IN LOVE'S EMBRACE

CHAPTER 22: WHY ANYONE ELSE WHEN SHE EXISTS?

"Love is like wildflowers; It's found in the most unlikely places"— Ralph Waldo Emerson

•••

ALAINE DAVIES

"...And then he walks off with his super model childhood friend" I ranted

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I think you're way prettier than her. Your face isn't caked with makeup and fillers" Ashley said from behind as she scrolled through pictures of Simone.

I've always said being a detective was Sheila's calling in life. She could find out information about anyone in a matter of hours and she didn't disappoint with Simone, I didn't even ask her to do it.

"Y'know, I don't care. His relationship with her doesn't bother me"

"Yeah it sure doesn't" Sheila commented, each word dripping with sarcasm but I ignored her and carried on with my rant

"John isn't my type of guy anyways, she can have him. He has a rocky relationship with God and has a bad name amongst the female population, I don't want him"

"Yeah, of course you don't. You deserve better" Ashley voiced in support

"Yeah I do. So what if he's actually sweet and kind behind all that facade, or has the cutest smile I've ever seen on a male, or touches strands of my hair when he thinks I'm not looking, or plans me beautiful candle light dinners, or prays with me every morning, or plays in the rain with me..." I paused mid rant as I felt everyone's eyes fixated on me

"Yeah, you definitely don't like him" Sheila commented again in sarcasm.

"Just drive" I said and she chuckled.

I folded my arms and sulked in my seat. A few hours after John left, Sheila took me to an eatery where Ashley and Jason were surprisingly waiting for us. It felt so good to see my friends again, although they were mad at me for never making time for them but we settled and Jaden suggested a group dinner tonight to catch up on all we've missed in each other's lives.

We were currently headed to the restaurant Jaden picked and by coincidence it happened to be the very restaurant John took me last time. It kept surprising me how everyone but me knew of this restaurant and I took this route more than most of them.

"She takes really nice pictures though" Ashley voiced as she scrolled through Simone's Instagram page

Turns out Simone Hills was a model and chef, she had thousands of followers who absolutely adored her.

"Yeah she does" I couldn't disagree because it was true.

"Will Jaden meet us there?" Sheila asked

"He should be there by now waiting for us" Ashley replied.

Jaden went on ahead of us because, according to him, we women took too much time getting ready and he wasn't going to sit through that. His absence gave Ashley enough chance to get filled in on everything she missed out with John, to say she was surprised was an understatement, Sheila's dramatic explanation did nothing to help either.

"We're here" Sheila announced and I hurriedly got out of the car.

It felt good to have the evening breeze encompass me. I entered the restaurant and was immediately hit with the smell of coffee and fried chicken. With a satisfied sigh, my eyes scanned around in search of Jaden, he shouldn't be hard to find seeing as he would be seated alone with three empty seats round his table.

Sheila and Ashley caught up and stood next to me joining in my search.

"There he is" Ashley stated and I wished I didn't look ln the direction she pointed