Chapter 33 Jade
Jade
Jade seriously regretted wearing heels.
All she’d done was leave the house, drive to Lucy’s, and walk up her porch, and her toes were already on fire. How did people balance their weight on such a small strip of material?
But damn, they looked good. Much like waxing, beauty before pain, at least for today.
Getting ready in her own house and then driving to Lucy’s was a little odd.
Sure, she’d been doing it for the vast majority of this last year, but after the talk a few weeks ago, their relationship had shifted.
Jade felt like she’d shed the years’ worth of baggage she’d been lugging around, Lucy was somehow way more intuitive to Jade’s needs, and Jade started stepping up with all things pregnancy.
Jade felt like she’d practically moved in with Lucy by this point.
She’d even brought her bamboo plant to Lucy’s so it wouldn’t die if several days passed without Jade going home to water it.
She creaked the door open, and Chucky bolted her way. ‘Hey, boy. No slobber on me tonight, please.’ She rubbed his head. ‘Where’s your mama?’
‘Be out in a minute!’ Lucy yelled from the bedroom.
Jade set her clutch on the side table, then thought better of it, and moved it to the centre of the kitchen island in case Chucky mistook it for a toy.
She peeked at her reflection in the entryway mirror.
A rogue mascara flake rested on her cheek.
She swiped, then ran her hands down the fabric of her black spaghetti-strapped dress, tugged on the thin rainbow belt, and exhaled.
Tonight was the night. She’d been waiting so long for the Best of the Greater Twin Cities announcement.
But the need to win – the almost desperation to win she’d felt before – had evolved.
Of course, winning would be validating. But the award no longer felt like it had the power to define her self-worth.
The click of low heels against hardwood echoed from the hall.
Jade turned and the air zapped from her lungs.
Lucy stared back with a timid grin, long waves curled around her face, make-up on point.
And that dress. My God. A deep rose, form-fitting chiffon gown with cap sleeves.
All belly and boobs and beautiful. ‘Lucy. You’re so gorgeous I can’t even handle it. ’
Lucy gripped the side of her dress and performed a very clunky, very pregnant, very slow pirouette. ‘Ah, this old thing?’ She bowed. ‘Well, you look hot as fuuuudge. How are you seriously my girlfriend? I want to parade you around with a sign that says “I’m with her.”’
A blush swept over Jade.
‘And Christ, you’re tall.’ Lucy stepped towards Jade and measured the top of her head against Jade’s chest with a hand. ‘My face is going to be right at your boobs.’
Jade wiggled her brows. ‘Why do you think I’m wearing heels?’ She dipped her head for a kiss, but Lucy put a hard hand against her chest.
‘Air kisses only. It took me like an hour to apply this make-up. No matter how much I love you, if I smudge anything, someone’s going down.’
No matter how much she loves me. The words would never get old.
‘Ha, fine. Deal. But when we come home, I make no promises.’ Why had she waited so long to break the ‘I love you’ seal?
Ever since last fall when they watched the riverboat and tourists, she’d felt it.
When she’d stormed out of the diner with the delicious pie and terrible coffee after her conversation with Mr and Mrs Dieterman, she’d known it then too.
Then, finally, the love floodgates opened, and now she could hear the words every day and never get sick of it.
‘Need to go to the bathroom before we leave?’
‘I’m good for the next ten minutes.’ Lucy double-checked Chucky’s food and water. ‘Be a good boy. Papa will be here later to keep you company.’
Jade snatched her clutch from the kitchen island and held out her arm. ‘Your dad’s coming? I thought he couldn’t make it.’
‘Yeah, that’s what he said until I told him we wouldn’t be back until after ten, and he said I neglect my dog.’ Lucy tucked her arm into Jade’s. ‘I’ve literally not left Chucky’s side all day. He even helped me get ready.’
Jade dug out her keys. ‘He was an excellent assistant stylist. I may have to hire him at the salon.’
‘You hear that, Chucky? Finally, you’ll be pulling your weight around here.’ Lucy locked the door and stepped down the porch. She paused before lowering herself into the car. ‘You ready for this?’
Jade grinned. ‘Right now, I feel ready for anything.’
***
Perhaps ready for anything was an exaggeration as Jade stared at the strumming harpist – yes, a real-life harpist wearing a white gown, no less – as they strolled into the ballroom.
Perfume and food scents surrounded them, people with tuxedos and gowns chatted at standing hors d’oeuvres tables, and servers weaved in among guests and tables, carrying trays of rose-stemmed champagne flutes.
Lucy let out a low whistle. ‘Damn. This is fancy-pants, huh?’ Her neck stretched as she scanned the edge of the room, where easels held pictures of the nominees. ‘Come on, let’s find your photo.’
