“And we’re going to be swimming?”
I’m a little, or a lot unhappy about that. I didn’t know we were going to be going to Jasper’s for a barbeque after being in the studio all day. This was our fifth day in a row there and today felt like the longest yet. I’m gross. I could use a shower and a nap and a change of clothes. Plus, swimming with a cast is a no-no and I don’t even have a bathing suit. But Viola called Jasper and told him that Naomi was already there, and they wanted everyone to come for dinner.
And since I really love Viola and Naomi, I readily agreed. Those two have been nothing but warm and sweet with me. They instantly took me into their fold as a friend. Even if the first time I met Viola she looked like she was about to burst into tears at the sight of me. She felt terrible about it afterward.
“I’m sorry for the way I reacted when I first saw you. I should have said this to you earlier, but I’m still a bit… I don’t know. Anyway, I’m sorry.”
“You knew Amy?”
I didn’t even know her name until Henry told me it. He said she died tragically and would not elaborate beyond that because Henry believes it’s up to Keith to tell me. Only Keith does not talk about her or what happened. I still don’t know anything beyond her name and that she looked like me. When Henry and I talked about it, he swore to me that I am nothing like she was. Night and day were the words he used.
Viola nods, glancing at Naomi who I assume already knows what’s going on since these people don’t seem to have secrets kept between them. “Yes, I knew Amy. We went to high school together. She and I were friendly simply because I was dating Gus and she was dating Keith. But she and I were never what you’d call close. Though I don’t think anyone really was with her.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, the words flying out of my mouth without filter.
She glances past me in Keith’s direction, lingering there for a long moment and then turning back to me. The grim look in her eyes makes my heart instantly start to pound. “She kept her distance is all. Has Keith talked about her?”
I shake my head no. “I haven’t asked either.”
“Well, the story needs to come from him. But as far as I know, he hasn’t talked about it since it happened.”
Since it happened. Not since she died. It’s a strange choice of words.
I’ve tried not to focus on that conversation since. On her reaction to me. On all the questions I have about Amy and how she died and what happened to Keith after.
Still, the fact that she had this sort of reaction in the first place sits all kinds of wrong in my stomach. I don’t want to look like Keith’s ex. I don’t want to remind any of them of a dead girl they all once loved.
I want them to see me, not Amy.
I want Keith to like me not because I look like her.
I never had a moment’s insecurity before, but whenever I think about this strange situation, I’m flooded with it. It’s not something that fits all that well on my skin or in my heart.
Whatever. It is what it is and again, I’ve been trying not to focus on it.
Especially as we’re pulling into what can only be described as a mega-mansion. This is the second time I’ve been here, but it still knocks my socks off. “You know, this is what I was expecting your place to be like.” I sit up a little straighter, using my stupid cast a microphone and holding it up in front of my mouth. “I’m Maia Angelo, reporting to you live for Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”
Keith laughs. “I think you’re mixing a few things up here, darlin’. Wasn’t that some British dude who did that? And wasn’t that show in the eighties.”
“Oh yeah. It most definitely was.” I bounce my eyebrows at him.
He shakes his head at me, still chuckling. “Jas bought it when Adalyn’s birth mother, Karina, was pregnant. He keeps talking about moving, but Vi loves it here too much for that to happen. Plus, now that they have Cora, I think they like having the bigger space.”
“And you’re sure Viola can lend me something?” I ask as he parks in the circular turnabout in front of the house.
He twists to look at me and then down to my chest for a fleeting second and then out the front windshield again. His fists clench the wheel as his jaw tics. “You don’t have to wear a bathing suit,” he grits out. “I doubt anything Vi has will fit you.”
“Worried I’ll give your friends a boob shot? Have a nipple slip situation?”
He growls out a curse. Oh, boy. This tense growly Keith is something else.
“Keep your shirt on, literally and metaphorically, and I’ll keep mine on. How’s that? Still, I wouldn’t mind dunking my lower half, so if she’s cool with it, I think I will borrow a suit.”
He mumbles something I can’t discern under his breath before he gets out of the truck, jogging quickly around to help me out. He always does this, and I’d be lying if I said I hated it.
We don’t make it to the front door before it flies open and Viola Diamond is standing there in all her perfection. She really is just a ray of sunshine wrapped in colorful rainbows. She and I have more in common than you’d think considering who she’s married to now, but her past is nearly as ugly as mine.
She waves at Keith before quickly wrapping me up in a hug. This is only my second encounter with her, but she never makes you feel like an outsider. “Come on. Naomi is in the pool with my girls and the guys are already drinking too much and laughing too loud.” She winks at me. “I’m thinking this was a mistake except I love having everyone here.” She leads me into the house, guiding me to the stairs while Keith heads directly for the back where the outdoor area is. “I have a suit for you. Jas mentioned you didn’t have one. Let’s get you changed.”
“She doesn’t have to swim, Vi,” Keith calls out.
“But I’d like to,” I throw back, glaring at him over the railing of the stairs. Keith stomps off and I can’t stop my small laugh.
“What’s up his ass?”
“Me,” I state. I wonder how much I should tell Viola Diamond since she is who she is, and these people do not keep secrets. But I could really use a girlfriend right now, something I’ve never really had before. “I kissed him in the elevator on Monday.” Her eyes pop open wide. “It just kind of happened.”
“Um. How does kissing someone just kind of happen?”
“We were arguing as we always do, and I said something, and he smacked my ass and I kissed him.”
“Holy shit,” she barks out in a cackle, throwing her head back and everything. “That’s freaking awesome. Do the other guys know?”
I shake my head, my expression growing severe so she understands the magnitude of this. “No. I don’t think Keith told them and I’d like it to stay that way.”
“I won’t say anything to Jasper. Did he kiss you back?”
Oh yeah, he did. “It doesn’t mean anything.”
“Why not?” She scrunches up her nose like that doesn’t make any sense at all.
“Nothing can happen between us. That’s what he said right after it happened and since then, he’s been a monk where I’m concerned. He’s made our relationship and position very clear. He’s right though,” I quickly tack on. “Trust me on that.”