“I need cheese and wine right now. I so have PMS.”
“Let’s get you some cheese and wine, then.” She led Emily into the kitchen area, where she’d already laid out finger food and wine glasses.
“Did you see that text from Ryann before?” Em asked with an eyebrow raise.
“Yeah, apparently there’s some news. Do you think –?”
“Yes, I think. Mike’s been very secretive this week, with little smiles here and there every time Jem or Ryann’s names are mentioned.”
Janie smiled so hard her face hurt. “Oh my gosh. I’m so frickin’ excited!”
Emily smiled just as big. “We’ll know for sure soon.”
The knocks on the door continued. The next of the women to arrive was Luke’s twin sister, Tiffany Daniels, formerly known as Tiffany Daniels-Hewitt. She’d recently changed back to her maiden name, finally shedding herself of the cheating ex-husband politician she’d been married to for close to a decade. She was the tallest and oldest of the bunch at 32 years old, reaching close to 5’10”. Like her brother, she had olive toned skin with black hair and light blue eyes, was willowy in build and always dressed impeccably. She was brilliant, charming and sweet. Due to her divorce, she was definitely working on some insecurities and Janie was looking forward to the day she would be completely whole again. That would be the day Tiffany would be unstoppable.
The last to arrive of Janie’s favorite female companions were Ryann and Ayanna, their eyes conspicuously red. Janie was immediately worried, but when Ryann held up her hand as soon as she walked in, everyone started screaming, hugging and crying.
On the ring finger of her left hand sat an enormous diamond engagement ring.
Janie was jumping up and down screaming, Emily was laughing, and Tiffany was wiping her eyes.
“Is my cousin finally going to make you an honest woman?” Janie asked in between screams.
Ryann nodded while Ayanna had her arm around her. They were both still crying from the ride over. Although the two of them had grown up in Jersey together and had been best friends for ages, they couldn’t be more different.
Ayanna, the complete antithesis in coloring and temperament to her childhood friend, was a stunner of Sri Lankan heritage. She stood at 5’6”, had long straight black hair, latte colored skin and light brown sparkly eyes. She was slim and perfect with a mouth on her that would make even the most seasoned sailor blush. Although she’d been trying to clean it up as of late, she still swore more creatively than any person Janie knew. A talented chef who’d trained at Le Cordon Bleu, which coincidently was where Janie had been trained, Ayanna was also a popular food blogger and was set to become Janie’s new partner in the catering business at the start of the New Year.
Once they’d all had their glasses filled, they found comfortable spots to lounge all over the living area to shoot the shit as women often did when they were together. They all looked at the twinkling Christmas lights wound around Janie’s mini tree and smiled over the joy of the season and being with each other.
“To Ryann for finding her love. And to Tiffany,” Janie said, raising her glass. “I know your birthday is still twelve days away, but may your 33rd year be better than your 32nd, my friend.”
“Hear, hear,” they all said and took swigs from their glasses.
“Alright, Ry,” Janie said. “Spill it and don’t leave out any details.”
Ryann wiped at her nose, still trying to gain some control over her emotions.
“Last night, we went out to dinner, no biggie. And when we got home, there was a gift wrapped box on the coffee table. It wasn’t there before we’d left, but when we had been in the car about to leave for the restaurant, Jeremy said he’d forgotten his wallet and had to run back inside so I’m assuming that’s when he put it there. Anyway,” she took a deep breath, “I asked him what it was and he just told me to open it.” She swallowed. “It was a pair of Brian Atwood black suede ankle boots. They’re gorgeous, with an ostrich feather on the top. So after I screamed and kissed him, I asked what the occasion was and he said he hadn’t bought me shoes before and loved watching me walk around in them, so,” she shrugged and laughed a little.
Jeremy did love her in heels, and given her shoe fetish, the two of them were perfect together.
“So he asked me to try them on and when I did, I felt this thing in the toe of the boot, so I made this sound because it scraped my toe and,” she started crying again, “when I took off the boot to feel inside,” she paused and looked at them, “it was the ring.” She couldn’t stop crying, and neither could the rest of them. “Then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.”
