Chapter 30
Jade
It was going well, wasn’t it? Jade thought so. So far, anyway.
Dinner had gone by without any major issues.
April had been nervous at the start, but that was understandable.
Jade knew this was the first time for her to be somewhat out around others.
Although Jade was dying to take April’s hand in hers.
Or drape her arm around the back of April’s chair.
Or feel April’s hand wrap around the back of head and play absentmindedly with her newly shaved section like she had in the car.
Because, damn, it felt like absolute heaven when she did that.
Jade had always been a tactile person. That’s why she chose a career path that centered around using her hands. It helped ground her.
“How are you holding up?” A voice came from behind her while the table got cleared before they’d return for dessert in an hour.
Jade smiled as she turned her body toward April and was met with Cleo’s face just over shoulder. Jade raised her eyebrows at April to encourage her to answer first.
“Not as bad as I had built it up in my head,” April admitted with a blush.
“Meeting my parents, or spending time with multiple people who know we’re a couple?” Jade asked with a wink.
“Yes,” April said with an eyeroll, and swatted a playful slap to Jade’s thigh, which Jade caught with her own hand and held there with a quirk of her eyebrow.
April froze, but Cleo saw the exchange and placed her hand gently on April’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. April visibly relaxed at the show of support. Jade had never loved her sister more than she did in that moment.
“Are you enjoying just the night off or do you have a few days break?” Cleo asked, keeping her hand on April’s shoulder.
“I’m off today and tomorrow morning, then I have a light court session at 1pm before the gym at 3pm, recovery after that and back to normal hectic training Sunday onwards to get ready for Montreal.
” At that, Jade noticed Cleo remove her hand from April’s shoulder now that April remained relaxed while Jade still held April's hand in place on her thigh. “Oh, how are the wedding plans going?”
“Please, don’t get her started on the wedding,” Evan said from across the table before continuing with a smirk.
“I’ve heard no other topic of conversation for months that didn’t include venues, flowers, cake, table settings, blah, blah, blah.
” The smile was swiftly wiped off his face by Toni nipping him in the ribs which resulted in a squeal from Evan, and everyone around him laughing. “Apologies, please continue”.
“They’re going great, thanks April,” Ivy added, as she came up behind Cleo and slipped one arm around Cleo’s back and placed the other on her fiancée’s stomach. “The venue is finally booked; Cleo eventually saw the light and caved to my choice of flowers...”
“...and my future wife decided it best to have different flavored cakes for each tier to avoid divorce before we even get near the aisle.” Cleo added, before dipping her head and kissing Ivy.
“That’s great that you’re getting so many things organized early. Dani, my best friend, is getting married next week and she thought she had everything sorted until Matt, the groom, told her last night that the groomsmen suits hadn’t been booked.” April said.
“Nooooooo,” Ivy and Cleo said in unison.
“What happened?” Ivy asked with bulging eyes.
“Well, it turns out that while he and his groomsmen went to get measured and chose the style, there had been a mix-up with their order, and it had never actually been placed by the boutique they had used.” April explained.
“She’s a sports manager, so you can imagine the tone of voice she was using on the phone this morning when I dropped by to check if she needed help with anything. ”
“Did she manage to get everything sorted?” Cleo asked, probably a new worry to get added to her ever-growing list in relation to her own wedding.
“Sort of. It’s not the style Matt had chosen, but Dani lucked out as she never liked the one he had in mind anyway, so she got her choice after all.” April chuckled.
“I’m glad ours are being custom made and that’s a scenario we won’t come across.” Jade said, seeing the wave of panic reduce on Cleo’s face. “The outfits we have are going to be so nice! Especially Lana’s!”
“Lana?” April asked.
“Cleo’s best friend and assistant,” Jade explained.
“She’s the only one out of us who is super girly, causing us to need to get custom outfits made so we all look hot in our own way for the big day.
” Jade grinned, and she saw the look in April’s eyes that said Jade didn’t need a new suit to look hot to her.
“So, April love, seeing as my daughter has only told me the absolute bare minimum details prior to your arrival tonight,” Fiona gave her daughter a pointed look, making Jade squirm a little in her chair but made April smile, “Tell me a bit about yourself?” Fiona sat on the chair on the other side of April where Ivy had sat during dinner.
“Well, I grew up here in the city, my mom ran the home while my dad was off playing tennis around the world like I am now.”
“Oh, you’re Roland Walker’s daughter!” Rob said from the back of the door where he stood, watching Sophie and Willow playing on a swing set in the yard.
“Yeah, that’s me,” April blushed. “It was mostly me, my mom and my brother Connor growing up while Dad was away. Then I followed his footsteps while Connor went into Finance.”
“Your brother is called Connor?” Cleo asked.
“Yes,” April replied with a small nod and smile.
“Who works in finance...?” Cleo slowly said for confirmation.
“She literally just said that, Cleo!” Jade laughed.
“Oh wow!” Cleo exclaimed, her entire face lighting up in recognition. “You’re Connor’s sister, April!”
“Sharp as a tack, aren’t you?!” Jade said, confused at Cleo’s current line of statements.
“Shut up,” Cleo said to Jade before turning to Ivy, “she’s April, Connor’s sister! Lana’s Connor!”
“Oh, you’re that April!” Ivy said, as excited as Cleo.
April turned to Jade, “so the Lana you were just talking about is Connor’s Lana?” April grinned.
“Apparently so!” Jade laughed.
Jade's heart fluttered when April moved her chair closer to her and leaned her body against Jade’s side.
The revelation of connection between them had been enough for April to fully relax and be comfortable with those surrounding them.
Jade couldn’t help herself; she moved the arm April was leaning against and draped it around her shoulders.
April’s hand slowly came up and linked their fingers together at her shoulder.
This. This right here. This is what I’ve been dreaming about these past few months.