Knowing You (Jersey Series #2)

by Sienna Skye

  I waved at Kyle who was wearing a pirate hat and using a plastic sword to fight off two little twin pirates. Trey was playing a video game with Sophia. It was one of the ones where you do a dance routine and I had to hold back a laugh as I watched an oversized Trey dancing next to Sophia. Hunter, on the other hand was doubled over from laughing.

  There was chatter from the kitchen which seemed to be getting closer. Julia walked in with a bottle of wine, Sarah and Callie following, each carrying two wine glasses.

  “You’re here!” Julia held up the wine bottle in greeting. “It’s Moscato. Is that okay or do you want me to find you something else?”

  “No, I love Moscato.”

  “Good! Let’s have a toast.”

  Out of habit, I glanced over at Jace who was still with my kids. He looked up at me.

  “We’re good here. Enjoy yourself.”

  Callie handed me a glass and Julia poured the wine. I thanked her and then I thought about what Jace had said and that we never discussed who would drive.

  We all raised our glasses and toasted to total silliness. Massage therapists with strong hands. Dresses that made our boobs look good. The list went on.

  I drank some of the wine and then put my glass down.

  “By the way, I’m happy to be the driver today.”

  “Pick that glass up, woman.” Sarah didn’t even give me a chance to answer her before she was placing the glass back in my hand.

  Morgan put his hand on my shoulder. “I hired a car for the day. This way you can all enjoy yourself.”

  “Thank you, Morgan. That was thoughtful of you.”

  “Not my first time at this rodeo.” He winked at me and it was abundantly obvious why women fell at his feet. That charm came naturally.

  “By the way ladies, your spa day has already been paid for. Services and tips. It’s my gift to you.”

  I stood speechless staring at Hunter. I couldn’t believe he did that. When I could finally pick my chin up off the floor, I joined the others in thanking him.

  The doorbell rang and Morgan announced the car had arrived. We said our goodbyes and headed outside.

  Car? The man rented a stretch limo. A stretch limo that was stocked with snacks and water and more wine. Once we were on our way, I couldn’t help but comment on the generosity of both Hunter and Morgan.

  “I came into the picture some time after the guys lost their mother. The rawness had dissipated, but you never quite get over that completely when you’re a kid. I know that first hand.” Julia looked down at her drink and circled her glass, watching the liquid swirl. “They missed her terribly. That’s why they started the trust and why they have this event each year. Sure, it’s for research and to help those in need. But, they are also honoring their mother. It’s their way for showing appreciation to us for taking part in something that is so close to their hearts.”

  Julia’s explanation made sense, but it was still extremely generous of them.

  Conversation flowed easily making the ride go very quickly. We were tossing around names of stores to go dress shopping. I realized I could spend a little extra on my dress if I wanted to because I didn’t have to worry about paying at the spa.

  We wandered around the first store, pulling dresses off the rack and holding them up to ourselves.

  Callie held a dress up and frowned. She looked at Julia and then Sarah. “I know you two have in mind what you are looking for, but I haven’t a clue what I want.”

  “Don’t worry, I don’t either,” I told her.

  “I just know I would like something red.” Sarah shrugged her shoulders.

  “It’s backless for me. Morgan loves that. And maybe blue. Like a peacock blue. Or a turquoise. Morgan bought me this beautiful blue topaz necklace with matching earrings and cuff bracelet. It would be nice to find something that would go with them.”

  The first store was a flop.

  “I’m just not feeling it,” Sarah said as she frowned.

  The rest of us agreed. We set off to store number two which also didn’t yield us much luck.

  As we walked into the third store, Callie looked around and exclaimed, “Third one’s a charm!”

  She was right. The dresses were stunning. Tons of colors and styles. There were dresses that were silk, satin, velvet, beaded, lace, you name it.

  Sarah pulled a hunter green dress off the rack and held it up to Callie.

  “This color will look incredible with your hair and coloring, Callie.”

