Page 9 of Lyrical

“Pretty psyched.” I smiled. “And a little nervous.”

“What? Why?”

“Everything’s going to change, Perry. Good or bad, change is still change and something to adjust to,” I said, telling her the same thing I told myself the other day.

“Yes.” She nodded, expression sympathetic. “No more walking around the house naked or getting it on with Chase wherever the mood strikes you. Even if that happens to be by the front door,” she teased, referring to the time she caught us having a little fun on New Year’s Eve.

“That’s not what I’m talking about.” Although, the lack of sexual freedom had crossed my mind. But it wouldn’t be forever, just until Daniel found his own place. And my excitement at having him back again more than made up for the temporary inconvenience. I wasn’t an addict; I could hold off if I needed to. “I mean, what if he can’t accept Chase? I’m not sure I could handle that.”

“I thought you already told Daniel about him?”

“I did, but I only said he was younger than me, and then we made a joke about it. He said as long as he wasn’t younger than him, and we both laughed.” I nibbled on my lips. “Maybe it was a mistake not to be completely upfront, but I didn’t want him forming an opinion before he met Chase. God, Perry, I’ve only known him less than a year, but I really love him. But Daniel’s my son, and I can’t disregard him for a guy I’ve only known less than a year.”

“Fuck, I’m so glad I ordered you that drink. Maybe I should tell her to leave the bottle.” Perry grabbed my hand. “You need to calm down, Jills. I understand where you’re coming from, but I’m sure you’re worrying over nothing. Both guys are great. Fantastic. It’ll all work out, and if it doesn’t, you can freak out then. Don’t go all batshit yet or you’re liable to make something worse.”

“That’s kinda what Chase said, but in different words.”

“Great minds and all.”

We disconnected hands when our drinks were set in front of us, and the steam rose into my face.Mmm… so good.I took a sip.And hot and strong.It took the chill away perfectly. Damn if Perry wasn’t right again.

“See, not pregnant.” She took a large gulp of her margarita, sugar sticking to her lips.

“I believe you, but something’s up. Where do you want your reception, because unless it’s in my backyard, you’re probably shit out of luck.”

“You know, that idea’s not half bad.”

“I was kidding, Perry.”

She threw her head back and let out a loud sigh. “Maybe we should just elope.”

“Only if we all come with you.”

“Then it’s not eloping.” She dragged her finger around the rim of her glass, then popped it into her mouth. “It’s just that the more we get into this stuff, the perfect flower arrangement, the perfect goblets to make our toast, the perfect bra to give me perfect tits underneath my perfect dress, the—”

“Perfect cake?”

She gave me a ‘you’re frickin’ hilarious’ look and continued, “It’s all awesome, Jills, and I was super stoked in the beginning, but as time went on, it became less important to the point that I almost don’t care about any of it anymore. Maybe because we’ve already been together so long, but I just want to be married, to be a family, to start my official life with Stephen. Forever and ever. That’s what feels real to me, and all this other stuff… doesn’t.”

“Perry, that actually makes a lot of sense. Why didn’t you just tell me all this to begin with?”

“Because I wasn’t sure how I felt, but going into Heritage Manor and talking to Mrs. Pretentious Stick-up-her-ass seemed to trigger something.”

I snickered in the middle of a sip, making my nostrils burn. “Yeah, I noticed that.”

“But I do want a party. Just not a hoity-toity one. Do you think it’d be strange if my engagement party was more formal than the actual wedding reception?”

“Nothing’s strange if that’s what you want.”

“What if we said our vows while skydiving?”

“You’re afraid of heights.”

“What if we went to the rain forest and hung upside down like monkeys? Would that be strange?”

“You’re afraid of monkeys, and I think that margarita’s starting to take effect.”

She scrunched up her face. “Yeah, what’s up with that? It makes going to the zoo traumatic.”

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