32 - Jessica

First of all, I apologize for not being able to update for over a week. I have been sick for the past few days. When I felt a little better I've taken a COVID test. I was pretty nervous because I had most of the symptoms. However, luckily, the results came back negative which I'm so grateful for. I'm all better now, just recovering from a cough.

Anyways, to make it up to you, guys. I'll b updating two chapters today!

Jessica

I look at my reflection in the expansive mirror. "I don't know. I don't like that it shows too much cleavage."

A snort came from behind me.

I turn around. To the big L-shaped sofa where my audience was cozied up with each other and pouring each other glasses of champagne. Chassie is on the far edge of the sofa, next to her is Julie, then Rachel who dragged along Harper from work, and then Kathie. I miss Audrey and Kylie, but I'm happy for them.

"I thought I was being clear when I said I needed your opinion." I propped my hands on my waist.

"We're here for opinions." Julie shrugged, then sipped on her champagne. "Which is ridiculous because you look good in everything!"

Chassie raises a hand. "I completely agree with her."

"Sweetie, you can wear a worn-out potato sack and still look hot," Kathie winked at her.

I purse my lips. "I don't want to look hot."

They all snorted.

"Have you ever seen yourself in the mirror?" Harper butted in.

"I'll take all of that as a compliment. Can you help me out though? I want something different." I stared at myself in the mirror.

"Different how?" Rachel asks, in that motherly tone I love so much about her.

"Something like some sort of a princess. Some glitters here and there." I tug at the low-cut neckline I put on.

Chassie giggled behind her champagne glass. "You should've told me that's what you were going for. I would've brought Georgina with me."

"Okay. We'll look for something else that screams 'princess' then." Kathie stood up and gestured at the clerk with whom she had a besties kind of exchange. Which is not a surprise. Kathie has that effect on people. They instantly like her the moment she gives them one of her bright-as-sunshine smiles.

However, in this case, Kathie is a loyal customer of the boutique and has now earned very special treatment. Like she did in every fashionable boutique in town.

Thirty dresses later and a couple more bottles of champagne, I stood with a black dress glittered with little gold stars. I smoothed the mesh sleeves, pleased with myself.

"Aw, you look so cute. Can you give me a little twirl?" Chassie held up her phone. "Georgie is going to love this."

With the mention of the adorable Georgina, I twirled and blew a kiss at the camera.

The other girls whooped.

"Look at you. You look gorgeous. Just absolutely gorgeous." Harper did a chef kiss.

"You know, since we're all going, I can do your hair. You will look great with a half-up braid." Kathie's eyes twinkled.

"How about the triplets?"

"We're all invited. My mom is helping me out with the triplets. And Cadey's mom too."

"Wait, what? Where do I get help? You know Georgina. If she doesn't like the way she looks, she won't go at all." Chassie lays down her champagne glass.

"Mom said she's dropping by at your place first."

Chassie bit her lip thoughtfully. "Maybe we can just go to Mom's and we can all get ready."

"Okay, I'll tell her then."

This.

This is exactly why I should've bought the dress weeks ago. But in my defense, I didn't think a kid's birthday party would be this grand until a few hours ago.

We let Kathie and Chassie have a little sister moment until they figured out who's coming over to whose house.

A few minutes later, the black dress had the majority vote. Then we were planning a girl's night out which was a little too hard to do when we were all talking simultaneously. Too many ideas. Not enough ears.

My phone rings in my pocket. I murmured an excuse even though I know they were not going to hear me. They were still going right at it.

I answered the call from Matthew.

"Aunt Jess?"

"Hi, Mile-sy. Everything okay?" I ask, a little worried that he's on the other line and not Matthew.

"We're good. We just want to know if you're done shopping."

"Oh, yeah. Why?"

"Uncle Matthew said we'll be waiting outside."

The clerk handed me my shopping bag with a smile. I mouthed 'thank you.'

"Wait. What do you mean? You're outside of the boutique right now?"

"Mm-hmm." He asks merrily.

"Oh. Okay, okay. I'll be right out." I turned to the girls hurriedly. "Hey, guys, I got to go. Just text me the details and I'd be on board wherever whenever."

The chaotic chatter stopped.

"Oh," Kathie gasped scandalously.

Julie wagged her brows at me. "You sound like someone's picking you up."

"Well," I trailed off because there is one.

"Wait, is Matthew picking you up right now? Is he outside already?" Chassie asked excitedly. "Come, Harper. Have you seen Matthew Parkinson in person?"

"Never had the privilege." Harper scrunched her nose.

Julie linked arms with her. "You have one now. Hold on to your panties."

We broke into fits of laughter as the clerk ushered us outside. And as expected, Matthew was outside with a grocery bag in one hand and Miles in the other.

He wore a pair of navy pants and a white shirt that was bunched up to its sleeves and buttoned down. And then, he had this adorable dimpled grin when our eyes met.

There's a ticklish feeling in my belly.

Before I knew it, my friends were swarming around him and Miles.

"Matthew, I believe you haven't met Harper." Kathie ushered Harper in front of him.

Harper flashed an inviting smile. "Hi. Harper Greene."

"Matthew Parkinson." He offered his hand.

Harper shook it.

For some unknown reason, I didn't like how the handshake stayed a tad too long. I didn't like the way their gazes lingered on.

I love Harper, but at the moment, I don't really like her.

"So, you went grocery shopping?"

"Uh, yeah. We just needed a few things."

I didn't like that it took him almost a minute to respond.

"You should've just told me. I would've squeezed it in my shopping list," Kathie says like the sweetheart that she is.

"It's okay. I just needed a few ingredients," he beamed.

Chassie, who turned into a culinary enthusiast despite her terrible cooking skills, lit up. "What are you making?"

"Well, Miles and I are making French Apple Tart for his Aunt Jessica," he replies with a cheeky smile that matches Miles'. And then his blue eyes swept over me.

Their gazes followed meaningfully.

I blushed. So hard.

And I didn't even know why.

Julie immediately had on a teasing smile. She tucks her fingers together. "Well, it seems like you guys have a wonderful day ahead of you. We're gonna leave you to it."

One by one, they gave me light kisses of goodbye on the cheek.

"So," Matthew steps forward and took my shopping bag to carry it himself. "Are you hungry? I know a place."

I blink, trying to shake off a daydream.

A sweet reverie that we're not just playing mommy and daddy.

I cleared my throat. "Yeah, I'm hungry. Are you, Mile-sy?"

He nodded energetically and took my hand.

For the first time, the thought of Audrey and Vren finally coming home doesn't give me pleasure.