Walk the Line (Kings of Chaos 5)

“Cut.”

“Pardon me?”

“They call the leather vest a Cut.”

“Look at biker bitch number one,” Jess crows.

“You’re such a jerk,” I say elbowing her as I giggle.

“What? I’m calling it how I see it.”

“You’re so full of it, you little extortionist.”

“Me.” She places her hand on he

r chest and gasps.

“Yes, you little actress. I’ll arrange something with him. How was your second meeting with the local boutique?”

“Really good. I think we’re going to end up signing a contract before I leave. The ladies in town would love to get a little bling and style straight from the Gold Coast. I’ll set up a special section for it and everything. If it does well, we’ll expand it to include more. I think it’ll give Posh a competitive edge.”

I smile. “Only you would find a way to better your business while on vacation.”

“I can’t let the girls’ back home think it was all fun and games. They were amazing to let me come.”

“It’s been forever since you took any serious amount of time off too, though.”

She sighs. “I know. I just felt compelled to hit it hard. I was in my mid-thirties and not where I wanted to be. I had to change it.”

“And now?”

“Now I’m happy with where the shop is, but not where I am personally. I sacrificed a lot to get where I am now, and I’m feeling that loneliness. Coming here to support you was also a way for me to step back and reexamine my life.”

“I had no idea you felt that way.”

“I know. I hide it easily. But facts are facts. If I want to have kids, I need to seriously consider my options.”

“Wait. Is there a man in the wings I don’t know about?”

She snorts. “No. I wish. That would make this easier. I just can’t see settling. I’ve never done that with anything else. Why would I start now when it comes to the man I’ll be spending the rest of my life with?”

“You shouldn’t. Even when you think it’s right, marriage is a challenge, and people change.”

“That’s what scares me most. I don’t know who I’ll be in ten years, how can I expect another person to change with me in a complementary manner?”

“We’ve seen it done many times back home,” I say.

“Have we, though? I mean how many of those women do you think are truly happy? We’re all about smoke and mirrors. You put on your best face and hide the ugliness.”

“Pretty cynical, Jess.”

“It’s why I’ve always been single.”

“Your father adores your mama, and vice versa.”

She nods her head. “Yeah, but I think they’re an exception to the rule, not the norm.”

“Have you ever talked to her about this?”