31. Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Lilly
I t was Sunday afternoon, and Kora, Summer, Darlene, Rose, and I checked into our suite in a high-class Nashville hotel. This would be our home for the next two days, and it must have cost a fortune. The living area we entered into was huge and had a small kitchenette off to the side. While Summer and Darlene checked out what I figured was one of the two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, I opened up French doors which were on the other end of the living area and stepped out onto a balcony. I leaned on the rail and looked down onto an atrium. It was beautiful. It reminded me of a garden with walking paths, but it was all indoors. This was the perfect place to relax and clear my head.
After we all settled in, we went to dinner in one of the hotel restaurants.
“So, since you’ve added Lilly as a bridesmaid, your numbers aren’t even. Who is Kai asking to be the other groomsmen?” asked Summer.
“He thought of asking Rowan, but Rowan wasn’t sure if he’d able to get home, so he asked Nolan.” Kora said as she ticked off everyone on her fingers. “I was going to have Kai’s sister in the wedding also, but she wasn’t sure if she could make it, so she’s going to be an assistant of sorts. I’ll have Rowan help her out. So my brides maids are you four, and the men are Bryson, Lance, Jamison, and Nolan.”
An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Okay, maybe it was just uncomfortable to me. I glanced around, but everyone’s eyes were diverted to their plates. I did a quick couple match-up in my mind. Bryson and Darlene would walk together; they were the best man and maid of honor. It seemed obvious that Rose would walk with Nolan, which left me and Summer, Lance and Jamison. I could either walk with my brother or Jamison. I nodded. Time to address this large and looming elephant that was hanging around and sucking up all the fun.
“Alright, y’all,” I said. “Let’s talk about it. We need to get this Jamison thing out in the open.”
“Are you sure it’s the right time?” Darlene asked.
“I agree with Lilly. There’s no time better than the present,” Summer jumped in. “Especially when a heart is screwed, fucked, and stomped on.”
I chuckled. You could always count on Summer to say things outright, with no unnecessary fluff.
“This from someone who hasn’t had a decent relationship in how long?” Kora challenged; her brows raised.
Darlene looked at Kora. “So true. It’s been forever. She spends all her time pining over my brother-in-law by phone but never telling him her true feelings.”
Kora lifted her fork, and they both clinked forks in a cheers motion.
“And it’s been going on for how long?” Kora asked.
“You’re both full of shit,” Summer answered them, her eyes narrowed. “I don’t pine over Rowan. He’s my best friend, and a lot nicer to me than y’all two prissy-ass bitches are sometimes.” She moved her gaze away from them.
“Damn, Summer, those are some harsh words,” Kora said.
“Yeah, they are. I’m a little hurt.” Darlene placed her hand dramatically over her heart.
Rose and I laughed. The words might have been harsh, but Kora and Darlene were being overly dramatic.
“Whatever. You’re both jealous because I say I miss him. And it’s because I do, and he never says things to make me talk to him the way I’m forced to talk to you two. We have fun together.”
“Fun? What kind of fun?” Darlene asked.
“Well, he hasn’t been home for a while, so maybe they have phone sex,” Kora said with a shit-eating grin.
“True,” added Darlene. “She is uncharacteristically sweet some days. Maybe an orgasm by vibrator could explain those weird encounters.”
I bit my lips to hold in the snicker that threatened to escape, and Rose hid her face in her napkin, but her shoulders shook. Summer’s face was red, and her nostrils flared. If looks could kill, Kai would not be getting married to Kora in October.
Summer gently placed her fork on the table and sat up tall. “You know what? I’m not putting up with this bullshit this weekend. Y’all two can say whatever you want about this, but we need to get back to the couple who matters.” She turned to me. “Lilly and Jamison.”
“Look,” I said. “I believe him, but right now, it’s better if he and I cool off a bit.”
“I know,” Darlene said. “And we all support you, but he really cares for you, Lilly, and he hasn’t put his heart out there since Carly’s death.”
My pulse sped up. I shrugged and ignored the warmth that churned in my gut. “Just give me time.” My voice was soft. “My heart needs to focus on life in general. Maddy’s getting ready to start kindergarten, and I’ll have free time, which I’ve never had before. A relationship’s a lot to deal with right now. I’ve got to focus on me and Maddie and figure out what we’re doing next. I can’t stay with Mom and Charles forever.” I took a sip of my water. “Let’s focus on Kora and Kai for the next two days. This time is about them. I can only hope my future is as amazing as theirs promises to be.”
“Here, here.” Summer said as she filled our wine glasses and we all toasted Kora and dug into the desserts.
Thankfully, the attention turned where it needed to be—off me and Summer’s non-existent relationships—and back on Kora.