Sweet Salvation (24 page)

“Of course not.” His fingers traced the little furrows between her downturned brows. She watched his eyes follow the gentle path of his fingers as they caressed her cheeks and traced over her lips. Then his gaze came back to hers. “You must know that those techniques are reserved for exclusive private lessons with my most beautiful student.”

“Darn straight! Needless to say I’m your only student, darlin’, but I thank you for the compliment.” Appeased, she gave his smiling lips a quick kiss and settled back against his chest. She heard the heat switch on and the air circulating in the room brushed across her bare shoulders. Snuggling closer, she plastered herself against his warm body. “It’s colder than a well-digger’s hind end in here, Jared. Can you turn up the heat?”

“Nana again?” he laughed, pulling the comforter up over them instead.

“No, that’s all Yankee. I read it in a book and the setting was Chicago, not the south. My nana, as a southern gal, would have said, ‘colder than a witch’s tit in a brass bra.’”

Jared chuckled. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet her.”

“Me too,” was her yawned response. An instant later, as was usual after a vigorous round of sex, she was out like a light.

Sunlight poured into the dark interior of the restaurant as a customer rushed in. Stacy smiled as she looked up, watching her friend pause and blink as her eyes adjusted to the sudden change in light. As usual, Jessie was late, ten minutes Stacy saw as she glanced down at her phone. Not bad, she thought with amusement, it was usually more. Jessie lifted her chin when she spied Stacy’s raised hand from where she sat in a booth near the back. Waving off the hostess, Jessie hurried to join her, totally oblivious of the customer leaving his booth farther up the aisle. Stacy watched helplessly as Jess plowed into the poor unsuspecting man, knocking him backward as her purse and packages sailed through the air. Stacy couldn’t help laughing as the irritated man, who was grumbling over ‘such clumsiness’ one moment, turned into a besotted fool the next as his eyes fell on the gorgeous redhead before him. She apologized profusely as she gushed over him, asking if he was injured and bending to retrieve his check from the floor. Stacy giggled as she watched the man’s eyes widen as Jessie unwittingly gave him an eyeful of her deep cleavage in the gaping v-neck of her sweater. In moments, she watched her friend charm the man who wound up apologizing to her—although it was clearly Jessie’s fault—and in the end, he asked for her number. As Jessie politely declined, Stacy shook her head in amazement, knowing her friend had no inkling of her appeal.

Looking rather frazzled, Jess finally made it back to their booth. Stacy gave her a sympathetic smile as she slid in across from her. She knew she’d been running wedding errands all morning, poor girl.

“Rough day?”

Jessie leaned back with a sigh. “Seems like the first deep breath I’ve taken all day.”

“I ordered your usual to save time. I’ve got a 1:30 meeting.”

Jess nodded as she reached for her iced tea. “Mm… cashew chicken, my favorite.”

“Oh, no, I thought it was sweet and sour pork!”

“Stacy!”

“Just kidding.”

The two friends smiled at each other; they’d been coming here once a month for almost a year and Jessie had never ordered anything at China Star besides their signature cashew chicken. Stacy thought how lucky she was to have found Jessie. After Kristie and Lana, she despaired of ever finding a friend of their like. She still kept in touch with her old friends via Facebook and occasional phone calls, but long-distance friendships waned. That was the only regret about scaling back her wedding plans; both had planned to attend. Maybe they could attend the engagement party instead.

Minutes after she arrived, the waiter served their entrees and refilled their drinks. Stacy eagerly dug into her Generals Tso’s chicken. “I’m starved.”

“Me too, I got up late and skipped breakfast.”

“How was your weekend?”

“Two twelve-hour shifts. Marc was not pleased.”

“I bet.”

“What about you? Did you and Jared do anything fun while I slaved away on concrete floors risking varicose veins and plantar fasciitis?”

“Fun? Hardly, we had dinner with his parents.” Stacy wiggled in her seat, her still tender bottom bringing the recent spanking to the forefront in her mind.

“How bad could that be? Jared’s parents are great.”

“It was awful, to put it mildly. I acted like a bitch and Jared called me on it. He… well, let’s just say he gave me a much-needed attitude adjustment at home afterwards.”

Jessie laughed, “Is that what the kids are calling it these days? Actually, that sounds like Marc. I thought you southerners had more colorful terms for it.”

