“Thank you. They look so much better.”
Estelle glanced over where Bea, Randi, Sarah, the girls, and Aunt Judith were munching on crackers and lowered her voice even more, taking on a sultry tone. “Give me an hour with your face and hair and Jesse won’t know what hit him.”
“Shhh. Are you crazy? Don’t bring that up right now.”
Somehow Estelle got roped into my conversation with Jackie last night. I had spilled my guts, and despite my fear, it feltsogood to let it all out. Their anger and indignance on my behalf was a balm to my soul and the exact kind of validation I didn’t realize I needed.
“Sorry.” She giggled. “I can’t help it. I love the idea of you two.”
“There is noideato be had.”
Jackie wandered over to us, probably worried she was missing something juicy. “What are we discussing? That plunging neckline Hollie is going to seduce Jesse with?”
“Shhhh! Stop it!” I hissed at them, my eyes darting to the table. “What is wrong with you two?”
Estelle laughed as Jackie flopped down into a chair next to mine, her up-do bouncing. Jackie sighed. “Can you imagine the caliber of babies they would make?”
My jaw dropped as I laughed. “Jackie!”
She fanned herself. “I’m getting aroused just thinking about it.”
Estelle’s chuckle stopped mid-way as she grimaced. “Can we not use the wordaroused? It’s disgusting.”
“Fine.Titillated.”
“Ew!”
“You guys have to stop. There’s nothing to talk about.” Heat bloomed into my cheeks. “We shared a hug and you guys are acting like he proposed marriage.”
“Oh, hewantsto propose. He was a breath away from popping the question last night.”
I rolled my eyes, simultaneously annoyed and delighted that my sisters were rooting for me and Jesse. Why did love have to be so painful? As fun as it was to think about Jesse, my daughters had afather, and I doubted my heart could ever be whole without him.
Estelle whined as she picked up a spray bottle. “Gosh, I wish I could’ve seen it.”
Jackietsked. “It was a sight to behold.”
“Remind me to never talk to you two again. You guys are making a mountain out of a molehill.”
Jackie leaned forward. “The most interesting mountains start as molehills.”
Estelle hummed in agreement as she doused my scalp with chilly water. “Well, if you don’t want him, Hollie, I’ll take him.”
Jackie scoffed. “He’s old enough to be your father, Stell.”
Estelle batted her lashes. “Age doesn’t matter when he looks like Riley Green.”
Jackie chortled. “He doesnotlook like Riley Green.”
“Who is Riley Green?” I was doing my best to keep up.
“Um, hello, the country music star?” Jackie pulled out her phone. “I’ll show you.”
I shrugged. “I don’t listen to country music.”
Jackie squinted at her phone. “Oh, wait. Huh. He does kind of look like Riley Green.”
“See?” Estelle said. “Told you.”
