33 - Jessica

Jessica

Miles is crushing on a beautiful girl, probably treated like a princess by the parents and everyone else. Who wouldn't? She's a beauty at such a really young age. She had on a long, luxurious long gown like the ones in Disney movies. Oh, and that crown. They had diamonds!

When I was her age, I was covered in snots. Add in the skinned knees that seemed to never heal because I always trip when I play.

I hear Georgina squeal at the sight of the birthday girl. "She's so pretty."

I look over at Nathan next to me, Georgina in his arms.

She had her hands clasped together, eyes wide and mouth gaping with admiration.

Miles is with his grandparents who greedily took him, leaving both Matthew and me to ourselves. Miles is theirs for the night... and also the next morning. His grandparents would've volunteered to look after Miles instead of us.

"Aunt Jess," Georgie calls out in a whisper.

I side-stepped and leaned in.

"You look really beautiful," she whispers and winks at me as if it was our own little secret.

I smiled. "You look absolutely gorgeous, sweetie. More like a princess."

I wasn't just trying to reciprocate the compliment. She really did look gorgeous. Her hair was let down, giving freedom to the luscious curls of the dark hair that her mother have. Her gown was midnight blue, emphasizing her creamy complexion – like her mother's. She had minimal make-up, thanks to her grandma who made sure to highlight her hazel eyes, the beautiful curve of her mouth, and then her cute button nose.

I thought to myself, "how can two people make something so breathtaking?"

I stole a glimpse of Nathan and then glances over at Chassie holding the handsome Ethan's hand, then pursed my lips.

Well, that was a silly thought.

Georgie's eyes twinkled, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Thank you. My grandma did my hair."With the mention of hair, she inspects mine and lets out a delighted gasp. "I love your hair! Can I touch?"

I giggle. "Your aunt Kathie did wonders to my hair."

She looks around, in search of her aunt. And when she found her, she waves her hand at her, a huge smile on her face.

Kathie waved back, whispering something to her daughter's ear while cozied up in her arms.

Chloe looks up, meeting Georgie's gaze.

Her mouth, slowly curved into a delightful smile, her dimples poking out.

They exchanged hand gestures. There must've been a code because they were the only ones who understood and then laughed at their private joke.

My heart melts at their exchange.

It's good to know that the distant Chloe has her guard down with her family.

In search of her brothers, I look around, then found Cade, Andrei, Matthew, and Chandra with them. They're such a huge, tight-knit family. I know they were, but the more I get involved, the more I've come to prove it. My eyes zeroed in on Matthew. We haven't had the chance to talk yet. I was on the phone with Audrey the whole time we were getting ready, making sure everything was perfect.

And then when we got to the party, we both got swept away in opposite directions. Georgina had me in her little fingers while the boys dragged their uncle Matthew. Luckily, though, we were situated at the same table.

I sat next to Margaret who was smothering all the kids in the family who were within reach with kisses.

"I brought you some food." Matthew came from behind me.

He laid a plate in front of me and then his own before sitting down.

"Thank you. I'm starving."

He chuckles. "I know. You have to be really careful though. There are about ten dishes on the menu that has peanut. Do you have your EpiPen with you?"

I gaped teasingly at him. "You interrogated the chef?"

He didn't blink.

"Oh." My eyes widened with the realization. "Oh, my gosh, Matthew. You didn't have to do that!"

A rouge laugh came out of my throat. "I can't believe you just did that."

He shrugged.

"Thank you though." I smiled.

Matthew's lips broke into a boyish grin. "You're welcome."

I shake my head, smilingly.

I faltered when I turned to Margaret. She had on a fat grin. And the look that I probably see in Chassie, Audrey, and Kathie. Something like, 'look at my boy go' look.

Again, I felt my cheeks burn.

Not this again.

I blushed more in a couple of days than I did in high school.

I looked away to calm my nerves.

I brushed elbows with Matthew next to me. I turned to him to see if it bothered him.

I didn't. It seems like he was immune to my proximity. I realized I haven't had a good look at him prior to the part.

He had his hair slicked back. He looked so proper in his tailored suit. Something that I would presumptuously describe as boring had I not known him this well.

It took me a while to notice he was doing an assessment of his own. Self-consciously, I try to focus my attention on the blinding camera shutters coming from the tables designated for the press.

"Jessica," Matthew says softly.

"Yeah?" I gambled a glance.

His blue eyes sparkled. "You look lovely."

I fought another blush. "Thanks. You too."

He chuckled. "Thank you."

I excused myself. I scurried off to the bathroom. I may have spent most of the night hurrying to and from the bathroom.

By the time, I completely composed myself, Kierra and Jason came out and encouraged a ton of chaotic shutters here and there.

When they got to our table, Kierra was ecstatic to see Matthew. She talked to everyone at the table, to me even.

She's just so nice.

"Can I borrow Matty for a moment? I just have something really important to ask him," she says with a smile that probably melts all the troubles away.

Surprisingly, Matthew didn't hesitate.

My eyes trailed their backs until they disappeared into a corner. I'd like to say that I was curious. To the point that every passing second was making me uneasy.

Struggling to take my mind off the thought, I went to the bar to see if I can entertain myself with a fruity drink.

Halfway through the tall glass though, Matthew reappeared, alone.

"There you are," he sighed.

I can tell that he'd been looking for me for a while. "What's up?"

"My parents are left with Miles. He's already asleep."

"Oh." I frowned. I didn't even notice. I irresponsibly marched to the bar.

"The rest of them are leaving too. They couldn't find you." He sat on the stool, shaking his head at the bartender when he offered a drink.

"Sorry. I was thirsty."

"Nah, it's okay."

We sat there.

Matthew was the first one to break the silence. "Kierra asked me to be the best man. Apparently, the guy backed out."

"Oh, you know the guy?"

He nods. "Yeah. We hung out a couple of times in college."

I nodded, clueless about what to say next. Or what I was about to ask is okay. However, I didn't have to, because he was already giving me answers.

"I said 'yes.'"

I shove a smile on my face. "That's great."

"I thought it was going to be hard." Matthew smiles.

"Really? How so?" I gulped.

"You know, Kierra was the first girl I ever loved," he says shyly.

I tried really hard to make it look like I haven't been thinking the same thing. "Aw, really? How come things didn't work out between the two of you?"

His nose scrunches a little. "She doesn't know."

"You never told her?"

He shakes his head.

"Wait, you never told anyone?" I asked, which is something that I had in my mind for what felt like weeks now.

He slowly shakes his head. "I did tell one."

"You did?" I questioned, genuinely surprised. "Is it one of your brothers?"

I assumed it was one of them. Because of something like that, you can only tell someone you trust the most.

"No. I told Jason," he murmurs, his eyes fleeting toward my drink.

"Wait, what?" My voice leaps to another octave. I stare in confusion.

Then I realized what really happened – or what was close to the truth. Matthew told Jason. And despite knowing of his feelings for Kierra, he pursued her.

Matthew is too kind to speak ill of his best friend.

This completely makes sense!

The screaming awkwardness when the three of them are in the same room. The waning relationship between the two young boys used to have then. Back when a girl didn't splinter their friendship.

Matthew looks up, meeting my eyes.

My heart wrenches at the hurt in his eyes. But I had no idea which has hurt him more:

His best friend's betrayal or the girl of his dreams slipping through his fingers.

I clicked my tongue. "You know what? Why don't we just leave and go dancing?"

His arched a brow, then slowly, gone was the hurt in his eyes, and now replaced by a dimpled smile.