Hanging On (Jessica Brodie Diaries #2)(60)

I groggily made my way to said house.

Wait. Where was Fred?

“Fred?” I called. “Freeeeddddddd.”

I heard a bark from inside the cottage. I opened the door and found the Doberman wearing my underwear and a choker. Apparently we thought it would be funny to dress the dog last night. He was good-humored enough to let us. Poor bugger.

I got him out of his drag costume and let him by. He immediately went to pee in the nearest bush.

I hopped we didn’t try to make him drink beer.

I walked around to the front door of the Big House. The air was doing me good, and Fred needed to stretch his legs. Upon walking into the lounge I saw the place littered with Fire and Ice roses. My favorite kind. There must have been twelve dozen spread around in beautiful vases.

Gladis looked up from her knitting needles as I came in. “What did he do?”

“These are from William?”

“Of course. You didn’t think these would be from an admirer did you? You gals aren’t that good!” Gladis’s eyes twinkled.

Lady walked up stiff backed and handed me a Bloody Mary.

“Lady, you are a gem.”

“You shouldn’t have kept Gladis out so late,” she muttered.

“Oh Lady, hush!” Gladis waved her hand in the air.

“Gladis, you didn’t stay the whole time, did you?” I asked, astonished.

“You girls are a hoot! I even had a couple beers. Good thing I was there, too, or this place would have been littered with na**d girls. Though the cooks won’t forgive me anytime soon.”

“Oh Gladis, I am so sorry! You should have told us to go to bed. I am sorry we kept you up!”

“Nonsense! It was fun. It was like I was young again! Without the effects of the next morning, of course.”

I moaned.

Lump stumbled in with an oversized shirt on and make-up all over her face.

“Lump, you look rough,” I remarked.

She looked at me out of one eye. “I feel rougher. You look hideous.”

Lump accepted a Bloody Mary with a groan.

Flem and Claire stumbled out next, followed slowly by Jane. I now knew what I must look like. The fifth musketeer to this lot.

“I need the cure,” Claire croaked.

“Bloody Mary or beer?” I asked.

“Bloody Mary. I’ve got used to them at this stage.”

Lady was right on cue.

Flem took hers and said, “Gladis, give that woman a raise. She is a Godsend!”

Gladis laughed. “There is breakfast out. Help yourselves. Plenty of grease to coat your stomachs.”

We all started to move.

“Jessica, can I talk to you a second?” Gladis asked pleasantly.

Crap. Here we go. Time to get kicked out.

“I notice there is no sign of William. I also notice all these beautiful roses. What did that boy do to you?”

I sighed, “It wasn’t as bad as this makes it seem. He left me at the club. Drove off in the limo without me then had to come back for me.”

She tsked. “Not that bad? Denise would wring that boy’s neck! You were right to put your foot down. Make sure he knows that when he messes up you won’t just take it in stride. Teach him a lesson now, or he’ll never learn!”

I wasn’t in the mood for relationship retribution, but Gladis had a point. A lot of bad things could have happened last night with me standing in a parking lot in next to nothing. Especially since the guys that caused the fight could have easily been roaming around. I didn’t have to have the past experience with Dusty to teach me that lesson.

“Now,” Gladis continued, “he’s made the first move with the flowers. A very good move. He must have been very sorry. That’s good. He really is a good boy. He just forgets himself some of the time. But he should never forget you!”

“This isn’t a good enough apology?” I gestured at all the flowers.

“Oh no! Honey, you are in the money ring now. A poor boy getting you all these flowers—absolutely forgive him. This might be a month’s wages. A boy with means? Oh no, no. This is just a half a thought to him. Nothing.”

I nodded and took a swig of my drink, grimacing when I tasted the vodka. Gladis was plotting this out like a war, and I was happy to let her do all the work.

She looked me over. “Look at you.” She said with a smile. “A love sick little lamb. This is for the best, though. Trust me. Handle it correctly now, and you won’t have to handle it near as often in the future when it is much more important!”

We discussed the situation for a while, and decided that I would keep my date with him and Adam and whoever else that evening, but wouldn’t call him or return his calls all day. I would show up and give him the cold shoulder. I would gradually break down little by little until I let him apologize. I would then be reluctant, but forgiving. Then make up sex.

I added the last bit, but you know Gladis was thinking it!

As the evening came, everyone was in my cottage getting ready. Tonight, however, there was much less zeal. Everyone couldn’t believe all the flowers I got, but agreed that Gladis was probably right. Anyone married that long was probably always right.

Ami had called and said she was really, really sorry, but she couldn’t get in until Sunday morning. She was able to stay through Monday night, though, so that was some consolation.