43 - Jessica

Jessica

A week's gone by. It's hard to believe that it took less than that to completely move to my new apartment. I hadn't been miserable as much as I anticipated... because I was always talking to Matthew.

What started as a handful of photo updates became video calls that fit into my morning and evening routine. We just talk about some random stuff.

He was there when Nathan almost had his foot squashed by one of the sofa legs because Vren took a phone call. He was there when Christian almost pulped his thumb while hammering a nail on my bedroom wall. It's for a picture frame, by the way.

Andrei also fell off a step ladder and landed on Vren. Nathan was pleased his foot had justice somehow. Lastly, Chandra and I still have a little expired nail polish in our hair that wouldn't wash off. It spilled on one of my few moving boxes.

All in all, it's been a chaotic week.

Also, I've planned a housewarming party. It was the easiest part though because Andrei and Chandra helped me out with everything. My girlfriends insisted on bringing the drinks. I accepted the help on the condition that they don't help me with the cleanup.

"I have to say. Your new apartment is definitely an upgrade from your last place," Kathie says as she accepts a glass of wine from Audrey.

"Understatement," Audrey adds.

I sighed and looked around. "I know, right? It's nice not having to look at some water damage and smell mold all the time."

The girls and I are in the kitchen with heaps of wine bottles they gave me. Chassie, Kathie, Audrey, Kylie, Julie, and Summer were the ones to arrive. My friends from work (Rachel, and Harper) also came bearing gifts.

The guys are in the living room watching football with the kids.

I watched as the ladies separated into different pockets of conversation. I stare at my phone, trying my best not to call Matthew because he should be here by now.

He said he needed to do some last-minute stuff a couple of hours ago.

"Don't worry. I'm sure he'll be here." Kylie whispered.

I looked up at her. "I wasn't worrying about anything."

"Right, you're not," she says, setting a slice of molten lava cake in front of me.

I stared at the cake and strangely didn't have the appetite for it. In fact, I hadn't had an appetite for anything since this morning.

I think I was too excited to eat anything. Or nervous that he might not make it to my party at all. I don't see what's the big deal but cut me some slack, it's been seven whole days since I saw Matthew.

In fact, I was too giddy to sleep. I've been awake since last night.

"Do you guys want some more wine?" Julie topped off everyone with a newly opened bottle of red. She looked in my and Kylie's direction.

Kylie took both our glasses and came back with Harper.

"Jess, I heard our generous boss is sending you a great set of her wine collection." Harper wagged her brows at me.

I gaped. "Wow, really? I got to give her a huge slobbering kiss on the mouth when I see her."

"Jess, that's disgusting." Kylie scrunched her nose.

I pinched her nose. "You made the mental image yourself, so it's not on me."

Harper makes a quick look around. "Where's your cute arm candy?"

I took a swig of wine because his name summoned butterflies in my stomach. "What? Matthew is far from an arm candy."

"Oh, I thought you guys are a thi—"

"Nope. You thought wrong."

"Okay. You're just friends?" She asks.

The murmurs of conversation died down in an instant. Like they really needed to hear what the answer was.

I gulped down the rest of mine and forced the word out of my mouth. "Yes."

"So, you wouldn't mind if I get his number?" Harper beamed at me.

It made me grip my wine glass a lot tighter. There's something about what she said that's making me want to grab her hair, drag her across the room, and push her off my reading window.

"No. Not at all," I said through gritted teeth, surprised that it didn't sound halfhearted at all.

However, the urge to push someone off a building instantly dissipated when my phone rang loudly.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw who the caller was. I answered without delay and left the kitchen with their wondering eyes on my back.

"Matthew?" I heard an elevator pinging in the background, which filled my stomach with butterflies. "Are you here?"

"Yeah. Did I miss the party?"

"Nope. Not at all." I felt a grin spreading from ear to ear as I headed to my front door. I twisted the knob open. Matthew was right behind the door, looking so gorgeous in his dark blue suit.

He still had his phone to his ear. His eyes pored over my face as the corner of his lips lifted into a handsome smile. "Hi. I'm so sorry I'm late."

I don't give a crap if he's late.

I sighed with a pleasurable feeling in my chest. Then, I threw my arms around his neck, squeezing him as tightly as I could.

I heard a soft oomph and then a chuckle. I felt his arms around my waist then... a tug on my skirt.

Although I was confused, the hug went on for a long, satisfying minute.

There was another tug on my skirt.

Then another.

Then... I heard a little voice that said, "Aunt Jessica, my turn."

I'd recognize that cute voice from anywhere.

Chloe?

Oh.

Oh.

My cheeks burned a little.

I let go immediately and looked down at the dark-haired little girl looking up at us. "Can I hug Uncle Matthew too?"

There's also Ethan, Miles, Georgie, Kyle, and Coby—all waiting for their turn on their uncle Matthew while I was foolishly hogging him.

