Love Metamorphosis

Chapter 29

"You shouldn't be surprised." Candice pointed out pausing long enough to look up and make a smug face from painting her big toe nail bright pink.

"Dis," Jemma warned, "I didn't mean for this to happen."

"It just sort of did?" Candice asked, mostly rhetorical as she went back to work on her right toes.

"I can't believe they think we have a love child or adopted one," Jemma said tossing the newspaper on the table, just out of reach from where she sat, "Adele doesn't even look like me."

"She looks a little like Eric but not a stich like you," Candice agreed. "They will soon get wind of his poor sister and the millionaire taking in his godchild."

"I don't know why they don't just stop trying to make a romance between us," Jemma said angrily. The stupid tabloid writers had seen their possible romance before she had. It was infuriating that something happened it would only confirm their suspicions.

Putting the lid back on the nail polish bottle Candice replied offhandedly, "It isn't like there is any truth to the statement."

Jemma bit her lip. She was never good at lying, especially to Candice. If she denied it her friend would instantly know something was up and she wasn't quite ready to confirm anything. Her silence wasn't a good idea either so she did the only thing she could think of; she changed the subject.

"The hearing is tomorrow, that should provide all the evidence they need." Jemma avoided like a snake in the grass.

"Jem," Candice said waddling over, her nail polish still drying, "Don't think I missed that lip biting action you just did, you better spill."

"Candice," Jemma pleaded; she wasn't prepared to tell anyone anything.

Her friend's eyebrows shot up as she slid into one of the other chairs, "That serious?"

Groaning she dropped her head into her arms, muttering to herself how ridiculous everything was. Utterly defeated she tried to burrow into the safety of her arms by covering her head with them and resting her head on the table. Finally she turned her head to the side and let her arms fall off the table and hang loosely at her side.

"I don't know what to think any more," Jemma admitted, "Something happened when were in Maryland."

"It is the butt," Candice decided and Jemma moved so her chin rested on the table so she could look skyward, "Come on Jemma, you can't deny its magnificent."

"Jeff has only been gone a year, Candice," Jemma said sitting up and using her hands to make her point, "Is something wrong with me to find someone who I care for so quickly?"

"He loves you," Candice said softly, "It is obvious to everyone but you."

Jemma's mouth dropped open, "I—"

"Hush Jem," Candice said taking Jemma's hands in her own two, "You shouldn't stop a possibly good thing, and bugger off to exist unhappy and alone in Pennsylvania. God awful place that it is."

Jemma couldn't help but laugh, "I just want to help him with Adele."

Candice sat back obviously a little annoyed, "You are bloody unbelievable."

"Amazingly unbelievable." Jemma said putting a coy smile on her face.

Huffing she crossed her arms like a rebelling teenager, "You are going to miss me when I leave tomorrow."

"Speaking of leaving," Jemma said with a half-smile, "Don't be angry but I found an apartment two blocks from here that I can move to."

"You're not going back to Pennsylvania?" Candice asked, sounding genuinely shocked.

"No," Jemma said smiling at Candice's surprise, "My life with Jeff was in Pennsylvania, but I am making a new life here. I can stay close to you, my brother and my father, while helping Eric and Adele. Not to mention I already got a handful of job offerings."

She did a little dance as she exclaimed, "Two precious blocks away!"

Jemma laughed, "I am going to go home and get the house ready to sell. I think it is about time that I moved out on my own."

"I am going to miss your baking," Candice sighed with a half attempt at a pout, "It makes the whole apartment smell nice."