Page 93 of Townshipped
“You can’t use a big word to define a big word,” Shannon complains.
“Why not? Merriam-Webster does it all the time,” Jayme says in a matter-of-fact tone. “And, obsequious is adoration to an almost obedient or subservient level.”
“I can’t even with you,” Shannon says, shaking her head. “We go from adulation to obsequious to subservient. I need Google translate just to spend an evening with you.”
Jayme bows at the waist from her seated position as if she’s won an award for woman with the most knowledge of the English language. I’m just grateful the spotlight moved off me and Aiden to someone else.
But I got ahead of myself, because Laura turns back to me like a dog with his favorite chew toy.
“So, adulation?”
“Possibly,” I admit.
Part of me wonders what it would be like to get their thoughts on all the things Aiden. After all, they have known him almost his whole life.
No one says a word, making it obvious I need to share more and they’re giving me the space to get everything out in the open or to shut this down and change subjects.
“We kissed,” I say, leading with the chin.
The group of girlfriends doesn’t remain composed—not even a little. Only Laura shows a modicum of self-control by staying seated next to me and pumping her fist once in the air.
Meanwhile, Lexi shouts with a whoop and Shannon and Jayme pop up and start doing some sort of twisting dance moves, high fives, and shouts of “uh-huh! uh-huh!” followed by jumping up and down like their favorite team just won the championship.
“Okayyyy,” I say.
Laura puts her hand on my knee. “Give them a minute. Aiden has been so shut off to romance. And we really like you and the way he is around you … so … yeah. Just give them a minute.”
Once everyone settles again, Laura asks, “So, deets?”
“Details?” I ask. “Of our kiss?”
I’m not getting close to sharing that we’ve kissed three times and how flirting seems to be one of our main ways of communicating with each other. Or at least I think it’s been flirting. I’m not exactly sure what it is on Aiden’s end of things. And that’s what makes me feel so wobbly and untethered.
“I can see your blush in the firelight,” Shannon says. Then she tells the others, “Give her a break. She’s not used to us.”
“I’m fine,” I assure her. “It’s actually a relief to say all this out loud. You won’t tell anyone?”
“What’s said at the res, stays at the res,” Lexi says.
“Absolutely,” Laura agrees.
“Cone of silence,” Shannon assures me.
“You have our word,” Jayme echoes.
Their sincerity cracks something open in me. I remember what it was like to have Gabriela as a confidante—to be able to share anything and everything with her.
Of all my memories, the ones including her are the most bittersweet. I miss her with an ache most days. Now that I remember her, I feel her absence almost constantly, even though the awareness of how much I miss her waxes and wanes.
“Aiden’s been so kind. Things between us just seem to fit. You know?”
I can make out Jayme’s broad smile from across the firepit.
“And, I guess for a while I thought it was natural, feeling something for the man who saved my life.”
“It would be,” Lexi agrees.
“But, sometimes, it seems like he feels it too. And then I question myself and him. But then we kissed …”