They all took another moment to send around hugs and kisses, tears and congratulations.
“He wants to get married on the 4th of July,” Ryann said significantly. “So it has a better memory attached to it. And because he said that’s when he knew he didn’t want to live without me.”
They all nodded in understanding. A half a year earlier on Independence Day, they’d all been at Jem’s brownstone for a 4th of July barbeque. Ryann had painted a picture for Jem as a gift and had left it at the Institute to keep it hidden from him. She’d snuck out of the party for a very short time to run and get it so she could surprise him with it after their party, but while at the Institute she’d walked in on an art theft in progress and had been shot by the thief.
To say that Jem was beside himself would be putting it mildly. He’d thought he’d lost her that night, and it was after that event that Ryann had moved in with him because Jeremy had sworn he wouldn’t sleep another night without her by his side.
They all sighed at how happy they were for her, and over the next two hours, they caught up on their jobs, their lives…their men. Well, all except for Tiffany and Janie, which didn’t seem to escape the notice of the other three girls.
“Any more news on the good doctor?” Ryann asked Tiffany. “You invited him to salsa dancing so something’s definitely up.”
“I thought he would enjoy seeing everyone,” she shrugged, looking innocent and slightly embarrassed.
“He seemed to enjoy movin’ out there with you,” Emily said, taking a sip of wine.
“I seriously thought I was going to explode. He is so fricking hot,” Tiffany said fanning herself. “I wish my brain didn’t go on the fritz every time I was around him. And that I didn’t get diarrhea of the mouth, for that matter.”
They all groaned at her imagery and laughed. Tiffany was always near panic whenever around Dr. Drew, and could never seem to stop talking.
“Well, at least you had a good time. You’re just getting to know each other and getting over a bad marriage. You don’t need to rush anything,” Ryann said.
“I know. But shit, when I’m in his presence? I wouldn’t mind rushing into something if you know what I mean. I mean, have you seen that man’s muscles? And that smile. Dios,” Tiffany said, downing her wine and pouring herself another.
They all laughed and then moved on to Janie. She told them about her Facebook message from Chaz the Razz.
“Are you going to go out with him?” Ryann asked incredulously.
“You should go out with him just to show him what he’ll never have,” Ayanna demanded.
“That’s what I was thinking,” Janie said.
“Yeah, but if he was a total dick to you, why would you even wanna see him?” This question came from Emily.
“I know, I know. But there is some sweet revenge to be had there.”
“True,” Emily said. “Just be careful. Meet at a place separately and all that. He could still be a dick.”
Janie blew Emily a kiss. “I love you. I haven’t decided yet if I’m going, but if I do, I’ll be careful.” She paused. “But it sure would be great to shove it in his face, you know?”
“You should do it.” It was a typical comment for Ayanna to make. “It’ll boost your confidence even more. One and done. Just some drinks, then walk away.”
&
nbsp; Janie thought about it while taking another sip of wine. Finally she turned to Emily. “How’s the packing going?” Emily and Janie’s brother had found a place after weeks of looking and were moving in together between Christmas and New Year’s.
“Great. We’re almost done. It’s gonna be so nice not to have to shuttle back and forth. Have one bed, one set of everything.” Emily’s eyes took on a faraway look.
“Have I told you lately how frigging thrilled I am that you snagged my brother?” Janie asked.
“I think it was the other way around,” she chuckled. “He just wouldn’t leave me the hell alone.”
“It’s that Callahan tenacity,” Janie laughed.
“Yup. And he has it in spades.”
“As does his cousin,” Ryann said dryly.
Janie finished her wine. “Yeah, welcome to the men in my family.”
Tiffany snorted. “It’s not just the men in your family,” she said, looking at her pointedly.
“Yeah,” Ayanna began. “So, how are things going with you, Janie girl?” Yan threw her a cocked eyebrow.
