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“Laid?” I say, startled.
She grimaces at the thought. “Since his first attempt at marriage, it’s like he became a sworn celibate bachelor.”That is very far from the truth.
“How would you know?” I clear my throat. “That he isn’t getting any.”
“Honey, no man getting some action between the sheets can be that uptight.”Seems like Jake is a different breed.
“Enough about Jake’s…”possibly existent, “…sex life.”
“Help me pick out my dress, would you?” She gets up and continues looking through the clothing rack.
I stare at her and wonder how hurt she would be when she finds out about Jake and I. Jessica and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. She was the next-door neighbor in pigtails who had lots of sweets to share. Even when I moved to Los Angeles for college and settled there we always kept in touch. I should be making up for all the special moments in her life I missed, not banging her arrogant brother who once upon a time used to see me as a nuisance.
My relationship with Jake, unlike Jessica, was anything but good. With over ten yearsofdifference between us, Jessica and I were like toddlers to him. Worse, I was the unbalanced toddler who was a bad influence on his sweet innocent sister and he always made sure I knew this, which irked me to pieces and caused our constant friction. It used to amuse the adults to watch a nineteen-year-old and a six-year-old have a go at each other, and lord was I a sharp-witted child with a mouth to back it up.
I smile at the memory and Jessica notices. “Thinking about him, aren’t we? She is going red!” she gushes, making me blush more.
“Stop,” I say, noticing a shop attendant smiling at my red face.
“Why? I’m happy my friend found love!”
“Love? Let’s not be too hasty.” I feel my stomach flutter.
“Maybe it’s too early to say, but you are well on your way to falling in love. You’re showing all the signs.”
Knowing I’m going to regret this, I ask, “What signs?”
She immediately sits down beside me, her expression so serious like she has an important message to pass to me. “Well, you blush at the mention of him. You are constantly zoning outbecause he is on your mind. And don’t think I haven’t noticed that glow.” She moves closer to me and whispers, “You’ve had sex, haven’t you?”
“I…we…” I stutter. I can feel my face burning already and slap my palm to my face in embarrassment.
“Your feelings for him are so intense you are unable to comprehend it.” She places her hand on her chin. “That’s what the stuttering indicates, but don’t worry, you have time to figure it out. In the meantime, have all the sex you want.” She winks at me and I just want to sink into the floor. She wouldn’t be smiling if she knew she was advising me to keep banging her brother, the celibate bachelor.
But was Jake really celibate before I came along? That should be the last thing on your mind, Bella! But I cannot deny how warm it makes me feel. Does that mean I love him? No!
“The conflict in you is so obvious on your face,” Jessica says, smoothing her thumb over my creased brow. I glare at her and she returns it with a smile.You have no idea what you just let loose!
My discomfort and scattered thoughts make me cut our shopping trip short and Jessica lets me. Before Jessica drove off, her last words to me were, “Don’t think, and just feel!”
“This is why you should never befriend married women. Suddenly they are all relationship experts,” I grumble to myself.
A hand grabs my shoulder from behind, startling me. “Bella!” Harry exclaims and I tap my chest to calm my beating heart before throwing him a dirty look.
“Did I startle you? Sorry about that.” He taps my shoulder this time but it doesn’t help because now my heart is skipping because of the man who just stepped out of the building beside us. Jake is decked in a plain white shirt and khaki pants. Who knew something so plain could look so good? The shirt hugs his muscles perfectly, and the way his biceps flex as he moves elicits thoughts too dirty to have on the road. I gulp.
“Why is a fine, young lady like you walking alone on a Saturday morning?” I restrain myself from rolling my eyes at a terrible attempt at a Western accent.
“I went dress shopping.” He looks at my empty hands. “But I couldn’t find anything I liked.”
“Oh, you are one of them.” He gives me a sly look.
“Miss Ortiz,” Jake joins us and nods his head at me in greeting. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” I take note of the bags in his hands.
“Seems like we came out for the same purpose.” I gesture at his hands.
“This fine young lady is in a pickle!” Harry exclaims and Jake throws his friend a dirty look, another horrid attempt at a Western accent. I quickly stifle my laugh but he notices and raises his brow at me.
“Luckily, I have just the solution to your problem. Follow me.” He turns around and starts walking away. I look at Jake confused, but he just rolls his eyes and follows him. Now I have to follow them too.
