Page 17 of Laying His Claim
Jalissa looked away, and that was all the confirmation the other women needed. “Ooh!” Kaiya squealed, laughing. “Details!”
“No details,” Jalissa responded irritably. “We just kissed, that’s all.”
Kalilah piped up. “Honey, if Justin Tremblay is anything like his brother, I’ll bet there’s no such thing as a ‘that’s all’ kiss.”
“Well…”
“Well?”
“It’s just that everything’s so weird between us now. We’re both so antsy around each other.”
“That’s just the attraction talking, girl,” Kalilah advised her.
Jalissa knew she was right. The attraction between her and Justin kept growing and growing, and pretty soon she was sure it would become so great that their coming together was inevitable. The idea thrilled her, excited her, and scared the heck out of her. His magnetism and presence were so great that she was afraid it would blow her away. So, she didn’t answer. Shecouldn’tanswer.
Kaiya, bless her, came to Jalissa’s rescue, changing the subject. “Seb’s going to have his first birthday pretty soon. Are you excited?”
Jalissa had to admit she was, especially when she considered how weird it was that she hadn’t been “present” at his birth! “I am. I don’t even know how to celebrate! I mean, what do you do for a one-year-old’s birthday party?”
“Knowing Justin, he’s probably already got something grand in mind,” Kaiya pointed out. “So, ask him.”
“I will,” she said, but she squirmed at the idea of having to say anything more to Justin than, “Good morning” or “Do you think Seb’s hungry?”
“Don’t worry. Judging from the looks he’s been giving you all morning, I’m sure he’s open to conversation.”
It was as though Kaiya was reading her mind, best-friend style. Even with all the horseplay and the constant hopping in and out to get the kids some juice or a snack, Justin seemed to have plenty of time to check her out. It made her hot with pleasure, even though she didn’t dare admit it to herself. And she, in turn, had been throwing sly glances his way. In his navy-blue board shorts, he was the epitome of fit, toned and tanned masculinity. Very easy on the eyes indeed.
“He’s probably taken with that hot little swimsuit you’ve got on,” Kaiya said. “I’d never have figured you for a one-piece, but it really shows off your curves. Is it new? Cause there’s that silver bikini I bought you.”
Jalissa didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but the string bikini Kaiya had picked out for her had made her feel a bit, exposed.
Kaiya went blithely on. “And don’t forget you have loads and clothes and other stuff from your old apartment in the storage unit I rented for you. You should check it out.”
The idea of going through her own possessions as if they belonged to a stranger made Jalissa a bit nervous, but she knew it was time. Surely it would help her move toward recovery, maybe even jog her memory. “Thanks, I’ll do that.”
“I’ve got the keys in my bag. Remind me to give them to you before I leave, okay?” She got to her feet and waved her cocktail glass. “I think I’m going to have another. Who’s joining me? I know you’ve got to have a virgin cocktail, Jalissa, because you’re still on your meds, but what about a margarita, Kalilah?”
Her sister shook her head. “Nah. I think you’d better make mine a virgin too.”
“No alcohol? On a beautiful day like this. Did you lose a bet?”
“Nope,” Kalilah came back at her with a sly grin. She patted her tummy. “I guess you could say I won something…”
Her two friends gasped. “You’re pregnant?” Kaiya squealed.
“Uh-huh.” Kalilah was beaming with pride, and Jalissa felt a moment of jealousy. What did it feel like to be so much in love, and so excited to carry your husband’s baby? What did it feel like to give birth?
Instead, she swallowed her hurt and gave her friend a hug. “Congrats.”
Kaiya hugged her sister too. “I know Finn’s a football fan, but I never expected him to try to build his own team!”
Beaming, Kalilah said, “we’re making up for lost time.”
* * *
The beach ball whacked Justin in the head and bounced harmlessly away. Apparently, he hadn’t fully registered when his niece, Milania, had yelled out, “Uncle Justin, catch!” before executing her throw.
“I’ll catch it next time, sweet pea,” he promised as she swam away to retrieve it.
