Page 35 of Ever After Between the Lines (Montgomery Ink Legacy)
Chapter One
JESS
“You really need to get out more.”
I rolled my eyes at my best friend’s words but didn’t voice my opinion on the matter. Alecia was on a tear, so I let her do her thing. Honestly, it was the only way to move on in the conversation when it came to the woman I’d known for years and who stood up for me no matter what.
I merely had to deal with her incessant need to make sure I was happy and healthy.
“There are an abundant amount of ways for you to get out there and just relish in life. To thrive . There’s that dating circle coming up next weekend. You should totally sign up.”
I paused in the action of stretching and looked up at her. “Dating circle? Why does that sound like a quilting circle but with dating?”
I went back to stretching, as the two of us were about to jog in the park.
The sun beat down on us, but it wasn’t too hot this early in the day.
It had snowed overnight and was now melting, so the paths were a little wet and muddy, but still full of people.
The fact that it would probably be in the seventies or eighties later just told me it was a normal spring day in Denver, Colorado.
There was still snow on the Rocky Mountains and some in the foothills, so I knew we would most likely have another blizzard before we hit true spring and summer.
But for now it was perfect jogging weather as long as I wore a light jacket.
However, I wasn’t sure we would actually get to the whole jogging part if Alecia kept going on about my love life. Or lack thereof.
Finally, my best friend answered me, a grin on her face. “It’s not quite a quilting circle…though maybe that’s an apt description. It’s more like speed dating, but without the pressure of a bell in your ear.”
I continued to stare at my best friend as she pulled her dark hair back from her face, before pulling down the sleeves of her jacket to cover her light brown skin as a chill settled into the air with the wind beginning to pick up.
“I don’t need a speed date. I just got out of a serious relationship. I’m not quite sure that me going to speed dating, or dating circle as you call it, is the right thing. You told me to get out, and I have tickets to that softball game. That’s going out.”
She rolled her eyes at me again. “I mean going out with someone you actually want to sleep with. And Clive does not count as a long-term relationship.”
I shook my head at her as we began our slow jog.
Alecia could run for miles and did so in marathons.
I could probably do a 5K, but I preferred swimming or some form of sport rather than slapping my feet to the pavement over and over again.
I got bored easily and needed distractions in order to actually run.
“I dated Clive for eight years. I’m pretty sure that counts as a serious relationship.”
At least we had been together for eight years. I hadn’t realized he had been seeing other people the final three years of our relationship. But what did I know is I’d had to tell myself that I was in love with the person I was living with, and yet it seemed that I had been wrong. Terribly wrong.
“First off, you dated a guy named Clive for eight years.”
I held back a snort, ignoring the tiny twinge of pain at my stupidity. “There’s nothing wrong with his name. There’s everything wrong with what’s inside him.”
“At least you’re finally agreeing to say that out loud. You never let me talk shit about him, even during the breakup.”
I shrugged, as I tried not to let my breathing sound too loud when we made up our way up the hill. Alecia didn’t even sound out of breath, when I felt like I should start wheezing any moment.
“I hate being that person that bad talks about the guy you used to date. Because that means you were either completely blind to all his faults the entire time you were together or made terribly bad choices and have the worst taste. How am I supposed to trust myself again if I believe that?”
Alecia just gave me a sad frown as we made our way around the corner, both of us still trying to keep pace with each other. “I love you, babe. With all of my heart, but you’re allowed to talk shit about the guy who cheated on you.”
“Maybe.” A wheeze slipped out, and I ignored the pain in my thigh. I hated running. “Maybe I can pretend it didn’t happen and move on with my life. It is much easier to do that.”
“If you say so, but since you said moving on, you need to do this dating circle. It’s fun.”
I gave her a slow blink as we turned the corner, my breathing finally settling once I found the pace that worked for me.
Though the fact I kept thinking about my breathing meant I wasn’t in the zone like she was, and I’d be bored any moment now.
“So says the woman who has been in a serious relationship for three years.”
Alecia beamed, her entire face lightening. “Emma and I love each other. They are the best part of me. And I want you to have what the two of us have.”
