Britt: He’s not your brother!
Me: Fine. Fine. What do you see, oh wise one?
Britt: I see two love birds that don’t want to give up their secret…just yet.
Me: You should write romance novels, ya know that?
Britt: *girl shrug emoji* I’d have a good basis for my first story
Me: Well, thank you for the pic. I just got a nasty text from Nick the dick, but yours cheered me up.
My phone immediately starts ringing. “Please tell me you told him to jump off a cliff?!”
“Ugh, he’s such an ass. He was going on about falling back on my boy toy and that he looks forward to seeing us at PR functions. Ahhh! I didn’t even think he’d be at the same events as us. Now I have to be very picky about where I take Jackson. I don’t want this backfiring on us. I can already see the headlines if Nick gets ahold of this.”
“Don’t let him get to you. He’s just jealous he lost you. You should have left him a long time ago.”
Don’t I know it.
“It’s just hard. I feel like I’m starting over and leaning on my family to do so. I just don’t want to bring Jackson down with me.”
“Listen babe, my brother knows what he’s doing. And if he doesn’t, he always lands on his feet. Even if it takes him some time. You guys are going to be fine.”
You guys. I like how that sounds, like we’re linked together. I take a breath and let it out.
Calm down Francesca, it’s a business deal, don’t get ahead of yourself.
“I want to go out. What are you doing?”
“Oooh!! Yes! Let’s go dancing! I’ll text everyone and see who can go! Give me an hour and I’ll come over.”
“Alright girl, see you then.”
I end the call, and I lean against my counter. Yes, a night out is what I need. Blow off some steam. Get my mind off Nick… and Jackson. Well, our arrangement anyway. Let loose and have fun. It’s just business. And though you should never mix business with pleasure, I know my lines have always been a little blurred.
An hour later, I hear Britt walk through my door. She’s with Farrah and they’ve got a bottle of fireball and shot glasses in hand.
“Oh man, are we pre-gaming?” I laugh. “Aren’t we a little too old for that now?”
I give Farrah a hug. “It’s so good to see you! I was at the bakery earlier this week, but you weren’t there. Tom tells me he sees you for his coffee before the beginning of every shift. Says he can’t start one without it!” Farrah’s parents own the Roasted Chestnut and since they’ve gotten older, Farrah has stepped up and became the pseudo-owner, as much as time allows her. She also runs the Pre-K here in town, Kandy Kane Kids, so being a part of both keeps her pretty busy.
“Yes, Tom is my best customer!” She smiles and continues, “my class has been getting their float ready for the festival, so my parents have been in the shop more during the day. Once Almost Christmas is over, I’m sure you’ll be seeing me there more often.”
I nod as I pour the shots over ice and shake them up to get them cold. “I haven’t heard from my brothers. Where is everyone?” I ask Britt, as she was the one to round everyone up.
“They already took off for the bar.”
I look at her with wide eyes. “I thought we were going together?”
She has a sly look on her face. “I thought we needed to make an entrance, so I told them we’d meet them there.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “What are you up to?”
Farrah is laughing openly now. “Oh Chess, some things never change!”
“What do you mean?”
“Britt is still playing matchmaker with you and Jackson! I love it!”
