Page 78 of Always on My Mind

Tessa gently pulled it out of the box, holding it up for a moment to let it gleam in the light, before handing it over to Jamie. Jamie stood behind Tessa and draped it around Tessa’s neck. It cooled her skin when it settled into place on her chest. She held back a shiver, which might have been from the necklace or Jamie’s touch. When she turned back around, Jamie toyed with the hem of her t-shirt.

“Tessa, I want to make you come wearing this,” she said, her eyes flicking between Tessa’s face and the necklace. “Wearing only this.”

Tessa smirked. “Did you justTitanicme?”

“Is it working?”

“Aye. Take my shirt off.”

Chuckling, Jamie tugged the shirt over Tessa’s head and backed her into the cabinets with a kiss. Arms around Jamie’s neck, Tessa held on tight while Jamie lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around Jame’s waist. Jamie held her securely all the way to the bedroom, before tossing her, giggling, onto the bed and shutting the door.

Chapter 24

“Billie and her sister both live in Chelsea?” Jamie asked as they drove through the streets of the borough.

Tessa nodded. “Oh, aye. Stevie’s lived here for ages though. Ever since she got married.”

“And Billie followed suit?”

“She did. But I think if Ethan had stayed at Stanmore, they’d still live in that area.”

“Oh, right. I keep forgetting he played for Stanmore.”

“He got them to Europe. He loved the club, but Chelsea was his dream club.”

“As an Arsenal legacy, I feel as if I’m walking into enemy territory.”

Tessa chuckled. “It’s neutral territory. Billie only supports whatever club Ethan plays for, and Stevie and her husband aren’t even into football. Wives and girlfriends from several clubs will be around.”

“I see. That does ease my mind.”

Tessa gazed out the window at the passing restaurants and shopping, feeling better herself. After learning that Billie was pregnant, she wondered if she should have offered to throw Billie’s shower, but Stevie volunteered, getting Tessa off the hook. It was a relief. Tessa didn’t know the first thing about throwing a baby shower. And with her money, Stevie was sure to put together the classy party Billie deserved.

Tessa glanced at the gifts in the back seat. One, she got from Billie’s registry—a bassinet and sheet set with little footballs on it. The other was the Winnie the Pooh book she’d picked up in the vintage store. Before she ever thought that she and Jamie could be together again. When she had tried using someone else to distract herself.

It was funny how so much time passed, and yet it also seemed as though it was hardly any at all. So much had changed. Tessa was coming to Billie’s baby shower with Jamie as her date. She and Jamie were on the same page about being soulmates, and had even found evidence of their past lives together. Tessa smiled, pleased at how everything was working out.

Jamie slowed to find a parking spot on Stevie’s street. They ended up having to turn around and park across the street from the house, but still several doors down.

“See, this is why I don’t even bother having a car in London,” Tessa said. “It’s much easier to get on the tube and walk. You end up walking anyway.”

“Footballers can’t use the tube if they don’t want to be bombarded,” Jamie reminded her, cutting the engine.

“Wear a balaclava or something,” Tessa said with a shrug.

“Oh, yeah, fantastic idea. In the middle of March, no one would bat an eye.”

“There’s still a good chill in the air in the middle of March!”

Tessa giggled as she opened the door and walked around to the backseat to get the book. Jamie joined her to carry the bassinetsince it was heavy. Together, they strode up the pavement toward Stevie’s front door.

“Have you been to Billie’s sister’s before?” Jamie asked.

“Once, for Billie’s bridal shower,” Tessa answered. “As maid of honor, I planned the hen do. Stevie’s rich, so she does all this classy shite.”

Jamie chuckled. “How did they end up being called Billie and Stevie?”

“Stevie is named after Stevie Nicks, and Billie is named after the Michael Jackson song, Billie Jean. Though she’s dropped Jean since getting married and is now Billie Axton Knight.”

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