Found in Us (Lost 2)

“What?”

“I don’t know. I’ll think about it.” I kiss his jaw, then move to his cheek. “Something th

at signals you’re off the market. Then everyone will know that you’re my sexy Brit.”

Epilogue: Jessica

One month later

I smile as I stretch on the lounge chair, letting my pores soak up the warm California sun and the breeze of the ocean fill my lungs.

"Jess, get your ass back in here," Dani calls from inside the house, and I lazily open my eyes. I get up and walk back to the house, laughing as my feet dip into the sand, then resurface again. I glance once more at the ocean before stepping back inside the house. I never realized I missed it so much until I arrived here yesterday for James and Serena's engagement party. I’ve been looking forward to this even ever since Serena shared the good news with me, two months ago. It’s time to pick out bridesmaid dresses, and I won’t lie, I’m a little worried. Serena likes conservative clothing, and though Dani has been trying to dress in a more daring way, her taste is more like Serena’s.

"Sit over there," Serena says, pointing at the bed. I sit on the bed, admiring the decor. Like the outside of the house, the inside is also painted warm coral. The furniture inside is very simple, mostly made from bamboo. The large windows allowing in an exceptional amount of sun are the highlight for me. That and the line of palm trees outside the house. Just over an hour from San Francisco, this place is the perfect weekend getaway. According to Serena, that’s why James bought it. The engagement party is taking place here. It was supposed to be a laid-back event, with just family and closest friends attending, but it turned into a several-hundred-people party, with everyone who is anyone in Silicon Valley attending. The guests will arrive in about three hours—though some have already arrived—so these two have plenty of time to torture me with bridesmaid dresses.

"Serena and I chose some dresses while you were busy getting a tan," Dani says, "and we've come up with these."

To my astonishment, the dresses aren't half-bad. I see at least two, both the light shade of blue Serena likes, that I could see myself wearing. They are a few inches longer than I like them, but the bodice makes up for it: one is made out of silk, the other out of lace.

Serena glances at me, twirling a strand of her black hair around her fingers, smiling. "A good compromise between both of your styles, don’t you think?"

I nod. Compromise is a good word. "Put those two on the short list."

She looks relieved as she puts the two dresses aside. "It would be really helpful if you could decide which one you want before you return to London. Then I can cross that off my to-do-list."

"Who knew organizing a wedding could be such a pain in the ass, right?" I ask sympathetically.

"And I'm not even doing that much, what with all the wedding planners James hired," Serena says.

I love to see her like this. Happy, radiant. Fulfilled. She has that smile on her face only James can bring out, and I’m so happy she was lucky enough to find someone like that. We were both lucky.

"Don't let Mom hear you complain, though," Dani warns. "I'm sure she'd love to take over."

Serena bursts out laughing. "That's true. Your mom does love organizing parties. Which reminds me, she was grilling me about whether you already know if you're bringing a date to the wedding. Apparently she can't get that info out of you and asked me to. . . I think her words were squeeze it out of you. I thought I'd just straight ask you."

I chuckle. My adorably naive old friend. She'll never learn the fine art of veiled interrogation.

"I haven't decided yet," Dani says. “But imagine James and Parker’s faces if I do show up with someone. Ohh, that would be good. Actually, I should tell them I’m bringing someone dangerous and mysterious, just to see their reaction.” She rubs her hand like a movie villain, grinning from ear to ear. “They deserve some teasing, don’t you think?”

I nod. “Absolutely. Say the word, and I’m your girl. Serena?”

My friend ponders this, then smiles. “I’m in.”

“Dani laughs. “Oh, goodie. I’m gonna think hard about a cock and bull story. Nothing too outrageous so they don’t catch on right away.”

I elbow her conspiratorially. “I’ll film it. Then, if they’re ever pains in our butts, we have blackmail material.”

“I think you’re my soulmate, Jess. Can you be my date at the wedding?”

I sigh. “Unfortunately, I’m taken. Yep. This sexy Brit made me fall head over heels in love.”

“Traitor,” Dani murmurs.

“Hey, I’m helping you troll Parker and James. Don’t I deserve some credit?”

“Yes, you do.”

"Well, I think you can go back in the sun, Jess," Serena says.