Page 14 of That Secret Something

“Of course I trust you. I wouldn’t have asked you to do the photos if I didn’t, but—”

“Asked me? Huh, that’s not how I remember it. More like a demand—”

“Becca,” Lily warned, “let’s not be dramatic here. We’re not in one of your little films now.” She sucked in a deep breath. “As I was saying, I’d really appreciate it, Jess, and I’d pay you, of course, for wedding-planning for me.”

“Are you going to pay me as well?” Rebecca’s eyes glistened with mischief.

Lily held her palms up. “Becca, please! For once, just…stop. Please.”

I had to bite my lip to fight off the laughter bubbling in my chest. Rebecca shot me a big smile, clearly pleased with herself. If the sisters survived these four months without seriously injuring each other, it would be a miracle.

Sensing Lily approaching her boiling point, I reached for her across the table. “No problem. Whatever you need.”

I just hoped I wouldn’t regret saying that later.

Lily let out another deep sigh, squeezing my hand in hers. “Thank you. I knew I could count on you.”

Her words touched a soft spot in my chest. Lily had been such a fantastic friend to me all these years: defended me from school bullies, comforted me when I came out as bi to my less-than-pleased mother, and just let me be myself, in whatever way I wanted to be.

I wanted to give her the wedding day she deserved.

“So,” Lily said, straightening up and fanning out the collection of magazines and print-outs on the table. “The first thing is sorting the venue. These are my top five.”

Five? I tried to mask my eyes bulging in their sockets and caught Rebecca wearing a similar expression. She glanced at me, and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Jesus, Jess, get yourself together. I needed to immunise myself against Rebecca Lawson, especially if I would be seeing her in a suit again soon.

Memories of Rebecca wearing her burgundy two-piece flickered behind my eyelids. Her long silky hair tucked over one shoulder, leaning ever closer to me in the bathroom. The scent of cherries. Her soft voice, low in my ear. ‘Listen, Jess, there’s something I should say.’

Heat pooled below my navel, thinking of Rebecca’s closeness that night, how her hands felt on my waist. How might they feel on my thighs? A fierce ache spread between my legs, one that needed to stop immediately.

What had she been about to say that night? I’d never had the courage to bring it up—far too embarrassing.

But I’d never forgotten.

I stood abruptly. My hip knocked the table, almost spilling the tea from our mugs and earning me an inevitable lecture from Lily. I ignored the surprise on their faces, pretending my decision to spontaneously browse the kitchen cupboards was normal and not totally out of character.

Lily continued talking about the different potential venues, stressing the importance of beating Erica Lundwood for the most aesthetically pleasing. Their rivalry had gone on for as long as I could remember and now was second nature.

I shifted the packets of pasta around the cupboard, trying to get the image of Rebecca’s mouth so close to mine out of my head.

I stilled for a second, realising that I was the one who needed to make it through these four months with Rebecca, not Lily… Well, maybe her too. Rebecca seemed to have a strong effect on many people. I needed to be much more regimented with my thoughts in order to not make a fool of myself again. That was certain.

I found a half-eaten packet of chocolate digestives hidden behind a tin of beans and returned to the table, careful to avoid either Lawsons’ gaze.

“Ooh, yes, now you’re talking!” Rebecca shot me a smile of approval as I presented my findings and untwisted the wrapper. The biscuits were probably stale and old, judging by their cupboard placement, but it was a good distraction, all the same.

As Rebecca took the packet, I did well not to admire her lovely hands. She offered one to Lily, who shook her head.

“I’m on a strict diet now,” she informed us. “Tyler too.”

Poor guy. Lily could be difficult to handle sometimes, never mind when starved of sugar and carbs.

“Live a little,” Rebecca commented, waving the packet in front of her sister’s nose.

‘Live a little.’ In the back of my brain, I recalled her saying something similar to me. Right before the bathroom when…

No. No, no, no.

I dunked my biscuit into my mug, watching the chocolate melt and swirl into the tea.

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