BURNING DESIRE

Chapter 17

"You're not his girlfriend anymore! Don't you get it? HE BROKE UP WITH YOU!" Grace's voice echoed around us.

"I didn't know any of this," a woman managed to say aloud as she emerged from behind closed doors with a man by her side— this woman who mirrored Jack's features almost too closely for comfort. The woman's facial expressions showed her mind racing
as she tried to piece together what had just been thrust upon her. She hadn't known about Lola or any rift between Lewis and his former girlfriend; all she could see now was confusion swirling like fog in her thoughts.

Lola softened momentarily but quickly regained composure. "Don't worry Maggie, me and your brother had a row a few days ago, but I forgive him now and I will take him back." A forced smile crept onto Lola's lips—an attempt at normalcy amidst chaos.

Lewis sighed deeply beside them, resignation etched on his face like cracks in an old statue. "Let's eat, shall we? After all, Mum's been cooking all day." His tone held no enthusiasm; it was merely an act performed out of obligation rather than joy.  As they gathered around the table laden with food meant for celebration yet tainted by underlying discontentment, Lola finally noticed us from across the garden shockwave rippling through her demeanour. Her eyes widened with recognition before excitement bubbled forth uncontrollably.  "Oh my god oh my god are you Taylor Jones? Like *the* actual Taylor Jones?" Her voice soared above the din of muffled conversations—a jarring intrusion into their fragile gathering.  Taylor turned slightly pink under Lola's relentless gaze; "Uh... yeah."  "You're hotter in real life! Can I have a selfie with you? Oh my god wait until Annie finds out that I've met Taylor Jones!" Her words flowed without pause as if each syllable were drawn directly from dreams long held close to her heart.  "Lola please don't badger our guest," Grace interjected sharply, irritation flickering across her features like static electricity before it fizzled away into silence again. "They are here to enjoy today—not be asked a million questions!"

With those words hanging awkwardly between them like smoke rings dissipating into nothingness, Maggie caught sight of Charles's hand squeezing hers gently beneath the table—the only reassurance amid growing unease.  "Sorry for all this shit going on—families hey?" Maggie offered weakly as if attempting some kind of bridge over turbulent waters while simultaneously feeling submerged within them herself. "By the way, I'm Maggie—the baby of the family—and this is my husband Charles." She smiled weakly at me and Taylor.
"Nice to meet you both" I said with a smile and Taylor just gave them a nod.

A fork clattered against porcelain somewhere nearby; conversation dwindled into whispers tinged with apprehension.

Winter," Maggie said cheerfully trying to ease the tension "I heard you have a little boy! How old is he?"

A wave of uncertainty washed over me as I contemplated my response. "Umm... Oliver is nearly three now," I managed to say while gauging Lewis's reaction from across the room—his brow furrowed like storm clouds gathering overhead.

Shit does he know? I think to myself. "And who's looking after him again?" Lewis asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Fuck he must know, why ask me that when I've already told him!   "He's with Daddy Jimmy," Taylor interjected smoothly. "Jimmy Carter."

Lewis crossed his arms defiantly over his chest, casting shadows on his expression darker than any winter night. "I see." His tone dripped disdainful curiosity. "And Jimmy Carter is another actor? Is he your partner? Is he Oliver's dad? When did you meet? When did you leave for Hollywood? How long have you been together?"  Each question felt like arrows shot forth from a quiver steeped in bitterness; they pierced through my resolve until irritation simmered within my chest.

"Lewis," Grace snapped suddenly, sensing tensions rising like steam from hot coals. "That's no way to talk to guests!"

I inhaled deeply before responding; each word carefully chosen yet laced with emotion. "No... Jimmy and I may not be together officially," I began slowly but firmly, "and he isn't Oliver's biological father." I paused for effect before adding emphatically: "But I will tell you this—Jimmy has been there for me before Oliver was born; he has been the best father either of us could wish for!"  At this declaration, Taylor nodded vigorously beside me while Grace offered an apologetic smile towards me—a gentle beacon amidst turbulent waters.  "I don't get along well with Carter," Taylor admitted reluctantly but gave credit where it was due: "but I hold my hands up—he is indeed a fantastic dad."

Lola chimed in then. "Baby! Why are you paying more attention to her than me? I know she's famous and all... but there's no comparison between me and her! Your attention should be on me!"  "Lola!" Jack interjected tiredly as if weary from carrying both Lola's demands and Lewis's scrutiny on his shoulders. "They are guests here!"  The air thickened around them us words collided against one another—like icy winds against warm skin—and finally became too much for me to bear.  "Tay!" I exclaimed suddenly rising from her seat amid swirling thoughts that threatened clarity itself. "I think it's time we leave."

Grace stood quickly at our side—a soft hand reaching out toward us laden with sincerity: "Thank you so much for your kind hospitality! It was wonderful meeting you." I said.
Maggie smiled warmly despite lingering awkwardness;

"Will you both take some dessert?" Grace offered sweetly just before they turned away to leave. "Sure! That would be wonderful—I'm sure Oliver will love it." And so Grace handed us a slice of homemade cherry pie—each piece gleaming red within its crusty shell.
Thank you so much Grace" I say
"And I am so sorry, I have no idea what came over Lewis's behaviour, and as for that
Lola! Well, I never Did like her."  me and Taylor laugh, " don't worry Grace it was an absolute pleasure meeting you" Taylor says giving Grace a side hug as he balances the pie in one hand. And we make our way to the car and home.