Jade gripped Lucy’s fingers. They snaked their way through the rice-light lit room, past the white table-clothed tables with flower centrepieces and silverware, until Jade saw her board.
A large black-and-white photo, her favourite from the article, sprawled before her with the massive headline: ‘Jade Hudson of Jade’s on 7th, nominated for Best Salon in the Greater Twin Cities.’ Tingles crept up her neck.
Lucy dug out her phone and nudged Jade towards the easel. ‘Let’s take a picture of you in front of your picture!’
‘No, I can’t. That’s weird, right?’ Jade clenched her teeth. ‘Are other people doing it?’
Lucy angled the cell phone. ‘Who cares? I’m so damn proud of you. Who knows how many moments like this you’re going to get?’ She glanced at a couple strolling by and pointed at Jade. ‘This is my girlfriend, right here. How lucky am I?’
Oh God, she’s so wonderfully embarrassing.
Jade smiled through the rose flushing her cheeks and posed.
The excitement in Lucy’s voice, one level louder than usual, made Jade want to scoop Lucy up and smother her with kisses.
So, this is what it feels like to have someone who is truly in my corner – who doesn’t think their light dims when mine shines.
‘I’m hungry.’ Lucy dropped the phone into her purse and sniffed the air. ‘Can we grab some food?’
‘We’re at table fifteen.’ Jade pointed to the table near the exit. ‘Why don’t you go sit and I’ll grab snacks.’
Lucy rubbed her stomach. ‘Make it a double serving, please.’
As she moseyed away, Jade waited to make sure Lucy found the table okay.
Lucy wasn’t helpless, and she still had six weeks to go before her due date, but the past few weeks, Jade had been feeling an extra surge of overprotectiveness.
She was probably spending more time worrying about Lucy’s safety than running her salon.
Satisfied Lucy was situated properly, Jade scooted to the appetiser table and loaded up their plates.
A woman approached, grabbing tongs from the platter. She eyed Jade, who was double fisting two heaping plates with crostinis, chicken skewers, fruit, and mini grilled cheeses. ‘This is not all for me.’ Jade grinned. ‘I’m bringing some to my girlfriend.’
With a chuckle, the woman raised her hands. ‘Hey, no judgement here. You can eat both plates if you want to.’
Jade jutted her chin towards Lucy, who had leaned back and was tapping her fingers against her stomach. ‘My girlfriend’s appetite is pretty insatiable right now.’
‘Ah, eating for two. Congratulations.’
For the past half year or so, anytime someone made a comment like this, Jade wanted to snap-correct their assumption.
But tonight, her insides glowed with the magic of the evening, her pride in Lucy, her pride in herself, and for once, she didn’t have the urge to clarify.
‘It’s definitely an exciting time. And you’re right – she’s a champ. ’
Jade grabbed a few extra napkins and manoeuvred her way to the table as other attendees took their seats. After she finished crunching into the crostini, and Lucy polished off the chicken, Lucy rested her hand on her chest and winced.
‘You okay?’ Jade asked, pausing before her next bite.
Lucy poked a finger into the top of her belly. ‘Yep. Ugh. I cannot wait for this heartburn to stop.’ She dug in her purse and popped a Tums. ‘It’s not like I’m eating your crazy sriracha or anything. This is freaking chicken.’
‘I stand by my testament that sriracha is the best condiment ever created. I think once you have the kiddo, we should have you try it again.’ Jade filled up a glass of water from the pitcher and handed it to Lucy. ‘We don’t have to do it on eggs this time. We’ll do something like noodles or rice.’
‘Hmmm. Let’s see how adventurous I am when I’m not lugging this thing around.’ Lucy guzzled the water, then fanned her face. ‘Hot flashes. Yet another thing. This better not happen again until I’m in blissful menopause. Everything is sweating, even my kneecaps.’
‘It’s definitely kind of hot today,’ said Jade sympathetically, even though the air conditioning in the banquet hall was turned up so high that Jade had goose bumps to her toes. She laid her hand on Lucy’s belly and inched lower. ‘Stop making your auntie sick or we’re never going to babysit.’
‘Babysit?’ Lucy’s neck jerked. ‘Would you actually babysit?’
‘Well, obviously.’ Jade rubbed her girlfriend’s belly one more time before sitting back up. ‘I mean, Drew and Mason are your friends. This butternut is going to be in our lives, and babysitting is fun.’
‘Fun?’
‘Yeah, ’cause you can give the kid back at the end of the night.’ Just because Jade had never wanted children didn’t mean she didn’t like kids. Would she work at a daycare? No, definitely not. But she was a kick-ass aunt who loved spoiling her niece and nephews whenever she had the chance.