Sweet but Sexy Boxed Set

by Maddie James

  But when her high school arch nemesis stood inches behind her, what could she do? Words were bound to be said. Looks given. Would she come out on top? Would she still be presentable when all was done? She wasn’t sure. Only time would tell.

  Taking advantage of a free space on the beverage counter, Allison slid her plate and mug across the top. Running an unsteady hand down the lavender sweater set, she turned, aware of everything around her. If she needed a weapon, the sugar dish would have to do.

  “Lynette? Lynette Jenkins? What a surprise? I didn’t know you were invited.” If she had, she would’ve made sure she wasn’t there.

  “Ha, ha. You are too funny.” She said with a surprising almost southern accent to her voice. Which was odd considering they lived in the Midwest and not Alabama. Now the blonde, blue-eyed Amazon from her past added a fake accent to her repertoire.

  “Yeah. That’s me. Funny girl. So, what brings you here today?” She knew the answer was obvious but she needed to hear it for herself. She wanted to strangle her brother at this point. She wasn’t aware if he knew about her feelings for Ryan but he knew for sure her dislike for Lynette. Compounded by the fact Ryan and Lynette dated in high school.

  She made a mental note to sit her dear brother down later to go over the guest list. She didn’t think she could take any more surprises. Was the English literature teacher who gave her detention officiating the ceremony?

  “Oh you know. Sarah and Adam’s blessed day. You might not have known this, since you weren’t that close with her, but Sarah and I were neighbors growing up.” Now she wanted to laugh. Not know her very well. The girl had spent the majority of two years at the Daughtry house before Allison left for college. They shared family dinners, holidays and even late night swimming. She did in fact know they were neighbors. What she didn’t realize was that they were close enough for her to be invited to the wedding.

  Allison placed a firm fist to her hip. “Oh, I knew.”

  “Well, when I got their invitation in the mail, I told my mother we had to attend. So I cancelled my travel plans.” She leaned in Allison’s direction, “I was going to the Bahamas for a photo shoot.” She moved back with a look of triumph on her face. Allison wanted to shake the delusional girl and tell her she didn’t care. “So, here I am and I cannot wait to see all the old faces from Valley.”

  “Oh, do you not live here anymore?”

  “No. I still live at home but I don’t hang out here. Much too busy with the career to socialize with high school people.” Lynette flung a cascade of blonde hair over her shoulder.

  “Yeah. I know what you mean.” Where was her mother when she needed her? Another person with a busy work life. Although, she didn’t think Lynette was the famous model she thought she was. Lynette was in the same grade as she and Ryan. A cheerleader like her and constantly trying to one up her with everything. Allison brought to school a new Coach purse, something she’d gotten as a Christmas present. The next day, Lynette had a Dooney. Allison cut her hair to look like Jennifer Aniston. A week later, Lynette sported a similar style except she’d gotten it done at a high-end salon in the city.

  Lynette upped her in one aspect that mattered the most. She dated Ryan.

  “So, I hear you’re in Chicago.”

  “Yep.” Great, she was stuck making small talk watching her frittata getting cold. She sneaked a peek at her plate. A stream of steam still rose from the slice of egg pie and her cup of coffee called her name with its creamy milky color.

  “Do you make it home much?” Lynette turned away filling her own plate with fruit and pastries. Allison couldn’t help but wonder about her modeling career if she continued to eat a dish full of carbs.

  “Not really. But I hope to change that soon. I miss my family and soon I’m sure, Adam and Sarah will start to have children and I’d hate to miss out.”

  “Oh, that’s sweet.”

  A paused stretched out between the two women. Allison took it as a sign and grabbed her plate.

  “You know who I can’t wait to see?” Lynette asked.

  Allison held onto her plate and turned back toward her nemesis. She hoped with the food in her hands, Lynette would catch a clue and release her from the pointless run of boring conversation. “I have no idea.”

  “Ryan Johnson. Now, there is a fine gentleman.” Lynette stopped and turned to face Allison. “You know, that’s the only guy I truly could be myself with. And he was so sweet.”

