23. Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Lilly
I unlocked the door of my mom and Charles’s house on Friday night. I was tired from cleaning the two houses I had, but it was so worth the exhaustion. I needed to hop in the shower and change quickly. Rose and Kristy were stopping over for a little girl time before we headed to Tonya’s Friday night barbecue. I heard from Anthony today, and I needed to get some frustration off my chest. My best friends were the best way to do it.
I had just finished applying a light coat of mascara when I heard the thump of a car door outside. I froze and stared at my reflection. This was it. After I filled them in on the latest with Anthony, I would let them know about me and Jamison. Yes, Rose already knew some, but I needed their advice, and with this latest news from my ex, it would be so much easier to move forward.
I gave myself one last look in the mirror, dropped my mascara into the drawer, and a smile filled my face. Kristy was going to die. Even though it was common knowledge to—well, everyone, it seemed—that I’ve had a huge crush on Jamison practically my entire life, Kristy had no clue we had a history.
Now this. Yeah, she’s going to freak.
“Hey, y’all.” I said as they walked up the front steps to the porch. I hugged Kristy first and then Rose.
“Please tell me you have something good to drink,” Kristy said as she walked into the house.
“I have white wine chilling in the fridge,” I said.
Rose and I followed her into the kitchen where she helped herself to the liquor cabinet. “Wine’s fine, but I need something stronger.” She grabbed the tequila. “Got a lime?”
I looked through the drawer in the refrigerator and gave her all we had. A lemon.
“That’ll work. Got any sugar?”
I lifted my brow, but grabbed the sugar bowel and placed it in front of her. As she cut up her lemon, I poured Rose and me glasses of white wine. I took a sip, and the fruity and nutty flavors exploded over my tongue. I gulped down my first glass—so much for sipping—and poured another.
When I glanced up to take another drink, Rose and Kristy were eyeing me like I was crazy.
“Hard day?” Rose asked.
I took another large sip, set my glass on the counter, and looked at them. “You could say that.” I tipped up my glass again.
“So,” Kristy waved her hands, “spill it. What’s up? You look . . .”
“Happily stressed,” Rose finished.
Kristy pointed at her. “Yeah, what she said, even though I really have no clue what exactly it means.” Kristy dipped her lemon in sugar, took a shot of tequila, then sucked the lemon.
“Right?” Rose agreed.
“What are you doing?” I asked Kristy.
“Don’t knock it. Kora and Darlene call them Lemon Drops.” She took another. “They’re delicious. You should try one.” She held up her hand. “After you let us know what’s up.”
“Okay.” I leaned heavily on the counter. “I heard from Anthony today.”
They both raised their brows, and their gazes fell on mine.
Now that I’d had time to digest his words and churn them around for an afternoon, they sat well with me. Yes, I’d have to find a way to let Madeline know, but I’d get to that when it was absolutely necessary. “He wanted to let me know he’s moving to London. He got the promotion he’s been working on for eons and will be in charge of the London office.”
“Wow. That’s huge,” Kristy said.
“It is, but what about Madeline?” Rose asked. “He’s just going to leave and not see his daughter?”
“Well, his mind’s in other places, and unfortunately his daughter is far from it, as usual.” I fixed my gaze on them. “He’s taking his secretary with him. She’s knocked up, and they’re getting married.”
“No shit,” Kristy said, her mouth wide open.
“Wow,” Rose replied. “How do you feel about that?”
I took another slow sip of wine and focused on my heart and the question. I was somewhat surprised at what I felt. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I guess this proved I had gotten over him.
“You know, when he first told me this afternoon, I was upset. His secretary is like fifteen years younger than him, and I’m sure he was having an affair with her while we were married.” I shrugged. “I divorced him because he didn’t love me and didn’t want to be a dad.” I shook my head. “I found a way to be happy when I left him, and since I’ve been home, everything’s been perfect. Madeline’s happy. She has friends, she laughs. It’s been a long time since I’ve really heard her laugh. We’ve both moved on, and we’re better off without Anthony around us.”
“Have you told Maddy yet?” Kristy asked.
I shook my head. “Not yet. I will when the time’s right.”
I took a deep breath and emptied my glass. No time like the present. “Enough about my ex. I have something to share with you.” I looked at Rose, then Kristy and a goofy smile spread across my face. “I know what I’m getting ready to say may be a shock, but I need your advice.” I folded my hands in front of me, sat up straight, and sucked on my bottom lip.
Rose cocked her head and scrunched her brows. “What is it? I’m getting concerned.”
“Yeah,” Kristy agreed. “And you have a weird look on your face. What did you do?”
I laughed. Leave it to Kristy to always think something’s up. Well, in this case, she was right. “ Jamison and I are in a relationship.“ I leaned back and chewed on my lips. I watched, studied their expressions, and waited.
Rose’s face lit up, and a smile filled it.
Kristy’s expression was the total opposite. Her brows were raised, and her face was scrunched up. “Jamison who?”
My mouth gaped open. Was she serious? “How many Jamison’s do we know?”
She still looked shell-shocked. “You and Jamison, Jamison? Like each other? Since when? Are you sure you’re not reliving a teenage fantasy?”
Rose chuckled.
