The Aftertaste

Chapter Twenty-Four

I feel on top of the world. I scroll into work after brunch with Mom, all smiles and slightly tipsy. I've breezed through my appointments all day. The office is running a lot smoother since I've added better receptionist. Mom took Greyson for the day. After me and Joe sat down and talked to him, he's been giddy. He doesn't call Joe his daddy, he calls him friend, and even after several attempts to correct him, Joe got no where. I'm glad I was open to all of this, at first I just wanted to runaway. Joe is attentive and selfless when he's around Greyson. He's the man I met when I was younger. Yet mature and sure of himself. I could never tell him that.
I flip through pictures on my phone until I find myself on Joe's page. His picture is no longer him and Aubrey and I'm surprised. It's a very handsome picture of him on the beach. I could drool. I scroll through his photos and I don't see Aubrey anywhere. Well they are arguing, maybe this is their thing. Scrolling through his timeline, I see several statuses pertaining to dating. Then there's on that sticks out from everything.

I've loved you since the elevator.

It was posted yesterday. I try to shake the thought of us in the elevator. That can't be me. Right? Of course we had good times and we love each other but..we haven't expressed that emotion in years. I'm astonished. I exit the app, washing any thoughts of that away. AJ's number pops up and I rush to decline the call. He's great and lord knows he is amazing in the bedroom but I don't need distractions right now. Joe and Greyson have so much catching up to do, I want to be there every step of the way. I feel bad for not just letting him know what's going on but I can't. The idea of the upcoming trip is intoxicating. Will Joe tell Lizzie and Luke? Will I have to tell them? Should I warn Lizzie? This seems all so hard and fast. I've had years to prepare and at times even rehearsed what I would say or how I would say it.
I'm blank now.
My phone vibrates, a message from Aubrey:

We need to talk.

Oh lord.

My nerves are a terrible mess. My foot shakes as I wait for Aubrey to join me at the bar. Joe didn't answer any of my calls so I don't know if he knows anything about this meet up. I hope he does.  The battened refills my Tequila Sunrise. I sip it slower than the previous two. I can't be off balance when she gets here. What if I need to lie? Better yet, fight?! I should've chose AJ's bar, at least I'd have some back up. The idea of talking to him makes my head swirl. I'll have to talk to him eventually, right?
"Danielle, gorgeous as always."
Aubrey slides in the seat beside me, all smiles.
"Aubrey, you too. How are you?"
"I'm great-water and lemon please- so I heard about the trip."
The trip. Is she here for information? Am I supposed to tell her?
"Yes, Lizzie invited me."
Save.
"Where is it?"
I almost choke. My sunrise slides down my throat, a little stronger than before. The bartender winks.
"I don't actually know, I'll be riding with them."
"Let me cut to the chase. I have a surprise for Joe. We've been arguing lately but he made a status that lets me know he still loves me."
Okay. I nod. When you don't know what to say, say nothing at all.
"He said 'I've loved you since the elevator.' We met on a elevator! I thought maybe we'd be cutting the wedding off but..that's hope, right?"
Her eyes pierce me, waiting for only the right answer.
"It is."
I feel stupid for thinking that status was about me. Forget drinking slow, I down it.
"So I want to do something to show him my love. I want to surprise him on the trip."
The bartender is in front of me instantly and I just give him a nod. Somehow, he knows I'm stressed.
"What we're you thinking? Would you like a drink?"
Maybe if we're both drunk, I can handle her. Physically and mentally.
"I'm not drinking these days. I bought him a boat..but with our names on it. The front has a picture of me from my swimsuit magazine shoot. It's absolutely gorgeous."
I'm in shock as she slides through pictures on her phone. The boat is huge and her body looks great on the front. Something I would never do and probably why she's marrying Joe and not me.
"You should go for it."
I'm tipsy. Crazy.
"Really? I wanted your perspective since you guys are friends."
Friends. Ex lovers. My sons father.
"Yeah, we are."
She's giddy and goes back to the pictures. I zone her out. My brain digs in the incognito files of me and Joe's relationship. I loved him. Even when I didn't know how to. These thoughts make me wonder how I got here and how I can escape.
"You can't." Aubrey says.
"Huh?"
Was I speaking out loud?
"You can't tell him. When I give it to him, I want it to be a secret. Do you think he'll be happy?"
About a boat? With her model body on front?
"Why not?"