by Debbie Civil
Chapter 23
Jake
“Wow!” Jill acts as if she hasn’t seen a mansion before. Since this isn’t my property to show off, I don’t acknowledge her awed reaction. Carmen is at the mansion, somewhere. The thought that she is so close is killing me. I bite my lip to concentrate on the pain. Focusing on guilt isn’t going to get me through dinner. Mrs. Philips has insisted that everyone in the bridal party plus their dates meet for dinner in the grand dining room. I, for one, am not interested in going. The black suit that I’m in feels like it’s suffocating me. “Jake, when was the house built? Who were the architectures? Who is…?”
“Shut up.” The words just come out. I don’t mean to say them. Jill pauses and looks up at me. Her beautiful blue eyes are filled with hurt.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that I was bothering you. You’re extremely difficult to read since you don’t talk much.”
“I don’t know who built this mansion. You’d have to ask Mrs. Philips.” That’s the closest thing to an apology that Jill’s going to get. She leans her back against Carmen’s closed door and places her delicate hands on her slender hips. Her chin goes up, and everything about her is proper.
“What’s wrong?” Her words are full of concern, and that makes me want to itch. What am I supposed to say to Jill?
“Headache.” That’s the quickest way to get her to move. At any minute… The door slowly opens and Jill leaps forward. She’s teetering on her thin heels. I reach out and steady her. Carmen sees me do so, and her face is stony. It’s as if showing any kindness to Jill is a betrayal to her. She isn’t dressed yet, which is strange because dinner starts in twenty minutes. She’s wearing a blue t-shirt and yoga pants. I look at her bare feet because it’s much easier than meeting her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize this room was occupied,” Jill comments. Carmen glances up at the wall and sighs.
“It’s fine. You must be Jill.” Carmen’s face lights up as if she has just stuck her hand into the ground and dug up gold. Something isn’t right about her reaction. She must be up to something.
“Hi. And what’s your name?” Jill’s blue eyes sparkle as if she’s glad that she’s going to make another friend.
“Carmen Philips.” This is awkward. I hoped to talk to Carmen before dinner, but Eli wouldn’t take a hint. She had insisted that I take Jill for a walk around the mansion.
“You’re not dressed.” Nice going Jake. You haven’t spoken to Carmen since you rejected her, and the first words on your mind is about her attire. You are the shake spear of your time.
“I’m not going,” Carmen snaps before giving Jill a kind smile. “I like your dress.”
“Thanks. I designed it myself. It’s a part of my new fashion line.” She’s wearing a green tube top dress that has pleats. I don’t like it mainly because she looks funny in the color green. I think pink is more Jill’s color.
“That’s nice. High end?”
“No. I want to make my clothes affordable. I also hope that my clothing line will be produced in America. Tony Lynch, my business partner, is working on those details. Are you into fashion?” Carmen considers the question.
“I don’t know. I’m not creative enough to design, and I don’t follow all of the top fashion trends. I guess with everything, I never had time.” Jill nods in agreement.
“Believe me, it is difficult to keep up. Between the acting, touring, and the charity work, it’s a wonder that I even have time to breathe.” You’ve got to be kidding me. I want to be anywhere else but here. But it’s apparent that Carmen has the opposite feelings.
“You’re going to dinner?” Carmen asks casually.
“Yes. Since your grandmother said that every member of the bridal party can bring a date, Jake has kindly invited me.” It seems that Carmen didn’t hear this joyous news. When she does, her entire face lights up.
“Really? How exciting!” She doesn’t say a word. She quickly closes her door, and a pound of dread rests on my shoulders. What is she up to? Jill looks confused.
“Um, should I be offended by that?”
“No, she’s up to something,” I tell Jill before extending my arm. Maybe Peter’s home. He’ll know what to do with her.
It turns out that my favorite guy in the world is indeed at the mansion. He’s at the round table in his room reading a book when I barge in. Jill needs to talk, and I need to find Carmen. Maybe, Peter can distract her.
“Hey,” Peter says, his lips lifting up into a polite smile.
“Hi.” Jill’s mouth is wide open, and a blush tinges her cheeks. Apparently, she’s attracted to Peter. That bugs me.
“I’m Peter,” he says, his eyes flicking between us.
“I’m Jill.” She actually giggles. Oh no, I need to get out of here soon.
“My wife Chelsea will be back with a few pizzas. Will you be joining us for dinner?” Since she’s dressed to the nines, obviously not. But Jill doesn’t understand how tactful Peter is. She actually thinks that he’s asking if we’re having dinner with him and his wife.
“Chelsea didn’t have you killed?” My date seems embarrassed by her impulsive question. I don’t know what to say to her. What is she doing?
“No. Unfortunately, Adam made the entire thing up.” Peter doesn’t look the least bit offended.
“What are you reading?” Jill inquires. As she asks the question, she boldly takes a seat beside Peter. This is my only chance. I leave the room and rush into Carmen’s room without knocking. She apparently reads minds because she’s waiting for me. She wraps her arms around me, and my heart starts pounding in my chest. As the scent of oranges caresses my nose, I suddenly feel at peace. It’s nice holding her. Part of me hopes that someday, I’ll find my way back to her. For a moment, neither of us move. Then, Carmen releases her grip on me, and I have no choice but to let her go. She sighs and rubs her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” My question seems stupid considering all that I’ve put her through. But I ask it anyways.
“You like her,” she softly replies.
“What?” Carmen clears her throat and looks into my eyes with such vulnerability that it makes me want to puke.
“You like Jill.”
“No, I’m only dating her because I was told to.”
“You could be happy with Jill. I know it. If you gave her a chance, you could be together.” Carmen’s speech is quickening as her conviction grows. You are falling for her. I can’t do this anymore, Jake. I can’t watch this all over again. I…”
“Carmen, you’re wrong. You…”
“Dom kissed me the other day. He kissed me because he thought that I hadn’t moved on from him. He was hoping that I would wait around for him until he was good and ready. Jake that made me think of you. I know that you are nothing like Dom. But you discarded me as soon as it was convenient for you. You left without saying goodbye.” Carmen takes a breath and sits on the bed. I want to argue with her. But, I don’t. She won’t believe that I left to give her a choice. At this point, nothing will work. But I try anyways.
“Carmen, you’re wrong.”
“Stop, Jake. Please, stop messing with my emotions.” Her plea stabs me deep in the gut. Dad was right. All I had to do was talk to her about Jill. Instead, I screwed things up by leaving.