I rolled my eyes. “No fantasy. I promise.” I drew an X over my chest. “Things have been interesting between us since I’ve been back.”
“That’s an understatement,” Rose said as she sipped from her glass.
“Shit,” Kristy said. “You’re serious.” She looked at Rose. “What did you mean, and why do you have that silly grin on your face?”
Rose shrugged.
“I’m confused.” Kristy looked between us. “What exactly has happened between you two?”
“Last week he kissed me in my kitchen.”
“No shit. Did you know?” she asked Rose.
Rose shrugged. “I’ve known a little, and I think it’s so cool that, after all these years, their secret flame has been rekindled.” Her hands were over her heart.
Kristy gave Rose a side-eye. “A secret flame? A lifetime crush is not a flame.”
Rose clamped her mouth shut, and Kristy glared at me. “What else am I missing out on?”
I grabbed her arms, “I didn’t mean to keep any of this from you, but Rose was around when I needed to get stuff off my chest last week. I kept this to myself for years.”
Kristy pulled away and crossed her arms.
“Fine. Jamison and I had a thing the summer before he met Carly.”
“No shit? A thing as in . . . sex?”
I laughed. “Yes. Sex, and fun. And yeah . . . then he went back to college, met Carly, and the rest is history. Well, that’s what Rose meant by rekindled.”
“Damn. Who knew about this then?” she asked.
“I didn’t tell anyone until last week when I told Rose. Jamison told Rowan back when it happened.”
“And now who knows?”
“You two, and Rowan.”
“And now you two are doing what exactly?” she asked.
I shrugged. “It’s complicated. We’ve kissed. But I’m confused. What if it’s just a rebound for us both and we’re trying to pick up where we let off? I’m scared it may not be real, and I told him I wanted to be friends, then last night at his house I kissed him again, and we both acknowledged we have feelings for one another.”
“So, let me see if I have this straight,” Kristy said with her hands up in front of her. “Teenage dream guy became your sex slave for one summer, and now you’re telling us you have the hots for each other, but, you’re afraid for no apparent reason.”
I laughed and nodded. “I guess you could say that.”
“Shit,” Kristy said with a chuckle. “Lance is going to be pissed. His best friend and his sister have hooked up.” She hugged me tightly and laughed. “Damn, girl, this is better than reality TV. I wasn’t going to Tonya’s tonight. I was going to enjoy a quiet night by myself at home. But now, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Umm, I don’t really think that’s a way to support your best friend,” I said.
“You have all the unconditional support and encouragement from Rose. You don’t need me for support. You need me for realistic feedback, and this is going to be worth the price of admission.”
“It’s free,” Rose said.
“Yeah, well, it will still be priceless. Can’t wait to see all the chaos. Come on.” Kristy grabbed her purse and mine, then pulled me out the door, knowing Rose would follow. “Let’s get out of here. We have a barbecue to get to.”
The relatively short drive to Tonya’s was filled with Kristy’s play-by-play of how Lance was going to react to my news. Of course, she was looking forward to this. She was an only child raised by a single mother. She loved it anytime she could be a part of family chaos and loved the crazy that was my and Rose’s extended non-related family gatherings because something was always bound to happen.
“And look who’s here.” Kristy parked next to Jamison’s truck in the driveway. “Let’s get this party started.” She wiggled her brows at me with a wicked grin.
As soon as we walked into the yard, my eyes fixed on Jamison. He was standing with Kai, Bryson, and Adler—Leila’s husband. Bryson must have said something because Jamison turned slightly and our eyes locked. His mouth ticked up, and my heart swooned.
He left the guys and walked toward me.
“Hi, Jamison,” Kristy greeted him in a saccharin sweet voice.
“Kristy,” he said. “Hi, Rose. Hey, you.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to him. Mine went around his shoulders and the hug was tight. He smelled good, and I breathed him in.
He stood next to me and chuckled. “Can I help you?” he asked Kristy.
She passed her eyes from him to me, and a smirk grew on her face. “Nope. Everything looks good here. I’m going to go bother the guys.”
“Don’t ask,” Rose said as we all watched her walk away. “She doesn’t like being the last one to find out anything, and she was just filled in on lots of juicy information.”
Jamison’s blue eyes held mine. “I guess they know?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yep.” My stomach did a weird flip, and sweat started beading on my neck, and the temperature was only part of the reason.
“Nolan just got here. I’ll talk to you two later.” Rose waved. “Be good.” She went to meet Nolan, and I was left with Jamison in the middle of the yard.
I glanced around. Bryson, Kai, and Adler were still talking in a group, joined now by Kora, Darlene, Leila, Summer, and Kristy. The kids were running around the yard, and slowly the book club emerged from the house, carrying trays of food. “Looks like we’re being watched.” I gestured my head toward the kitchen door as Ruth and Diane glanced over to us and whispered with smirks the size of the Grand Canyon on their faces.
His gaze followed my gesture. “I’m sure our mothers are going to hear that we’re standing in the middle of the yard alone.”
“Maybe we should be a little scandalous and leave the yard and find a private place where no one will find us,” I said, only half joking. Standing this close to him made every feminine sense I had leap into high gear. Our eyes locked, and I didn’t miss that his dropped for a second to my lips before meeting them again.