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Chapter Twenty-Three

IZZIE

I ’ve never been happier for a trip to end. We didn’t have flight issues on the way back from Vancouver, but it was a long day of traveling, and I’m beat. I’m glad I had the foresight to request another day off to recover.

Because the trip was an overnight, we drove to the airport in Jane’s car. But I can tell she’s more tired than I am, so I offer to drive home. It’s close to midnight when we pull into the driveway, but I’m not surprised that the lights in the living room are on.

“Someone is still up,” Jane says.

“Yeah, Mom most likely. I hope you’re ready for the mother of all inquisitions.”

Jane rests her head against the seat. “I just want to sleep.”

The front door of the house opens, and Mom walks out. “Here she comes. Just give her a summarized version of events.”

“Uh… how summarized?”

“Don’t mention the fight with the Vikings fans, or that you spent the entire night fucking Chad’s brains out.”

“Izzie! Of course I wouldn’t tell her that.”

I laugh. “Well… you asked.”

She shakes her head. “You’re the worst.”

We exit the car, and immediately, Mom asks, all panicked, “So… how was it? Did you make up with Chad?”

“Yes, Mom.”

She presses a hand against her chest. “Oh, thank heavens. Does that mean the wedding is back on?”

Jane nods. “It’s back on.”

Mom throws her hands in the air. “Gracias, San Valentino!”

Jane and I trade a look. I bet Mom spent a good portion of yesterday praying to Saint Valentine. She has a collection of statues of all the major saints, and depending on the situation, she’ll worship one in particular.

“You should also thank Jackson,” Jane adds, making me flinch.

Why did she have to bring up his name?

“Oh, I will, nina. Come inside. There’s much to discuss. I talked to your aunt and grandmother. They’ve already made a list of possible locations for your wedding in Seville.”

“How could you have discussed wedding locations without knowing whether or not Jane was back together with Chad?” I ask.

“My connection with San Valentino is strong. I knew he’d answer my prayers.”

“Mom… I said I’d think about it. There’s also Chad’s family to take into consideration.”

She waves off Jane’s concerns. “Who would say no to a wedding in Spain? No one in their right mind.”

“They’d have to get married in the summer, thanks to Chad’s schedule. It’ll be boiling hot in Seville,” I argue.

Mom gives me a droll look. “The hotels have AC.”

“Can we talk about it tomorrow, Mom? I’m super tired.”

“Oh, okay. I’m just so excited, Jane! I didn’t think this day would ever come.”

“Dramatic much, Mom?” I chime in.

“I’m not being dramatic. Neither of you are getting any younger. I want grandchildren!”

I roll my eyes, then Jane and I follow Mom into the house and wish her goodnight. I ask Jane if I can take a shower first, and she says it’s fine. She wants to talk to Chad anyway.

I don’t take long, and I return to our shared bedroom ten minutes later or so. Jane is still talking to Chad, but she’s saying her goodbyes. I slide under my covers and watch her blush and act like a high school girl in love. I smile, loving that for her. But a moment later, I feel a pinch of envy. I’ve never been in love, and I wonder what it’s like.

An image of Jackson comes to the forefront of my mind, and my heart skips a beat. I know I’m attracted to him, but there can’t be more to it than that. I cannot give my heart to a man like him. It’d only lead to heartache.

Jane sighs, bringing me back to here and now.

“How’s Chad?” I ask.

“He’s good. He had a talk with his coach, and he’ll be playing game seven. He’s excited about it.”

“I bet.”

“His parents are in town for the game on Friday. Chad is having a get-together at his house tomorrow so our families can meet.”

“But they’re in the middle of the finals. Shouldn’t the players be practicing?”

She shakes her head. “Their coach thinks everyone is too tense. So he gave the team a half day off. They’ll practice in the morning.”

“That’s great,” I say cheerfully, but I’m a bit worried. Jane is on cloud nine and doesn’t see any issue with the last-minute invitation. But what if Chad’s parents are as snobbish as his younger sister?

“I know. I’m a little nervous. It’s my first time meeting them as well.”

“You’ll be fine, Jane. They’ll love you.”

They’d better. Jane and Chad’s relationship has endured enough sabotaging.

“I hope so. Chad’s excited. Oh, and he wants me to move in with him!”

“He does?”

Jane smiles. “It makes sense, right? It’s not like I have my own place.”

“Right.” I try to sound cheerful, but I’m sad to be losing my best friend so soon.

“You don’t sound super excited.”

“I’m happy for you, but at the same time, it’s a bittersweet reality. I’m going to miss our late-night talks.”

“Just because we won’t be sharing a room doesn’t mean we can’t have late-night calls. The phone exists.” She smirks.

“That’s not the same… everything is changing so fast.”

“I know.” She sighs. “I don’t need to move in with Chad right away. I can wait a bit.”

I shake my head. “Hell no. You’re moving in with him even if I have to drive the U-Haul myself.”

She laughs, but then turns serious again. “Do you think Mom will be upset if I move in with Chad?”

I wrinkle my nose. “I doubt it. She’s only uber-conservative when it’s convenient. She’s super invested in your engagement to Chad. Hell, she was planning your wedding before she knew for sure you’d gotten back together with him.”

“Good. I want the next twelve months to be as smooth as possible.”

I snort. “Good luck with that. You’ll be planning a wedding with Mom.”

Jane grimaces but after a second, she smirks. “Good thing that I have you.”

“What? You think I can control her? She’ll be worse than a bridezilla.”

“I have total confidence in you. If you could work in tandem with Jackson, you can handle Mom.”

My pulse accelerates a bit. I hate the way my body reacts whenever his name is mentioned. “We’ll see. What time is the party at Chad’s tomorrow?”

“Three. It’s an informal gathering. He says Jackson will be grilling.”

Now the butterflies in my stomach awake. “Oh… I didn’t realize he was going to be there.”

“Jackson is like family to Chad. They’ve known each other for a long time.” She tilts her head. “I thought you and Jackson had made peace.”

“We have. I was just surprised, that’s all.” I fake a yawn to stop this conversation.

I don’t want Jane to know I have conflicting feelings toward Jackson. Nothing is ever going to happen between me and Chad’s best friend anyway.