Page 30 of Kissing for Keeps
“I will. But he’s actually been really helpful so far.” Before he can smile, I add, “Annoying, but helpful.”
Madi sighs. “Okay, well, I’m sorry I’m not there to be a buffer for you. I know from personal experience how relentless his teasing can be.”
“I can handle him. You donotneed to be worrying about Jack and me.”
“Oh, I know that. Duh. You’re planning my wedding, Siena. I trust you.”
Why does that stop my heart? And why is it suddenly so tense in this room?
“How has it been at the chateau so far?” she asks. “Have you been able to see much of it?”
“Yeah, the owners have been great. They welcomed us personally and then sent their son, Philippe, to show us around the chateau and gardens.” Did I need to mention Philippe? Probably not. But for some reason, after Madi’s comment about trusting me, it seemed like a good idea.
Jack gives a soft scoff, tosses a hand through his hair in a gesture I assume is supposed to make him look like Philippe.
I shoot him a look. “The wedding is going to beamazing, Madi. This place is unreal.”
“It really is, isn’t it? I’m excited to see it again. To seeyou. I feel terrible about how the election went, but is it wrong that I’m also happy because I get to see you sooner?”
“It’s definitely the silver lining,” I say, trying to keep the heaviness from my tone.
“Okay, so, tell me about this Philippe. Is he… of marriageable age?”
I snort, avoiding Jack’s eye. “What is this,Bridgerton?”
“Pride and Prejudice. We watched it a couple nights ago. But is he?”
“Um, yeah, he’s ofmarriageable age.”
“And is he a hottie boombalottie?”
“Okay, you’ve veered far fromBridgertonand yet you’re still eons from current lingo.”
She laughs. “Stop changing the subject!Is he or is he not hot?”
Jack makes a disgusted face and a thumbs down, shaking his head.
“Yes, he is.”
“Siena met somebody!” Madi whisper-yells to Rémy. “This is too perfect! How amazing would it be if you guys got married and both of us lived in France? We could buy houses on the same street.”
Jack’s expression is comical, and I’m with him on this. Madi’s getting a tad ahead of herself. But I won’t admit that. It’s too much fun to mess with Jack. “You’d have to move tothisstreet because Philippe’s inheriting Chateau Vidal, so we’d be living here, of course. Maybe you guys could just move in here. I can’t make any promises, but there’sprobablyenough space?”
There Jack goes, rolling his eyes and shutting the door behind him while I smile victoriously.
11
JACK
SEVEN YEARS AGO
Holy cheese snips.
That dumb phrase has been stuck in my mind since last night. In fact, they’re the words that played in my head the moment Siena and I stopped kissing.
I really hesitated about going after her when I saw her leave the house, but I didn’t have anything but her first name, and though it’s admittedly not a common one, I knew I’d regret not getting her number. I’m not looking for anything serious, but she’s fun, and I’m curious enough to explore it more.
I run my fingers along the clump of hair I’m holding. Yes. That’s right. It was only after she left last night that I realized I had missed her purse with one of the extracted extensions. It was on the ground. Covered in Dr Pepper.
