Page 20 of Lie With Me
My phone lights up on my coffee table, and I observe it warily as I swallow my bite and decide whether to pick it up or not.
After two more bites, I check it.
Merry Christmas, my little valentine.
Any other time, I wouldn’t answer. Opening up a line of communication isn’t good. Momma always thinks she’s finally worn me down, and I’ll finally go to her rescue.
She doesn’t realize that she’s where she’s at for her safety.
And for mine.
But itisChristmas. And I do always eventually cave. So I reply.
My fingers tap the screen slowly, hovering over the send button before finally pressing down and immediately tossing my phone on the cushion next to me.
Merry Christmas, Momma.
“I think I have a future in event planning,” I tell Ginny as we sip rosé while walking through the gathering of people.
My best friend is stunning in a white lace Oscar de la Renta dress, looking like she was born into the crowd that’s gathered for the engagement party.
“It came together so beautifully. Thank you for everything, Lenni,” she says as she side-hugs me.
The room is draped in white roses and eucalyptus, just like their wedding will be. Touches of cream and soft green decorate everything from the tables to the bar area. Lights drape through the rafters, casting a romantic glow over the space, while the Christmas lights from the city are viewable through the large windows that offer a panoramic view of the skyline.
“Hey, all I did was make a few calls. It does make it easy when you don’t have a budget, though. I still think you should have gone with the ice sculpture,” I joke.
“You just like spending my money,” Jackson mutters teasingly as he comes up behind us.
“You’re not wrong, bossman. It’s so much more fun when someone else is paying for it.” Flipping my curled hair over my shoulder, I look around the room while they kiss.
Jackson and Ginny could make even the most sexually comfortable person uncomfortable with their PDA.
“I’m gonna steal her for a moment,” he says, pulling Ginny toward the stage set up at one end of the room.
Leisurely, I make my way behind them, grabbing another glass of champagne as I pass a server with a tray. Jackson’s best friend, Tripp, still isn’t here. With the way Jackson has been whisking Ginny off whenever he can, I doubt they will stay much longer, and I can’t believe the best man would be this late to his friend’s engagement party.
A hush falls over the crowd as Jackson gets their attention. Ginny beams at me as I take my place next to the stage, ready for anything like a good friend should be. Maybe this is why they haven’t introduced me to Tripp yet. Maybe he’s just not a very good friend.
“When I asked Ginny to marry me, I knew it took her by surprise when the first thing she said was, ‘Are you insane? We’ve only been dating for a few months,’ but I think most of you understand that when it comes to this woman, I’m completely enraptured,” Jackson says.
Everyone laughs as people clink their champagne glasses. It’s no secret how in love these two are. It’s the type of love you find in fairytales. The type that sweeps you off your feet and slays all your dragons.
“Love is a labor, and I will work endlessly every day for the rest of our lives to prove my utter devotion to you, Ginny. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive, and for agreeing to become my prison warden until the end of our days.”
“I love you,” she tells him as she leans up to kiss him.
“I love you, too.” He turns back to the crowd and holds up his glass. “Alright, now enjoy the party that my fiancée worked so hard to put together.”
And her best friend, jackass.
Jackson and I have a love-sorta-hate relationship. I love everything he’s done for my friend, and he loves how happy Ginny is when we hang out. But I hate that he constantly demeans me, even though I’m pretty sure he does it just to get a rise out of me.
I don’t think Jackson has many friends.
Holding out my hand, I help Ginny get down as something else catches Jackson’s attention. “Hedoesknow he’s stuck with me for the rest of his life, right?”
She laughs and is about to answer when she abruptly whirls around at the sound of a man’s voice saying something about cheese. She leans in to air kiss the guy's cheek, and I finally catch a glimpse at Jackson’s best man.