Page 54 of It's Complicated

Lori pokes her face out from behind her palms. “And she’s going to cover for us?”

I sigh. “For the right price.”

Lori slides off the chair and sits down on my lap, planting a quick kiss on my lips. “You mean actual cash?”

“I wish. No, it’s going to be much, much worse.”

“Like what?”

“For starters, she’s going to saddle me with all the family duties we usually try to offload on each other.”

Lori pats my shoulder mockingly. “You’re old enough to bring out the trash.” Then she steals a sip of my coffee and adds, “I’d better go home and feed the animals before they revolt. What time do I have to be ready?”

My parents live in the suburbs north of Chicago, so Lori’s house is on the way to theirs. “I’ll pick you up at noon.”

“Perfect.” Lori drops a kiss on top of my head. “Now be brave and give Jessica a call.”

22

LORI

A firing squad of four awaits me at home. Leia, Han Solo, Ben, and Chewie are sitting in a tight line across the floor just behind the front door.

“Hello, sweeties,” I greet them, pretending I didn’t abandon them last night.

The cats narrow their eyes to various degrees of indignation and one by one turn to sit facing the other way.

“Well, I guess you’re not interested in getting breakfast, then.”

Now they get up, tails raised straight up into the air, and stroll toward their bowls, regaling me with the sight of their displeased kitty butts.

I hang my coat on a bookshelf, drop my bag on a pile of books, and hasten into the kitchen.

After a quick search of the cabinets, I fill each of the four food bowls with the sourpusses’ favorite salmon meal. As much as I’d prefer to keep them vegetarian like me, the one week I tried, they went on a hunger strike, and I had to relent. Now they’re pescatarian and happy.

As they eat, I stroke Leia behind the ears. She must’ve forgotten how offended she is with me because she purrs right away. I relax. If she’s forgiven me, the rest will follow suit. Their feline society is very much a matriarchy.

Next, I grab the hens’ pellets and go wish a good morning to my chicks. They don’t hold grudges like their quadruped counterparts and happily flock by me, pecking the food straight from my hands. They’ve already laid eggs as well. I collect the eggs, go back to the kitchen to wash them, and use a pencil to write today’s date on each before I store them in the fridge.

Ben jumps on the counter, then lifts on his hind legs to drop his front paws on my chest and butt his head against my chin. He’s the cuddliest of my four furry babies.

“Yes, sweetie, I’ve missed you, too.”

I pick him up and carry him upstairs with me. I deposit him on my bed and enjoy the cuddles while staring at the ceiling a little dazed.

Jace is in love with me.

It’s a thought that both terrifies and thrills me. Thrilling because Jace is wonderful and being loved by him feels like the greatest gift in the world. Terrifying because a small part of me still can’t believe it. He’s the one person in the world who knows me, truly knows me, he’s seen all the ugly and still loves me. Has been doing it quietly for all these years while I wouldn’t shut up about Aiden.

I groan. Oh my gosh, poor Jace, the years of pining I’ve put him through. And I never knew, never suspected. He’s been so good at keeping his distance. Now I understand all the barbed wire and Mr. Frost act, he was just trying to protect himself.

But now he isn’t any longer. He’s mine if only I want him to be.

The thought makes my heart skip a beat. I never saw it coming, but now that it’s here, I can’t deny the feelings creeping up inside me in response.

I replay last night’s events in my mind. The way he kissed me was like nothing else mattered in the world. I roll in bed unable to suppress a smile as a warm fuzz spreads all over my body. Jace can make my skin burn even when he’s not in the room. If this isn’t being in love, well, then it’s pretty darn close.

I allow myself a few more cuddles with Ben, then I kiss the top of his head and move into the bathroom to shower.

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