“I’m leaving on Thursday for Zach’s wedding, but I’ll be back on Monday afternoon. May I text you in the meantime, as friends?”
“Right. Family weddings. It is important to have a contact on the outside, though four days in Malibu doesn’t sound too bad.”
“I’m sure we’ll have a great time, and of course the most important part is that Zach and Evie actually get married.”
“I guess you can text me. No nudes though.”
“What’s the point in texting you then?”
“Fine, send nudes. Just be prepared for a full critique and I will definitely show them to Jenny.”
“I don’t think nudes will do much for my chances when it comes to running for Cogger’s seat.”
“Are you really thinking about running?”
“I am. I—”
“Need to ‘take these broken wings and learn to fly again’?”
“Something like that. Excuse me ... Yes?” Lily-Grace heard a muffled female voice in the background. “Thank you. I’ll take it.” To Lily-Grace, he said, “I have to go.”
“Go do business things. And have fun at the wedding. Don’t hurt anyone.”
“I promise to keep my hands and my temper to myself.” Jesse ended the call and Lily-Grace sat there on the edge of her couch wondering what the fuck had just happened. She was still angry with Jesse Pleasant, but for some reason she’d just agreed to be texting buddies with him. And the worst part was that she actually wanted to talk to him again. She wanted to hear about this bid for office. She wanted to know what his plans for the ranch were. She wanted to be a fly on the wall when he told his family. This was the perfect time for her to plan the next move. Like right that moment, as if Jesse Pleasant’s life and family business were suddenly super interesting to her.
Did she google Dr. Kenneth Brooks just to see if there was a shred of truth to what Jesse was saying? Yes, Brooks was practicing out of LA and offered online therapy, so that checked out. And that should have been the end of it. Still, two hours and a rerun ofJudge Mathislater, she was still thinking about Jesse Pleasant. She grabbed her phone and headed up to her room, getting out of her pajamas, and getting her mind off things was a smart move. She started her shower and sent Jenny another text.
Manna go to a mid-week movie tonight?
Snacks on me.
Heck yeah!
Pick you up at 7.
And then you can tell me what happened with Jesse.
Chapter 7
Jesse waited patiently on the couch in Zach’s groomsmen suite. The photographer was arriving in five minutes. The last few days had been draining as hell. More Pleasant family members and his mom’s parents, Grammy and Gramps Johnson, made their way to Malibu. The planner, Bailey, had put together a packed schedule, factoring in arrival times and meals and breaks to recharge.
Yesterday afternoon and evening the rest of the family had arrived, along with Evie’s side of the wedding party. Jesse tried not to think of just how many people were actually showing up for this event. He had his role for the day: Support Zach as a groomsman and make sure to act as an emotional and possible physical barrier between Lilah and her father, Gerald, if they decided today was the day for them to finally have it out.
He hadn’t found the time to text Lily-Grace, because even during their scheduled breaks the only time he was alone was in the restroom. He’d taken a twenty-minute power nap on the couch in Sam’s suite, before Sam and Amanda bust into the room for a little afternoon delight. It was nice to catch up with his cousins, it was amazing to come together to celebrate Zach and Evie, especially after everything they had been through, together and apart. Still, he was now in the fifth day of receiving the silent treatment from his grandmother and day three of his parents acting like he didn’t matter for one glaringly obvious reason. He didn’t have a girlfriend.
He wanted his parents to catch up with Evie and he was glad that Amanda had managed to charm them. His dad had even taken a shine to Vega, making sure she and Corie weren’t left out of the family fun, even though they weren’t technically Pleasants. Everyone was happy. Everyone was having a good time. There was no reason for the shitty ball of pain and frustration to be lodged at the height of his throat. It was dulled at the moment, overshadowed by his genuine excitement for his brother.
But this was always the way with his family. Always how he felt when they were all together.
Jesse smoothed his hands over his dress pants and let out a slow deep breath before he felt Senior lean in his direction.
“Before the reception, your mother wants a photo with just the family,” his father said quietly.
“Immediate or extended.”
“Extended.”
Jesse nodded. “I can get with Bailey and make that happen.”
