Flirting With Destiny(40)
“You really are… unique, my friend.” I laughed.
“But don’t you just love me for it?” She laughed too and pulled her ever-present cell phone out to check messages. “Hey, shouldn’t you be home resting?” Jules asked, her forehead wrinkling, as she tapped her finger on the screen.
I waved my hand in the air. “I’m fine. I’m so sick of everyone thinking I’m debilitated.” I leaned forward. “Really, I’m fine.” Her finger paused its texting. “I hit my head when I fell; just a bump. I’m milking it for all it’s worth though; I don’t want to go back to work yet. I’m sure I’ll be quitting as soon as I’m married anyway. Chip’s not the kind of guy who wants his wife to have a job.”
Jules nodded, eyeing me carefully and said, “I can’t stay long.”
“Oh? The kids?”
“No, girl. The gardener comes today.” A big smile stretched across her face as she took a sip of her hot chocolate.
“You’re not…”
“I am. I’m so bad.”
From the looks of it, anyone would think Jules and Jack were the perfect couple. But this wasn’t the first time I’d learned of her indiscretions, or his. I loved her too much to judge her or Jack; I’m just not sure I could handle having an open relationship.
“Jules, I need your help.”
“Anything. What is it? Or should I say who is he?”
“Jules.” Damn, she’s good. “Okay, look, keep this between me and you… I’ve been asked to go with a certain someone to a certain place…”
“Oh geez, Lauren just say it. Who is he?” she said, her eyes dancing with delight. Although I hadn’t planned on spilling every detail, the floodgates opened and the words just gushed out.
“Aedyn Cumberland.”
Before I could explain further she cut me off and said, “Aedyn Cumberland? The geek turned sexy hot mystery man?”
“Yes. He invited me to go to Chicago with him for a visit, but I can’t go.”
“What the fuck, Lauren? That’s amazing. You should totally go. Wait, how the hell did that happen?” Jules wasn’t so much shocked as intrigued. “I thought he was only in town for a day or two for the funeral. He should’ve been long gone by now.”
“He stayed to deal with his dad’s estate, but I can’t take him up on his offer. That would be crazy. What would I tell Chip? He’ll kill me if he knew.”
“Wait, how did this invite come up? Did he call you, did you see him? What?”
I grimaced. “Well, I sort of ran into him.”
She looked at me incredulously. “Ran into him? Seriously? What’s going on? I hate to tell you this, but you’re not very good at keeping secrets.”
I hadn’t told Jules all the details, how I went looking for Aedyn this last time, wanting to see him again. Hoping he’d stayed in town longer than planned, testing the waters to determine if seeing him again would help me sort out my jumbled up mess of emotions.
She leaned in and practically whispered, “Are you thinking about fooling around? Oh, you’re a wicked one, though I wouldn’t blame you, he’s drop dead gorgeous. You should definitely go.”
“I, no, no. I wouldn’t be going with the intention of hooking up… he invited me as friends only and…” I pulled my hand across my brow. “Jules, I don’t know what to do.”
“Just go. It’s only a couple days and you were just in an accident. You need time to recuperate. It would be good for you.”
“You really think so?” Those were the words I wanted to hear because in my heart I really did want to go. Something inside of me was pulling me in Aedyn’s direction. I’d felt it every time I was near him. Like a drug, the feeling was euphoric and drove me to want more. And just like a drug, chasing the high made me want to do things against my better judgment.
“I don’t know, I really could use some time to get away from here, get away from Chip’s overbearing surveillance of my every move, his mood swings. He’s freaking me out about it. I really could use the time to...” I pressed my hand flat on the table. “Jules, I have to tell you something. I think I might be having some doubts about marrying Chip.” I relaxed my shoulders. I’d finally put it into words and it was a relief to finally say it out loud.
“Hallelujah. Seriously? I mean I don’t blame you. From what you’ve told me, he’s been acting like a jerk. But he finally gave you a ring and I thought that’s what you wanted. What’s going on?”