Bekah’s nose turned up ever so slightly as Lexi approached the entrance to Jimmy Choo. She placed a fantastic pair of brown leather boots back on the stand and sauntered up to the tiny girl. Bekah had never been one to put much effort into her appearance. She had always been the beautiful Southern Belle with long flowing blonde hair, baby blue eyes, and a clear complexion. She always stood out from the crowd and the wealth her parents bestowed her only helped with her wonderful wardrobe.
Under differing circumstances, she could see why Jack had thought she would get along with Lexi. She had the same no theatrics beauty, and carried herself as if she owned the world. She looked just as beautiful, if not more so, than any of the other women who spent millions every year trying to achieve the flawlessness that came to these two women naturally.
This girl obviously had charm.
“Lexi, how wonderful to see you,” Bekah trilled giving her a quick hug.
Lexi was momentarily caught off guard by Bekah’s continued hospitality. This girl really was an enigma. One moment she was a snotty nosed bitch out for her life, and the next she was all happy-go-lucky girl next door. What was scarier was that Lexi didn’t know how to predict her actions. Was it something that Jack had said that forced this woman to play nice with her today? Did Jack even know that they were out together again? Lexi hadn’t bothered to call him. She knew she would have to speak with him eventually. She just didn’t know how much of him she could handle yet. He acted as if everything was fine and there was nothing between them, but then there were moments…shining moments where he was her Jack all over again. And she knew in those moments, she was lost. He would somehow work his magic and make her remember what it was like to be with him. That was when she needed to be on guard the most. She had to get closure. Wasn’t that what all this was about?
Her thoughts seemed to press in at her temples, and she forced a smile onto her face as the pain continued to crush in on her. She didn’t want to think about that right now. She had been able to forget for the briefest of moments about Jack while she had been with Ramsey. That had been her break. Now, she needed to get back to reality and fight out this battle so she could move on with her life.
“Good to see you too,” she said pulling away from the embrace. “What are we up to?”
“You’ll never believe it,” Bekah began ushering her away from Jimmy Choo. A slight glint in her eye remained as she passed the high heeled boots she had been holding.
“What?” Lexi asked feigning interest.
“I had this gorgeous one-of-a-kind handmade Vera shipped to me last week for Jack’s big day. Well, my seamstress got a hold of it to do some last minute repairs and destroyed it.” The look on Bekah’s face was pure devastation. “I’ve never fired anyone so fast, and she’s been working for my family for years. You can’t go and ruin a brand new dress. I’ve no idea what she was thinking, but there was no way to salvage it and still have the desired effect.”
“So, you need a new dress.”
“As do you,” Bekah told her angling her body to direct them into Barney’s.
“Oh, no I don’t think so. I can’t afford…”
“Money isn’t an option,” Bekah said the twinkle in her eye replaced by something else…a bit more mischievous.
“I’d never be able to repay you. I simply cannot accept anything, but I’d be happy to help you find something,” Lexi said not wanting to ever be in debt to this woman or anyone else other than the Federal government for her student loans.
“I’ll take answers to my questions as payment. How does that sound?” Bekah asked.
“I don’t think so,” she said uncertainly.
“Let’s just talk and if we find something for you, then that was payment, and if not, then you’re just fine. Is that better?”
Lexi chewed on her bottom lip not wanting to give in to her. She tucked a lock behind her right ear and fidgeted outside of the store. “Fine, but I doubt I’ll find anything.”
“Great!” Bekah exclaimed linking her arm through Lexi’s and pulling her into the store.
They were immediately greeted by a tall, leggy associate with maroon hair and heavy makeup. She couldn’t have been over thirty years old, but somehow with all the caked on layers she appeared older. “Miss Bridges, what a great surprise to see you in the store today,” the woman said standing demurely before the perfume counter.
“Thank you, Katherine. My friend and I need something spectacular for Jack’s big event tomorrow. Can you try to keep us away from the racks?” she asked smiling sweetly.
“Oh, I think I know exactly what you mean,” she said nodding and rushing towards the women’s department. Lexi could tell she was excited that they had come in that day since she was pretty sure everyone in this store worked on commission. Selling them two dresses for an obscene amount of money, not to mention anything else Bekah set her heart’s desire on, could keep her afloat for several months.
As Katherine bustled around the back of the store, Lexi and Bekah got comfortable in the fitting area. Lexi didn’t really know where to go next. Bekah had tried to make the conversation light and civil last time, and that hadn’t worked. They both kept getting jealous and unintentionally saying things that made the other belligerent.
Lexi hoped that if she answered the questions truthfully, Bekah could then make up her own mind about Jack’s past discretions. Lexi didn’t necessarily feel the need to lead Bekah one way or another about Jack. His actions should speak for themselves. If Bekah still felt that Jack was worth her time after the conversation, then that was her decision.
“So…uh…where to begin?” Lexi asked fiddling with her thumbs.
“Can you calm down please?” Bekah asked sipping on some hot tea that appeared before them by another associate. Lexi smiled trying to sweep away her worries. She really did need to calm down.
“Yeah, alright.” She didn’t sound all that convincing though.
“So, can I start it off then?” Bekah asked setting her tea down on a saucer and leaning back into the green cushion. Before waiting for an answer, she began, “Do you love him?”
Lexi just stared at Bekah. That question hadn’t been asked in the past tense. She gulped hard and fully contemplated her answer. On one side, yes of course she loved him. She loved him so much it hurt to breathe. It hurt to think. It hurt to get up every morning without him. But on the other hand, she didn’t know if what they had, had ever truly been love. When he said that he loved her, did he mean it? How could she actually know, when they had never been afforded the opportunity to fully appreciate what they had?
“I believe a part of me has always and will always love Jack. Yes,” she finally stated in a strangled whisper. She hated so much admitting that, especially to his beautiful, perfect girlfriend. Yes, she was in love with Jack. No matter that they hadn’t been together. No matter that he had left her without a backwards glance, without a single act of desperation on his part. She did love him. But something about the feeling had changed and evolved over time. It wasn’t really the same question or the same answer Lexi could give had she been asked the same thing two years ago.
“I’m glad that’s out of the way,” Bekah said blowing out the breath she had been holding. “I was afraid we wouldn’t have anything in common.”
What a strange thing for her to say.
“Now that that’s all out in the open, can we just try and talk about your relationship with Jack. I just want the facts. I want to know why ya’ll didn’t work out if you actually do love him, and I truly want to find out if I’m actually what he’s looking for.” Her eyes had enlarged at the last statement and Lexi could tell inadequacy wasn’t something she was used to dealing with.