Page 40 of Signed With Love

I sweep my gaze around the room, where we have more eyes on us than I realized. I turn back to Jamison.

I had no issues.

His laughter shakes his body when he continues, If I don’t stop now, I won’t at all.

My thumb comes up to brush away the bit of red on his lips before I sign, Are you ready?

As I’ll ever be. His head shakes in annoyance. I hate weddings.

Me too.

His brows rise as a thought hits him. We will find other fun tonight. He lifts his eyebrows suggestively.

Chadwick’s arm smacks Jamison’s chest, then he says something, again turned to where I only see his profile. When I glance past him, though, I see Finn finally looking away from his phone. His gaze is glued to Rylee. She’s not looking his way, but watching whatever Chadwick and Jamison must be discussing. She’s missing the way Finn’s eyes are hungrily eating her up. He might still be in love, but he would be interested in Rylee if she put herself out there for him.

Perhaps if everyone stopped talking for a moment and just really looked around, they would actually see for the first time.

Jamison laces his fingers with mine and pulls me along as we all exit the salon. I usually hate to be pulled and tugged along as hearing people make some verbal communication that the group is moving. His hand is warm in mine, the tug gentle. Another sweet kiss on my temple has me forgiving him just as quickly.

We all climb into a large black SUV as the late summer breeze hits me. Finn gets behind the driver’s seat, and Chadwick takes the passenger front seat, which has Rylee sliding in the back with Jamison and me in the center.

I turn to Rylee and tap her shoulder as she’s looking out the window. Something has shifted in her, and I’m not sure what, but perhaps a distraction would help.

I had fun.

She seems to be working the sign out in her mind.

She’s not as well-versed in signing, so I repeat the sign and say, “I had fun.” I really don’t mind; I love communicating with her.

Me too, she signs back. She adjusts herself in the seat to free her arms and make better eye contact with me. Very good.

Can we do it again? I raise my brows.

She seems to understand and nods, then also signs yes. Which is perfect. I give her a reassuring smile so she keeps going. It’s obvious she’s nervous, but I want her to keep trying. To not give up.

You? Had fun?

Yes. “It’s been a while,” I say out loud. This one isn’t as easy to understand.

Rylee signs, Me too.

“We should do it again.”

She says yes, nodding, and the excitement is back like she was inside Bellamy Salon. It’s at that moment she glances over my shoulder, though. I look back, and everyone in the car is looking at us. My gaze lands on Finn, who watches Rylee with interest. He hasn’t even pulled out of the parking lot. Chadwick’s mouth is moving, like always. Jamison just wears a sweet smile.

“Drive,” I tell Finn when my focus is on him again.

He turns around, still shaking his head. His hand drags through his cropped brown hair, tugging it a bit harder at the end.

Chadwick leans away, so I turn back to Rylee. She fingerspells the letters M E N with an added eye roll. The laughter I can’t contain comes out. I don’t even try to hide it. I might no longer have these moments to share with Maddie, but I see from this time with Rylee and shopping with Andrea what I’ve been missing—a friend to converse with.

There’s a tug on my hair, then another one. It draws my attention from Rylee to Jamison behind me.

Sorry, you ladies keep going. I messed up your hair when I kissed you.

Thank you. You can mess it up later.

He gives me a wink, then gets comfortable on his side of the car, giving me the space to return my attention to Rylee.

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