by Tina Gayle
“And what else happened?” Jillian eyed her friend. There was more happening between the two of them than a little pizza.
“Nothing.” Karen Ann raised a teasing eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”
“I know that look. You two made love didn’t you?”
“So what if we did?”
“You don’t need my approval.” Jillian confided in Karen Ann, “That’s what we spent the afternoon doing. So it’s only right that you two had some fun too.”
“Michael wasn’t exactly overjoyed with the idea.”
“Why?”
“He’s worried that you won’t approve.”
“Oh, that’s silly. Like I have the right to judge.”
“Michael doesn’t want his little sister to get hurt.”
“How can I get hurt?”
“He’s worried that if we break up, you’ll be upset with him, or me.” Karen Ann leaned against the checkout counter.
“Well, I’ll put his mind to rest. As long as you don’t drop me as your best friend and he doesn’t disown me as a sister, everything should be fine.” Jillian walked around to the other side of the counter.
“Great.”
“How about the two of you come over Saturday night? Jason and Kelly are coming for the weekend. We can grill out.”
“Sounds great to me, but Michael didn’t say if he was coming for the weekend or not.”
“Oh, he’ll be back. Now that he’s had a taste of you. I won’t be surprised to see him every Friday night.”
Karen Ann laughed. “How did you know we have a date Friday?”
“See, I told you. Just ask him to stay until Saturday night or maybe Sunday. Be careful though. Once he gets rolling you never know where you’ll end up.”
“I think I can handle him,” Karen Ann replied wickedly.
“I bet you can.” Jillian liked the idea of her brother with her best friend. “It would be so great if you two could make it as a couple.”
“We’ll see. I’d better go. I’ll let you know about this weekend.” Karen Ann strolled back out the front door.
Overjoyed with her own life, Jillian only wanted Karen Ann and Michael to be happy. They both needed someone to love, if they could make it work, more power to them. After all the problems that she encountered with Derek, she knew it wasn’t easy.
Getting ready for the day, Jillian didn’t hear John Paul come up behind her. “Good morning,” he said.
Shrieking with surprise, she jumped.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“That’s okay. I just didn’t know you were behind me.”
Suddenly shy, John Paul stared at the floor.
“What wrong?”
“I want to apologize for my father.”
“Why? It’s not your fault he got out of hand.”
He cleared his throat. “I’d understand if you wanted to fire me.”
Jillian thought about his statement. If she got rid of John Paul, Martin wouldn’t need to come into the store again. “No, I don’t think that’s the answer.”
“Then what do you want me to do?”
Derek answered for her. “We need those gloves we received yesterday restocked on aisle four. Then we have another box of items that need to be shelved.”
She turned and stared at her husband.
“What?” John Paul said.
“I said that we need to restock the supplies on aisle four.”
John Paul shook his head and answered. “Right.” He headed for the storeroom.
“Are you okay with him working here?” Derek asked.
“He’s not the problem.” Jillian watched John Paul walk away. “Are you okay with him working here?”
“Martin won't cause any more problems.”
“I hope not. I’ve had enough conflict in my life for the next few weeks.” She thought referring to their fight from the day before.
“I think that goes for both of us.”
****
The next few days passed quietly. Closing up the store Saturday evening, Jillian was glad they would be off tomorrow.
“What time did Jason say they were going to get in?” She asked as they headed for her car.
“Somewhere around six-thirty or seven. They had some errands to run before they could leave and he thought it would take most of the day.” Derek opened her door.
“Okay, that should work out. Karen Ann said that she and Michael would be over around seven.”
Derek pointed at the clock on the dashboard. “Great that gives us just enough time to make love before they get here.”
She grinned. “No. I still need to make the salad and you need to fire up the grill.”
“I’m sure we can think of a way. Let’s see. Why don’t you come over here and sit on my lap while I drive us home?”
Jillian glanced at his lap, and decided to make him pay for the suggestion. With the car’s console between the seats there was no way she could sit on his lap while he drove them home. Leaning over, she placed one hand on his shoulder. The other, she let roam over his chest to his lap. She toyed with his belt buckle and unfastened it.
The latch being stubborn, she leaned closer to release it. He moaned. Jillian smiled and slowly unzipped his jeans. Her hands found their intended target.
The sudden darkness as Derek drove into the garage, caught her attention and she lifted her head.
He turned off the car. “Don’t let the fact that we’re home stop you.”
He unhooked her seat belt and pulled her across the console with her hand still around him, then maneuvered her into place by reclining his seat. She continued to caress him, letting the sound of his enjoyment lead her into bolder and bolder action.
Unable to move because of the confines of the car, she glanced up to express her disappointment. “Derek, this isn't going to work.”
The unpromising situation made him sit up. He opened the door and untangled Jillian from the car, then followed her out.
“I’m sorry, there just isn’t enough room in there.”
He adjusted his clothes and hugged her close. “That’s okay. It was fun while it lasted.”
On their way to the back door, they both looked up at the sound of the car pulling into the driveway.
