Emily was on her way back with their beers and Jackie didn’t feel like elaborating.
“Here you go,” Emily said, handing each of them a bottle. “There’s a table free by the windows that’s for us.”
“Thanks,” Jackie said, following them over to the wooden table that had been painted turquoise. The rest of the restaurant’s décor was full of hints of bright colors, from the art on the wall to the cushions on the wooden chairs.
“So Zoey, huh?” Emily teased.
“Em, just leave it. She’s on her way over,” Jackie said, drumming her fingers on the table.
“Okay, okay,” Emily said. “But you have to tell all the next time I see you.”
“Fine.”
“So what’s good here?” Lynn asked as Zoey sat down next to Jackie.
“The enchiladas,” Emily answered.
“The fajitas are delicious,” Jackie added.
Their waiter came to take their order a few minutes later. Emily ordered the enchiladas and everyone else was getting some kind of fajitas.
Emily asked Zoey loads of questions, probably to just be polite but Jackie silently thanked her for it. She couldn’t even remember what Zoey was studying or what part of California she was from.
Their food came about twenty minutes later and they all ordered more beer. Jackie loved the food here because when you asked for something extra spicy, it really was extra spicy. Her eyes were tearing up a bit but it was exactly what she was craving.
Jackie glanced over at Zoey as she was telling a story about her family’s vineyard and she wondered why she had pointed Lynn out to Emily that night in the hotel bar. That question kept intruding her thoughts, almost daily, like a telemarketer that never took the hint.
No matter how much she wanted to be a good person, a good friend, Jackie couldn’t seem to let it go. She’d often pointed women out to Emily but she was usually too shy or too stressed out after work to actually go talk to her. Why did she have to find the courage this time?
Chapter 5
That night the four of them went to a bar around the corner from the Mexican restaurant where they’d had dinner. The streets were thronged with people and Zoey grabbed Jackie’s hand to make sure she didn’t lose her in the crowd.
They meandered through the crowd, single file, until they got to the entrance of one of the bars that Jackie and Emily normally went to.
Emily led the way to the bar and Jackie ordered this round. “It’s your favorite!” Emily shouted to Jackie. “Karaoke night!”
“There is nothing that’s going to get me up there on stage so don’t even bother trying,” Jackie said into her ear. “Do you want a shot? A little encouragement?”
Emily nodded and Jackie ordered a shot of tequila and four bottles of beer. Lynn and Zoey found a small table to the left of the stage and Emily helped Jackie carry their drinks over. Emily downed her shot before she left the bar, trying to psych herself up.
“Are you gonna get up there?” Jackie asked Zoey.
“No way! I have an awful voice,” Zoey said, taking a drink. “You’d probably run out of here if I started singing. Are you?”
Jackie shook her head and reached for her beer. “Emily will be though.”
Lynn turned to face Emily. “Are you?”
Emily nodded and took a long drink. “I just need to get drunk first.”
“You should join her,” Zoey suggested.
“Me?” Lynn asked. “No, no, no. Definitely not.”
Jackie felt two hands wrap around her waist from behind. “Hey there beautiful,” a sultry voice said into her ear. “I haven’t seen you in ages.”
Jackie turned around to face the mystery woman who had gotten a few more tattoos since the last time she’d seen her. “Sam,” she said with a smile. “It’s good to see you.”
“You look great.”
“She’s taken,” Zoey said from behind Jackie. She moved in to stand side by side with Jackie.
“Jackie? New York’s biggest player?” Sam laughed. “I doubt that.”
Jackie didn’t want to cause a scene. “So I’m sure you’ll be singing before the night’s over.”
“Of course,” Sam said. “I’m actually up next. Enjoy your night ladies,” she said with a wink.
Emily shook her head and leaned in to Lynn so only she could hear. “There’s never a night without drama when Jackie’s around.”
“Sorry about that,” Jackie said, not even sure who she was saying it too. She silently hoped that Zoey wouldn’t bombard her with questions about what Sam said about her being a player.
“She has an amazing voice,” Emily said as she watched Sam on stage.
“Uh huh,” Jackie said. “I’m getting another drink. Anyone want one?”
“Another shot for me,” Emily said.
When Jackie came back to their table Emily quickly reached for her shot. “Thanks,” she said before she downed it. “I’m up next.”
“Good luck,” Jackie said, giving her arm a squeeze as she moved past her.
Emily had a great voice but Jackie knew she got really nervous anytime she sang on stage.
Jackie watched Lynn’s expression as Emily started to sing. If she didn’t already like her friend, she would after this performance.
“Wow,” Zoey said softly beside her.