“Fine,” Stacy smirked. Leaning forward, she said in a hushed voice, “He gave me a good old-fashioned ass whoopin’. Is that redneck enough for you?”

“I was expecting ‘tanned your hide,’ but that’ll do.”

“Ha, ha.”

“What happened? I thought you liked Jared’s parents.”

“That’s just it, I do, but they’re too perfect. I come up short by comparison.”

“This has got to be about the wedding. Did you argue about it again?”

Stacy grunted softly; this was her least favorite subject. “Yeah, but I finally convinced Jared to have a civil ceremony, thank you, Jesus.”

“Oh? Was his mom disappointed?”

“She doesn’t know yet,” Stacy’s sigh was a heavy exhalation of her pent-up frustration laced with a good deal of guilt.

Jessie was staring at her plate, a frown wrinkling her brow.

“What?”

She looked up in surprise. “What?”

“You make that face when you’re disappointed or holding something back. Spill.”

“I don’t make a face.”

Stacy just stared at her.

“Whatever. It’s just that Jared is their only child and his wedding is the only one his mom’s going to get. Marc and I ran into her a while back and it was all she could talk about.”

Stacy dropped her head into her hand and rubbed her forehead. “Don’t tell me that. I feel guilty enough already.” She looked back up at Jessie, valuing her opinion. “Do you think I’m acting like a selfish brat?”

“You are the bride, but I don’t blame Joanne for wanting to go all out. It’s her only shot.”

“I know that and I feel awful, but shouldn’t I get a say? I’m the one getting married.”

“You aren’t doing it alone though, Stace.”

“So says Jared,” Stacy grumbled. “Aren’t men supposed to be disinterested in all this crap? Most men would jump at the chance to have a quick courthouse ceremony then go straight to the honeymoon. Why did I get the only one who wants the wedding, not just what comes after?” Sighing heavily yet again, she began to push her food around her plate, having lost her appetite completely.

Conversation paused while the waiter checked in and refilled their glasses. When he left, Stacy asked curiously, “Aren’t you relieved not to have to go through all that maid-of-honor hassle? You’ll only be responsible for holding me up at the courthouse and acting as a witness.”

“And a bachelorette party, don’t forget that.”

“How could I forget? Other than the honeymoon, that’s the best part. But no strippers, please. Jared would have a hissy fit if he found out some stud was grinding in my face.”

“Ya think? I wouldn’t do that to you, mostly because Marc would go ballistic if he knew that I ordered one. Imagine his reaction if a charge for Perfect 10 Men or Party Strippers 101 showed up on our Visa bill.”

“Gosh almighty, girl, how do you know about such things?”

Blushing furiously, Jessie admitted, “Online research.”

“Hmph, I can imagine what fun that must have been. I hope you cleared your browser afterward. Imagine his reaction if he finds male stripper sites in your search history.”

Jessie’s horrified expression was priceless. Stacy tried to contain her amusement, but what started out as a chuckle could not be controlled. She apologized to Jessie, who obviously didn’t appreciate the humor of the situation. But Stacy was seriously tickled; as soon as she calmed, she would picture Marc’s face as he looked at the half-naked studs he’d found on his sweet girlfriend’s computer and start laughing again. Jessie was eventually swept up in Stacy’s infectious laughter and she ended up howling right along with her.

When they settled, Jessie wiped the tears from her eyes with her napkin and said, “I can’t laugh anymore, my stomach is killing me and my head is beginning to throb.”

“Okay, back on topic,” Stacy agreed, holding her aching belly as well. “Aside from the bachelorette party, all I have to do is find a dress suitable for the court house and get my groom a ring. The rest is in Jared’s capable hands. Easy peasy…”

“…Lemon squeezy,” Jess finished, smiling. “I wouldn’t have minded helping out with the wedding planning and being your maid of honor was not a hassle. I don’t really don’t mind all the hoopla. In fact, I’ve always enjoyed being a bridesmaid. Having done it often enough, I should know.”

Stacy looked at her in disbelief. “You’re not like that movie,
27 Dresses
, are you? Have you been holding out on me, Jess? How many God-awful monstrosities in tulle and satin do you have tucked away your closet somewhere?”

“About ten, I guess.”

