Page 91 of Legal

I glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall, reminding me about the scheduled water delivery. “Are you able to put out the empty water bottles on your way out? They’re coming sometime this morning.”

“Sure.”

I headed off to the bathroom and had just sudsed up my hair when I heard the doorbell.Shit, they’re here already?I slid the shower door open a crack. “Mike, can you get that?” I yelled out. He must not have left yet if they were at the door looking for the bottles.

It rang a second time while I was squeezing out my conditioner. “Mike?” Often, the delivery guy would try again after he went around the neighborhood. I jumped out and dried off just enough to throw on a robe. Then I darted past all the empty bottles sitting there to see the truck pulling out at the end of my driveway.

Argh. We missed the delivery. Sometimes they’d leave new bottles without the empties, but this wasn’t one of those times. I was going through a lot of water lately, and my tap tasted like a swimming pool. I was going to have to take time out of my work schedule to go pick some up.

I groaned. I’d asked him to do one simple thing before he left, and he agreed. I wondered if he’d even been listening to me.

Dammit, Mike. Thanks for paying attention.

“We missed you last week, dear.”

My mom greeted me at the door, and I gave her a hug. Most times, the scar wasn’t visible anymore; I’d gotten so used to it, I hardly even noticed. But once in a while, like today, when the sun hit her face just right, I could see.

“I missed everyone too, Mom.”

“Hey, Jills,” Perry called from the dining room. “Come and look at these with us.”

I went through the kitchen and into the adjoining room where she and Stephen had a bunch of cards spread out on the table.

My brother eyed me over. “How’re you doing, sis?”

“Great!” I sat down next to them. I had no clue how much he knew about my recent events. “So, what do we have here?”

Frank wandered in, and I stood up to greet him before he resumed his post in the kitchen. It already smelled wonderful, as always. He loved creating these family meals for us, and it showed.

“Our advice from the engagement party.”

“Isn’t it bad luck to read them now or something?” I said.

“Where’d you get that idea?” Perry laughed. “It’s not a wedding dress, although I don’t believe in that superstition either.” She handed me a handful of cards. “We have the usual stuff: Don’t go to bed angry, keep your own interests, find a reason to fall in love every day. Things like that. But some are frickin’ hysterical.”

I looked at one that made me smile. Keep the fights clean and the sex dirty. My mind instantly bounced to Chase. I hadn’t been fair to him, almost felt like I’d thrown his declaration of love back in his face. Maybe not fair, but necessary.

“Jills?” I snapped out it and looked at her. “You okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Your wife won’t say, ‘what?’ because she didn’t hear you,” Stephen read. “She’s only saying that to give you a chance to change your answer.”

“Good thing we’re so perfect together, honey.” Perry gave him a big smack on the cheek. “I do like the ‘always fight naked’ advice.” She waggled her eyebrows. “But I suppose we’d never leave the house then, and we’d always be fighting.”

Perry snuggled up on his lap. “Any wedding stuff I can help you with yet?” I asked.

She shook her head. “Believe me, you’ll be the first to know. You’re not getting out of anything.” She grabbed another card. “Here’s one for you, Jills. Never trust marriage advice from someone who’s done it more than three times. Hmm… I seem to recall telling you something similar about Mabel.”

“Michelle.”

“Right.”

I picked up one that mentioned something about a soulmate but put it back without reading the whole thing. I decided only to stick with the funny ones and forego anything serious or heartfelt. It was a good plan. I ended up having a great time, and it was exactly what I needed. Lots of laugher, and an Alfredo sauce that gave my stomach an orgasm was a winning combination. I’m not sure what I’d do without my family.

Perry pulled me aside afterward. “Is Mike packing his bags? It’s been six days.”

“No, he’s still working it out with Candace.”

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