  “It is beautiful,” Callie agreed.

  “Try it on!” Sarah prompted her. She sensed the same hesitation in Callie that I did.

  “It’s off the shoulder. I’m not sure I can pull that off.”

  “Of course, you can!” Sarah handed the dress to Callie and then put both hands on her back and gently pushed her toward the dressing room. “Don’t make me come in there with you.”

  “Actually, would you?”

  “Sure. Let’s go.”

  Sarah followed Callie into the dressing room and Julia and I each sat on one of the oversized chairs outside the dressing room door. We could hear Sarah’s words of encouragement.

  Callie stepped out of the dressing room looking unsure. I didn’t know why. She looked beautiful. Like she said, the dress was off the shoulder with long sleeves made of lace. The dress was form fitting in the bodice, accentuating her full breasts, and then flared slightly from the waist down.

  “Don’t you like it?” Julia asked incredulously.

  “She refused to look,” Sarah answered for Callie.

  “Callie, you have to look. You’ll love it!” Julia exclaimed.

  “You really do look beautiful,” I encouraged her.

  “Okay. I’ll look.” She turned her attention to the mirror and then turned one way, then the other. A huge smile spread across her face. “Oh, it is pretty, isn’t it? I’ll get it!”

  “Excellent! One down, three to go.” Sarah checked her phone. “And still plenty of time before we have to head to our spa appointment.”

  “Madison, which direction should we go in for you? Do you have a color in mind?” Julia asked.

  “I don’t know. Black maybe.” Black was a staple for me. Dress it up. Dress it down. Never went out of style. But still, I wasn’t quite sold on the idea. Something different would be nice.

  Julia cocked her head as she looked at me. After a few beats she spoke.

  “Humor me for a minute?”

  “Sure.” What harm could that do?

  She walked around the store until she found what she was looking for.

  “I think your eyes would look amazing with this. Try it on?”

  It was a beautiful shade of aubergine.

  “I’ll try it on.”

  I went to the dressing room and changed into the gown. I considered taking a page out of Callie’s book and not looking until I stepped outside. I decided against that. I was afraid to walk out there looking ridiculous.

  I looked in the mirror. The dress was sleeveless with a slight plunge to the neckline. It was detailed in an embroidered scallop design a few shades deeper than the color of the dress. There was something kind of Gatsby like about it. I didn’t own a thing like it, and I loved it. I stepped out of the dressing room to see what the verdict was.

  “Holy cow, that is perfect, Madison!” Sarah jumped up from her seat and clapped her hands together. “Turn around.”

  “You should wear your hair in long loose curls,” Callie suggested.

  “And high black heels,” Julia added.

  “It’s a keeper, right?” I wasn’t even sure why I asked. I wanted the dress.

  The three of them gave me the “thumbs up”.

  “Julia! Let’s get you a dress!” Sarah grabbed Julia by the hand and started to pull her off.

  Callie and I handed our dresses to the saleslady who hung them up on a rack and then tagged them for us.

  We set off to find Sarah and Julia. Sarah was pulling dresses off the rac
k and then sticking them back on. Julia was on the other side, pushing dresses across the rack.

  Callie started looking, so I did too. All I knew was blue and backless. It helped to weed out the ones that were a no-go. I was considering one dress when I heard Sarah’s laugh.

  “I found it!” She called out.

  Julia walked around to where Sarah was standing, and Sarah held the dress up triumphantly. It was a turquoise mermaid dress. Covered in sequins. The back was just a simple crisscross of spaghetti straps and cut very low. It didn’t cut very low in the front but wasn’t overly modest either.

  Julia grinned and took the dress from Sarah. “I’ll be right back.”

  It turned out to be stunning on her. That meant we were down to Sarah.

  When Julia handed her dress to the saleslady, Sarah said she thought she already saw what she wanted. She went a grabbed the dress and headed right off to the dressing room.

