Chapter 39: Chapter 4: The Spare Tire

Jamie

I looked down at the binder I was holding in my arms.

The Montgomerys had added four extra tables of six to their anniversary party overnight. Luckily, I was equipped to deal with this kind of situation at the last minute.

Mrs. Montgomery turned to me and smiled. “Is that okay, darling?”

“Of course,” I smiled back. “I penciled it in for four extra tables. We just need a decision on napkin colors. Other than that, we’re pretty much set for your special day.”

Mr. Montgomery chuckled. “I’ll leave this one to you, dear.”

“I assumed you would.” She looked at him adoringly. I found it cute that after fifty years together, they were this much in love. It made me think of my own mom and dad.

“Perfect. I’ll go get us a couple of sample colors.”

I left the Montgomerys to chat while I grabbed my napkins from the office. Five minutes later, I was back, but there was one other person with them.

From behind, the man looked smart in his fitted blue suit, his short hair was perfectly neat, and there was something quite pleasing about the way he stood.

“Oh, here she comes,” Mrs. Montgomery whispered loudly enough that I could hear. “Jamie, I would like you to meet my son Jack.”

He turned around and smiled at me as I made my way toward them.

Mrs. Montgomery has been talking about their family since day one of planning. However, this single Jack always seems to come up in conversation a lot more than anyone else.

“The famous Jamie. My mother has told me so much about you.” He held out his hand to shake mine. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Being the klutz that I am, I fumbled with the napkins on the way to shaking his hand, and I dropped them all on the floor.

“Let me help you with those.” He bent down at the same time as I did and started to pick up the napkins.

I noticed his eyes on me and the closed-mouth smile he had as we got back to a standing position. He handed me the napkins.

“Thank you.” I smiled lightly, but I was totally embarrassed. “Um, it’s nice to meet you too.”

I looked at Mrs. Montgomery. “I have napkins. Shall we get started?”

Twenty minutes of looking at napkins later, I was antsy to get home. I hated being without Penelope, and I didn’t like that I was coming home late.

I had dinner plans with the gang that night, too, so I wanted enough time with her beforehand.

I was walking the Montgomerys and their son through reception. “So, that’s about everything, but call me if you have any concerns.”

“Of course, darling. I appreciate you entertaining us. I know we dropped by on short notice.”

I don’t think dropping by on short notice had anything to do with the napkins, but more like her son.

Mrs. Montgomery was trying to play matchmaker. It was obvious since our thirty-minute meeting was all talk about how great Jack was.

Or should I say Doctor Jack?

“It was no problem. I was happy to help.” I smiled at them both. “See you soon.”

I watched the Montgomerys walk down the steps of the hotel, their arms linked as they chatted.

“So, Jamie. You’re going to be at the anniversary party, right?” Jack had a grin on his face as he waited for my reply.

I had a feeling he wasn’t asking if I would be there in a professional capacity.

“Um, yes. It’s my job to be there to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

“Good to hear. I’ll keep an eye out for you.” He winked at me before walking away. Jack was confident in himself but not so overly confident that it was a turn-off.

However, I wasn’t interested. Going by what I knew, he seemed like a good guy, but it didn’t matter. I wasn’t ready to date just yet. Penelope wasn’t even a year old.

I was sitting at a table in a restaurant with the gang and their plus-ones. Well, Carmen’s hadn’t shown up yet, not that I minded. I was just happy to have a catch-up with them.

“Not very punctual, your soon-to-be husband, is he?” Ethan chuckled.

“I know. I know. I’m sorry. I’m marrying him for his looks, of course. The other stuff I just have to live with,” Carmen joked. “He’s stuck at work. I’m sure he won’t be much longer.”

“I’m just glad they gave us bread while we wait. That’s all I’m saying.” Ethan’s girlfriend, Stephanie, grabbed her third slice of seeded brown bread from the bread bowl.

I glanced at Carmen and knew that she was feeling anxious that her soon-to-be husband was late again, and the others were starting to get impatient.

While I personally wasn’t keen on the man, Carmen was my friend, and I didn’t like seeing her upset.

“Well, he wouldn’t leave us sitting here waiting unless it was something really important. I’m sure he’s on his way.” I looked at Carmen and smiled. “How about another drink while we wait?”

“That would be great.” She smiled, and I knew she was grateful that I had her back. After all, she’s always had mine.

I ordered a round of drinks for our table, and we sat chatting among the four of us while we waited.

Usually, being a table of five, I was the only single. The spare tire, as some people would say. No one wants to be the spare tire!

Sometimes it was a little depressing. Only sometimes.

When it was, I simply reminded myself of the last guy I let into my life and that I was safer than the rest of them because I couldn’t get hurt if I was alone.

“So, Jamie. What’s the deal with you and Mason now that he’s back?” Steph asked, and both Ethan and Carmen gave her a look.

The question didn’t bother me. We were all friends, after all. However, Mason Knight hadn’t been much of a topic of conversation since he’d been back.

I still had mixed feelings about him showing his face.

“There’s no deal. He’s back, he’s going to get on with his life, and I’m going to get on with mine.” I picked up my water glass and took a drink.

“Is he going to try to win you back? I mean, what about Penelope? Surely he wants to be a part of her life.”

I shrugged my shoulders lightly. “He came back here expecting to use me just like he did before. I guess he got more than he bargained for.”

“Mason Knight can go fuck himself as far as I’m concerned,” Carmen chuckled.

“I’m sure Mason Knight wouldn’t be happy about you saying that,” a voice said, and we glanced up from our table.

“Babe, you’re here. I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it,” Carmen stood up from her chair and wrapped her arms around her future husband.

“I told you I would.” He pressed a kiss to her lips while pulling her close. At that point, all of us at the table looked away. We were used to seeing their display—maybe a little too used to it.

“Nice to see you all. I’m glad you waited on me before starting.” He sat down at the table between Carmen and me. “Jamie.”

I turned my head and looked at him, hating the fact that he’d been invited to all the Friday night drinks at Lacey’s and all the family events. “Hi, Brent.”