Page 14 of Mr. Mistletoe
I give him a small smile, “Yeah. I know Deacon is intense but,” I shrug.
“Why do you let him do that? Why does he get to talk to you like that? What if I was actually your real fiancé? That would’ve been disastrous.”
“Don’t bring him up,” I say calmly. “Yes, he’s my ex, and yes, he said some shit in the restaurant and no, I didn’t tell you everything about him because I didn’t think it was relevant. Can you let it go? I’m not in the mood to talk about anything at the moment.”
James cocks his brow. “Ah, so you’re acting differently because you’re around your friends here?” he shakes his head. “You know, sometimes I don’t get you. It’s like you’re two different people.”
I’m confused, why is he getting upset? “What the hell does that even mean or matter of fact what does that have to do with this?”
“It has everything to do with this. Why not move on? To someone who will want you back? A fresh start or something. It’s not like you’ve never had admirers.”
“Look, James, not right now. I have a goal, and I wanted a friend to help, I know you’re just trying to help, but it doesn’t, okay?”
“Fine, fine,” he says with an easy smile. “I did say friends helped each other when I listened to your crazy idea.”
I can’t help but smile even though I’m beginning to feel uneasy. I shake my head as Arden and Mack come out of the restaurant. “Everything good?” Mack asks as he eyes James up and down. He looks at me, analyzing everything.
“Yeah,” I clear my throat. “Your brother took off,” I say.
“That’s alright. Y'all down to meet Valeria down at Margarita’s to get some drinks? Her and Shay will be there.”
I look at James, “You want to go?”
“Not like you need my approval for anything but sure.” He shrugs.
“Cool,” I walk up to Arden and link arms as we walk down to Margarita’s since it’s a couple of blocks away.
“What do you miss about this country the most?” Arden asks.
“Hmm… FairPoint beach, remember the bonfires there?”
“Girl, do I? Those were the best! But now, we have to ask the new owner if we want to do that.”
“Who owns it?”
“Deacon. He lives on the beach now. He bought it from his parents years ago and he rarely lets anyone on the private end of the beach. We haven’t had a bonfire there in years. Speaking of Deacon, what the hell was that?”
“Girl…I don’t know.”
Arden nods. “So, what is this approval business?”
I sigh. “I wish I knew. He’s just weird right now. Don’t worry about it. James is one of those friends that seem to just care a little too much.”
Arden glances at me as we get closer to Margarita’s. “You’d tell me if something was wrong right, Kimmie?”
I nod. “Yeah, you’re my best friend, Ardy, I’d tell you anything.”
I would tell her if I understood what the hell is up with James. I’ve told her a lot, anyway, including what I faced in New York. When something happened to me, she was the first person I called.
5
Kimberly
Drinkingwith the people I know again, feels like I’ve been missing out on everything. How have years gone by where I’ve barely managed to come back and be happy with these people. “Girl,” Valeria taps me. “Where have you been? I miss you.”
I smile at her. I miss her too. “I miss you like crazy, is that weird? I’m sorry that I didn’t keep in contact as much,” I admit to her. I pull her to me and hug her. “I need to see Averie again. It sucks that she won’t remember me from when you guys came out to visit.”
Valeria’s smile widens, “Averie would love that. She still sees Ms. Faye from time to time when she goes with Deac, and girl, Ms. Faye, is always talking about you.”
