Page 42 of Mom-Com
Staring at my washed-out complexion in the mirror, I heard a car outside. It was showtime.
“Here goes everything,” I muttered, resisting the urge to tug at my hair. I’d just gotten it to lie down flat, I couldn’t be messing it up now. If all went right, I hoped Lily-Marie would be the one to mess it up.
I ran to the front door, stopping to grab my phone and wallet. A black limousine sat idling at the curb in front of Lily-Marie’s exactly as I’d asked them to do. A black-suited driver stood by the back door and if his posture and purposeful stare out into nothing was any indication, he’d been military at some point. I stopped on my front porch to shoot a text to Gabby, one of my accomplices to this grand gesture.
Me:Limo is here. Hopefully, she’ll be at the store in twenty minutes or so. You good to go?
Gabby: Hell yes! Let’s Cinderella this girl.
Chuckling at her enthusiasm, I jogged out to meet the driver. Gabby had assured me many times this week that Lily-Marie would participate and appreciate my plans. I hoped to God she was right.
“Hey, man, thanks for being on time. I’ll be right back with your passenger. Remember, this is all a surprise, so please don’t tell her anything no matter how many questions she asks, okay?”
He shook my hand and wasted no time on comforting words. “Got it.”
I raised an eyebrow as I spun around and marched up to Lily-Marie’s front door. I knocked and stood there with my heart in my throat. I was nervous as hell, but I also just wanted to talk to her, see her. I’d missed her like crazy.
The door cracked open and then swung all the way open. All the butterflies in my stomach left me the minute I laid eyes on her. She was in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt with Mickey ears. Her hair was piled on top of her head and she had glasses perched on her nose.
“When did you get glasses?” As soon as the question left my mouth, I wanted to smack myself. We hadn’t talked in almost two weeks and that was what I led with?
She blushed and pulled them off. “A couple weeks ago. I just need them when I’m on the computer.” She narrowed her eyes, a soft smile on her face. “How’ve you been, Jameson?”
“I’ve been better, honestly. I’ve got a surprise for you, though. Do you trust me?” I held my hand out, wondering if she’d recognize the line fromAladdin.
The smile grew and she put her glasses down on the entry table and took my hand, stepping closer.
“Thank you for the flowers. My house looks like a beautiful florist.” Her voice lowered, like her words were just for me.
I pulled her hand to my lips and kissed her silky skin, immediately remembering how soft she was and how much I’d missed having my lips on her. Stepping to the side, I gave her a view of the limo. But she just kept staring at me, not noticing the huge vehicle in front of her house.
“Your carriage awaits, m’lady.” I swooped my hand out to the curb and she finally looked away, just then noticing the limo and the driver.
“Wha—” Her mouth dropped open and I silently sent up a prayer she’d go along with the plan.
“You have an appointment and I made sure you had an appropriate ride to get you there.” The whole time I spoke, I walked her out to the curb, stopping in front of the driver, who held the back door open for her.
“But—wait. Jameson.” She gripped my hand tight and turned to me, her back to the limo. “Jameson, I want to talk to you.”
I pulled her close and kissed her cheek. “I know. I promise we’ll talk after. But you can’t be late. See you in a little bit.”
Like in a trance, Lily-Marie stepped to the open door and I helped her in. She wasn’t smiling, but she was going along with it and that was all I needed right then.
Unable to help myself, I leaned in and kissed her quickly, her hands coming up to reach for me. I ducked out of the way, regretting it, but knowing it was for the best. I had to pace this date. The driver slammed the door shut and I stepped back onto the curb.
Watching the limo take off down the street, I let hope fill my chest, bringing a smile to my face. For the first time in almost two weeks, I felt like things were on the right track. That we could make this work.
When the limo turned the corner, I pulled out my phone and texted Gabby again to let her know Lily-Marie was on her way to her. Then I pocketed my phone and hustled back to shut Lily-Marie’s door and then back to my house to continue pulling strings and orchestrating this date.
* * *
Four hours later, the limo made its way back down our street. Thankfully, I’d had rushed texts from Gabby all afternoon to keep me from losing my mind. The dress fitting had gone perfectly, with Lily-Marie walking out in the dress she’d tried on when we’d gone clothes shopping with the kids. I couldn’t wait to see her in the turquoise ball gown, the one that highlighted every curve she owned like a boss.
I’d made a mad dash to the store with Lily-Marie’s purse and cell phone to hand off to Gabby. I knew she’d want it in case the kids called. They too knew about the plan for today. I’d told them yesterday when they were in the backyard playing with Butterscotch. I pinkie promised them to keep it a secret, and miraculously, they had. Lastly, I ran Butterscotch over to Gabby’s house, praying he didn’t chew up all her furniture before she got home.
Lily-Marie made it to her hair and makeup appointment right on time, thanks to Gabby rushing her along. I just hoped Gabby had been able to stick to her guns and not let out the secret. She’d sworn to me she’d keep everything to herself, but I knew how persuasive Lily-Marie could be. Four hours was a long time to keep this big of a secret from your best friend.
The limo came to a stop and that puke-y feeling was back. I opened the back door before the driver could get there, too excited and nervous to wait. The next step of this grand gesture was ready, I just needed my date.
