“You sure about that?” I pick up my soda and take a sip. Oh, I’m sure he’s more than thankful. I’m just not so sure he’ll let his Tinsley get all dressed up and prance around town with blinking dicks on her.
Well, maybe if he hired a swat team to protect her he might. Can someone hire a swat team? With as much money as these Weston men have, I’d bet the answer is yes. Would James be jealous? No, he’s my wild card to pull this off. He’s in this with me. Why is that suddenly not so exciting? I’m really digressing here.
“I am. Whatever you plan I’m game but—” She reaches out and grabs my hand over the table. “Plan something you want us to do. Not what you think we should do.” What is that supposed to mean? She must read my mind. She often does.
“Your mom thinks some things should be done a certain way.” I suck in a breath. “Now let's order some food to go with all those thoughts you're about to let roll around in that head of yours.” That’s the thing about best friends, you can’t really hide anything from them. Tinsley knows me inside and out.
When it comes to my mom, Tinsley knows it all. She also knows how my mom can be and often has to point out that my mom is overstepping. It’s a hard thing to navigate with my mom. If I do everything right I get this sweet happy side that feels like acceptance, almost as if she’s proud of me. I only get that side if she feels as though I’m doing what I should be.
I don’t know. What I do know is that she is often out of line and I let her walk right over that line time and time again. But I love her. She just wants what’s best for me. That’s what moms do, right? I’m young and she’s supposed to guide me. That's how things work.
There it is. Just because you think things are supposed to be one way doesn't make it true. It doesn't mean it works that way for everyone. It’s why I wanted to move here, I remind myself. To see what is out in the world. I don’t need to think about all that other crap back home. I need to focus on having experiences here. For today and this week that means my mind will be on a bachelorette party, a wedding and most of all, James. I have to figure out where that is going.
“Our food is here if you're done with all those thoughts.” I roll my eyes at her as I move the bread basket out of the way to make room for all of the plates.
“We didn't order all that,” I tell the server.
“No, Mr. Weston had us bring it out.” I watch as someone else puts a bowl of water and food on the floor next to my chair. “For the pup.”
“Look, Bear. Your daddy is making sure you’re taken care of.” I put him down on the floor, making sure I have his leash right.
“Yeah, the puppy. That’s who James is checking in on.” Tinsley laughs as she looks over at all the food we now have on the table.
“Anything else for you ladies right now?”
“We’re more than good. Thanks.” The server gives us a smile before leaving us alone again. “You think James was checking on me too?”
“Really, Carls?” I feel myself blush. She glances down to my cell phone that goes off with another text from James. I flip it over, making her shake her head but keep going. “Why are you shocked? After everything you told me in the car ride over here, I’m not the least bit surprised by his behavior. I know Reed and James are cut from the very same cloth so it makes complete sense that James would act possessive over you.”
“James is a stalker?” I try and joke. Tinsley polishes off a fry.
“Well, let's start from the top, shall we? He met you when you were with me last week. Then he began popping up all the time. Actually, when I think back to all of the times...” She pauses for a moment, her brows furrowing together. “You were always there when he showed up to...” She holds her fingers up. “With the excuse that he was there to see Reed.” She makes air quotes. “Now don’t get me wrong; James has come by to poke at Reed here and there, but it’s no coincidence that he showed up every time you were there. I wasn't calling and telling him you were there.”
That is interesting, but still I’ve been to her place three times since the weekend. It still could be coincidence. I didn't tell her the things James said that first night we had dinner. I still don’t know if he was trying to be a nice guy or playing around, but he did not care if I was knocked up or not.