  Heat rose into Allison’s face. Her hold tightened on the sides of the plate, thankful her mother used the good china instead of paper otherwise her brunch would be in a pile on the floor.

  “Actually. I ran into him a month or so ago at the gym. Now there was a sight. Mmmm. Well, we talked for a long time. You know, we dated and went to college together. We didn’t hang out much past the first week. I did the Greek thing and I didn’t want to be tied down to a high school boyfriend. What with all the parties I attended. But it was real nice seeing him again.” Lynette turned her back to Allison, who stuck her tongue out at the blonde.

  “Really.” Allison managed to say through gritted teeth. She hadn’t realized the two dated in college. She wondered if he ran from her bedroom straight into Lynette’s arms. Was their kiss that revolting?

  Lynette knew what happened with Ryan after he left home. Facts Allison always wondered about.

  “When I saw him, all those silly high school feelings came back and if it wasn’t for all the staff members around, I might have taken him right there on the rowing machine.” Lynette winked as if they were girlfriends sharing a dirty secret.

  A terribly, sick image imbedded in Allison’s mind and she needed to get away without making a scene.

  “That’s lovely to know,” she bit out. How much longer was she going to have to take this?

  “He promised to save me a dance, but between you and me. I hope to get more out of him than just a dance. I might just have to give him a call and ask him to be my date.”

  That was the last straw. Allison grinded her jaws, trying her best to keep a pleasant smile on her face when Lynette turned her way. Her red lips smiled while her blue eyes shined. With her free hand, she flung a large curl of blonde hair over her shoulder. Lynette wasn’t playing fair and the evil blonde knew. Her words affected Allison and she needed to shut it down making sure she wouldn’t let Lynette win.

  “Well, it sounds like you have a plan. Good luck to you.” Allison leaned toward the open kitchen door, “What?” she called to no one. “Oh, okay.” She turned her attention back to Lynette, “I’m sorry Lynette, but someone is calling for me. You know bridesmaid duty.” She stretched out the word bridesmaid. “It was nice to see you.” Allison held back sticking out her tongue and throwing the fact she was in the wedding, walking with Ryan, in Lynette’s face.

  Without letting her respond, Allison grabbed her mug of now cold coffee and left the kitchen. She didn’t look back. Didn’t offer a pleasant wave. Instead, she made a b-line for the dining room, found an empty chair next to her grandmother, sat down and took a long drink from her cup.

  “Yuck,” she spat, but not loud enough for the entire room to hear.

  “I know what you mean sweetie,” her grandmother said, patting her hand. “Your mother makes the worst coffee.”

  Instead of correcting her, Allison beamed at her grandmother, grabbed her fork and dove into her plate.

  Before she could take another fork full, her mother appeared in the empty chair beside her.

  “I hadn’t realized you’d come down yet.” Her mother clutched a flute filled with mimosa. “Sit up straight, dear.”

  “Mom.” Allison said beneath her breathe.

  “What? You’re such a pretty girl and I know you don’t have big breasts or anything. But look at Audrey. Hers are all flat from the babies. That’s never stopped her. She sits up tall and sticks out those saggy boobies.” Her mother drained her glass of mimosa before she continued. “It’s from my side of the family, I’m
afraid. Small breasts that look like deflated balloons. I mean, look at your grandmother. She’s toting around, what D’s over there.” Allison’s mother thumbed a finger at her mother-in-law keeping a breezy look upon her face.

  “She’s right you know. The women on my side never had a man complain about their breasts. I mean, your grandfather used to…” Her grandmother started.

  “Grandma!” Allison shouted. Realizing how loud she’d been, she smiled at the guests who looked her way and pretended to laugh. “Oh, you tell the best jokes,” she said to cover up her outburst.

  She turned to her mother, hoping her grandmother didn’t plan on pulling her blouse open to show her how large she was or demonstrate what her husband used to do. Both were images, if she let her imagination get out of control, she didn’t want haunting her at night. Or as she ate.

