The Exception(26)

“Any time, buddy. Have a good night.”

“You too.”





Chapter Sixteen


Jillian



In my hand, I held the keys to my very own apartment. I’d never had my own place before. Even when I was in college, I lived with Grant.

“How about we do a little furniture shopping?” I smiled at Kristen.

“Sounds like fun. I love to shop for furniture.”

I hooked my arm in hers as we exited the realtor’s office and headed to the nearest furniture store.

“Hello.” A nice-looking young man smiled at us as we walked through the door.

“Hi.”

“Can I help you?”

“Actually, I’m going to be spending a lot of money in this store today to furnish my new apartment.”

“Excellent.” He grinned as he saw dollar signs and a nice commission check. “I’m Heath.” He politely stuck out his hand.

“I’m Jillian and this is my sister, Kristen.”

“Nice to meet you ladies. Where shall we start?”

Looking at my watch, I spoke, “It’s two o’clock. How about we start with a glass of wine? You do have wine, right?” I smiled.

“Of course. Red or white?”

“White will be fine. We’re going to look around.”

“Please do. I’ll go fetch some wine and I’ll come find you.”

“Thank you, Heath.”

He gave me a smile as he walked away. He was cute with his six-foot stature, short blonde spikey hair, and green eyes.

“So where do you want to start?” Kristen asked.

“Let’s start with the living room first,” I spoke as I headed over to some displays.

Heath walked over and handed each of us a glass of wine. “See anything that catches your eye?” he asked.

“Actually,” I smiled, “I think I may like that couch over there.” I pointed.

Walking over to where the dark gray leather reclining couch sat, I took a seat and instantly fell in love.

“Nice color,” Kristen spoke as she sat down next to me.

“Isn’t it? Patricia hates gray.” I smirked. “She says it’s the worst color in the world and is a reflection of the person who chooses to decorate in such a drab, boring color.”

“Then it’s the perfect color for your apartment.” She grabbed hold of my hand.

“May I make a suggestion?” Heath asked.

“Of course, Heath. Suggest away.” I smiled as I took a sip from my glass.

“Follow me.”

Kristen and I got up from the couch and followed him over to a display where a dark red chaise lounge sat.

“Oh. I love this,” I said as I ran my hand along the fabric.

“Isn’t it fabulous? Envision it next to the gray couch you were looking at. And right over here, we have this lovely red square cocktail ottoman you can use as a coffee table.”

“Perfect. Sold, Heath.” I grinned. “Now I need a TV. I’ll be hanging it on the wall.”

“Our TV selection is over this way.” He waved.

After picking out my living room furniture, dining table, and some lamps, Kristen and I headed over to the bedroom sets. There was one bed that caught my attention very quickly. It was an upholstered sleigh bed in a color called gunmetal. While Kristen was with Heath looking at another bedroom set, I made myself comfortable across the bed.

“Excellent choice,” Heath spoke as he walked over. “This is our new Bombay collection that just arrived a few days ago.”

Kristen lay down next to me and we both stared up at the ceiling.

“This would be the perfect bed to f*ck in.” She smiled as she looked over at me.

Suddenly, visions of my and Drew’s night together filled my mind.

“It would be. Too bad it won’t be getting any kind of action.”

“Maybe not with two people, but maybe with one.” She laughed.

“True. Very true, dear sister.”

Heath cleared his throat to alert us he could hear our conversation. Getting up from the bed, I placed my hand on his chest.

“Don’t feel sorry for me, Heath. It’s my own choice.”

As I was paying for my new furniture, my phone rang. It was Kellan.

“Hey, I can’t wait to show you my new apartment.”

“I can’t come to New York this weekend, Jilly.”

“Why?” I whined.

“My mom is having surgery tomorrow and my dad is on a business trip over in London.”

“Is she okay?”

“She’s having her breast implants taken out. Both of them are leaking and they need to come out as soon as possible. So I have to take care of her until my dad can get back home.”

“Okay. Give your mom a huge hug and kiss from me and I hope she recovers quickly. Maybe you can come the following weekend.”

“I’m already planning on it. Love you, Bean.”

“Love you too, Kel. Talk to you later.”

****

Moving into my new apartment was the easiest job ever. The deliverymen set up all my furniture and it didn’t take me long to unpack the only two suitcases I brought with me. Looking around my space made me smile. This was mine. My very own apartment and a symbol of a new start in life for me. I felt independent and I felt strong. Two things that I had never felt before.