If she knew, she would stop mentioning him.
I cursed as I hit another rock. I heard muffled laughter behind me and turned. Casey and Elle were laughing at me while Francesca shook her head.
"You look like a peasant! Hire some good looking men to do that work for you!"
I grinned. My Italian friend did have a way with words.
"Next year!"
She shrugged and waved me over.
"Come, come, we are already late."
"Late for what?"
She was already walking into the house, pushing Casey's chair ahead of her. Elle grinned at me and wagged her finger.
"I told you! The party is today."
"Oh."
I was furiously trying to think of a way out of going with them when we stepped inside. Casey was letting Francesca do her hair and makeup. I looked at her and back at Elle. She had the uncanny ability to know what I was thinking before I did.
"Forget it, you are coming."
"But-"
"No buts."
Casey gave me a look and I sighed, defeated.
"Okay, you guys go ahead. I will shower and-"
"Five minutes. I brought you something to wear. Otherwise we won't see you for hours and you know it."
I stared at the dress hanging from the back of a chair. It was wrapped in fabric so I couldn't tell what it looked like. A pair of strappy high heel sandals was on the floor below it.
Elle shoved me towards the stairway.
"Don't forget to shave!"
Peels of laughter followed me up the stairs. I was numb while I did as they said, quickly showering. I shaved my legs and higher, just in case.
Just in case what Angie?
I might go to the party but I was not going to bed with Jackson again. I was not even going to speak to him! It was better this way. Just rip it off, like a band-aid.
I wondered if he'd already moved on. It had been a week already, I was sure he had another woman by now. Or two.
Or twenty.
Men like him didn't stick around, waiting for a woman who couldn't make up her mind. Especially with so many other options waiting in the wings. It stung to think of it, but I had to be realistic.
I had to prepare myself to see him with someone else. I would just nod and wave and then go somewhere private to bawl my eyes out.
As long as he didn't know, I would be fine.
Brace yourself Angie.
Never mind his pure animal appeal, the man was also wealthy and successful. And ridiculously handsome. Funny. He could even be sweet when he wasn't being an arrogant son of a bitch.
I snorted.
Which was rarely.
I came downstairs in my robe and sat still while Francesca quickly blew out my hair and applied makeup. I didn't even look at myself as they lowered the dress over my head.
Francesca held out her hand and cocked her eyebrow at me.
"No bra or panties. They mess up the lines."
I shrugged and did as she asked, shimmying out of my underthings. The silk felt cool against my skin as I handed them over. I glanced at the mirror, barely seeing myself. I was wearing a stunning emerald green slip dress with gold colored sandals.
If I wasn't dreading this party, I would have felt like a princess in this luxurious outfit.
Instead I felt like I was facing final exams, the first day of school and a firing squad, all at once.
Before I knew it we were ready to go. I didn't argue when Elle insisted on driving, telling me it was silly to take my car less than a quarter mile. I finally noticed Casey had a bag on her lap as we started down the driveway.
"What's that?"
"It's my overnight bag. I'm sleeping over."
"Oh."
"We are going to party tonight!"
Francesca was grinning at me, obviously trying to pump me up.
"Everyone but me."
"And me!"
Elle winked at Casey.
"Are you pregnant too?"
The car erupted in excited squeals. I forgot my own nerves and squeezed her arm gently.
"How exciting! I knew it!"
Elle glanced at me in the rear view window.
"Look out, you could be next."
"Me?"
"Or you Francesca. Though you still haven't said yes, have you?"
"Yes to what?"
Francesca tossed her hair.
"Daniel keeps pestering me about marriage. I don't believe it in."
"But you are committed to him, aren't you?"
She shrugged gracefully. The woman was so glamorous I had a sudden certainty that she could make farting look elegant.
"I am. But don't tell him that. It is good to keep a man on his toes."
"You don't have to tell Angie that! She's an expert!"
They all laughed as I scowled, reminded of where we were going.
And who I was going to see.
"Yes but I'm not doing it on purpose!"
They were still laughing at me when we got out of the car and slowly walked toward the party. Everyone was in a great mood, looking forward to the food, drinks and festive company.
I spent the next twenty minutes wondering how I could get out of here as quickly as possible without upsetting my sister.
Chapter Seventeen Jackson