Smokescreen

“Jake, I’m about to take a much needed break and engage my best friend in extreme girl talk. You may want to go to the other office.”

“I’ll be okay.” He pulls out a pair of headphones and starts typing.

“How was the rest of your weekend?” she asks me, leaning back in her chair.

“Perfect, lazy, restful. But we talked last night and you know this.”

“Yeah, but Max’s is always there. I never get any details.”

“We watched sports, took the boat out, read, and relaxed. The only time we really left was to go to the outlet mall to get the dishes I ordered.”

“Snore-bore. Where’s the spice and steam?”

“There was plenty of that.”

“Okay then tell me how many orgasms are we talking about? I’m thinking ten but since you’re withholding details …”

“Fucking shit. I don’t want to know this.” Jake throws the headphones on the table and grabs his laptop. Without another word, he leaves shaking his head.

We both giggle a bit looking at the closed door.

“That was one way to get him to leave. Seriously, Stels, we haven’t been able to talk privately since this shit happened. You handled this like a pro. I know you broke down a few times, but I’m so damn proud of you.”

My throat clogs with emotion that I can’t tamp down. “You know I couldn’t have been so strong without all y’alls support and love right? I pulled from all of you.”

“Yeah, yeah … but Max was dynamic. I’m not sure if I’ve ever truly told you but I like you together. He’s never going to fully deserve your awesomeness, but he comes close.”

“Thanks, Lace. That means a lot.”

“Serious question.”

“Okay, if that’s even possible with you.”

“Am I going to have to fight Amy for Maid of Honor rights? She may be blood but I know your dirty little secrets. I’ll play my hand if I have to.”

With just one statement, she lightens the conversation and the emotions I was feeling turn to humor. “I’m not sure we need to think about right now.”

“You know he’s going to ask right? There’s no way a man like him doesn’t put a ring on your finger. He’s already over the top possessive and crazy about you. I’m giving it another month. Maybe six weeks.”

“You are certifiably insane. Can we get through one week of normal?”

“This is your new normal. Everyone wants a piece of the local darling that landed the notorious bachelor and saved a multi-million dollar business.”

“Shut it. I’m still me.”

“I know and love you for it. But seriously, if he asked you tomorrow to marry him, would you say yes?”

“Without a doubt. Do you know something you aren’t telling me?”

“Nope,” she shakes her head vigorously. “I’ve never seen this kind of thing before. Seriously, we read about it all the time, but never have I seen two people like this. We can write our own romance. Think I could become an indie author? Your story could make me rich.”

“You’re already rich.”

“Yeah, but still this–”

A knock startles me and both our heads turn to the door as Max pokes his head through. “This a private meeting?”

“No.” I laugh. “Laci’s talking crazy.”