  It was a sophisticated red satin gown. In a way, it kind of reminded me of a slip dress, but the bodice was designed to play up her boobs.

  As soon as she walked out in it, Julia stood up from her chair and extended her hand as if she were announcing Sarah’s arrival. “And with this, I’d say our job here is done.”

  Sarah beamed. “That’s just what I was thinking. Let me get changed and then we can ring up our purchases.” Sarah checked the time on her phone. “And look at that! There is still time to stop and get shoes and handbags!” She did a little wiggle dance and then dashed back into the dressing room.

  As it turned out, we not only bought shoes and handbags, there was a stop at the lingerie store. When we stepped outside, the limo was there waiting for us. The driver came and took our bags and put them in the car for us.

  “You ladies look like you had a successful shopping trip.”

  Julia thanked him for taking the bags. “We did!”

  “Then let’s get you over to your next stop.”

  Sarah popped open a bottle of champagne. “I think we should toast to our sexy selves finding some freaking incredible dresses. Just make sure you drink some of that cucumber water when we get to the spa. And eat some of these.” She passed around a tray of cheese, fruit, and crackers and then opened the champagne.

  Once at the spa we had our mani-pedis first. We were already feeling pretty loose from the alcohol and were chattering on. We were each brought into different rooms for our massages and then brought to our facials. We met in the relaxation room, dressed in our robes and slippers and drank some of that cucumber water while we lounged on the couches.

  Sarah rested the back of her head on the couch and stared up at the ceiling. “We should head off to lunch.”

  “We should,” Callie agreed.

  Nobody moved. Without lifting her head from the back of the couch, Sarah looked at each of us.

  “On my count, ladies. One. Two. Three.”

  On three, we all stood up and shuffled off to the changing room to get back in our clothes. When we got there, Julia texted the limo driver and told him to come get us. Then she called the restaurant to say we were on the way and reserve a table.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Madison

  My muscles were so loose, I was damn near limp. And I was feeling mellow and relaxed. From the looks of the three women sitting with me, they were feeling the same. Sarah reminded us to drink more water as a post massage ritual.

  “Yes, ladies. Water first. Cocktails second. Or should we do mimosas?” Julia scanned the drink menu with deep concentration.

  Callie leaned out of her chair and looked at the menu Julia was holding. “Oh look! Chocolate Martini!”

  Julia put the menu down. “That’s it. I’m sold.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Sarah said.

  “Me too,” Callie added.

  Might as well. “Works for me.”

  The waiter came over and took our drink order. He stopped and looked at Julia for a moment as if trying to figure out why she looked so familiar.

  “Looks like our waiter recognizes you from TV.”

  Julia shot Sarah some serious side eye. “I’m sure the lack of makeup on my face is throwing him off.”

  Julia’s phone vibrated with a text and she looked down at her phone. I saw her frown at the message. She looked a little concerned. I wondered if something happened with one of the kids. I watched as she looked around the room. Then she shook her head and the concern slipped off her face. She grabbed her purse off the back of her chair, dropped the phone in it, and then put it back.

  Sarah must have noticed it, too. “Everything alright?”

  “Yeah. No worries. It’s a work thing.”

  “I’m glad you put your phone away then. This is a day for fun. I’m not even on call today.”

  Julia smiled that bright smile I’d seen her use on her morning show. “You are absolutely right. We had a great morning of shopping. An amazingly relaxing time at the spa. And now a late lunch and Chocolate Martinis. Let’s continue to enjoy this day.”

  The waiter came back with our drinks. As he placed Julia’s drink down in front of her, he shifted nervously on his feet.

  “Excuse me.” He stopped and lowered his voice to just barely above a whisper. “You’re Ask Nikki, aren’t you?”

  Julia flashed him a smile. I didn’t know her well, but I felt there was something hesitant about it.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “That’s cool. I watch you on TV. Well, I mean my Mom watches to listen to what you say. I watch because you’re…” He shook his head. “Anyway, nice to meet you.”

