The Broody Brit for Christmas (Holiday Springs #1) - M.J. Fields Page 0,48
A room that isn't anymore, I say to myself as I walk out the door and pull it closed behind me.
Rule Number Fifteen
Never get between a girl and her best friend
Raff
Holding my cell against my ear with my shoulder, I open the door for Nikki as she walks out, carrying not just one bag but a cosmetic case of some sort as well.
I feel warmth spread across my chest, and then I hear, “Are you going to answer me?”
Nikki looks at me curiously, and I roll my eyes as I open the door and take her bags. “Jenny, I've yet to hear a question, just accusations.”
“My Jenny?” she whispers as she slides into the car.
I nod as I shut the door, then open the back door and set her bags inside, shut the door, and hurry around the car to get in.
“The question is, what are your intentions?” Jenny’s voice booms through the speakers as the Bluetooth connects.
“Hey, Jenny,” Nikki says wearily.
“I thought you were in the house,” she says in an accusatory voice that makes Nikki grin.
“I was. Now I’m in the car.”
“And what, you don’t answer your phone anymore?” Jenny huffs.
“Um.” Nikki reaches onto the floor where her purse has been since last night.
“What do you mean, um? That thing is practically glued to your hand, and now when I need you to pay attention, to answer my texts and calls to either confirm or deny the rumors I’m hearing all over Holiday Springs about you and your new boyfriend—including and not limited to a date?”
“Confirmed,” I answer as I back out of her driveway and onto the street.
“You shush. I’m asking Nikki.” Jenny all but snaps, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Confirmed.” Nikki laughs.
“Okay, so the fact that you were walking down Main Street at midnight in the pouring rain because he made you walk—”
“De-fucking-nied.” I practically snarl.
“Nikki?” Jenny replies, needing confirmation from her friend.
Nikki sighs, “He picked me up while I was walking down the street in the rain at midnight.”
“And why were you walking down the street at—”
“Because her cousin is a twat,” I answer.
“Actually, I’m not sure what she is,” Nikki says, resting her head back. “She actually seems to be upset I didn't visit Holiday Springs while I lived in the city, and she also felt like I didn't want her to stay with me at Townes’ place because the few times they did visit me, he booked a hotel for them.”
Trying to quell my temper when it comes to one Nellie Winterfield’s treatment of Nikki, I tell her, “That warrants a conversation, not locking you out of your own home.”
“Well, at least I have a possible clue as to how to fix this.” She smiles softly.
“Hello, Jenny here, the best friend, the one you go to for advice. First, she better grovel, like on her knees begging for forgiveness for pulling that shit.”
“Agreed,” I say and then watch as Nikki looks down, almost in defeat. “But I also agree with Nikki. If there’s a way to mend fences, you should, but with the understanding that she can’t keep busting them down. Forgiveness isn’t open-ended.”
“Bitch better be on her knees first, though,” Jenny snaps. “Now, next question. Two back-to-back sleepovers?”
“Confirmed. Night one in her new apartment,” I say, knowing damn well that will cause a tad bit of controversy, but a hell of a lot less for Nikki to explain to her alone. When she gasps, it doesn't surprise me. But I continue. “And last night, she slept in Nathaniel's bed, and I slept in mine.”
“Boring,” Jenny sing-songs. “Now, let’s take two giant steps back and revisit the phrase, her apartment.”
I smile at Nikki. “Would you like to take this one, or shall I?”
I listen as Nikki begins explaining cautiously, but as Jenny’s excitement grows, so does hers.
“So you’re telling me, next time we get drunk, I don’t even have to go home?”
Nikki laughs. “Well, I’m no Bobby, so you won’t get a cup of coffee as soon as your eyes open, and I am not that great of a cook—”
“That’s because that tool Townes ordered food into your apartment all the time. You’ll be cooking up a storm again, you’ll see.”
“Which reminds me, tomorrow night I’m going to make dinner for my aunt, uncle, and Nellie, and tell them the news.”
“Soften the blow,” Jenny says as if she agrees. “I think that’s a good idea. I mean, you still have to work with them until you get a new job.”