“I believe you were gonna be taking a certain man shopping. Wasn’t that supposed to happen last weekend? We didn’t even talk about it when we all went salsa dancing! How on earth did we forget that? Luke’s holiday party is in a week. You get your dress yet?” Emily asked.
All of the girls knew of her feelings for Luke. They’d pretty much all guessed it over the last few months, and then pried it out of her until she caved. Ryann, Ayanna, and Emily had all encouraged her in one way or another to take the bull by the horns and told her to flaunt herself in his face. They all seemed to think he might reciprocate the attraction if he knew she was interested.
Janie looked at Tiffany who had always been like an older sister to her. Luke’s twin had suspected Janie’s crush on her brother for years and in recent months, they’d occasionally touched lightly upon the topic. Janie tended to be a little more closed mouth around her. She never wanted Tiffany to feel like she had to do or say anything to encourage her if she didn’t think Janie and Luke were a good fit.
“As a matter of fact, Luke and I went shopping last Saturday before we all went out dancing. We got a dress, shoes and some jewelry,” Janie said, keeping her voice casual and steady. After all, there was no sense in acting like a giddy school girl. Her family and Luke’s family had been the closest of friends for decades.
“Nice! Break it out, we wanna see the goods,” Ayanna squealed. “What the hell ya been waitin’ for, girlfriend?”
“Well,” she said hesitantly, “Luke still has it all. I, uh, mistakenly left it in the trunk of the limo when he dropped me off on Saturday after shopping. And then we forgot again to take it out of the trunk after he dropped me off after salsa dancing.”
“How do you leave your shopping bags in the limo when that was the whole reason for going out that day?” Ayanna said, then paused. “Or maybe what I should be asking is what happened in the limo to make you forget about the shopping bags?” She raised an eyebrow then took another sip of wine.
Janie rolled her eyes at her. “We were having a conversation and I just completely forgot about them when I got out of the car.”
Tiffany was nodding, probing her with eyes so much like her brother’s. “Luke forgot, too? Twice? That’s interesting.”
Janie shrugged, looking at the girls with an innocent smile playing on her lips.
“Talk,” Emily demanded.
Ryann just chuckled, looking like she couldn’t wait to hear what Janie had to say.
“Even I want to hear this,” Tiffany laughed. “He may be my brother but I want to know what you two talked about that led to you both forgetting the purpose of why you were even out.”
“Would you stop reading into everything?” Janie chuckled.
“You guys were with each other all day. Shopping and dancing. What’d you talk about all that time while you were shopping?” Tiffany persisted, a cute smile on her face.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Janie laughed.
All of the girls reacted to that innuendo and Tiffany continued with, “Oh, oh! Now I really want to know. Come on, start talking!”
Janie shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed but so wanting to talk about this with them. “I don’t know if I should, Tiff. He is your brother.”
“Holy shit! What happened?” Tiffany was nearly bursting at the seams. Then she interrupted herself and put her hand on Janie’s shoulder giving her a side hug. “Sweetie, it’s no secret that you two have a special relationship, and that you’ve been arguing for the last couple of months. It’s not like him to be an ass, but if he was, you can say.”
“No, no. It’s nothing like that. It’s just,” she began, then she sighed out a long and deep groan. Dropping her head in her hands, she said, “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. He’s looking for a boyfriend for me,” she whined.
The room filled with laughter, gasps, screams of disbelief, then settled with a round of ‘what?’s’ when Janie finally responded.
“He was yelling at me about my choice in men as usual when we went out to lunch after shopping. So I told him he could find me a guy at the holiday party,” Janie was saying while the girls hurried her along with their hands, already knowing this part. “And he was saying he hadn’t liked Fernandez because he thought he was a player, and then Luke said he wasn’t a player even though I pointed out to him he’s always pictured with women all over the place. But he said he wasn’t a player because he respected and loved women, that he wasn’t a liar and a cheat and that he was a one woman man.”
“And?” Ayanna asked, all of the girls now leaning forward.
