By the time Bryce and Nate come to check on us, we’re almost done with the second bottle of wine. Bryce announces I’m going to bed and picks me up as I try to object. Jamie gives me a little wave and a knowing look before Nate picks her up as well. I decide that Jamie is definitely going to make a great addition to our group.
Chapter 29
“Another delivery.” Quinn walks into the kitchen and sets a box of my favorite chocolates on the counter.
“I’m really curious how much money he’s paying you to keep me supplied with gifts.”
“None of your business.”
“You’re doing an excellent job.” I surprise her with a loud smacking kiss on the cheek.
Bryce’s ship went underway the second week of January. I was nervous, but he was a wreck. Each day after I left Norfolk, and leading up to their departure, he was overly protective and possessive. Even though we were one-hundred percent solid when I came back to Charlottesville, he still worried about my confidence in us.
Finally, with the help of a very drunk Quinn, I found a way to reassure him. She and I worked hard, but when I sent him the final version of our ‘Save The Date’ announcement, he calmed down. I used a picture from last year in Aspen when I was in Bryce’s arms. It’s one of my favorites; neither of us is looking at the camera but at each other. To him and me, this is the day that we became an ‘us’.
Somehow, after that, he contacted Quinn with a mission. She is assigned to surprise me with a gift every day that makes me smile and know he’s thinking of me. So far, I’ve gotten flowers, chocolates, gift cards, my favorite bottle of wine, and handwritten letters he sent to Quinn before leaving.
“Wait until tomorrow… We’re really going to spend some of his guilt money.”
“Quinn!”
“Fine, kidding. It’s not guilt money. It’s ‘forgive me for being a blind dumbass’ money.”
“You’re going to give him a lot of shit when you see him, aren’t you?”
“Maybe, depends on if I find the perfect dress tomorrow.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Tomorrow, Bryce has set us up with a day of dress shopping. He wants us to get something for the opening of the exhibit on Saturday.”
“Really?”
“Oh yeah, and I was instructed to pick out a tie to match your dress.”
“Really?” I repeat and bounce in my seat. “He’s coming?”
“He’s going to try his best. If they get in on time Thursday, he’ll be here Friday afternoon.”
I wave my hands in the air and then throw them around her neck, blowing a raspberry.
“Fucking gross! Keep your damn spit to yourself.” She pushes me back and swats at me.
“I’m guessing this was supposed to be a surprise.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not hip on ya’ll’s surprises lately, so it’s better if I keep everyone in the know.” She huffs, trying to seem irritated.
When I got home and told Quinn what happened in Norfolk, she went out of her mind. For about five minutes, she cussed Bryce’s name with the threat to beat the shit out of him. Then she transferred that anger to Liza. Her desire to destroy Liza almost outweighed mine. I was glad we were at home in Charlottesville because, if we were in Norfolk, I may have been bailing Quinn out of jail.
Even calming her down didn’t exempt me from the wrath of Quinn Jackson. Besides calling me an idiot for falling for Liza’s scheme, she was furio
us with me for not telling her what was going on. She would have been on the next flight. I had no choice but to tell her about Jamie. She seemed to like I had someone with me to talk to, but it was evident she was hurt. Finally, she understood that Bryce and I needed the few days to try to heal from the deception and lies.
That same night, I called my dad. After our dinner together, I felt the need to tell him. Of course, I left out the part about Liza insinuating she gave Bryce a blow job, but I explained that Bryce put himself in a position to lead her on and she took it too far. Dad listened with little input until he asked if I’d really forgiven Bryce for his poor judgment. I told him yes, and he told me to let it go because there was no room for a future if this was going to plague me.
His words hit deep, but I was calm, knowing I truly did forgive Bryce. He seemed satisfied and changed the subject pretty quick. Apparently, it was too much girl talk for him.
Quinn jumps over the table, reaching for my phone as it rings. “It’s her again!”