Page 20 of The Relationship Mechanic

“Not really,” she replied squeezing the counter in her grip. “I love my parents, but they aren’t really much for holidays. We probably would have ended up eating out or ordering in. This was a much better use of time.”

Vini moved closer, leaving Jessica confused. They both knew that they shouldn’t do anything that might give away what was going on between them, but her ability to deny Vini was rapidly retreating with each inch that seemed to disappear between them. If not for Grace abruptly interrupting their stare-down, Jessica would have taken one for the team.

“Hey, Vini. I think everyone is ready for...” Grace trailed off when Jessica and Vini moved away from one another “...ice cream.”

“Perfect,” Vini said, her voice higher than it had been a few moments before. She walked over to the freezer and pulled out a large tub of Neapolitan ice cream. “I’ve got this and the spoons if you guys will bring the bowls. Grace should know where they are.”

Jessica nodded. “Got it.” She gave Vini a thumbs-up and kept up the pretense until she left the kitchen. “Jesus, Grace. A little warning next time you decide to barge in at a moment’s notice.”

“Warning? Are you kidding me?” Grace’s voice was slightly hysterical, and Jessica waved her arms telling her to quiet down. “What were you two doing, and why were you so close?”

Jessica rolled her eyes and turned to the cabinets to start searching for the bowls. There were only so many places they could be, and it would give her time to figure out what to say to Grace that wasn’t a total fucking lie. She didn’t like lying to Grace, and so she wouldn’t. But she knew she needed to play things just right to keep her high-strung friend from stringing herself into the sky.

“We were just talking,” Jessica replied. She knew Grace would be annoyed at her vague explanation, but she figured it was best to start small and work her way up to the whole truth. “I was thanking her for inviting me, considering the fact that they don’t know me.”

Grace stared at her for a moment, and Jessica could see thoughts swirling behind those dark brown eyes. Jessica knew Grace would eventually realize what was going on, but she wasn’t about to make it easy on her. If she wanted the information, she was going to have to work for it.

“Okay, fine. That still doesn’t explain why you two were standing so close to one another.” Grace paused before her eyes widened. Jessica could see the inevitable end barreling down on her like a locomotive. But she was stuck, nowhere to go even if she wanted to. “No. Jessica.”

“What am I, a dog?”

“No, no, no,” Grace repeated slapping Jessica’s hands away when she tried to quiet her. She grabbed Jessica’s hands and held tightly. “Do not tell me that you have been having sex with Vini. Ava’s sister Vini. Ava’s baby sister Vini.”

Jessica tried to pull away but eventually gave in with a sigh. “Fine. I won’t tell you that I have been having sex with Vini.” When Grace gasped, Jessica sighed again. She really didn’t understand what the big deal was.

“Why the hell would you do that?” Grace hissed, swinging her head around to scan the doorway before looking back at Jessica. “Ava is going to kill me when she finds out.”

“There’s no reason to tell her. Vini and I agreed we want to keep his quiet and just between us,” Jessica insisted, pulling Grace back to her when she made like she was going to leave. It wasn’t a complete lie. They hadn’t totally defined things, but it was more so an understanding between them. “For fuck’s sake, Grace. Vini and I are just having some fun. We won’t even be in town over the weekend, so you can spend that time forgetting all about it and we can move on.”

Grace scowled. “It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.”

Jessica rolled her eyes. “No one is getting hurt. We are two grown-ass women who decided we wanted to spend some time together. No fuss, no mess.”

Grace glanced at the doorway when another round of laughter came. “You say that, but I know you. You leave a string of broken hearts wherever you go.”

That stung a little, but not as much as the idea of Vini and being brokenhearted in the same thought. There was no need for all that. She and Vini were on the same page about this. “Not here,” she replied firmly. Jessica paused for a moment before trying another cabinet in her hunt for bowls. She let out a triumphant noise when she saw them and pulled enough out for everyone.

“Jessica—”

“No,” she snapped, clenching her jaw. Jessica could understand why Grace was hesitant, but this didn’t involve her. “Vini and I just want some low-key, drama-free time. That’s it. In four weeks when I leave, we will both part on good terms. I promise you, it’s fine.”

Grace didn’t not look convinced, but Jessica would just have to prove to her how relaxed they were about all this. She and Vini were good. Grace had nothing to worry about.

Eleven

Vini woke slowly. Normally, she would be up and out of bed as soon as she cracked her eyes open, but it was the day after Thanksgiving, and the shop was closed. She could afford to take her time and relax a little. She had survived the dinner from hell with no bruises to speak of so she was going to celebrate her win.

When Jessica had walked through the doorway, Vini hadn’t been sure how to act. She had extended the invite in a moment of vulnerability, but when Jessica hadn’t responded, Vini hadn’t known how to bring it up again. She thought for sure she had overstepped things. They were meant to be having some fun, and although their interactions also included a fair bit of getting to know one another, that didn’t mean that they had a relationship where family was involved. So color her surprised when Jessica had shown up to dinner the night before. Vini had tamped down her smile and forced her expression into indifference just to keep from making it obvious how excited she was to see Jessica.

And that, of course, led into the next problem. Her excitement to see Jessica. She could have chalked it up to the sex being fire if not for how often Vini felt the desire to just talk to Jessica or ask about her favorite foods. Seeing Jessica’s head thrown back in pleasure was just as much of a turn on as hearing her satisfied groan when she ate something good. And her laughter. Vini couldn’t even think about Jessica’s laugh without smiling.

“You’re still in bed?”

With a sigh, Vini rolled over. Dani was in the doorway still pajama-clad and looking far less awake than Vini felt.

“It’s a holiday,” Vini replied. “I’m giving myself the space to rest.”

Dani nodded. “Sounds like a perfect plan. Scoot over.” Before Vini could respond, Dani had already made her way across the room and was lifting the blankets. Vini could have protested and pushed her away, but that would have made her get louder, and Vini didn’t want to wake up the whole house.

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