Janie sighed. She was beginning to sound like Tiffany, the nervous babbler. “He has Vanessa as his one woman.”
“He said that?” Tiffany asked, surprised.
“No, not really. He was about to explain his relationship with her but I couldn’t stomach what he was going to say, so I changed the subject.” God, this was so depressing.
“She’s inconsequential,” Tiffany said, waving her hand. “They’re not even dating anymore. Keep going.”
“They’re not?” Janie asked in shock.
“I don’t think so. But keep going.”
Janie filed that nugget of information away. “I told him if he was so concerned about my choices in men, he could find me a man just like him so he wouldn’t have to worry about me anymore.”
There was silence, their mouths all open.
“And what did brother dear say to that?” Tiffany asked on tenterhooks.
“He said he wasn’t about to ask men if they were good in the sack.”
“Ha!” Tiffany laughed. All of the girls chuckled. “Keep going. You had to have said something after that.”
Janie got a twinkle in her eye. “I joked with him and said that if he wasn’t going to date me then he would have to find someone who was like him, and who was good in bed. And then I proceeded to tell him the qualities I wanted in a lover. Then he cursed at me in Spanish, pulled me from the restaurant, and read me the riot act for talking to a man that way.”
All the women started cracking up, Tiffany the hardest.
“I need you to teach me some curses in Spanish, Tiff. Listening to the disembodied recordings on Google when I look them up isn’t the same. And I never know what the hell he’s saying to me because he talks too fast when he’s pissed.”
“Janie, you’re good. Has Ayanna been tutoring you in how to play a man again?” Ryann asked after she finished laughing. “I can’t believe we didn’t hear any of this when we all went out dancing!”
“Wait, we’re just gettin’ to the best part,” Emily interrupted, wiping the mirth from her eyes. She turned to Janie. “So this is when you ended up in the limo? And this presumably was the rest of the conversation that led to you both forgetting the bags?”
Ayanna was yelling from the sofa. “Keep going! We want the rest.” Then she turned to Emily and
muttered, “I’m so gonna jump your cousin when I get home. This story is hotter than the last smutty book I read.” Ayanna started fanning herself.
Emily rolled her eyes and pushed her down on the sofa, then she went back to Janie. “So?”
“Oh, geez,” Tiffany cringed. “Am I going to need to leave the room here?”
“Maybe,” Janie said sheepishly.
The room erupted into ‘woo hoos’, then Tiffany just smiled and shook her head. “Alright, go ahead. I can take it.”
“Wait,” Ryann interrupted. “What exactly were the qualities you listed for a lover that made him go ballistic in the first place?”
Janie took a deep breath and ticked off on her fingers, “Someone who knows his way around a woman’s body, fulfills my fantasies, who can make me scream and make my toes curl.” She gave a cute shrug at the end of the list.
The girls were seriously enjoying this and all of them started talking at once wanting to know about the entire conversation in the limo. She didn’t disappoint, and gave them a shorter version of Luke explaining how he ‘made a woman scream’, and then informing them of the series of texts afterwards with their bantering, not to mention the picture that had been posted of them on the newsfeed. Of course all of them grabbed their phones to search for it. By the time Janie was finished, their faces were all flushed.
“Okay, seriously?” Tiffany began.
Ayanna interrupted. “Wait, I wanna know if you ever had yourself an enjoyable ten minutes!”
Janie laughed while all of them looked at her. “Twice,” she said.
More hollers and laughs erupted into the room.
“And one more after salsa dancing,” Janie mumbled with a sheepish grin.
They were all cracking up and Janie almost didn’t hear her phone text go off. As she reached for the phone, Tiffany continued her thought from before.
“I know you and Luke have always been close, but this? Something is definitely changing with you two. Even two months ago he wouldn’t have said those things to you.” She actually started clapping her hands in excitement. “We should be cautiously optimistic about this.”
Remembrance: A Contemporary Erotic Romance (Iris Series Book 4) Page 9
