CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Jessie lounged on the couch, the TV playing the third episode of Law and Order in a row.
She’d seen this one, and the two before it, but she didn’t care.
Ever since Malcolm gave her the boot and Noel called, she’d fallen into emotional quicksand; listless and confused.
Nothing excited her, not even the Hummingbird cake her mother made that afternoon.
Although she did her level best to find enjoyment in the treat, having scarfed down half of it in thirty minutes . .. a choice she’d regret tomorrow.
Daisy emerged from her room dressed in a peach sundress. She’d done her makeup and nearly looked ready for church. “Where you off to all dolled up, Momma? Is the chief taking you out?”
Her mother walked over and nudged Jessie with her elbow. “No, not tonight. I’m meeting Kim and Javi to go over the plan for next week’s Romance Book Club.”
“That’s nice,” Jessie said, not really paying attention.
Daisy fixed an earring, frowning at the TV. “You’re more than welcome to join us tonight, especially since you’ll be attending the meeting.”
Jessie rolled her eyes. “Momma, I’m not in the mood to be social. And from what Trev said, those books are sexy. I don’t need to sit around listening to you talk about sex.”
Daisy thrust her hands on her hips, exacerbated by her daughter’s antics. “Jessica June, don’t be such a prude. You don’t think I know what sex is? Who do you think brought you and Trevor into the world? The stork?”
Jessie made a gagging sound. “Thank you for confirming why I have no desire to attend this book club.”
“You have a week to get over yourself. And, honestly, I don’t care if you don’t. I will not stand by and watch my only daughter wither away on the couch eating her weight in cake.”
Jessie lifted a shoulder, completely undeterred. “It’s good cake,” she explained, a blob of frosting stuck to her cheek.
Daisy beamed at the compliment but soldiered on. “Look, you haven’t really gone out much since you got back home, and I think it’d be nice. Let people see you.”
“Why?” Jessie wrinkled her nose. The very last thing on this earth she wanted was to be seen in her hometown. Even when they meant well, folks had questions ... nosy questions she didn’t have answers to.
Despite knowing Estelle would likely keep Malcolm locked up at home, she still feared seeing him out in the wild.
Hell, she could roam the African deserts or South American rainforests without fear of predators or the elements, but the notion of seeing Malcolm out on the town crippled her.
Anxiety coursed through her, and Jessie considered another slice of cake as a source of distraction.
“Because I’m your momma, and I said so.” Daisy raised an eyebrow at her daughter. “You’ll have fun. And besides, we’re at The Pecan Pit. You love The Pecan Pit.”
That statement was accurate. In fact, that dingy dive bar was one of the major reasons Jessie gained weight whenever she was back in town, Hummingbird cake notwithstanding.
Yet for all the promise of crunchy nachos and greasy burgers, she didn’t feel like pretending her world wasn’t imploding.
For as long as she could remember, her life was either the Peace Corps or Malcolm Smith.
Neither option was on the table, and she was listless.
“I dunno.” She huffed, rubbing Gus’s belly. While she’d been lying prone on the couch, the hound dog had been dozing on the floor, eagerly snarfing up scraps of cake that fell from her plate.
“You do know, and you have ten minutes to look presentable. Why don’t you put on one of your new outfits that Whitney found for you?” Her mother swept her hand through the air, as if the dress would materialize on Jessie’s frame.
Jessie scrambled for any logical reason to stay home. “I didn’t read the book, and I don’t need to help plan your meetings.”
“Hogwash,” Daisy spat. “We aren’t discussing the book yet; it’s more logistics for the meeting. Javi said he’s invited some new faces, and we want to mix it up a little.” She chuckled and said, “Sugar, this is basically just another excuse to gossip and drink wine. Get dressed.”
Unable to hold back the whiny tone, Jessie argued, “Momma, I don’t want to read kissing books right now. I’m not feeling very romantic.” Although the mention of wine was certainly tempting ...
Daisy huffed, but rallied. “Fine, don’t read the book.
Much like bad sex, you can fake it if you need to.
” She was undeterred by the horrified expression on Jessie’s face.
Daisy held up her fingers and tallied the key points.
“Boy meets girl, girl kisses boy, boy does something stupid, they fight, and then they get back together.” She clapped her hands.
“There, now you’re ready for book club.”
Jessie was dubious. “Momma, please.” Deep down, she understood that if she told her mother the full truth of what was happening with her career and Malcolm, she’d be allowed to wallow in peace.
But she wasn’t ready to admit anything to anyone right now.
