Page 119 of Lyrical

“I’ll get sick if I have to smell that all night, Jills.”

I dropped my head. “Perry, we’ve already tested them out, and they work great for the bugs. Would you rather get divebombed during the ceremony? We’re outside on a damn farm.”

“You don’t have to get all snippy with me now.”

Deep breath. “I’m sorry if it sounded that way. I’m just not sure what else we can do at this point.”

Perry gave me a hug. “I’m sorry too.”Is she crying?“I’m just so whacked out today.”Today?“Do you know what batshit crazy thing your brother asked me the other day? He asked if I was pregnant. What the fuck? Like a girl can’t act like a fruit loop once in a while before her wedding day?”

I pulled back, biting my lip. “Um, I’d actually thought the same thing once or twice.”

She stomped the ground. “Jills, how could you? First of all, I’m on the pill. Second, if I even suspected it, don’t you think I’d tell my best friend right away?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Shit, way to make me feel crappy. I felt like my seams were going to burst any moment, but I needed Chase to be the first one I mentioned it to. “Hey, can you help me hang some lights by the tent?” I was already tired of doing lanterns; I’d come back to it.

“Sure. As long as the fuckwad doesn’t talk to me.”

“Did you hear anything from Daniel?” I asked. He might not want anything to do with me, but he’d better be at his uncle’s wedding.

“As far as I know, he’s coming. God, Jills. I can’t imagine Cassie being so stupid to show her face here, but what if she does?”

I took her hand and pumped it a couple times. “Then we’ll just ignore it. This is your day, and nothing is going to ruin it, okay?”

She nodded. “Any regrets?”

“No.”

I knew she was referring to choosing Chase. The hurt was so incredibly bad not having Daniel in my life, but he was an adult who was making his own way now. I couldn’t toss away Chase’s absolute love for the possibility of becoming close with my son again. Daniel didn’t approve of Chase for reasons that weren’t even valid. Depending on how long Cassie stuck around, this could only be the first of many ultimatums, and I wasn’t going to live my life that way.

“No,” I said again. Perry had been so right. If I had walked away from this love, I never would’ve recovered.

“The whole thing sucks fucking monkey balls, but for what it’s worth, I think you made the right decision. I… I just think you did, that’s all.”

“It’s priceless, Perry. Thank you.” I squeezed her hand once more and said, “Now, how about—”

“Hey, dumbass,” she yelled. “What the hell’s this?” She dropped my hand and marched over to the center of the tent. “There’s supposed to be a peak here, not a fucking valley.”

I lowered my head, shaking it. Poor guy. I went over to one of the bins and pulled out a wad of lights. While she was ripping the hired hand a new asshole, I could get started untangling strands.

Arms tightened around me, and I smiled. “Hi, Chase. Come to help?”

“Hi, baby.” He kissed the side of my neck. “Sign me up. It might be the only chance I get to spend some time with you today. I never thought I’d have to compete against decorations.”

I turned my head back. “Hmm… I knew you had a jealous streak, but I didn’t think that extended to lights.”

“Are you kidding? I’m about to kick some scrawny ass here. I don’t like the way they’re creeping up your arm.”

I laughed, but it had an edge to it. I wondered if he’d noticed. I continued snaking the strand around me, checking for tangles.

He jostled another bunch free from the bin and laid it across the table. “Something bothering you, Jillian?”

Damn. “Why are you asking?”

“Why are you answering a question with a question?”

“Why areyouanswering a question with a question with a question?”

“Jillian.” He placed his hands around my waist, and I felt a flutter. A baby kick?No, what the fuck, Jillian?The last I remembered from biology class, babies didn’t have legs at ten days. “Jillian, I can feel it on you.” My eyes widened.What? There’s no way he’s that good.“You’re hiding it by staying occupied, but you’re tense. Tell me why.”

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