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Chapter 62 - it's like I have a child

"I'm so happy to see you." Sophie sang as she pulled Jess into a hug.

When Aaron had engrossed himself in some drinking game with the guys, Sophie had finally managed to get Jess alone.

"Me too! I was starting to get worried you weren't going to show up."

"Forget about me showing up, I can't believe you're here for Jack!!"

Jess' face instantly flushed red at the mention of a particular Jack Lawrence. This was something she had been dying to talk to Sophie about but doing it with him just a few feet away added on the pressure.

"You need to fill me in on what's happened? Are you still seeing Corey?" Sophie exasperated, suddenly feeling completely out of sync with her best friends life.

"About that..." Jess trailed off as she looked across at the group of guys yet her eyes focused on one person only.

"That's a no then?"

"When I went to Jack's with him, things just got weird between Corey and I. He said it didn't bother him but I know it did and it's not fair on him." Jess began with a sigh. "I know Jack is risky but it feels more right than it did with Corey. I don't know if that really makes sense but..."

"No it does make sense, I get it." Sophie began while trying to figure out the best way to go about this. "and I definitely don't think you should waste time with Corey if it doesn't feel right."

"There's going to be a but here isn't there?"

Jess couldn't help but smile as Sophie began to laugh. It was obvious she wasn't going to stop there no matter how gently she was trying to tackle this situation.

"I'm just going to warn you for the 100th time to be careful. I have seen a change in Jack since he has known you but I would be a rubbish friend if I didn't look out for you so..."

"I know, thank you." Jess reached out to squeeze Sophie's hands. "I do appreciate it and I'm not going to go at his speed. We're just hanging out as friends right now."

"Taking Aaron's advice! You're the first." Sophie teased, knowing he would secretly be really chuffed about it.

"You've got a wise one there." Jess laughed as Sophie rolled her eyes as she watched her boyfriend attempt to politely turn away some keen girls trying their chances. "What's the update on your moving plans then?"

As part of their engagement, Aaron had also insisted that he could afford to put a deposit down on a new place for the both of them. Of course at the time the only emotions had been excitement and happiness however, since then so many other aspects had got in the way.

"It's kind of on pause..." Sophie trailed off as she couldn't help but feel slightly saddened how quickly that excitement had been taken away.

"What, why?!"

"There's just a lot that we didn't really consider."

"Such as?"

"Well income is the main thing. We're both living off student loans and minimal wages. I don't get paid much and Aaron never knows when he'll get paid. It's all fight dependent." Sophie explained yet that hadn't been their only issue. "And then there's everything with Juliet."

"What about her?" Jess asked yet she could see the sudden guilt on Sophie's face from just mentioning it.

"Obviously Aaron has always known she is part of the deal, that isn't the issue but I don't think Juliet sees it that way. I don't think she would feel comfortable or feel like it was her home too, you know? She seems to think that she's just in the way."