Chapter Three

                                    

                                          
Photo of Meredith on side ------>
                          
                                             Chapter Three
                          
            I have been thinking about the surprise encounter with Jamison since it happened three days ago. Meredith and Hudson decided to take a last-minute camping trip to “escape the city and wedding stress”. All that has passed my mind this whole drive is the fact that Meredith didn’t tell me Jamison was here.
                          
I park my car in their driveway and walk up the walkway to their front door. I ring the doorbell. Meredith practically runs down the hallway to come answer the door. I can hear her happy yell from here. She opens the door literally with open arms. I hug her back. Meredith has always been a polite, happy person. I think that is what surprises people.
                          
            “How are you?” Meredith asks more calmly.
                          
            “I’m well. It’s nice to see you. How was the camping trip?”
                          
Meredith instantly smiles at me. “It was beautiful. I can cross ‘have sex in a tent’ off my bucket list,” she giggles like a schoolgirl.
                          
Oh boy. “Are you serious Meredith?” I try to play this off in a joking tone.
                          
            “Yes. It was more steamy and sexy than you think.”
                          
I don’t say anymore, instead I follow her into the house. We stop in the kitchen where there are white and pink ribbons everywhere. I take it the delivery was a success.
                          
Meredith pours us each a cup of coffee. When she hands me my cup I take a sip right away. It would be better if this was vodka, but it is nine in the morning, so this will do. Meredith doesn’t notice my nervous behavior thankfully. She continues to take all of the ribbons out of the box.
                          
Right before I’m about to bring the camping trip up once more, Jamison walks in from the backdoor. He is all sweaty from a run. He looks so incredibly sexy. I force my eyes closed and look away from Jamison. This isn’t good. He is your best friends’ brother and he isn’t that friendly. Stop thinking about him like that Lorelei.
                          
            “Oh Lorelei, I forgot to tell you Jamison is in town!”
                          
            “It’s all right. We already ran into each other the other day when I brought over the antiques.”
                          
Meredith claps her hands together while smiling. “I’m so glad! Jamison is helping out with the wedding too.”
                          
At this moment, my stomach feels exactly like that moment when you go straight down on an amusement park ride. Why?
                          
            “That’s great Meredith. I’m sure you’re ecstatic about this.”
                          
            “I felt like it was the right thing to do. It’s been a while since I’ve been in town and Meredith is my baby sister. I’d feel bad if I didn’t help out, especially for what she’s done for me,” this left me curious. I wasn’t ready for Jamison to talk. I almost forgot he was in the room due to the somewhat serious conversation between Meredith and I.
                          
            “That’s sweet of you Jamison.”
                          
He rolls his eyes and then stares at me directly in the eye. “I’m not being sweet. I’m doing what I need to do.”
                          
I feel like slapping him right across his gorgeous, tan cheek. Damn him for being so attractive, but what the hell is up his ass? Instead of telling him what an asshole he is, I just smile and watch him walk out of the kitchen. Thank the heavens.
                          
Meredith looks over at me with some sort of strange gleam in her blue eyes. “He’s been acting this way since he left town. I don’t know what’s wrong with him. I’m sorry.”
                          
            “There is no need to apologize for your older brother. I get it.”
                          
But I don’t. And I want to get to the bottom of this.
                          
***
                          
            My apartment is now a wonderland of brown boxes with writing on them. Brooke is supposed to be here by now. It’s nearing ten o’clock and I need to tell her about today. I need to tell somebody because I sure as hell cannot tell Meredith.
                          
Before I have the chance to pick up my phone and call her, she arrives. I open my front door for her and watch as she practically runs inside my apartment. Her cheeks are a bright pink from the cold air, but she is all smiles; bright, happy smiles.
                          
            “I’m sorry I’m so late I was—“
                          
            “Who were you with Brooke Parker?” I say eagerly. I’m curious now.
                          
Her cheeks turn brighter. “You were with a guy! Oh my goodness! Who the heck is he Brooke Parker?!” I think at this point I might be more excited than Brooke.
                          
Brooke takes off her coat and scarf and places them on a chair. She turns around to face me. She is still smiling big and it warms me inside. She’s happy. I can’t remember the last time Brooke was happy and excited about something. This means a lot.
                          
            “His name is Reid. He’s mystery guy. Oh Lorelei, he is so amazing. You have to meet him sometime.”
                          
Watching Brooke ramble on about Reid makes me feel a bit empty. She found somebody. Meredith and Hudson have each other. And I have nobody but myself.
                          

                          
That scares me.