and takes another deep breath. “She texts Zara and asks her for a ride home, but Zara ignores her because she’s mad and feels like Sandra is just using her. Sandra calls her again and she picks up and Zara finally answers the phone and tells her off. She tells her that she’s done being used and that she needs to find someone else to ask a favor.”
“So she spoke up for herself! Good for her.”
“The next morning, Sandra’s mom calls Zara.” Lila’s eyes are watery. “She died.”
“What?” I frown as my heart sinks. “How?”
“Sandra got a ride from her boyfriend, who was drunk. I guess he was speeding, ran a red light and there was a collision. Sandra died on impact. That’s what the police said.” Lila’s face is sad. “Zara never forgave herself.” She reaches over and touches my arm. “She wishes she picked Sandra up. She blames herself for Sandra’s death. So now, she overcompensates. She does everything she can to be there for people she loves.”
“But it wasn’t her fault.” My heart grieves for Zara. “She shouldn’t carry that burden with her.”
“I know and I agree with you.” Lila nods. “When I met Zara, she was still in a lot of pain. She’s carried this for so long and while she is not grieving like she was anymore, I know she still writes letters to Sandra every day in her diary. She misses her. Sometimes I find her crying. Sometimes she lets Elise get away with murder. But she’s growing. I can see it in her. And her finding you. Well, it was a Godsend. She’s different with you. Feister. More alive than I’ve seen her in years. That night at the bar, when she met you. I saw a light in her eyes that I’ve never seen before.” She touches my shoulder. “And I’ve seen how you look at Elise. I’ve seen how confused and annoyed you are by the way she treats Zara and takes advantage. So I wanted you to know why. I wanted you to know that she’s not just a doormat. That she’s just trying to be there for everyone. Even at the cost of herself.”
“Even me.” I say, with a sigh.
“She loves you. In fact...” She pauses and I wonder what she was about to say. I stifle a sigh as look to the right and I see my grandma and Maisy.
”I just came over here to see how everything”s going with my darling grandson.” My grandma smiles at me and then looks at Lila. I can see her eyes narrowing as she stares at the blue and white dot dress that she”s wearing. ”And you are?” My grandma asks, raising an eyebrow as she looks at Lila.
”Hi, I”m Lila Haversham. I’m Zara”s best friend. We went to college together. I guess I”ll be your best friend-in-law or is that such a thing? Your new granddaughter”s best friend-in-law?” Lila blinks as my grandma doesn’t respond.
Instead my grandma just stares at her and there”s an uncomfortable silence.
”Grandma, this is Lila, Zara”s best friend. And Zara”s sister is here with the kids.” I give my grandma a look. I will not have her being rude to Lila, Elise, or Zara again.
”Oh, so glad of you to have made it,” my grandma says, staring at Lila. “And what do you do?”
”I”m an actress.” I can tell my grandma is not impressed and I’m not about to allow her to say anything to upset Lila. I put my arm around her. ”You want to go and get a drink?”
”I think I need one,” she says, nodding. ”A very stiff rum and coke.”
“Grandma, Maisy, we’ll see you around. I need to take care of my guests.” I look at Maisy and there”s a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. She steps forward and grabs my hands. ”You look happy and more importantly, you look grounded. She’s the one.”
”Did the spirits in the room tell you that?” I ask her and she shakes her head.
”No, but I can see the smile on your face is genuine today. The look in your eyes of happiness is real.” She nods. ”Zara’s good for you and her friends are good for you. You”ve found your people.”
”I”ve always had my people. I”ve got Ethan.”
”He”s your person,” she says softly. ”And he”s a great friend, but you needed more than a single friend, especially now that he”s getting married as well.” I nod and she continues. “Your souls were made for each other.” She touches the side of my face. “Carved from stone and released into the universe and made real. You’ve found true love, Jackson.”
I stare for her for a couple of seconds. ”I”m glad for you. Thank you, Maisy.”
She nods and then she whispers in my ear. ”Perhaps you”ll even think about making it a real engagement.”
I gasp, but she steps back and taps her nose and then presses her finger against her lips. ”Our little secret,” she says with a wink and grabs my grandma’s arm and walks away.
I look over at Lila who”s staring at me in confusion and I wonder if she heard anything. ”Come on, let”s get a drink,” I say, wondering how Maisy knows this isn’t real.
Was she really psychic? I stare back at Maisy and then over at Lila .”I”m sorry about my grandma,” I say to Lila as we head toward the bartender. ”I didn”t expect her to be so rude.”
”She was fine. She loves you and she wants to ensure you’re making a good match for yourself. I understand and I’m sure Zara will as well.” She beams at me. “It will take more than an old rich bitch to push us to the side.” I throw my head back in laughter as I gaze into Lila’s eyes. She’s a good egg.
“I’m so happy you’re Zara’s best friend.” I say softly. “Thank you for sharing her secret with me. Thank you for trusting me.”
“You’re welcome.” She nods. “I just want the best for her.”
“I really do love her, you know.” My heart thuds as I look across the room and see Zara laughing at something Luke is doing. She’s the best aunt and I know she will make the best mother. The thought strikes me that I want kids with her. I want a house full of babies with her. I’ve officially lost it. But that cements for me just how desperately in love I am with her. And I know I’m willing to wait a billion years if that’s how long it takes to have her falling in love with me as well.