Shocked at the thought of where they had been only seconds before, she whispered in his ear, “It’s a good thing we stopped.”
Derek laughed loudly then hugged her close. “You are priceless.”
Thrilled with his comment and laughter, she laughed along with him.
Chapter Twenty
“I’m afraid you guys caught us unprepared. We just got home ourselves. Derek, if you want to get the grill started?” Jillian started gathering the ingredient for her salad and set out the meat.
“How soon until Michael arrives?” Jason covered Kelly's hand with his.
“They should be here anytime now.” Jillian checked the clock. The excitement of having the house full of family and friends made her smile with contentment. Finally, her life was back on track.
“Speak of the devil, I think that his car in the driveway now.” Jason walked to the door and held it opened while Karen Ann and Michael entered.
“You guys are just in time. We were about to start dinner,” Jillian said after everyone had greeted each other.
“Great, what can we do to help?” Karen Ann asked, strolling to the counter.
“Well, if Derek will get the grill going?” Jillian requested again as she smiled at him slyly.
“Okay, I’m on my way.” He kissed her on the way out to the back patio.
“Need any help?” Jason said, following behind him.
“Sure.”
“Jillian, can we talk to you a minute alone?” Michael asked, glancing briefly at Kelly.
“Okay, I get the message. I’ll go see how the guys are coming with the grill.” Kelly left the room.
Jillian eyed them both, wondering about what they might want to tell her. “Ok
ay, what’s up?”
Michael paused a moment, then blurted out, “I’ve asked Karen Ann to move in with me.”
Surprised, but not shocked by the development. Jillian turned to her friend. “And?”
“I’ve agreed. I’ll give my two weeks notice on Monday.”
“Why, this is wonderful.” Jillian wrapped her arms around Karen Ann. “But I can’t believe you’re moving to Dallas.”
Karen Ann shrugged. “It is easier for me to find a new job.”
Jillian tugged on her brother's arm and gave him a hug. “You know you’re taking my best friend away from me.”
“I know, but we can come visit.” Michael hugged her close. His strong arms lay comforting around her.
“You’d better.”
His smiling face warmed her heart. She liked that he wouldn’t be alone. Karen Ann would make him happy.
Jillian noticed Derek entering the room and told him the news. “Can you believe it?”
“I hope you can make it work.” He congratulated them both and shook Michael’s hand.
“We’ll do our best.” Michael's smile showed his excitement of having Karen Ann in his life.
Derek picked up the meat, and left the room to put the steaks on the grill. Her brother followed along behind him.
When the men had left, Karen Ann laid a hand on Jillian’s arm. “You really don’t mind, do you?”
“Well, I don’t like losing my best friend.” Then unable to hold back her joy, Jillian continued. “But I’m really hoping to gain a sister.”
“Don’t start. We want to see if we can live together before we start talking about marriage.”
“Well, don’t talk too long. You know your biological clock is ticking.”
Karen shook her head. “Now, you’ve really gone over the top. Children aren’t anywhere in our foreseeable future.”
“Oh, come on, I’ll make a wonderful aunt.”
“You just worry about the one in the oven,” Karen Ann said, pointing at Jillian’s midsection.
She covered her stomach with her hand. “Hear that, junior? You might have a cousin before you know it.”
“Your mother is nuts,” Karen Ann spoke to Jillian’s stomach.
The light flutter under her hand made her smile. “I don’t think he agrees. He just kicked my hand.”
“Really, let me feel.” Karen Ann placed her hand on Jillian’s stomach.
Michael walked back in the room. “What are you two doing?”
“I was just feeling the baby kick.”
He turned to Jason, who had followed him back into the room. “We’re not going to eat until midnight because the baby is moving.”
Jillian peered at her brother. His teasing manner made her want to hug him with all the love she was feeling at the moment, but instead she told him gruffly. “Fine, since you’re such a smart aleck, you can set the table.”
“Where do you want to eat? Inside or out?” Kelly entered the room on Derek’s heels.
“I thought it was pretty hot outside. Why don’t we just eat in here?” Jillian handed Michael the plates.
“Sounds good to me.” Jason helped Michael set the table.
Together, they had everything on the table in no time. Everyone sank into their seats.
“So what have you two been up too?” Michael asked his friend as they started to eat.
Jason eyed Kelly. A slight nod of her head and he answered. “Kelly and I went and got our marriage license today. We decided to go ahead and get married this coming Saturday. We’d like y’all to come.”
Surprising everyone with his announcement, they all offered their congratulations.
“That’s great. How are you going to get everything done by this coming weekend?” Jillian knew why they were getting married on such short notice, but a wedding required a massive amount of work.
“Well, we don’t plan on it being a big wedding. Just you guys, my parents and sisters, about twenty people in all,” Kelly answered.
“More power to you.” Karen Ann lifted her drink in a mock toast. “Where are you planning to get married?”
“We couldn’t find a church or chapel with this short of notice, so we thought we’d have it at the condo.” Jason reasoned, “There should be enough room.”
