Jackson’s meeting his friends Braden, Sebastian, and Eli tonight before he leaves early tomorrow morning. I’ll hang out at Lily’s since Sebastian is now weirdly included in that group and won’t be home. Not that anything is wrong with Sebastian; he’s just not someone you’d picture hanging out with his friends for a night on the town. And he’s a major control freak, especially where Lily is concerned. I’ll admit, some of it sounds hot, but if a guy tried to control my every move, he’d have another thing coming. But Lily loves it, so that’s all that matters.
Eli, on the other hand, barely has a serious bone in his body—probably what makes him so fun to be around. The only similarity between the brothers is that they both look like they just stepped off the runway, albeit from very different fashion shows. Sebastian from Tom Ford, sharp features and crisp suits, and Eli from Ralph Lauren, the preppy boy next door with his sexy floppy brown hair that has you wanting to grab it and pull him closer while he kisses the living daylights out of you.
Then there’s Braden, my brother’s best friend, the eternal bachelor heartthrob after being jilted by a woman. He’s some hotshot attorney and gorgeous enough to be on the cast ofSuits. In fact, I wanted to date him once upon a time, but then Eli happened, and that was that. It’s probably out of the question to have a fling with Braden since they’re all buddies now, especially with how Eli and I left things, which couldn’t have been more unsettled.
I haven’t seen Eli yet—it’s only been a week—and I’m nervous, if I’m being honest. This crazy pull between the two of us is alwaysin the background. Although he could be seeing someone right now, most of his exploits are publicized, but I’m sure not everything. The thought of Eli with a girlfriend makes my insides curdle, which is ridiculous since I’m the one who held back. Regardless, it would be hell to watch him with another woman. But I also can’t start things up with him again. Poppy may think it’s okay, but I disagree. It wouldn’t be right to become involved again knowing he wanted more back when we were messing around.
Ugh. Sometimes I wish Lily had known about us. It’s not that I intentionally hid it from her at the time, but Lily was experiencing her first relationship then, and I didn’t want to steal her thunder by talking about mine. Not that itwasa relationship. We were simply enjoying each other’s company until I moved. What would the point have been to tell her since it wasn’t serious? I don’t do serious. Still, it would be nice to talk to her about it. But since I can’t, I’ll at least have to poke around for some information about him tonight. Find out if he’s asked about me at all.Damn, Cici, get a grip. You don’t care, remember?This could be a very long couple of months if I’m already obsessing.
After I change into something comfy but still decent enough to walk through Lily’s lobby, I Uber over in case I drink more than I should and knock on her door. Just as I’m about to knock again, I hear running on the other side before it swings open to an out-of-breath Lily.
“What were you doing?” I ask her, laughing.
She leans in to hug me in the foyer. “I’m making you dinner like old times. I was draining the noodles when you knocked, and they can’t sit, or they’ll stick together, so I had to toss the oil in really quick.”
Lily and I go back to ninth grade. We became best friends when she moved to San Diego and started school. And when her dad abandoned her a few months later, she moved in with my family. My parents adored her and agreed to take her in. However, she worked hard to support herself in all ways besides rent. As soon as she graduatedwith a full-ride scholarship, we shared one of my parents’ rental units and spent our college days together until last year, when we both made significant changes in our lives. She moved in with Sebastian, and I fled to Bozeman. I’ve missed her like crazy since.
“Yay!” I clap my hands rapidly. “Man, I miss those days. Can you believe it’s been a year already? How are you and Sebastian? Any doubts, or are you still head over heels in love?”
She answers on our way to the kitchen, “Zero doubts and still head over heels. I’m so in love with him that it scares me sometimes. I’ve never had anyone care about me as much as he does. He makes me feel cherished. And I don’t think I’ll ever be bored in the bedroom, that’s for sure. He’s made me a monster.” She growls and we both laugh.
Lily’s touch is evident as I walk through their penthouse—a colorful blanket over the couch, framed pictures adorning the surfaces, and a few candles to give it a feminine feel. As expected, a bottle of champagne over ice with two glasses already poured is on top of the kitchen island. She knows me so well.
Sitting on one of the barstools, I hold my glass up, and Lily does the same. “Well, cheers to you, then. You are one lucky girl.” We take a sip before she turns back to the stove. “For me? I couldn’t handle someone like Sebastian. All possessive and protective like he is. It’s just not my thing. I understand his caution, but he’s a little extreme.”
Ebony, the cat we shared when we lived together, jumps into my lap. After Lily went through what she did with a kidnapping from an overzealous admirer right before graduation, I decided she needed our feline companion more than I did. “Hi, sweetie. I’ve missed you.” I rub her ear and pet her while she purrs as Lily finishes dinner.
“Yeah. He can be a bit much, although I guess I’m used to it by now. I can’t imagine how he’ll be when we have a baby. He’ll—”
“Whoa, hold up. Are you pregnant?”
“No! We’ve talked about starting a family after the wedding, but I’m still building my career, and he’s too busy with the company.Don’t get me wrong, he’d love to have me barefoot and pregnant, but he knows I love working too much, and anyway, with Eli in and out all the time from one adrenaline-seeking adventure to the next, Sebastian’s had a lot on his plate.”
“What’s going on with Eli? I’ve seen bits and pieces in the gossip section, but nothing out of the ordinary.” My interest is piqued. I knew about Eli’s thrill-seeking obsession, but not that it was serious.
“I’m not really sure. This past year, he seems to have kicked it up a notch with dangerous activities. It’s become an addiction. Skydiving, kitesurfing, rock climbing… you name it, and he’s done it or has it on his list. Sebastian’s getting worried about him, actually.”
“Wow. I knew he had a wild streak, but I didn’t realize it was that bad. It’s probably just a phase.”
“I hope you’re right.” She shrugs, shaking her head. “So tell me about your day. Are you ready for Jackson to leave, or are you stressed out of your mind?” Darn it. I wanted to ask more about Eli, but I’ll have to prod later.
“Probably a little of both. He’s driving me nuts worrying so much, but leaving is a big deal for him. He’s worked so hard getting the business where he wants it over the past year, and now he’s trusting me with the reins. And what he’s getting himself into is enough stress alone. Add his concern over leaving me to deal with our parents, and he’s like a wire ready to snap. But honestly, Lily, I know I’m capable. I just don’t want to screw anything up or let him down. It’s a lot to take in.” Now that I’ve said it out loud, I realize how nervous I really am.
“Cici, you are one of the most competent people I know. Not to mention, you understand the business as much as anyone, given the years you worked there in college. You’ve got this. And I’m here to keep you sane.”
“I should be the one keeping you sane through all the wedding planning, not the other way around. But enough with the pity party. I’m so happy I’m here before the wedding. It’ll be easier to fulfill mymaid of honor duties this way. Speaking of, we need to start thinking about the bachelorette party. Oh, and we should go dress shopping this weekend,” I say excitedly.
“Oh my gosh, yes. I’m so glad you’re here, Cici. Seriously, we’ll be so busy that the time will fly by. You being here was meant to be, I swear.” She squeals as she walks over to hug me.
This, right here, outweighs any negatives from any shituation that comes up over the next couple of months.
3
SIDESTEPPING
Eli
“Hey, guys,” Jackson greets the three of us. He’s meeting me, Sebastian, and Braden for drinks before he ventures out to search for his girlfriend’s dad.
