Page 63 of Fighting Temptation (Men of Honor 1)
“Sounds good to me.”
Jaxson grunts, “How are you guys getting there?”
I shrug, “We’ll take a cab.”
“Coop said he will come get us after.”
“Perfect.”
We make our plans and decide to get ready together here at my place.
Cooper cuts in, “Alright lets go. I have plans for you for the rest of the day,” he picks up a giggling Kayla and hauls her out of the house.
“See ya later!” I yell laughing before he closes the door.
I turn around to Jaxson, a beaming smile on my face, “Oh my god Jaxson, they’re getting married!” I scream excitedly and launch myself in his arms, “Isn’t this so exciting?”
Jaxson catches me and laughs at my excitement. “I’m going to go call Grams.” I push out of his arms and bolt upstairs to my room.
Later that evening Kayla, Grace and I are in my room getting ready with our favorite new drink- Twisted Tea.
Kayla pulls a short black cocktail dress out of her bag, when she puts it on it hugs her body in all the right places. There’s a strap that goes over one shoulder and her long blond hair flows in big curls down her shoulders.
“Wow,” Grace and I say in unison.
“Thanks,” she still has a beaming smile and her face glows with her happiness.
Grace looks at me timidly now, “Um Julia, do you think I could borrow a dress from you? I don’t really have anything nice enough for the club we are going to.”
I instantly feel bad. Kayla and I should have thought about that and asked her earlier.
“Of course, I have a couple you can choose from.”
She ends up choosing a yellow silk strapless dress which looks stunning against her golden skin. Grace is an incredibly beautiful, yet simple woman. Most of the time her long blond hair is tied back and her face free of makeup. One of her best features are her eyes. They are a unique, warm, amber color, almost the same color as whisky.
I suddenly get an itch to do a makeover, “Grace, can Kayla and I do your hair and makeup?”
“Sure, my makeup selection is pretty sparse though,” she says, embarrassed.
“Don’t worry, we got you covered,” Kayla says pulling out her massive makeup bag.
With that we start on our creation.
“I still can’t believe you’re getting married Kayla. I am so happy for you,” Grace says while I curl her hair and Kayla does her makeup.
We told Grace earlier about our little escapade last night. We were all able to chuckle about it, even though last night it wasn’t very funny.
“Thanks Grace. I was hoping you would be a bridesmaid? I’d really like both you and Julia beside me.”
Grace gasps with excitement, “Oh my gosh, really? You want me to be a bridesmaid?”
Kayla nods.
“Oh I would love to! Thank you Kayla for asking me,” Grace gets emotional and hugs her.
“I want to have a celebration supper for you and Cooper with some friends. Are you free two weeks from now? Grace, is that enough time for you to book it off?”
“That would be great, thanks Jules! I’ll make sure Coop books it off.”
“It works for me too. I’ll make sure I book that day off from the diner and then I can help you prepare.”
All of a sudden we hear my door bell ring. Grace and Kayla look at me in confusion.
“It’s probably Sawyer and Cade. I think they’re hanging out with Jaxson tonight.”
Kayla’s smile brightens, “Ah the famous Seal boys I have yet to meet. Glad I’ll finally get the chance. They’re all I have heard about all week from clients who have spotted them around town.”
“Oh they’re something alright,” Grace mutters under her breath.
I giggle at Grace’s remark and I remember Sawyer at the diner… “I think Sawyer has a crush on you Grace.”
Grace scoffs but her cheeks turn pink, “I think Sawyer is the type to have a crush on anything with boobs.”
I laugh again and don’t deny the accusation. He does seem that way but there’s something I saw in him, the way he looked at Grace at the diner. It bothered him that she didn’t melt into a puddle like every other girl does when he’s near them.
“Anyways, I’m not his type, at least not anymore.” Kayla and I look over at each other when we hear the sadness in her voice.
I tread carefully wanting her to open up, “Oh and why would you say that?”
She shrugs, “I can just tell. He’s a confident guy, which means he’s into confident girls. Girls who know what they want and aren’t afraid to go after it. Not girls who are damaged.”
I can tell she wants to open up but she’s nervous. I don’t say anything but move to sit behind her on the bed and put my arm around her, offering her silent comfort. Kayla does the same on the other side and we wait for her to continue, which she does.
She takes a big breath, “There’s a lot I haven’t told y’all.”
“You can tell us anything Grace, you can trust us.”
I nod my head at Kayla’s words.
“I told y’all that I lost my mother when I was 17, but I didn’t tell you how. She was raped and murdered.” Kayla and I both gasp at her admission, but we keep silent and hold her tighter, not wanting to interrupt. “We were really close, and she was all I had. I came home when it happened; they almost killed me too.”
The tears I’ve been trying to hold at bay start sliding free. I look over at Kayla and see one escape her too. “I’m so sorry Grace. I know what it’s like to lose someone you love so much.”
She smiles sadly at me, “I know you do Julia.” She takes another big breath, “The men who hurt her, hurt us, they’re in prison back in Florida, that’s where I’m originally from. The whole reason I came here was to find my father; I have never met him. My mother told me his name and where he lived last so it wasn’t hard to find him, he lives in Charleston. I haven’t had the courage yet to contact him. He’s kind of a big deal, he’s the lieutenant governor.”