“Wow!” Stacy breathed. She’d never done it once. “I guess I need to work on my social skills. Obviously, I’m not bridesmaid material. I mean, I’ve been to weddings, but never in one. Did you really enjoy it?”

“You have to remember, I wear scrubs almost every day. Sitting next to you right now in your cute business suit, I feel like a slob. You get to wear fashionable clothes and heels while I’m stuck in a uniform. It’s as stylish as baggy pajamas and more often than not covered with some kind of smelly medicine or some kind of disgusting body fluid.”

Giving a shudder of revulsion, Stacy grimaced. “That’s gross. I don’t know how the three of you stand it.”

“So you get my point. I think it’s fun dressing up every once in a while and doing the whole nails, hair, and makeup thing. I much prefer being a guest, though. It’s a whole lot cheaper. When I think of the cash I’ve plunked down for those ten dresses that I will never wear again…” Jessie shook her head with a look of disgust. “But I digress. What I like is irrelevant. You are the bride and as always, I support your decision and will be there for you no matter what.”

“I love you, Jess. I might not have quantity, but I sure have quality in the friend department.” Sighing, Stacy sat back and put her napkin aside.

“I love you too, Stace, but enough of this mushy stuff. Tell me what happens after the courthouse. Do you just fly off to a sandy beach somewhere?”

“No, I guess we’ll have a small dinner party. Jared is seeing to that. It had just better not be at the country club! I am
so
not a fan.” She made a face that accurately reflected her opinion.

“I hear you, honey. What the guys see in a place where a bunch of rich snobs get together to show off for each other is beyond me.”

“They like to golf, what else?” Stacy shook her head, not seeing the appeal of that either.

“How could I forget? Then there’s the racquetball and the pool.”

“So to them, it’s more like a well-decorated gym with a bunch of rich old guys hanging around in plaid pants.”

“Yeah, I could introduce them to the YMCA and save them bank.” Jessie snickered.

“As if either of them needs a discount.”

“Yeah. Isn’t it weird how both of us hooked up with total opposites?”

“Don’t I know it. Jared and I are just so different, Jessie. Although I’m fun and act kind of wild with you, I’m really an introvert. I’d rather stick with my little circle of friends or just stay at home with a good book or an old movie. He’s athletic where I am an uncoordinated klutz. He understands opera and plays the piano. I like Rascal Flatts and can’t carry a tune in a bucket. I’m pork barbeque and light beer where he’s lobster and Dom Perignon. As far as dancing goes, he can waltz and tango. Me? Unless it’s a square dance, I have two left feet and even then, it’s not pretty. That was part of the problem with the wedding plans; we are on two very different planes. I don’t know how we ever got together.”

“Opposites attract, as they say,” Jess said with a shrug. “At least that’s what I keep telling myself because me and Marc are the same way. He’s high society and I’m trailer trash—literally. I never told you this, Stace, but after my dad left, we lived in a trailer park for almost four years. It’s all my mom could afford. The only good thing about being so poor was that I qualified for every low-income scholarship, grant, and loan there was. Otherwise, I’d have never gotten out of there. If his sisters and mom find out,” Jess closed her eyes at the image and shuddered. “Well, that can’t happen because I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Are they that bad?”

“You have no idea.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“No,” she exclaimed emphatically, pushing her plate away. “I’ve already lost my appetite. If we talk about it, I might lose something else.”

Stacy wrinkled her nose. Nothing was off limits at mealtime to these medical people. When all four of them went out together, they often did the same thing, sometimes turning Stacy green. She quickly redirected the conversation to something less hazardous to her stomach.

“Forget his family. I think you and the big guy are perfect for each other. Marc is so sweet with you. It’s obvious how much he loves you. We have no control over what kind of life we’re born into, which is really just a crapshoot. What matters is the path and choices we make along the way. Just because you grew up with barely a pot to piss in, doesn’t mean they are better than you are because they were born into wealth. In truth, I think it’s the reverse. It’s easy to go through life having everything handed to you, but when you struggle, scrape, and fight for what you have, that builds character, don’t you think?”

Jessie simply stared at her in disbelief.

“Waxing philosophical, was I? What can I say, therapy seems to be helping.”

“Maybe I need a referral.” She fell silent for a moment, before she looked up with more conviction. “You’re right. My childhood may have sucked, but look how far I’ve come. Marc doesn’t seem to care where I come from either.”