The noise in the bar had dropped significantly since Emily started singing. She sang “Make You Feel My Love” with confidence and control and commanded the attention of almost every person in the room.
The crowd erupted as Emily sang the last words and her cheeks darkened as she made her way back to the table. Jackie looked over at Lynn who had tears in her eyes. Yeah, her voice does that to you.
“I don’t think anyone’s going to want to get up there after that,” Jackie said into Emily’s ear as she gave her a hug. “That was amazing.”
“Thanks,” she said as she pulled away, a huge smile on her face.
“That was beautiful,” Lynn said finding Emily’s hand.
Zoey was at the bar during her performance but she was making her way back to the table now with more drinks.
“Are you ready to dance?” Zoey asked, looking over at the DJ who was getting set up on the other side of the room.
Just a few minutes later the stage was cleared of all the microphones and wires. It was now a crowded dance floor but Zoey and Jackie had found a spot towards the front.
Zoey was a good dancer. Jackie remembered that much about her. It was one of the things that had drawn her to Zoey in the first place.
Jackie watched Zoey as she moved even closer into her. Beads of sweat trickled down her neck as her body responded to the music. Zoey made eye contact with Jackie and smiled as she caught her checking out her cleavage.
At this point, Jackie was finding out that Zoey was quite distracting which is exactly what she wanted. She let her hands rest on Zoey’s hips and slip underneath her tank top to explore her soft skin.
Jackie had noticed someone dancing fairly close to her but just thought that the floor space was getting smaller and smaller. Now, whoever it was, they were practically on top of her. She glanced over her shoulder to find, Rachel, a recent encounter.
“Hey gorgeous,” she said to Jackie, moving even closer into her, grinding her hips into her.
“Hey,” Zoey shouted. “Can’t you see she’s with me?”
The three of them had stopped dancing and were about to cause a scene in the middle of the stage, in front of everyone.
“Rach, I’m with Zoey,” Jackie said over the music.
Rachel scoffed.
“Why is that so hard to believe?” Zoey asked. “Just back off.”
A fight was the last thing that Jackie wanted. She grabbed Zoey’s hand and led her back to their table. “Sorry about that.”
Lynn and Emily were still there, finishing their drinks. Emily immediately knew something was up when the two of them returned.
“I need a drink,” Jackie said, letting go of
Zoey’s hand. “Can I get you one?”
“No,” she answered simply.
“Everything okay?” Lynn asked her.
“Is this normal for her?” Zoey asked, looking back and over at the two women. “She has women all over her all day and none of them care that I’m standing next her.”
“Uhhh…” Emily didn’t even know how to respond. This was Jackie’s mess to clean up. “She gets a lot of attention,” Emily finally said with a shrug.
“It wasn’t like this the last time we met,” Zoey said, almost to herself.
“Well, it is Pride,” Lynn offered. “It’s like a massive reunion.”
“True,” Zoey said.
Jackie came back with a bottle of Corona. “Man, it’s hot in here.”
“It certainly is,” Emily said. “Anyway, we were just going,” she said, glancing at Lynn. “I’m sure we’ll see you guys soon.” She gave Jackie a quick hug and waved goodbye to Zoey. “Have fun,” she said into Jackie’s ear. Lynn followed her and Jackie and Zoey were left at the table.
“So I take it you have a lot of exes?” Zoey asked when they were alone.
“Yeah.”
“You’re not the relationship type are you?”
“Not at all,” Jackie answered with a sigh. At least this was a mature way to end things.
“Then I don’t think there’s any point continuing whatever this is,” she said.
Jackie nodded. “I’m sorry if you thought that this would last.”
Zoey just walked past her without saying another word. Jackie reached for her beer and took a long drink.
She looked up and caught Rachel’s eye. She was still on the dance floor, her red dress creeping up her toned thighs. At least the night wouldn’t be a total waste.
Chapter 6
Jackie sipped her Jack Daniels and Coke while she waited for Emily. She hadn’t seen her in a few weeks and she couldn’t help wondering what was going on with Lynn. Were things still progressing or had they decided to just be friends?
“Hey,” Emily said, sitting down across from her. “You looked like you were a million miles away there.”
“Just thinking,” Jackie said, running her finger along the rim of her tumbler. “What’s going on with you?”
“Work, the usual,” Emily said.
A waiter came over to their table and Emily ordered a glass of white wine.
“How’s things with Lynn?”
“Good, actually. We swapped keys last week,” Emily said.
Jackie’s eyebrows rose. “Moving fast?”