Alecia and Emma were perfect for each other and while I wasn’t sure they’d ever want to get married, they fit like they were made for one another.
Once I’d thought I’d had it too—now I wasn’t sure if it even existed for me.
“I don’t need it right away. It’s been six months. I’m allowed to take my time.”
“You’re taking your time to the point that any tan you had from your breakup vacation down in the Bahamas with us is gone. You are so pasty white, you’re practically a ghost.”
I scowled at her underneath the brim of my cap. “I’m a redhead. That tan I had was a burn and freckles because while I thought I’d been reapplying enough sunscreen, I was wrong.”
“And you are a gorgeous redhead, but you need to get out more. You just said so.”
“I’m out here on a jog with you, and I have my tattoo session scheduled later today. What more do I need?”
“You need a date. When is the last time you went on a date with somebody that made your heart sing and your fingertips tingle?”
We stopped jogging, both of us staring off into the distance. I shook my head at her, wondering why that was the description she went with of all things. And yet, a face came to mind.
I had been twenty right before I met Clive and had been swept off my feet.
Yes, Clive and I had been happy for a while, but we had never given into marriage pressure, or the children talk that we had with most people in our lives.
Neither one of us had felt the need to move forward in our relationship.
And possibly that should have been a sign.
But that tingling feeling? No I hadn’t had it with Clive. Clive had been a warm settling.
That tingling all had to do with a woman I hadn’t seen since I was twenty. When the semester was over for me, and she had a new, shiny diploma in her hand. After one final party when we had stayed up all night laughing with each other, we had parted ways.
Because each of us had our own lives to follow, and I wasn’t even sure where Demi lived now.
“Who are you thinking about?” Alecia asked as we paused at a picnic table. I knew she was letting me catch my breath, so I let it happen.
I shook my head. “No one.”
“Don’t lie to your best friend.”
I rolled my eyes once again. “Just Demi.”
“Demi?” Alecia frowned before her eyes widened. “That gorgeous blonde with the high cheekbones? I remember her. Whatever happened to her?”
“She went back to England where her family is. She was only in Denver for the end of her program. And even then, she completed two years here before heading off to Oxford. I mean, Oxford . She was brilliant.”
“Look at you gushing over someone you haven’t seen in eight years. I remember her now. That long flowing blonde hair.” Alecia let out a sigh and I kicked her in the shin gently.
“Excuse me, you’re the one in a long-term relationship.”
“And Emma would have the hots for her too. That’s why the two of us are perfect for each other.”
“They really do love you,” I said with a grin.
“They do. But yes, I remember Demi. And that British accent? Swoon.”
“It’s always that North London accent that gets to me.”
“It is why you watch so many period dramas,” Alecia said as she pulled at my arm and made me continue to jog.
“Is it sad that that’s the last time I felt that kind of tingling?” I asked, honestly a little worried.
“Yes, but it’s fine. You are going to go out there and meet people. And I will make sure that happens. So will Emma. Because we love you.”
My lips twitched into a smile. “I feel like you’ve both adopted your little bisexual friend instead of having kids of your own.”
“It is what we do. We watch out for each other. And we can’t wait for our baby to grow up and flee the nest.”
“I think the phrase is leave, not flee,” I said dryly.
“Whatever. Now, when’s your tattoo session?
” she asked as we finally made our way back to the parking lot.
My previously pasty white face was now most likely blotchy red since I always looked like I was overheated when I worked out.
I was in shape, but I seriously hated running.
The things you did for your best friends.
“It’s at three, and Leif and I are really excited to get started.”
It had taken me nine months to get into the Montgomery Ink Legacy schedule.
It would’ve taken me even longer to get into the OG Montgomery schedule in downtown Denver.
But I happened to live closer to this branch.
Everyone at both establishments was so talented, and I really loved the vibe.
However, thanks to an article that had hit Rolling Stone about them, their waitlist had exploded.
They still made time for walk-ins and did their best to accommodate everyone they could, but with what we wanted on my sternum, I needed something more than a walk-in.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Alecia asked.
I shook my head. “You have to prep for your road trip. It’ll be fine. I trust these people, and I’ll show you all the photos.”