Page 12 of Not Your Enemy

“Uh, perfect!” she exclaimed, and I gave her a light smile before turning back to my work.

After a moment, I felt a soft touch on my shoulder. Jumping, I turned to face a very close, grinning Jade.

“You’re adorable, princess.” She kissed my cheek and winked at me before heading out.

I knew I should be mad at Jade. She’d said she’d drop the whole kissing thing and then almost immediately didn’t. That being said, it had already made my day, and I felt light as a feather as I worked on my laptop at the dining table. With Jade gone, I felt lonely. Even though I worked from home and was alone most of the time, I’d grown used to her presence around the house. The breaks I’d take to help her sort through whatever she was working on. It felt colder here currently; the air stagnant. The silence around me felt like a weight on my shoulders.

Of course, thinking about Jade’s absence made me think about Jade’s…well, everything. That made it awkward when my phone started ringing and Jana’s smiling face popped up on the screen. Shaking my head as if to release those thoughts, I picked up.

“Hey Jana,” I said calmly, trying to hide whatever was happening in my brain.

“Lib! Sorry I’m just now calling; things have been crazy with this new client of mine. He’s closed three deals already this week, and I can barely keep up.”

“It’s okay, Jan, I know you’re busy. Did you see my text? Just curious if I should keep that picture for you.” My teeth tugged at my lower lip while I waited for her answer.

“Yes, that’s why I called. Look, Lib, you know better than anyone what she did to me. Anything like that, just toss it. I don’t want it, and I know Jade doesn’t either.” I leaned back in the wooden dining chair.

“Well, she actually said she wanted all the family photos, including ones of you and her too. But I didn’t want her to take them all and not offer you anything,” I said, trying my best to make her think about it.

“You are kidding! Uh, whatever. I don’t have time to dissect what she’s up to. Look, Lib, I’m sorry, but I just don’t want to hear about anything sentimental like that. I hope you can understand.”

“I do, Jan, but—,” unsure how my next sentence would be perceived, but now or never. “Just so you know, Jana, I think she’s changed. She is not the same person you described growing up. And she actually made some good points about your parents being the primary culprits in the beginning of your feud with one another. Have you ever thought about just talking to her now that you’re both older?” Silence met me for a few moments, and if it weren’t for the sounds of her driving, I’d think she’d hung up.

Standing, I paced the length of the dining room, my bare feet treading the plush carpet.

“Libby, you’ve been there for less than a week. I lived with her for eighteen years. She hasn’t reached out to me once. If she’d really changed, don’t you think she’d have apologized? Why do I have to be the one to come to her?” She wasn’t wrong. The phone works both ways, and even Jade admitted she was mean to Jana. "And you, of all people, should know that I'm not ready to talk about anything involving my parents. They weren't perfect, but I still loved them, and I don't want to think about that stuff right now."

“I’m sorry, you’re right. I shouldn’t have said anything, Jana.” Gosh, I was being ridiculous, meddling like this. And once again, I was being so unsympathetic when she was going through so much.

“I have to run, but I'll call you later, okay?” She sounded exasperated, letting out a deep sigh into the receiver.

“Okay, please do.”

While I took my lunch break, I couldn’t stop thinking about Jana and Jade’s relationship. I believed Jade when she said that there are always two sides to every story, but that doesn’t mean that Jade shouldn’t be the one to apologize. Maybe I could ask her about it. Then again, it wasn’t my business, but I found myself invested anyway.

Jana had told me before about different ways Jade sabotaged things for her. From her first job interview at sixteen to spreading a rumor at school that she was stuffing her bra. Some stories seemed juvenile, but I also know that when you’re young, it feels like the world is ending. I'd simply wondered whetherJana understood the things Jade did about their parents, how they caused so much strife between them. Again, I shouldn't have brought that up. Not only was it not my place, but that was a hefty topic to just spring on someone.

Some part of me knew that although I felt bad for them both having such a tainted relationship, I was also just trying to justify my feelings for Jade. Which is crazy considering we barely knew each other, but clearly, she felt the same. Hell, she started so much of it, and I was still unsure whether I should suspect her eager affection. It was so hard to think clearly in her presence when she was overwhelming in her actions, directness, and beauty.

I finished wrapping the last of the photos downstairs. There were several pieces of artwork that I left up for now, considering we’d need to get them appraised before determining what to do with them. Once I got off work, I went to my room to get ready. Jade wasn’t back yet, but I assumed she would be soon considering we still had plans with Crissy. My makeup and hair were already done, but I figured I could dress nicer than in my jeans and T-shirt.

Not having expected to go anywhere formal, I hadn’t packed too many options. I slipped on a pair of black dress pants. They felt more like leggings, which is why they ended up here with me. Then I grabbed a peach-colored blouse that had a ruffled sleeve. The nicest shoes I brought were wedged sandals that would just have to do. After giving myself a once-over, I made my way downstairs to wait for Jade.

Checking my phone, I realized I should get Jade’s number. Just so we could communicate in times like these. Surely she was just running late and not in any sort of danger. But my anxiety didn’t like to be rational sometimes, and I often jumped to the worst-case scenario. Before I could dive too deep off the edge, I heard an engine and tires on gravel. Grabbing my satchel bag, I made my way to the foyerfrom the living room.

While Jade looked flustered from rushing, she was no less beautiful, and I again found myself borderline speechless in her presence.

“Ready?” she asked with a grin.

With a nod, I followed her back out the door and over to her car. She’d left it running, and it had a low purr to it. Not that I knew anything about cars, but even I could tell this one could go fast. Something that just seemed to fit what I knew of Jade’s personality. The leather bucket seat was cozy against my back. Our proximity and her warmth sent sparks through me. I gathered myself as we pulled out of her driveway.

“Everything good at Canvas?” I asked, trying to distract myself from the heady amplification of woodsy amber.

“Yeah, it was just a books issue that Gabriel couldn’t figure out. I got it settled quickly, but a walk-in came in requesting me, and I figured, what the hell. Didn’t mean to cut it so close, though.”

“I was thinking about that; we should exchange numbers so that we can communicate if needed.” She smirked over at me, and I instantly regretted my words.

“Just in case, huh?” she teased. “Here you go.” She handed me her phone after unlocking it for me. I made quick work of putting in my number, and before I could think better of it, I set my name as Princess.