Page 16 of Reckless Storm
Reed: Happy to be of service. Anytime
Reed: But I have a question… What does being Hayley Jackman’s bestie entail? And is Amelia going to come at me? I don’t want to get on her bad side
I snort out a laugh and head over to the couch, falling back into the cushions, kicking my feet up and making myself comfortable.
Hayley: Amelia will be fine. She needs to be able to share me with someone else. I’m a lot for one person to take on
Reed: Nah… I don’t believe that. You’reyou
I smile, but the memories of being told I’m “full-on” or “out of control” are never too far from my mind. I own it. And I don’t plan on ever changing. But it still stings a little. Reed’s just too decent of a guy to point it out.
Hayley: Have you ever said a bad word about anyone?
I’m sure he’ll say yes, but I have no doubt he’ll be lying.
Reed: Plenty
Hayley: Care to enlighten me?
Reed: Nope. I’m too nice for that (wink emoji)
I laugh again and take another bite of my peanut butter goodness, a giddy feeling running through me. Other than Amelia, I don’t have many close friends, and I crave them. Back home, I was one of the guys until I got my first acting role and was forced into a life of solitude. Not because my friends ditched me, but because of the hours I had to work and travel. I moved to Sydney on my own the day I turned eighteen and life changed. I loved it, but it was a huge shock to the system. And I didn’t realise I was missing that close bond until I found Amelia, and now, I’m excited by the prospect of another close friend. If it works out that way.
Reed and I text back and forth for the next couple of hours, until I remember I’m due at Amelia and Luke’s in thirty minutes, and I technically don’t have a legal licence since I’m no longer on a holiday visa.
After quickly booking an Uber, I throw mybathersinto my bag and smile. I’m a water baby, and it’s been too long since I had time in a pool.
Reed texts me again on my way down the stairs, and I’m still laughing when my building concierge waves to get my attention. “You’ve got mail today, Miss Jackman,” Bill says, excitement in his tone. “A little boy hand delivered it. I think you have a fan.”
“Ooh, that’s cute. Does he live in the building?” I glance around, but when my eyes meet his again, he shakes his head.
“I haven’t seen him before. But maybe he saw you come in here.”
“It’s a shame I missed him. I could have said hi.”
With a lopsided grin, Bill hands me the envelope and a single red rose, and I slide the note into my bag, asking him to hold on to the rose until I get back, since I’m already running late.
“You’re a gem, Bill. Have a lovely afternoon.”
He nods shyly. “You too, Miss Jackman. See you later.”
Smiling, I fight not to cringe. Every time he calls me Miss Jackman a shiver runs through me, but I have to get used to it because I’m getting it a lot more often these days. In Australia, I was Hayley or Hayls, Jacko or Little J, but I was never Miss Jackman. It sounds formal, and that’s not me.
My Uber’s waiting when I step outside, and I continue to text Reed during the short fifteen-minute drive, only pocketing my phone when I get to Amelia’s front door, entering without knocking.
“Ames. I’m here,” I call out, announcing my arrival like I normally do.
I hear a shush before Luke pops his head out of the nursery. “I just got Juliet to sleep. If you wake her, she’syourresponsibility.”
“That’s not the negative you think it is,” I say with a grin, taking a step toward her room. “I love Juliet's cuddles.”
“Please don’t wake her,” he pleads and I can’t help but giggle…quietly.
Raising my hands in the air, I give him a nod and gesture toward the kitchen. “Yes,” Luke mouths. “Amelia’s that way.”
“Thank you,” I mouth back and he rolls his eyes. He loves me. We both know it. But he also loves to act like he doesn’t. And the feeling is mutual. He was on my shit list for a while but he managed to prove his worth.
When I enter the kitchen, I find Amelia by the fridge, pulling out a bottle of cider as I lean in for an air kiss. “Hey, babe.”
