7 - Jessica

Jessica

Audrey glowered at my halter top, eyes lingering on the tiniest patch of cleavage. "What are you wearing? And please, tell me you have a reasonable answer why you're wearing that to a children's party."

"It's a cute halter top." I shrugged.

Her brown eyes narrowed. "It's not cute. You're snagging away attentions from men."

"No. I'm not." I snorted, waving at Ethan and Miles by the slide. Christian was teaching them how to kick a soccer ball.

Georgina smiled prettily at me when I spotted her at the sand box with Kylie. They were wearing the same unicorn headband. The other girls seemed to be more interested with Georgie's sparkling tutu skirt.

"They're all just going to stare. Totally harmless." Julie Montgomery, Chassie's friend who's now my friend too, lowered herself to the seat next to me. She's also one of Audrey's star columnist at her magazine which makes us thoroughly acquainted.

Chassie laughs from across me. "I agree. At least they have something to look at."

I gave her a rewarding smile. "I'm loving you both right now."

Kathie and Rachel came back from the snack table, both carrying two plates. I beamed when they each laid one plate in front of me. Kathie's had three cupcakes and Rachel's had two huge slices of chocolate cake.

I set my camera bag aside. I've ran a little late, but I haven't missed the important bits. Especially the triplets blowing their candles. God, I'd rather miss my own christening. Just not that. I have them all documented just like Miles' birthday a few months back. And also, Ethan and Georgina's.

"You must be starving." Kathie grins, sitting next to Julie.

I took one of the cupcakes and took a hearty bite. "Understatement."

"You're always late, Jess. Need I always have to remind that you need a watch?" Audrey takes an elegant sip on her tea.

I stared at her, surprised that it wasn't her usual black coffee. "And you need a honeymoon. Soon."

Julie shots up a hand. "I agree with her, boss."

"Yes. Take some time off." Rachel patted her shoulder.

Audrey simply shakes her head. "We can't leave Miles."

"I can babysit." I rolled my shoulders.

"You have a full-time job now."

I shake my head. "It's not June. I get bearable gigs."

"Plus, you have Matty." Kathie pointed out. "Margaret's been trying to keep him from going out of town. You might actually be doing our mother in-law a favor for getting him to babysit Miles while you and Vren are on a honeymoon."

I almost choke on my cupcake. "Now hold on a minute."

Their heads snapped toward me.

Audrey arched a perfect brow. "You suddenly have problems with Matthew? You never even acknowledged the thought that you're 'godparents' to our kids."

"No," I blurted, my voice inching higher. "I just thought I can do the job on my own."

She shakes her head firmly. "Parenting my baby is a job for two people. I'm not going to a honeymoon."

I bit my lip. My workaholic best friend needs that honeymoon more than anyone. Sure, she's the always proficient Audrey Danler when it comes to running Sassy, but I love her too much to not let her take a breather from the furious schedule. "You need that stick off your ass even just for a few weeks."

Kathie nudges me from underneath the table. "Language. This is a children's party."

Audrey's face remained stoic.

I sighed. "Matthew and I are going to do the parenting thing. I promise. Matthew and I," I pushed the word out of my mouth, "together."

She sits back on her chair.

Kathie giggles. "Why do you sound so horrified?"

"Matthew is the nicest person alive." Chassie looks over her shoulder, where said "nicest person alive" is playing with Coby and Kyle. He always had Emma on his side.

"Yes. All women love him," Julie says in a sing song voice.

Rach nods. "Looks really cute too."

"And maybe, he'll rub off some of his sweetness on you," Audrey murmurs.

"You guys think I'm not sweet?" I faked a scandalized gasped, earning laughter from the women around the table. A few guests had turned to find the source of the commotion. Kathie has tons of friends. Tons of godchildren too. And Cade, well, it's the reclusive Cade who managed to make friends with Nathaniel Forester along with his cousins, Colin, Spencer, Walsh and Reese. The four left too soon though.

"So, Audrey, what do you think?" Rach beams at her.

She takes another look at me.

I grinned, batting my lashes. "You trust me on this?"

A shadow loomed over her. It was Vren, laying a plate of vegetables and fruits in front of her. She gave us all a handsome smile before whispering something to his wife. He left, but not without a peck on her cheek.

"Audrey, do you trust me on this?" I repeatedly impatiently.

She sighed. "Fine. I'll tell Vren."

I squealed. "Go make more babies."

The stiff line of her mouth twitched. "About that," she crosses her leg primly and ran a hand to smoothe her platinum blonde bun. "We already did."

Gasps went around the table.

"Wait, what? You're pregnant? Again?" I questioned out, my voice skyrocketing to another octave.

She turns to Julie. "You can't tell this to anyone at work, okay?"

I stared down to the fruits her husband just served her. And now it all makes sense. "I can't believe you guys did it so fast."

Audrey swung her gaze my way. "What do you mean pregnant again?"

"Sorry, I just," I look around the table, but only found happy faces of our friends. "I just didn't know I'm having another goddaughter or godson this soon. I hadn't really mean it when I said make more babies."

"Well, you're having another and that's that." She smiled. For the first time since the birthday party, my impassive friend looked brighter.

I couldn't help but smile. "What is it with these Parkinsons," I graze eyes with Chassie and added, "and Foresters?"

"You'll never really know until you fall in love with one." Kathie wiggles her brows, her smile bright.

I snorted, surprised that Julie did the same thing too.

"Alpha men are not my cup of tea," she mutters.

Chassie scrunches her nose. "But Nathan's cousins are good people."

"What if I give a story assignment that requires hands-on experience with an Alpha man?" There was a hint of amusement in Audrey's voice.

Julie gives her a wry glance. "That a challenge, boss?"

I let the women debate over which Foresters could be the "hotter" man. Even when three of them were married with one already. I guess, this is the married life? Having a husband and drooling over single guys for fun? Rachel and Julie remained unbudgeable though.

My gaze swept the garden. In search – not for the Foresters, like I said, they left way too early – but for that one Parkinson. The only one left single.

He smiled down to Coby and Kyle. His dark hair was perfectly styled. His baby blue eyes are friendly. And that smile. It managed to look sweet and masculine at the same time. And there was a cute little dimple poking at his right cheek.

Extremely good-looking.

Nicest guy alive.

Never my cup of tea.

Ever.

Hi, lovelies! Sorry for the typos. How's everything? My week's just got worse. March wasn't a good month to start with and just gone completely down hill. I don't want to go into details because I'm trying to not think about it.  Anyways, I hope you enjoyed reading the chapter and had a better week.

Love you!