Page 75 of Just Like That

Veda looked at me again. “You know, in business, when something is no longer working, you cut your losses. So whatever mental gymnastics you’re putting yourself through, ask yourself if it’s working. Sometimes it’s best to analyze the situation from a different angle and see if it’s worth continuing.”

I stared at the woman beside me. She was so self-assured. So confident.

She was also absolutely correct. I was having a hard time even understanding my own feelings, let alone trying to figure out what was rolling around in JP’s head and what it all might mean.

I needed some clarity—to step back and breathe for a minute.

“What do you suggest?” I asked.

Her painted lips spread into a grin. “Well, that depends. When it comes to sex, sometimes men need a little incentive to get their feelings on board.” Her finger tapped her lower lip. “Are we talking about a little prodding or a heartless scourge of misery?”

I blinked in her direction. “Um ... maybe the first one?”

Her lips twisted. “Pity. From what I can tell JP walks an unbothered, rigid line. He might benefit from a little bothering.” She waggled her eyebrows and shifted in her seat. “There’s always the option of untangling your feelings while getting tangled up in someone else.”

“Oh.” I sputtered an uncomfortable laugh. “I don’t know about that.”

“Here’s the thing.” She leaned in and I mirrored her movement. “I don’t really know you or the situation well, but I do know him. My opinion is that you need to harness your feminine energy. Stop waiting around for clarity. Live your life. Certainly don’t wait around for him to wake up and see what’s right in front of him.”

Veda leaned back, stretching her long legs in front of her, and tipped her face toward the slanted light of the afternoon sun. A sharp catcall whistle drew our attention, and she raised her sunglasses to see Royal smirking in her direction. When their eyes met, he grinned and lifted his chin.

“Trust me.” She smiled and placed the dark glasses back on her face. “The worst thing you can be for a man is convenient.”

I smiled and looked out across the yard as the men milled around. Duke had his son propped on his hip with the dog and duck at his heels. JP was jostling a giggling Teddy upside down while Royal and Abel drank their beers and watched Ben and Tillie weave between nearby blueberry bushes.

“Live my life.” I repeated her words like a mantra.

I’d never had a problem marching to my own drum and living my life out loud, but it was oddly comforting to have the reassurance from someone who had her shit so completely together.

Behind us, Sloane and Sylvie walked down the stairs with a pitcher of lemonade and cups. MJ followed with a tray of fresh fruit. We smiled and shared a greeting, and I accepted the tall glass of lemonade that Sylvie handed me.

She smiled. “There’s blueberry infused vodka in that one.”

My eyes widened and I raised it in cheers. “In that case, I’ll have a double.” I took a healthy sip while Sloane cackled and sat in the chair beside me.

Together, we made a semicircle that looked out onto the expanse of Sullivan Farms. Past the barn, the fields of blueberry bushes rolled out as far as I could see. Trees lined the property in the distance, but I had learned that just beyond it sat Wabash Lake.

My heart squeezed. “How’s everyone holding up? You know ...after.”

Sylvie’s features went soft. “We’re getting by. The forensic divers collected all of the evidence they could. The DNR is allowing us to do some kind of memorial for her—maybe a bench or an etched boulder or something nice.” She shrugged.

I reached for her hand and squeezed.

Sylvie was strong. Resilient, even through repeated heartbreak.

She smiled at me and sipped her lemonade. “There’s a small family cemetery on the property where she can be laid to rest. We’re going to do a celebration-of-life ceremony here. You should come.”

“Oh, I—” The women all looked at me like it was the simplest thing in the world for me to be included. “Um, thanks.”

“How are things going with JP and Teddy?” Sloane asked, and Veda gave me a sly, knowing look.

“It’s been okay,” I admitted. “He works a ton, so Teddy and I have been spending our days at the beach or shopping for new school clothes. He’s convinced he’ll single-handedly bring bow ties back into fashion. Sometimes JP’s home for dinner, but even then he mostly talks to Teddy. He avoids looking at me until he grumblesgood nightand almost always wants to tuck Teddy into bed, so I let him.”

Sylvie and Sloane clucked and exhaled twinawwwws.

It was cathartic to get everything off my chest. I missed having girlfriends to talk to. I exhaled and continued, “He doesn’t let me pay for anything ... he just leaves stacks of bills everywhere with notes likeSchool supplies are expensiveorGet something nice for the both of you. It’s ... really odd.”

“That’s kind of sweet and thoughtful.” MJ chuckled and shrugged. “In his own kind of JP way, at least.”

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