Stalking His Bride - Lucy Darling Page 0,20
of yours.” That’s the thing about best friends, you can’t really hide anything from them. Tinsley knows me inside and out.
When it comes to my mom, Tinsley knows it all. She also knows how my mom can be and often has to point out that my mom is overstepping. It’s a hard thing to navigate with my mom. If I do everything right I get this sweet happy side that feels like acceptance, almost as if she’s proud of me. I only get that side if she feels as though I’m doing what I should be.
I don’t know. What I do know is that she is often out of line and I let her walk right over that line time and time again. But I love her. She just wants what’s best for me. That’s what moms do, right? I’m young and she’s supposed to guide me. That's how things work.
There it is. Just because you think things are supposed to be one way doesn't make it true. It doesn't mean it works that way for everyone. It’s why I wanted to move here, I remind myself. To see what is out in the world. I don’t need to think about all that other crap back home. I need to focus on having experiences here. For today and this week that means my mind will be on a bachelorette party, a wedding and most of all, James. I have to figure out where that is going.
“Our food is here if you're done with all those thoughts.” I roll my eyes at her as I move the bread basket out of the way to make room for all of the plates.
“We didn't order all that,” I tell the server.
“No, Mr. Weston had us bring it out.” I watch as someone else puts a bowl of water and food on the floor next to my chair. “For the pup.”
“Look, Bear. Your daddy is making sure you’re taken care of.” I put him down on the floor, making sure I have his leash right.
“Yeah, the puppy. That’s who James is checking in on.” Tinsley laughs as she looks over at all the food we now have on the table.
“Anything else for you ladies right now?”
“We’re more than good. Thanks.” The server gives us a smile before leaving us alone again. “You think James was checking on me too?”
“Really, Carls?” I feel myself blush. She glances down to my cell phone that goes off with another text from James. I flip it over, making her shake her head but keep going. “Why are you shocked? After everything you told me in the car ride over here, I’m not the least bit surprised by his behavior. I know Reed and James are cut from the very same cloth so it makes complete sense that James would act possessive over you.”
“James is a stalker?” I try and joke. Tinsley polishes off a fry.
“Well, let's start from the top, shall we? He met you when you were with me last week. Then he began popping up all the time. Actually, when I think back to all of the times...” She pauses for a moment, her brows furrowing together. “You were always there when he showed up to...” She holds her fingers up. “With the excuse that he was there to see Reed.” She makes air quotes. “Now don’t get me wrong; James has come by to poke at Reed here and there, but it’s no coincidence that he showed up every time you were there. I wasn't calling and telling him you were there.”
That is interesting, but still I’ve been to her place three times since the weekend. It still could be coincidence. I didn't tell her the things James said that first night we had dinner. I still don’t know if he was trying to be a nice guy or playing around, but he did not care if I was knocked up or not.
“Now, he hasn't left your side since the night you all went to dinner.”
“Until now.”
“Yes, until now where he leaves you with a driver that is most definitely also a bodyguard and then he sends you to one of his own restaurants.” I look around the place. He owns this? Good, I was feeling a little guilty that I brought my puppy in. The place is really nice. James had already booked it and swore it would be fine if Bear came along.
“I went to other places.” I did. There was the coffee