Page 34 of Summer Ever After
He turned to Jessica. “Is she serious?”
Jessica nodded. “She’s a hard worker, and she’s saving up for college. She’s going to save the world from people like us.”
Jasper bit his lip and crossed his arms across his body. “I’m sorry. For laughing. I thought it was a joke.”
“Well, it wasn’t. I’m one of those local hicks you don’t want at your fancy party because we might use the wrong damn fork.”
“Daisy. Shit. I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have…”
“You wouldn’t have been yourself?” I had officially had enough. I wasn’t missing anything at the Stone Oven. I’d rather have spent my night under the fluorescent lights in the factory than spend one more second at a table with Jasper.
It was Jessica’s turn to watch the banter, although unlike hers, I wasn’t flirting. Jasper inhaled and drained the glass of champagne. “You’re too sensitive Heidi.”
“Her name isn’t Heidi.” Jessica put her hand on my arm. “Don’t go. I’ll get rid of him.” She jerked her head toward Jasper and again likely thought that she was whispering.
“I’ll save you the trouble.” He emptied the bottle of champagne into a beer glass. “I’ll leave you to your charity case, Jess.” His chair toppled backward as he stood. He stumbled as his legs got tangled up in the legs of the chair – jutting out like a road kill carcass. He held the champagne glass up over his head as he recovered. “Didn’t shpill a drop.” He stumbled once more, but there was nothing in his way – he was much drunker than I’d first thought.
“I’m so sorry, Rosie.” Jessica’s eyes were filled with tears. “He’s not usually like that.”
I sighed. “Well, they say a person’s true nature comes out when they drink.”
“He is a jerk, but that was…enlightening.” She crossed her arms. I’m going to have to find a new date to the ball, but I haven’t met anyone as good at ‘sauna’ as he was. Her eyes drifted over my shoulder and then widened. A grin spread across her face. “It looks like Amanda’s true nature is slutty.”
Turning, Amanda was holding onto one of the poles that held up the awning. She kicked off her Hermes flats and kicked her leg above her head, inverting herself on the pole.
“She was a gymnast,” Jessica explained.
“I’m impressed. That looked effortless.”
Amanda returned to the ground and everyone in eyesight of the patio clapped. She held onto the ‘pole’ and bowed. “I wish I could bottle your confidence.”
“Whose?” Jessica asked.
“All of you. Look at you. You do whatever you want and don’t care what anyone thinks.”
Jessica took her eyes away from the action and her smile vanished. “That’s where you’re wrong, Rosie. We act like this because we care what everyone thinks.” Her voice had dropped an octave and she swayed on her feet. I felt like she’d just divulged a deep dark secret. Jessica Starling was beautiful, and smart, had traveled the world, and had the richest men in the state falling at her feet. There was no way she was insecure.
“You.” She pointed at me. “I’m jealous of you. You don’t have to deal with any of this world.” She twirled her finger.
I highly doubted that Jessica would last one day if we traded places. “That’s true, but you don’t have to worry about whether or not there’s food in the fridge.”
Her eyes snapped to mine. “You don’t have to worry about that do you?” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “I’m sorry.” She swiped at her face. “I’m drunk. I always cry when I’m drunk.”
“We should get you home.” I eased her into the chair, she leaned heavily on my arm. How had she gotten so wasted? I felt tipsy, but I could still stand and had my wits about me. I couldn’t say the same thing for any of the group. They were a mess.
Jessica rested her forehead in her hands. “Can you call Trey and tell him to come and get us?”
“Sure.” I waved to the waitress. “Can you bring us some water?” I mouthed as she got closer. She nodded and returned with a pitcher and four plastic cups. I poured a cup for Jessica and one for myself for good measure. Amanda and Jenny were still dancing on the patio.
“Thanks, Rosie. I’m sorry for getting so wasted.” She seemed to go cross-eyed as she brought the red cup to her mouth. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand. “Can you call Trey?”
“Right.” I held out my hand. “Give me your phone.”
She patted her legs and some invisible pockets on her t-shirt. “Can’t you use yours? I can’t find mine.”
Sighing, I pointed to her purse. “I don’t have a phone. Check your purse.”
Her brow furrowed as she stared at me. “You don’t have a phone?”
