Jessica

"Jess, will you ever stop eating?" Rachel asks, genuinely concerned.

I wave a hand dismissively. "I can't. These cupcakes are delicious. Can I take some with me, Kathie?"

She nods. "Aw. Glad to know my attempts for domestication is not put to waste. Don't tell me sister though. You can take a dozen."

I winked at her. "She's still a terrible cook."

"Chassie?" Rach, being newer to the circle asks innocently.

"Yes. Don't try anything she makes. They're not edible."

"What do you mean?"

I put a hand over my lips when Chassie came back to our table, Georgina in her arms.

"Hi, gorgeous. I love your skirt," I enthused.

The little girl answered with a toothy grin. "Thank you, Aunt Jess. Grandma Claire gave them to me."

"It's perfect, Georgie."

Chassie took her seat back next to me. Georgina crawled to my lap, showing off the new unicorn headband her Aunt Kylie bought her.

I rocked her on my lap, peppering kisses on her hair that smelled more amazing than mine. Julie left to get me more food from the snack table. Audrey is with Miles in the bathroom. So, our circle reduced to just me, Rachel, Kathie and Chassie.

Kylie hadn't made it to our table just yet. She was having more fun with the children than the grownups, apparently.

My gaze found Ethan, playing catch with Coby and Kyle. The brothers were having so much I hated to interrupt. I'll shower them my attention later after the party ends.

Ethan caught my eye. He waved, smiling.

And boy, the kid just looked exactly like how Nathaniel Forester would entice a woman.

My palms went to cover Georgie's ear. "Is it just me or Ethan is really going to be a panty-ripper when he grows up?"

Rach choked on her juice. "Jess."

Chassie could only laugh. "He's snagging girls this early."

"Oh?" Kathie giggles.

I slid my hands off from Georgie's ear.

"I'm finding more love letters in his backpack every passing day."

I guffawed a laugh.

Georgie looks up and laughed along with me. "Mommy's right. Yesterday when we went for ice cream, a girl kept trying to talk to him, but I gave her the stink eyes."

I laughed harder. "How exactly do you do the stink eye?"

"Like this," she narrowed her eyes, willing it to be a nasty glare but failed adorably.

Kathie giggles. "That's impressive, Georgie."

She grins, turning to Rachel. She regarded her for a moment, and then, "Aunt Rach, can I sit on your lap, please?"

She smiles softly. "Sure."

"I really like your hair," she enthused.

I took my camera off my bag and secured the sling around my neck. "Kathie. Couldn't help but notice one birthday celebrant has gone missing."

Her nose crinkled. "Chloe doesn't like parties. She's with his daddy."

"Where are they?" I look around, concluding it was safe when I hadn't spotted Matthew.

Great.

No potential encounters.

"I'll go try to gouge her out of her daddy's arms," I murmur.

I found Cade alone in the patio, a phone stuck to his ear. And Chloe comfortable in his arms. Her head was burrowed on the crook of his neck, the ruffles of her dress scraping her daddy's pants.

"Hi, Chloe," I chirped, just in time Cade hang up the call.

She raises her head. "No."

"I haven't even said anything yet."

"No." She buried her face further to her daddy's neck.

Cade nodded at me in acknowledgement. "We're hiding from the party."

"I see." I giggled. I walked toward him, stopping to plant a kiss on Chloe's dark head. "Hey, birthday girl."

"I don't want to go to the party." She groaned.

"That's not what I'm trying to say."

She turns to me, blue eyes curious. "The party's finally over?"

"No. Your brothers are still enjoying the party."

Her shoulders slumped. "Oh."

"You wanna take some pictures though?" I held out my camera.

Her cute face lit up. "With your camera?"

"Of course. Consider this your first photography lesson." I winked.

Chloe smiled, showing off a pair of adorable dimples. "Okay. I want to take a picture of the fountain over there." She pointed to the far end corner of the garden.

Cade set her to her feet, kissing her forehead. He looks up to me and offers his version of a smile – the slightest curve.

