“Jess, you know why. Don’t do your head tricks on this one.”
“Did you like it?”
I lean my head back and rub my hands over my face.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Did he like it?”
“I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it.”
Jess is quiet for a minute, knowing I’ll say more.
“We’re obviously still attracted to each other, and it felt…” I trail off, trying to find the words to explain it. It felt like forever.
“You know what I’m going to say. If it’s supposed to happen, it will. No matter how you try to fight it or avoid it. So, just let it be.”
Jess has always believed we’re all on a path and, when we resist or question things, we’re just delaying our destiny. The idea of that sounds great. Permission to just live and enjoy life? Easier said than done.
“I’m not just going to throw myself at him,” I say.
“I didn’t say that. But if you fall into bed again, so be it.”
I lie back and stretch my body across the carpeted living room floor.
“Maybe.”
I’m afraid if we spend more time together, I’ll believe I could have a happily ever after. And I don’t know if I do.
“Ok, I’m calling reinforcements,” Jess says and gets up off the floor to grab her phone.
“No! Nobody else can know about this!”
“Calm down. You are too much in your head. I’m just calling Stella over. We can day drink and hang by the pool. You need distractions!”
Jess types on her phone as she walks down the hall. “Stella’s on her way.” She shouts from her room. “And she’s bringing Brandon and Natalie!”
“Who’s Natalie?”
“Stella’s yoga teacher friend. She’s awesome!”
I peel myself off the ground and head to Jess’s room to borrow a bathing suit. I’m too distracted to work right now anyway.
“So, don’t hold out on us. How was the wedding?” Brandon is already in the pool, his arms hanging over the edge. “Did you meet the parents? Did you go home with Wyatt?”
I almost choke on my drink.
“It was completely normal,” I say. “The parents are fine. And no, I didn’t go home with Wyatt.” Technically, that is true. Hopefully, that’s enough detail.
“Come on, spill. You’re telling me there was no drama, no mystery, no suspense?”
I laugh. It’s clear that spending so much time with actors and actresses has influenced Brandon’s appetite for gossip.
“Oh, I don’t know. There was probably a little mystery,” Jessica whispers under her breath. Thankfully, Brandon doesn’t hear her.
“I’m sure you have better stories to tell about your Fourth,” I say, trying to change the subject.
Stella immediately blushes, and she and Natalie look at each other and then over at Brandon.
“Stella has a new neighbor that she thinks is hunky,” Brandon teases.
