I pout. “Hey! This mess is your fault.”
“Sure.” He grabs some paper towel off the roll and folds it up into the perfect little triangle. "Sit still." He cups my chin and starts gently wiping the frosting off my face.
I squirm and titter at his touch. "Stop moving,” he demands.
"It tickles," I whine. He glares and I do my best to sober up. "Okay. Okay. Fine."
Cradling my jaw, he slowly drags the napkin along the ridges of my cheeks, down the bridge of my nose, across the oh-so-sensitive slopes of my lips.
He’s staring. Shamelessly. I feel a blush begin to bloom on my cheeks. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
He lifts a shoulder and lets it fall. “Just wondering if you know how fucking beautiful you are. Inside and out.”
My heart is fluttering all about, not even bothering to keep up a rhythm. I coyly lower my chin…
And one corner of the paper towel triangle goes up my nose.
On instinct, I snort and bat his hand away. "Eli!"
“Oh, fuck. Sorry. Total accident," he says between chortles.
“If you’re so sorry, then stop freaking laughing.”
“I told you to stop moving.”
“Stop laughing!” I hiss again.
But the fact is, we’re both laughing. Huddled close, shoulders rocking with our muffled guffaws, forcing ourselves to keep quiet.
Gradually, we grow sober. Our eyes lock. Something ignites in the air. Something electric and consuming.
Eli gives me a look that says he’s barely restraining himself from pouncing on me.
Then he leans back and exhales a stuttered breath. He drags a hand down his face. I can see his reluctance when he looks away from me, toward the microwave. "Fuck—it's late,” he says in the most unconvincing tone ever.
I glance over my shoulder at the clock with out even seeing the numbers displayed. “Wow. It is late.”
We both know that our pulling away has nothing to do with the time.
“Let’s clean up,” I mumble, hoping he can’t see my disappointment.
Together, we dump empty wrappers into the recycling bin and store sealed packages in the pantry and wipe crumbs from the counter. Then, we stand toe-to-toe in the middle of the kitchen.
Eli speaks first. “Well, this night just cut ten years off of my lifespan.” He exaggeratedly rubs his belly. “I hope you can explain that to my daughter when you guys are singing Amazing Grace and sprinkling my ashes into the river out back.” I offer a little laugh at his joke. “But I really needed it, Jessa. After that conversation I just had with Callie, I really needed a reason to laugh.”
“You deserve to laugh, Eli.” My hand gently brushes the centre of his chest. “You deserve all the good things.”
His forehead creases. I know he has so much more he wants to say. Instead, he gives me a gallant bow. "It was a pleasure being in your company this evening, Miss Robson."
I sigh shakily. “Likewise, Mister Kingston."
The man turns his back and heads down into his damp, lonely basement. I stand there wishing I could have him with me in my bed.
31 Jessa
I twirl left to right in front of the mirror and Callie giggles at the way my floor-length chiffon dress swishes around my legs.
“Look, I can do it, too, Jessa.” She wheels around to demonstrate and her rose petal pink flower girl dress sweeps around her little body. Iris, Lexi and I are wearing bridesmaid gowns in the same color although ours have sexy plunging necklines, a daring thigh slit and an X strap at the back.
“Wow, Cal! You look like a little angel!” Mrs. Kingston aims her phone at her granddaughter and a bright camera flash cuts through the room. “Come take another picture to send to Papa! Then, we’ll get you changed and we’ll go borrow some new books from the library.”
“Yay!” The child runs off with her grandmother. Within minutes, the duo come ambling back into the room in their street clothes. They say their goodbyes and Callie gives me a big hug. Then they’re out of the shop, on the way to the library.
I watch after them as they go and my heart smiles. I’m so happy that Callie has made a full recovery from the chicken pox and is back to normal now. I hated seeing her miserable and itchy.
All of us girls are at Lexi’s bridal shop today. Our gowns for Penny and Walker’s wedding have arrived and my sister has taken charge of our fitting.
“You look so beautiful, Jess.” Penny squeals from where she’s sitting on the chaise lounge, breastfeeding Mayor.
Iris sits next to her, gently massaging Luke’s belly. It’s hard to believe how much the babies have grown over the past few weeks. “You always look beautiful but for the record, you look extra juicy today.” She laughs.
Lexi circles around me, tape measure and pin cushion in hand. “Yeah, this color looks amazing on you, and I really resent how good your boobs look in this cut.” We both laugh.
My big sister is always moaning and complaining about her small chest, much like I whine about my butt not looking the way I want it to. I guess every woman’s got that one thing that makes her a little insecure.
Lexi stands back and scans the garment thoughtfully. “I’m gonna have to adjust the hem, though. And your straps are about a half-inch too long. I’m going to tighten those as well.” She turns her attention to Iris. “Okay, you’re up next, babe.”
Iris stands and hands Luke over to me. I drape a thin blanket over my shoulder and grin down into his sweet, sleepy face.
Penny stares longingly out the window at a group of women walking by, talking and laughing, each holding an iced cappuccino in hand. “I could drink a gallon of caffeine right now.” She yawns deeply then grins at me. “Girl, I sure miss when you used to work at the coffee shop.”
I huff. “You mean, you miss the free coffee and delivery service I provided?”
“That, too,” she snorts. “But seriously,