Vren, Nathan, Christian, Andrei, and Cade are all staring with wide eyes and mouths gaping slightly.

When they noticed I was looking right back at them, they awkwardly turned to the TV again and started a conversation about my coffee table and beer. It started with Christian's "The coffee table looks so interesting." Then, followed by Nathan's "Oh, yes, it had our beers on it."

Vren shifted in his seat. "Beers are good."

Cade cleared his throat. "Oh, yeah. I heard it generally contains 5% alcohol."

I look over Matthew who's got our nieces and nephews in a huddle for one big hug. "I'll get you some beer."

I marched toward the kitchen without looking back. Luckily, the girls were still in their merry little bubbles, which meant they didn't see me selfishly keeping Matthew to myself.

"Was that Matthew?" Harper set her wine down on the counter and took a peek.

"Yeah. He's here." I walked toward the door, my giddiness earlier fading into something bitter. I grabbed a beer from the fridge.

Harper's eyes lit up. "Is that for him? Can I give it to him?"

My eyes twitched.

Why do I suddenly want to stick my new set of kitchen knives all over my good friend's hot body?

The ladies let out a teasing whoop.

"Ooh. Harper's on the move." Julie smirked.

Audrey gave her an appreciative nod. "Darn, you're fast."

Chassie squealed. "Okay, go."

"Wait, make sure that you don't come on a little strong." Chandra walked around the counter. "You know what? I'll just come with you."

The next thing I knew, the beer wasn't in my hand anymore and the girls left the kitchen. I slumped on the bar stool and poured myself a wine.

"Aunt Jessica?"

I looked over my shoulder and forced a smile. "Chloe, sweetie, hi."

"I'm a little thirsty." She walked toward me with a poker face that I'd grown accustomed to.

"Do you want a fruity drink? I have some pink lemonade." I lifted her the counter. I plan to smother her cute little face with kisses later to cheer myself up.

She waited patiently as I laid her drink next to my half-empty wine glass. "Are you enjoying my party?"

"It's not bad. I like hanging out with my uncles. And my daddy."

"Because they're quiet, aren't they?" I pinched her chubby cheek.

Her lips curved slightly. "Yeah."

I gambled a glance at the group of chattering people in my living room. Harper was talking to Matthew.

My heart sank to the floor. I turned away and distractedly handed Chloe her drink.

"Are you okay, Aunt Jess?"

I sighed, feeling the urge to be honest for once. "No."

"Is it because Uncle Matthew's talking to another girl?"

I propped my elbow on the counter and rested my chin on my palm. "Yeah, maybe."

"It's okay. Sometimes I feel that way too."

I squeezed her hand in mine. "Sweetie, you have nothing to feel jealous about. I doubt your daddy even gets near other children."

"I'm not talking about daddy."

My head snapped to Chloe. My brows arched all the way up. "There's a boy?"

Chloe looked down at her shoes and fiddled with the ruffles of her skirt. Her cheeks were completely red.

Oh, my gosh.

There really. is a boy!

"Tell me about him, sweetheart. I want to know everything."

She meets my gaze. "I met him at the park. I think we're friends."

"Really?" I gasped. "Is he cute?"

Chloe nods. "I think so."

"What's his name?"

She leaned closer to my ear. "It's Bryce."

I gasped. "His name sounds cute."

I doubt Kathie and Cade know about this. If Cade does, he'll ban the kid from the park. Or make him pee his diapers with his cold stare.

"I don't like it when he plays with other girls in the park," She continues with a frown.

I kiss her between her eyebrows. "I know how you feel, sweetie."

"You like Uncle Matty?"

I snuggle close to her. "I do. But I don't know what to do about it."

"Why?"

"Because I'm afraid he doesn't like me."

She chuckled. "That's not true. He likes you."

I can't believe I'm using my goddaughter to cheer myself up. "I know. But he likes everybody. I know he'll like Harper because she's a smoke show. That makes me sad."

If that happens, I know I'm totally out of the picture.

"Are you sad now?" Her fingers went over my hair and caressed my tresses.

"Very. More like a murderous kind of sad." I heaved another sigh. "This feels shittier than the world's worst hangover." I held her at arm's length to look her in the eyes. "Aunt Jess just said a bad word. Don't tell Mommy, okay?"

She nods.

I smiled. "Okay. You can say it just once though."

Her blue eyes glinted. "Shittier."

I laughed. "Okay. Don't ever say that around your parents."

She gave me another nod, this time with a full smile.

I opened my arms. "Can I get more snuggles?"

"Okay." She nuzzled up to my chest and we cuddled for a really long time. abi3ey0x

Shout out to @abi3ey0x  for making my week the best one in a while!

Chapter 44 is now available on Inkitt! Click the link in my bio if you want to read it now.

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