  “Mother.” Allison snapped. “How many drinks have you had today? I mean the shower isn’t even close to being over yet and you’re already hammered.”

  Her mother slowly turned her head to Allison. “We don’t say hammered, Allison. It’s not lady like.”

  Chapter Ten

  To avoid additional conversations with her grandmother and mom about breast size, Allison snuck up the stairs when everyone gathered to watch Sarah open gifts.

  After changing into something comfortable, she booted up her laptop, logged onto her work email and sorted through two hundred new messages from the last three days. For the next hour, she scrolled, clicked and answered. Her boss mentioned, in several emails, how much she was missed and why had he approved her vacation.

  In a twisted way, Allison almost felt appreciated. Almost.

  A majority of the messages were from her team member, Kelly, who ranted about how hard things were with her gone. Their boss rode her butt all day and then expected her to stay late to finish up. She wasn’t sure how Allison did it on a daily basis but she deserved a raise.

  The last email from Kelly stated she was interviewing for a new job, if she could get away long enough.

  Allison lay back on her bed, setting her laptop aside while she dreamed for a minute about interviewing for a new job. Where would she go? She knew of a large, full-service marketing firm in St. Louis but wasn’t sure if she was qualified to apply. The owner, who referred to himself as RJ, had a hard-ass reputation. Although, moving back meant seeing Adam more and even Audrey wasn’t that bad in small doses. Even her mom had funny moments, especially when she drank, which would make her living in St. Louis full time easier to digest. Allison wondered if she could convince her best friend, George, to move with her.

  She tossed aside the idea of looking for a new job. Allison pulled her computer back on her lap and answered more emails, until she heard deep voices from downstairs.

  Guilt for wanting the shower over sat heavy on her shoulders. She clicked her laptop closed, stored it back in her bag and moved to assess her looks in the mirror. She raked the brush along the lengths of her hair, making the brunette locks shine. The risk of seeing Ryan ran high. He would catch her in an old high school sweatshirt and grubby pants again.

  Satisfied, she left her room and headed for the stairs. Where once crepe paper hung and decorations displayed, now gone leaving the gold and crystal light fixture free to shine. She looked closely at each framed photo hanging on the wall. Her parent’s wedding photo taken on the altar of The Old Cathedral. A red tinged photo of her sister Audrey when she was a baby. Another portrait of the three siblings, probably taken at a department store photography studio with fake props and plastic flowers. Each step showed a new picture. She ran her palm along the dark wooden railing. Scents from brunch lingered in the air and she shivered at the memory of her big gulp of cold coffee. She blamed Lynette for the bitter taste and not her mom, as her grandmother did.

  The entire lower level of the house returned to its earlier state.

  Allison snuck a look around the corner into the living room. Standing by the window, Sarah faced Adam. Soft light shined through the gauzy curtains casting a gentle glow around the couple. Their bodies touched at the knees, hips and arms. His hands were interlocked behind her back, holding her close. In heels, Sarah stood at eye level with Adam. Their heads bent forward, with Sarah’s long brown hair falling around them. Their lips moved with a private conversation. Leaning against the door frame, out of their direct line of vision, she watched them, loving the closeness they shared. Adam tucked Sarah’s hair behind her ear. His hand lingered, rubbing small circles at the nape of her neck.

  Sarah smiled.

  Allison smiled.

  “They look great together, don’t they?”

  His words swept across the exposed skin of Allison’s neck, pulling a cluster of goose bumps to rise. She looked back over her shoulder and sucked in a deep breath at the sight of Ryan. His light brown hair was mussed, lying in all directions. Deep golden brown eyes smiled back at her. Two strong hands grabbed onto her biceps before they pulled her back from the doorway.

  When they were out of view, Ryan released his hold, dropping his hands back at his side. He stared at Allison for a minute before he nodded his head in the direction of the kitchen. She walked behind him, enjoying the view. A pair of athletic shorts hung low on his trim waist, resting just above a set of muscular calves. A white T-shirt with a logo on the chest sat at the band of his shorts.

  Ryan held open the kitchen door allowing her to pass. With him behind her, she felt self-conscious and hurried to find a spot at the counter to hold up.