  He collected our orders. When he walked off, Sarah couldn’t help teasing Julia. “His mother watches for your sage advice. Young Zach watches because you’re hot.”

  Julia rolled her eyes at Sarah. She picked up her glass.

  “Let’s toast. To a great day with friends. Both old and new.” She made a point of looking at me. There was just enough in her expression to make me wonder if Jace had told her about my insecurities about her.

  I decided to push that thought down and enjoy the rest of the day. I really had been having fun and it made little sense to spoil it. I raised my glass and joined the others in toasting the day.

  Sarah took a sip of her drink and then did a little happy dance in her chair.

  “All I know is that tonight I am going to try on my new dress for Hunter. He loves me in red and he loves when I put the girls on display.” She straightened her spine, pushed her chest out, and looked down at her boobs. She let out a big sigh. “There is nothing quite like Hunter’s mouth and tongue on my nipples. Damn that man has such a talented tongue.”

  “Ahhhhh...La la la la la la.” Julia put her hands over her ears. “I don’t want to hear anything about my brother’s tongue.”

  “Hmm interesting.” Sarah threw her a challenging look. “We all know that Morgan, Hunter’s brother, is going to lose his mind when he sees you in that backless dress.”

  “Yes, yes, yes. We all know. I’m the woman who regularly fucks her stepbrother.”

  As soon as the words were leaving her mouth, the waiter returned. Her declaration stopped him in his tracks. His eyes went huge.

  Julia closed her eyes for a beat and then gave him a closed lip smile.

  We managed to keep it together. We thanked him for serving the appetizers. As soon as he walked off, we burst into a fit of giggles.

  “Poor Zach,” Sarah said as she shook her head in mock sympathy.

  “Your fault, Sarah. It’s all your fault.” Julia wagged her finger.

  We fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes while we started eating our shared appetizers. I felt Julia’s eyes on me, and I looked up at her. She smiled.

  “That dress is going to look amazing on you, Madison.”

  I blushed at Julia’s compliment. “Thank you. I’m glad you convinced me to wear something other than black.”

  She nodded. “Black is classic. But that color is perfect for you.”

&
nbsp; Sarah chimed in. “She’s right. That color is perfect for you.” She pulled a celery stick from the plate of wings and pointed it at Julia. “Just like your dress is going to make Morgan crazy.”

  “You are right about the backless thing. It’s Morgan’s weakness. Well, my ass is his weakness. The first time we got together I was wearing a backless dress. Sometimes I don’t know if it’s the dress being backless or the memory of that night that makes him want to bend me over the nearest table.”

  Right on cue, Zach returned with the food. Julia rolled her eyes. Sarah put her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. Poor Zach didn’t know what to say. He served our meals, his gaze shooting over to Julia every few seconds.

  Callie waited until he left to speak.

  “Julia, I don’t know the story about how you and Morgan got together. I mean, if it’s not too rude to ask. You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

  “I don’t mind, Callie.”

  “It is a great story. You should tell it.” Sarah nodded enthusiastically.

  “I’d love to hear it too.” I really was interested.

  “The whole story, don’t forget there were years involved, would take a long time. That can be a tale for another day. But, I can tell you about the night we first had sex.”

  “Back when we all still talked with our parents, we used to go to these political fundraiser events. They would dress us up and parade us around like a bunch of trained poodles. We hated it, but we made the most of it. Anyway, I had just started acknowledging I had feelings for Morgan, so I dressed up in this sexy red backless dress. I wanted to get his attention. When the night was over, Morgan and I headed back to his room to hang out. Hunter was off doing…well…someone. Sorry.” She turned and looked at Sarah.

  “It’s fine. I am well aware of my husband’s extremely active sexual past. Go on.”

  "The way Morgan was acting, I felt certain he didn’t feel the same way. But, then just as I was looking at the room service menu, he let me know he wanted to skip the menu and that he wanted me for dessert. That man fucked me six ways to Sunday that night.”