“Well, I must say it’s going to be quick. The only people I know whose was quicker was your brother's.” Michael glanced at Derek for confirmation.
“That’s right.” Kelly touched Jillian's hand. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything about your wedding.”
Jillian forced a smile and she didn't wanting to discuss the subject, but she knew she had to let the reveal the truth sooner or later. She turned and noticed the questions swimming in Karen Ann's eyes.
“I don’t think I have either,” Michael added.
“Why don’t you tell us about it, Derek?” Karen Ann interjected.
****
Derek glanced at the people around him. Each had an expectant look on their face. This was a memory that was still a little hazy from before his accident.
“Let’s see.” He paused. “I remember meeting Jillian on a Saturday night at her hotel. I had gone over there to find out about her relationship with Jason.”
“Me? What relationship with me?” He shook his head in confusion.
“I played a message on your answering machine that said something about Jillian not being pregnant. So I took it to mean you two where having an affair. I went to break it up,” Derek explained.
“But why did you leave such a message on my machine, Jillian?” Jason turned to her.
She couldn’t help but smile at his dilemma. “That wasn’t long after my father’s death. Remember the conversation we had about how I wanted to get pregnant?”
“Oh, yeah.”
Michael punched Jason in the arm. “What conversation? You never told me she wanted to get pregnant.”
“It doesn’t matter now. Get back to the story, Derek,” Jason answered, avoiding the subject, and pushed Michael away.
“Anyway, I met Jillian. And well, one thing led to another and we spent the weekend together.” Derek covered her hand. “By Sunday evening, I was begging her to marry me. Oh course, my good looks and great charm convinced her. So Monday morning, we went out and got her this beautiful white dress to wear to the wedding.”
His forehead wrinkled in thought. He struggled with the sequence of events. “I can remember staring down into her face, thinking I was the luckiest man on earth. Saying I promise to give my life to her and her repeating the same promise to me.”
“Where did you get married?” Kelly asked.
Lost in the memory of the moment, he didn’t answer right away. “Let see, I remember kissing Jillian after our vows. Then?” He searched his memory. Pictures flashed in his head but they didn’t make sense. He shook his head.
“The phone rang?” Derek asked Jillian.
She nodded, but her smile looked forced.
“We were upstairs in my bedroom.” He released her hand. Then he pushed his chair away from the table. “The phone rang and it was Mark Evan.”
Again, she nodded. He recalled the angry expression on her face when he got off the phone that morning. He continued slowly. “He said that I needed to get to the airport right away because we were leaving for the Middle East, immediately. When I got off the phone, I...”
Derek stared at his wife. He could hear her words from their argument ring in his ears. He’d left her. “Told you that we’d get married when I got back.”
Stunned by the realization of the truth, he glanced around at the others and said. “We never got married.” He looked back at Jillian. “Did we?”
Tears started falling from her eyes, and she reached for him. “Not legally.”
His world imploding, he struggled to make sense of his life. All the things he’d held dear were false. Jillian wasn’t his wife. He shifted farther away from her. “You lied to me.”
“But Jillian,
you told us that you were married,” Jason growled.
“I had to.” She turned to talk to his brother. “There was no way you were going to let me bring Derek home with me unless you thought we were married.”
“Why would you want him to come live with you if you weren’t married?” Michael asked at the same time as Jason said, “But why, Jillian?”
Michael offered a solution. “Were you after his money? After all, he helped you buy this house.”
Derek caught the look of hurt Michael’s comment caused her, but he couldn’t help but wonder the same thing. Why hadn’t she told him the truth?
“Oh, yes, Michael that’s it. Tell them Derek, how I begged you for the money to buy this house.”
His mind wrestled with this question. Then he remembered a conversation with a banker and her claim that she didn’t need his help. “I don’t remember you even wanting my help. If I remember correctly, I had to contact the bank myself. You were going to lose the loan, if I hadn’t called and said that I would cosign. The bank had a rule about not allow loans to single self-employed individuals.”
“Okay, tell them how you’re paying all my bills.” She stood and strolled to the counter with her back against it as if fighting the whole group.
“What?” Derek thought for a moment. In the last few weeks, he hadn’t opened an envelope, much less seen a bill. Jillian carried all the mail into her office. “I haven’t paid for anything, have I?”
“Then tell them, how I make you work at the store for nothing?” She pointed her finger at him, drilling him with her questions.
Spouting more lies.
Did she make him go to work with her?
He tried to see a way that she was forcing him to handle things at the store. His mind couldn’t absorb the idea. He shook his head, confused. “No, I’ve watched her fill out my deposit slip and mail my check to my bank every week.”
“Well, then, tell them how we go out every night so that I can run up your credit card bill?” Tears were flowing down her cheeks. Her whole body reflected the misery she was feeling, but he couldn’t feel sorry for her.
Angrily, he searched for the truth of her words. He thought about what they did after work each day. “That’s not true either. You usually make dinner.”
