“You seem to have spent a lot of time paying attention to my clothes,” Jade said through a smirk. “And their...fit.”
“I will neither confirm nor deny that statement,” April blushed as she reached up to fix a loose curl behind her ear.
“Go on, admit it. You’ve been checking me out,” Jade sat back and watched as April squirmed in her seat.
April cleared her throat, “So, remind me, when are you off to get the wedding outfits for Cleo and Ivy’s wedding?”
“Nice segway,” Jade shook her head with a chuckle. “We’re going to one of Emily’s designer friends to get our outfits before I leave for London. I’m then off for two weeks before we're all over the US and Canada for the guts of the following seven weeks until after the US Open. By that time, we should have full sketches to approve before they start making them for us.”
“That’s great you’re getting custom outfits made. I’m surprised Dani didn’t go that route for Matt and his best man.”
“Well, Cleo wants a fitted suit, and I want something similar but obviously not the same, and we have to get something related for Cleo’s best friend who’s really girly. So, custom really was the best option. We were just lucky that Emily knew someone who could help.”
“Will you, you know, send me a photo when you’re in it?” April blushed, but she meant it. She wanted to see her partner dressed up even more so than she was today. She loved the way Jade dressed herself. Part of her even got a kick out of knowing that other women enjoyed Jade’s look too, but they weren’t the one who got to kiss her. Because,damn,did Jade know how to kiss.
“It’ll be a while until they’re ready, but once they are and we go back for the fitting, I’ll send you a photo. That is, if you send me one once you’re all done up for Dani’s wedding?” Jade’s eyesburned with such intense fire; there was no way April could deny her that.
“That I can do.” April agreed.
Chapter 25
Jade
Jade arrived at Cleo’s office in time for them closing for the day. Cleo had arranged her schedule to let her close early that Friday so that the three of them could attend the initial design consultation appointment for their wedding outfits.
She was excited to spend time with her sister and Lana. But since she’d spoken with Ivy about April the day after they reunited, she’d since told Cleo…and had yet to talk with her about it,noton a video call.
Jade pressed the buzzer on the door and waited for theclickof the door to release then entered.
“Hey Lana, ready to mess with Cleo for the next hour?” Jade asked loud enough she knew her sister would hear from her office.
“I may be older than you Jade, but I still have perfect hearing you know!” Cleo shouted from the next room.
Lana chuckled at the sibling’s antics, as always. Jade liked Lana; she was the right kind of energy that her sister needed around her. She was quiet and reserved when she first met you, but when she got to know you, she was warm and kind with a wicked sense of humor.
Jade leaned against Lana’s desk and whispered to her, “care to make today interesting? What color suit do you think she’ll choose?” She asked with a grin.
“Oooooh, I hadn’t even thought of that. I’d been more worried that she’d make me wear a suit too!” Lana admitted, looking down at her own burgundy skirt with black heels and a scoop-neck black blouse. “I love her style, and yours, but it isnotin my wheelhouse, by any stretch of the imagination!”
“Well, I’ll give you until we get there to decide. I’m thinking a dark jewel blue, with brown shoes.”
“Hmm, I see your dark jewel blue and raise you a rich green to compliment Ivy’s eyes. She’s sentimental that way.” Lana said with a grin as Jade’s shoulders fell slightly in defeat.
“Urgh, should have gone with green, of course!” Jade shook her head.
Cleo appeared at Jade’s shoulder, asking in a louder voice than necessary, “Ready to go?” accompanied by a wide grin as Jade jumped in surprise.
“You suck,” Jade said, hand placed on her racing heart after the only person who had ever managed to scare her, struck again. “For that, you’re driving.”
20 minutes later, the three women arrived at the address Emily had given Jade. It was a warehouse on the edge of the city with an impressive lineup of elite cars parked outside.
Lana leaned forward from her seat in the back of Cleo’s car, “are yousurewe’re at the right address? I mean, they clearly have expensive clients.”
Cleo turned to face Lana and reached out her hand. The distinctive gentle clink of scraping metal alerted Jade to Lana spinning the anxiety ring on her finger. “We’re in the right place, and we belong here as much as anyone who can afford a swanky car like those. Emily is friends with the designer that owns the place, which is how Jade got us in with him to make some impressive outfits for my wedding. So, don’t worry about your place here, and just remember that we’re doing this for Ivy, ok?”
Jade saw Lana’s shoulders drop, slightly, but enough that indicated she relaxed some. It was easy to forget Lana’s previous abusive relationship until moments like this happened. Jade could see her questioning her worth, and it pulled at her chest. Lana was a great woman, and Jade was glad she’d met someone who knew how to lift her up and treat her well. Her boyfriend, Connor.
“I’ll let Raul know we’re here,” Jade said, reaching for her phone. “Do you need a minute, or are you ok for me to call?” She asked Lana before dialing.
