He moves aside the lingerie and picks up a rectangular object wrapped in festive tissue paper. I’m a little nervous about this gift, but it feels right. Inside the paper is a framed vintage photo of me as a young child with my mother and grandmother. I’ve cherished this photo for many years, and it has significant sentimental value to me. As he examines the picture in detail and traces the border of the frame, he speaks. “Is this you?”
“Yes. It’s me with my mother and grandmother. Three generations of Jones women. It’s one of my most treasured possessions.”
He looks at me with the most serious expression I think I’ve ever seen on his face. “This is a family heirloom. Your family heirloom. Why are you giving it to me?”
I cover his hands with mine and lean in close. “Several reasons. First, I want you to see where, nowho, I come from, aside from Sandy. These strong black women loved me and shaped me into the woman I am. Second, when people look at me, look at us, they see the color of my skin. I need to know that you understand this and are comfortable with this. We may not always be in Green Springs, under the safe umbrella of the Patrick family. While I realize you can never see and feel what people of color see and feel every day, I want you to know my world, know where I come from, and where I’ve been, because it’s different from where I am now. And lastly, it’s something that was given to me with love and I’m giving it to you with love.” This is the nearest I’ve been able to come to a declaration of my feelings for him.
Our lips meet in a tender kiss. With his mouth still touching mine, he whispers. “You amaze me. I’m so grateful you came into my life. I will treasure this always. First and foremost, because I am your friend and I care about you. Also, to remind me that I need to listen to you and learn from you. And finally, to pledge to you that I will always support and protect you, no matter what.”
I whisper back. “Thank you. I’m so grateful you came into my life, too, Nolan Green.”
Nolan pulls back and reaches into the pocket of his slacks, then hands me a small box wrapped in shiny silver foil. “Now open yours.”
I make quick work of the paper and open the lid, gasping at the contents. “Nolan, this is beautiful!”
“Just like you, city girl. Here, let me put it on you.”
I turn with my back to him so he can fasten the clasp, then turn to face him again. “How do I look?”
“Gorgeous, as always. The man at the jewelry store told me rubies guarantee health, wealth, and love.”
I sigh with contentment. I’m feeling like I have everything a girl could possibly want. Not just health, wealth, and yes—love, but also family, purpose, and peace.
Chapter 29
The holidays are over and January sales are in full force. I can’t believe how much my life has changed in the last year. Mama was sick for so long, and then I lost her. Little did I know I’d gain a new family and a new life about as far from Chicago as one could get. I’m at the store going through inventory and marking down prices when I hear the jingle of the front door. I look up to see my friend Meg.
“Girl! It’s about time you showed up to see me. I heard you were back in town! Get over here and give me a hug!” We meet each other halfway and embrace. Meg quickly releases me since hugging isn’t really her thing, but the grin on her face tells me she’s glad to see me.
“How the hell are you, woman? You look fabulous, as always.”
Meg looks pretty good herself. Rested. Happy. I don’t see any trace of the woman who came into my shop a few months ago. Lost. Running from her past, desperately searching for her future.
“I’m good. But I want to hear about you. I’m glad you finally realized what you were looking for was right here in Green Springs.”
Meg flops into one of the chairs near the dressing rooms, casually draping her jeans-clad legs over one of the arms so she can sit sideways facing the other chair. “You know I had to figure some things out for myself. And the road trip out west was the completion of a bucket list of commitments to honor Brandon. After some long days of reflection, I knew it was time to come back here and start my new life with Drew.”
While Meg is talking, I grab two Diet Cokes from the mini fridge, hand one to her, and sit in the chair opposite hers. “That man missed you terribly. He came to see me not long before you returned.” I pause to take a sip of my soda. “He asked me if you were coming back, and I told him I didn’t know. But I did tell him you and I stayed in touch.”
Meg sighs. “I know. I remember you told me you wouldn’t lie to him if he asked you. The texts and calls with you were my lifeline over the past couple of months.” The serious moment passes, as Meg regains her spunk. “Enough about me. I want to hear all about you and Nolan. And don’t give me some bullshit about nothing going on between you two. Remember what you told me a while back. This is a small town, so everyone knows your business.”
I can’t help but smile at the thought of Nolan. I absentmindedly play with the ruby pendant around my neck. Meg’s eyes go straight to it and then to my face with laser focus. “Oh my God, woman! You have the glow of someone in love! He gave you that necklace, didn’t he? I want details!”
It feels good to finally have someone for some real girl talk. It’s not like I can confide about how Nolan makes me feeltoNolan, and Barbara Jeanne and Saundra aren’t really that type of girlfriends. “Well… we are friends, and we do have an arrangement that keeps us both… satisfied.”
Meg doesn’t let me get away with that for a second. “Don’t give me that crap. I can tell one hundred percent you are in love with that man. And, according to Drew, he feels the same way.”
My insecurities start nagging at me. “I don’t know about that. Nolan and I are comfortable with the way things are. I’ve told him I’m not looking for a relationship, and he respects that. He seems to be content with the way things are as well.”
Meg gives me a smug look. “My, my, my. How the tables have turned. I remember a few months ago you were appalled when I said Drew and I weren’t dating, just screwing. Seems now you’re doing the same thing with Nolan. Well, you keep telling yourself that, chickie. Meanwhile, everyone else knows you two are a couple.”
I cross my arms in front of my chest defiantly. “No, we aren’t, and don’t make it sound so dirty. I prefer the term ‘friends with benefits.’”
Meg shoots back. “Answer me this: are you seeing anyone else?”
“No.”
“Is he?”