I mouthed, 'you're welcome' to him before taking Chloe's hand.

"Bye, daddy." She beams, gone was the grumpy little girl.

"I'll be here if you go looking for me, okay?"

She nods. "I love you."

His eyes tendered behind his glasses. "I love you too, baby."

My heart thawed at the exchange.

We headed to the fountain, walking hand in hand. She took the camera in eager hands and listened intently when I taught her how to take the shot. She snapped a few photos and was delighted when we scrolled through the snaps. We sat on the edge of the fountain as we took more close-up photos.

Just then, her brothers came barreling to our direction. Kylie and Christian were following close behind.

And then there's... Matthew.

Sticking out like a sore thumb.

Hmm, no.

Sticking out like an obvious third wheel.

"Aunt Jess!" They shrieked.

I set my camera next to me on the edge of the fountain. I bent my knees on the grass and stretched my arms out. I yelped when they crashed against my chest. Both their arms were slung over my neck as they race to pepper kisses on my face.

It was a blur of baby blue eyes and dimples.

Christian and Kylie ushered the birthday celebrants back to the playground which left me and Matthew... alone. Together. I stood up, straightening back and to my horror, the string of my halter top limped loose. The front of my top fell forward before I could realize what was happening.

The halter top hadn't required a bra. It was neither a convenience nor a curse. As of the moment, it's siding to the latter. Because my braless state has put me in an all-out boob flashing.

There was a gasp.

I have no idea if it was from me or Matthew.

My hands bolted up to cover my virtue. Or rather what was left of my virtue. "Oh, my freaking God! Don't look."

"I'm not." He turned away, face bright red.

"You were!" I screeched, grasping for the fabric to cover my boobs.

"Well, not anymore."

I gasped in horror. "That's not much of a consolation."

He turns around so his back was on me. "Just do what you have to do."

I glare at his back. "Don't you dare look again."

"Just," he sighed, swiping a hand over his face, "just do it, okay?"

I puffed a breath through my nose and tried to maneuver the strings in haste. To no avail. I gasped. "Fuck!"

"What?"

"The strings snapped. I can't tie it back together!" My face felt like lava.

He takes out another sigh. "It's okay. What do you need?"

"I don't know. Needle and thread?" I chewed on my lips, "I don't know, I can't think!" My voice raises in panic.

"I have a suit jacket in my car. Will that be okay?" He says calmly.

"What if you don't come back?"

"Why would I not come back?"

I took in a breath. "Okay. I'll hide while I wait. Please, hurry."

"Okay." He jogged off and disappeared from my line of sight.

I lurked behind a tree. Clutching the halter top to my chest. I willed myself to stay calm even if Matthew felt like he's been gone for ages. I hadn't prayed hard as much as I did while I was waiting for him.

Had I walked under a ladder recently?

I jumped when I sense someone coming to my direction.

"Are you still here?" Matthew's voice had me breathing out the longest sigh.

I peek behind the tree, the sight of a black suit jacket in his hand melting my insides with relief. "Thank God. You took forever."

He hands it over, face turned away.

I wiggled out of my halter top since it was no longer providing much of a coverage. I slid my arms on the sleeves and relish the feel of the jacket against my skin. I stepped from behind the tree, doing a quick work at that one button the suit jacket thankfully had.

He had his back on me.

I cleared my throat, fluffing my hair.

He turns all the way around, hesitant.

Being face to face with Matthew Parkinson brought too much embarrassment that I want to drown myself in the fountain. My whole face seared.

"Thank you." I hear myself say. I grabbed my camera from the edge of the fountain and brushed past him.

Hey, guys! How are you doing? I hope you're all doing fine. Sorry, lovelies. I know it's been a while. I've been juggling so much stuff these past few weeks I honestly have no idea how I got through. I'm really looking forward for April but by the looks of it, COVID cases in my country are getting alarmingly twice higher than last year. The government just declared that they're putting us under ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) until Apr 4. I don't know what comes after that. Gah. 😣

Anyways, love you, beauties!