Tryst - Forbidden Hearts Series

16| Rose Petals

"So, what's the big surprise?" I asked Lanie as I took my seat at the empty table. "And where are the girls? I thought they were meeting us here."

I glanced around the crowded outside dining area of The Hangover. Lanie and I first discovered the diamond in the ruff of a cafe after one night of heavy drinking many years ago. It's been our early morning rendezvous spot ever since.

"What do you mean?" She asked plainly she started roaming her eyes over the menu.

I dropped my own menu down on the table. "Lanie, you said for me to meet you and the girls here. You also said there was some kind of surprise -- which I'm nervous about."

My best friend frowned. "Why would you be nervous? I always have the best surprises."

I arched a brow as I stared at her. "The last time you said you had a surprise for me, we ended up stranded on a yacht in the Atlantic Ocean. With two strange men."

"He wasn't strange, he was a diplomat's son!"

"He was a horn-dog, L! Both he and his douche-y friend, Pablo. And I got stung by jellyfish!"

Lanie rolled her eyes and brushed her brown hair over her shoulder. "You have seriously lost your sense of adventure. You need to get back with Jackson and learn to have some fun."

Did she just. . . "Excuse me, but I know how to have fun."

"Says the stink in the mud." She mumbled under her breath.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "What was that?"

The fake innocent expression I was familiar with was plastered on her face. "Huh? I didn't say anything."

"If I'm suck a 'stick in the mud'," I shot back, "then why did I spend the entire night last night having amazing, screaming orgasms with Jackson?"

As soon as I realized what I said, I covered my mouth with my hands. But it was too late.

Lanie's eyes went wide. "You had a secret tryst with the Greek God? And you didn't tell me!"

Lanie and I both turned to book at the waiter who approached our table with an awkward smile.

"I'll, uh, give you guys a minute." The young waiter snickered as he walked away to help someone else.

Someone kill me now, I thought to myself. Jackson was going to definitely kill me. We had promised each other that we would keep our tryst a secret. Now here I was, opening my big fat mouth to Lanie Jenkins, the meddling queen.

I understood her reaction, though. Ever since we we're kids, we had always told each other everything. It didn't matter if it was about boys, makeup, or who raided who's closet. We never kept secrets from each other.

"Lanie. . ." I groaned, hoping she wouldn't open her mouth.

"Harper Ann Lewis!" She squealed. "You have to tell me everything right freaking now!"

"Everything about what?"

I looked to the right and my mouth dropped. "Jamie?"

Jamie smile went from ear to ear. "Hey, Harp."

I glanced to Lanie who shrugged. "I told you, you would like the surprise."

I jumped up from my chair and pulled Jamie into a tight embrace. "I can't believe your back!" I pulled away from her and my expression fell. "Is Cherise. . ."

Please let Jamie's mom be okay. . .

"She's doing great!" Jamie squealed. "The new treatment day did while we were in Connecticut worked. She's finally in remission!"