“Yes and no,” Emily said with a small sigh. “Work is so busy… We don’t see each other that often. It’s just easier having a key to each other’s place. I work so many late nights…”
“She’s okay with that?”
“Yeah. I think so. I mean, we’re still keeping things pretty easy going. So right now, anyway, it’s not a big deal,” Emily answered.
The waiter brought Emily’s white wine down to their table. “Thanks,” Emily said. “What about you? I assume you managed to get yourself out of the Zoey situation.”
“Ugh,” Jackie said, sitting back into her chair. “That was a disaster. I’m not sure what I was thinking.”
“I think you were jealous,” Emily said matter-of-factly.
Jackie’s heart rate quickened. “What?”
“You know… I’m seeing this amazing woman. Maybe you want the same thing but aren’t ready to admit it.”
“You think I want a relationship?”
Emily shrugged. “Just a theory.”
Jackie shook her head and reached for her glass. “No.”
“Okay, okay. What about work?” Emily asked, changing the subject.
“I’m so sick of weddings. I’m actually thinking of getting a roommate. That’s how badly I want to get away from doing them.”
Emily laughed softly. “Those are words I’d never thought I’d hear you say. A roommate.”
“I just can’t face them anymore.”
“How many do you have booked?” Emily asked.
“I have at least one a week for the next three months. Then that’s it. I’m not taking any more bookings. The gigs should cover my portion of the rent and I just have to hope that I can find a sane roommate,” Jackie said.
“Do you want me to look out for someone?”
“Sure. I’m not in a rush but thanks,” Jackie said, taking a sip from her glass. “I think I need a vacation or something. I’m in a rut…”
“You should try getting away for a few days between weddings.”
“The way my schedule is booked, I can’t get away for more than two or three nights. I think I’ll just wait until the weddings are over with,” Jackie said.
“Maybe all the drama is finally catching up with you.”
“I hope not,” Jackie said, finishing her drink. “I really hope not.”
Chapter 7
Jackie tried to keep herself busy over the next few weeks. She saw less and less of Emily as she continued to see Lynn and her workload grew at the firm.
She’d been thinking about signing up for a stock photography website for months but never got around to it. That was what she spent last night doing, even though it was a Friday night. She thought she should give her liver a break.
Jackie uploaded hundreds of photos she’d taken over the last few years. Most of them were of New York City but she had urban and scenic landscapes from around the country.
Today, she planned on looking through her last two portable hard drives to see if there were any more pictures she could upload. Jackie wanted to bring in as much money as possible in the next few weeks to tide her over in case she couldn’t find a suitable roommate.
She sat up in bed and pulled one of the hard drives from the top drawer of her nightstand and plugged it into her laptop. She pushed herself out of bed to get a cup of coffee while all of the images loaded.
A knock at the door interrupted her. Who would be at my door at 9:10 on a Saturday morning?
Jackie looked through the peep hole to see Emily pacing the hallway. She opened the door. “Hey. Is everything okay?”
Emily walked past Jackie and into her open planned living and kitchen area. “Please, please, please tell me that you haven’t rented your room out yet,” she said, running a hand through her black hair.
“Uhh… No. Not yet,” Jackie said, closing the door. “Did you find someone?”
“Me.”
“What?”
“My apartment is being foreclosed,” Emily explained as she took a seat on the leather couch in the middle of the living room. “There’s already a buyer and he wants the place for himself.”
“How long do you have to get out?”
“Two weeks,” Emily said with a sigh.
“Wow. Well, the room’s all yours if you want it,” Jackie said, sitting down next to her.
“Thank you!” Emily said, giving her a hug. “If it gets weird I promise I’ll look for somewhere else. I just need somewhere I can move into fast.”
“Yeah. It’s no problem. Just let me know when you want to start moving your things, and I’ll help you out.”
“Jackie, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She smiled, glad to be able to help her friend. “Do you think there’s any chance that you might not be so messy…”
“I’m messy because I’m the only one living in my place. If I had roommates, I’d be more considerate,” Emily said, hitting her lightly on the arm. “You’re not exactly the most organized person I know,” she said, looking past Jackie and into the kitchen. “There’s dishes in the sink-”
“I was just wondering,” Jackie said, cutting her off. “I’m sure we’ll be able to work it out.”
“Good.”
Chapter 8
The following weekend, Emily arranged to have movers bring all of her things over. Jackie helped her open up the boxes and start putting her things away.
“I know
this room is smaller,” Jackie started.
“It’s fine,” Emily said, cutting through the tape on the cardboard box she was opening. “I can fit my desk over there. There’s plenty of room.”
Claire Decker Bundle Page 9