  “They do,” she said to Ryan watching him open the frig door. He pulled out two bottles of water, handed one to her before he found a spot to stand across from her. The space between them was a few feet but she felt mere inches from him. His woodsy cologne filled the empty air between them. “The answer to your question. They do look great together. But they always have, even when we were younger.”

  “Yeah. It makes you stop and stare, doesn’t it?”

  “Sure.” Allison twisted the top from her bottle, took a sip allowing the wetness to drip down her throat. His touch on her arms burned a memory in her skin.

  “I didn’t think I needed what they have. I thought, sure I’ll find someone, get married and that’ll be it. But those two,” he pointed a thumb over his shoulder, “watching them makes me want what they have. I want more than a person to marry. I want it to be my best friend. Ya know?”

  Allison moved from her spot against the counter to the sink, keeping her face turned away from Ryan. She wanted the same thing, except in her fairytale, Ryan filled the role of her prince.

  “I know what you mean. I feel blessed to share this with them.”

  “Yeah, and now you get your happy ending wedding.”

  Silence fell between them. Her face contorted into confusion. “What?”

  “George told us.” His eyes never left her face as he tipped his bottle of water to his lips.

  “Told you?” Allison returned the stare. Had she missed something? She roughly replayed the last conversation with George before the bridal shower. She remembered discussing Ryan and his questions during golf. Had she and George agreed on a new aspect of their relationship? Did she tell him to say something to him…about a wedding?

  Her words unsteadily fell from her lips. “What exactly did he tell you?”

  “About,” he started.

  “About our engagement.” George stood at her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She needed the support after hearing his words.

  “Oh my goodness!” Her mother’s voice squealed from the kitchen doorway causing all three heads to turn her way. A room with only two people suddenly turned into a party in a matter of devastating seconds.

  Words continued to fail Allison. Her mother and father entered the room at the worst possible moment. Tears sprung from her mother’s eyes.

  “Um…”

  George’s hand rubbed a track along her arm, pulling her close to his body. “The guys invited me to hang out with them again
during the shower and we were talking and…it came out. I’m sorry, honey. I know you didn’t want to say anything yet but all this wedding talk got me excited.”

  “Um…”

  Allison’s mom yanked her daughter from George’s hold and pulled her into a tight embrace. Her fingers dug into her back, holding her firmly against her. “My babies are getting married. Oh my goodness. And I thought this day would never come.”

  “Gee, thanks mom.”

  “Aw sweet pea. You know what your mother means.” Her father joined their hug, pulling George into the mix. Allison’s face heated from the bodies surrounding her and the look Ryan offered. A smile turned up his lips, which didn’t reach his eyes. The normal gleam and liveliness his brown eyes held fell short.

  Allison itched to reach across the mass of bodies holding her to pull him into a hug.

  “Have you set a date?” Ryan’s words broke into the soft sniffles of joy from Mrs. Daughtry.

  The small group pulled apart allowing Allison a burst of fresh air. “Um. No. We haven’t really talked about it yet.” Her last words pointed at her new fiancé.

  Mrs. Daughtry smiled beneath the tears falling down her cheeks. “I cannot wait to start planning. Now, I know you two live in Chicago but I think you should get married here.”

  “Mom. George is from Chicago. Why can’t we get married there?” The ridiculousness of her question wasn’t lost on Allison. She knew their engagement wasn’t real but hearing her mother already plan her wedding irritated her, breaking the shocked mood.

  “Well. We have plenty of time to discuss. I’ve got phone calls to make. People to tell.” She practically skipped from the kitchen rattling off names.

  George moved close to Allison, putting his arm back around her. Tension in her body eased. She allowed herself to relax instead of chasing after her mother.

  “So, what are your plans for the night?” Ryan asked before finishing off his bottle of water.

  “I don’t know. Probably watch some TV, do some work or nothing. Why?” Ryan’s sudden interest in her evening seemed odd. After her recent revelation, she planned on grilling George but she thought better than to share that information with Ryan.