Except maybe Gus. He never judged, unless food was involved.
“You have eight minutes to get ready. I’ll meet you outside.”
Without waiting for another argument, Daisy strode forward and turned off the TV. She whistled for Gus and let him out the back door, leaving Jessie without options. “Looks like I’m going,” she muttered.
Their drive to The Pecan Pit was filled with her mother giving her the details on a hockey romance that frankly sounded a little too NSFW for Jessie’s comfort. Not that she’d judge anyone’s reading tastes, but her mother’s descriptions of a scene in a locker room had Jessie fanning her face.
After pulling into a parking spot, Jessie flung the door open and hopped out onto the gravel lot. The rocks crunched under her sneakers, and Jessie inhaled a deep breath of the balmy Georgia air. It smelled like a mix of bacon, pine, and juniper. It smelled of home.
“Daisy, Jessie!” Hurried footsteps caught up to them as Javi sprinted over. “Glad I’m not late, work got a little wild.” He ran his fingers through his unruly hair. “Thanks for meeting with me. The fundraiser planning went well, but I, uh, kind of need some help.”
Daisy frowned, giving Javi a quick sweep of her gaze. “Sugar, take a deep breath. I’ve never seen you so frazzled.” Jessie couldn’t disagree; the man was a walking bundle of nerves.
“Nah, I’m okay.”
Jessie huffed. “Yeah right. What’s the matter? Didn’t the crew like your plans for a slutty calendar?”
“Good Lord!” Daisy gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. “Javier Ortiz, what are you planning? Need I remind you that my partner and son are members of Engine 33? I don’t need to see anyone’s fannies in print,” she admonished the younger man.
Jessie was impressed. She’d known Javi for years and had never seen him turn this particular shade of violet. “No, Ms. Daisy. It’s not like that, I swear!”
Daisy raised an eyebrow, still unconvinced. “Uh-huh.”
Before Javi could share more of his grand calendar plan, another pair of book clubbers joined the fray.
Whitney strode up with her boss Kim, who also happened to be her momma’s best friend.
“Whitney, sugar! You made it.” Daisy’s smile grew at the sight of her new BFF.
Idly, Jessie wondered what her brother thought of his girlfriend and mother being so close.
Knowing her brother, he probably didn’t even mind.
“When Kim said there was an emergency book club planning meeting, I knew I needed the dirt.” Whitney cocked her hip and stared down Javi. “What are you up to?”
Kim waved to the trio, looping her arm around Whitney’s. “And more importantly, what are y’all doing outside? Buster texted our table is ready, and he brought out the good Riesling.”
Buster was both the owner of The Pecan Pit and Kim’s nephew.
He was a gruff yet sweet-hearted man who doted on his aunt and her friends.
Jessie planned on soaking up the attention, and at least two glasses of vino.
It had been a hell of a week, and she wanted to continue to eat—and drink—her feelings.
As if sensing her current mood, Whitney saddled up to her side.
“Hey, Jessie.” She motioned to the dress Jessie had thrown on at the last minute, although she’d hardly styled it properly.
Her worn Chuck Taylors had seen better days and probably wasn’t what Whitney had in mind when she said to make the outfit her own. “You look lovely in this.”
Jessie pulled out the skirt, the cotton fabric sliding across her fingers. “Yes, thanks. It’s simultaneously comfortable and cute.”
“Like you,” Daisy teased, stepping forward and yanking open the door to the bar. “All right, folks, let’s pop a cork and get planning.”
Javi clapped, leading the way inside. Kim couldn’t hold back her snicker as they watched Javi take his seat at the table, lining up glasses and pouring some Riesling for everyone.
“Before we plan our next meeting, did anyone read that new book about the alien abduction?” Kim panted, reaching for her wine. Buster appeared at her side, pecking her cheek before sliding a tray of nachos to the middle of the table.
Jessie greedily took a handful of chips, eager for a distraction and more carbs. “Thanks, Buster,” she muttered.
Buster dipped his head once. “Y’all enjoy.” Coming from the stoic bartender, that was tantamount to a late-night talk show monologue.
Javi helped himself to some nachos. “Ms. Kim, you know I don’t like the little green men. It gives me the ick.”
“Oh, you kids, get with the times! Half the romance books I read now take place in fantasy worlds or involve a character with a horn and extra appendages.” Kim wiggled in her seat, making an odd punching motion with her arms.
That got Javi’s attention, and he opened the Notes app on his phone. “Hang on now, what was the name of that book?” he asked, thumbs flying over the screen.