“Can I ask you something?” Lexi questioned Bekah.
“Sure, I guess it’s only fair.”
“Why would you want to talk to me? I mean, why would you want to talk to any of us? Danielle and Kate and I have all had intimate relationships with Jack. Relationships with him that you will never really understand, because every relationship is in some way different than what you are experiencing. And while you could probably pick up on a pattern of some sort, and coming from an insider’s perspective, I really don’t think there is one. I’ve known Jack for a long time, and he’s pretty much been the same guy since I’ve known him. He’s had his ups and downs like everyone, but he’s pretty much the same. I …well, I don’t know why you would want to open up that can of worms,” Lexi said spewing out everything in rapid succession.
“I disagree,” Bekah said folding her hands one over another, “I think there is a pattern.”
“And what’s that?”
“I’m not certain yet, but there’s really only ever been one constant throughout his relationships. I didn’t see it when I first started asking questions or even when I talked to Jack about it.”
“But you see it now?”
“Well, I think you are the pattern.”
“Me?” she asked incredulously.
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you. I feel that Jack has always had rather strong affections for you. I noticed it when ya’ll look at each other, when he spoke to you, when you kissed my brother,” she said. “But I also could tell when I talked to ya’ll separately. He would get this look on his face. You would get very defensive. It was little things that were out of the ordinary for him,” she explained. “Now, if something is still going on, then I’d like to know about it. If not, then honestly I want ya’ll to tell me that it’s over so that he can move on.”
Closure. It always came back to closure. If she was the missing link that explained why Jack couldn’t seem to commit to anyone, then how could they ever come to closure?
Before Lexi had a chance to respond, Katherine returned from the back room with two full racks of clothes specifically catered to each individual. They wasted away the afternoon fluttering from one designer to another and discussing the tragic outcome of Lexi’s relationship with Jack. She hadn’t been able to reveal all of the details as she originally had anticipated, but Lexi was pretty certain that Bekah had gotten enough information out of her that it would sate her desire for the time being. What she did with the information was an entirely different story. Lexi hadn’t gotten a single clue as to whether or not what she was providing Bekah with was helping or hurting Bekah’s understanding of Jack.
Inevitably, she did end up leaving the mall with a single dress from Barney’s. Katherine had been exceedingly accurate with Lexi’s size, and without even realizing it, Lexi had found the perfect dress. And as luck turned out, it was also the most expensive dress she had ever had the luxury of trying on her tiny frame. She had gulped at the infinite number of zeros attached to the piece of paper and wondered faintly why God hated her. However, true to her word, Bekah had retrieved a black credit card from her designer bag and handed it to Katherine, paying in full for everything surrounding them. Apparently, she had answered enough questions correctly to deliver payment for her time.
As she made her way towards the entrance, where Bekah informed her that the same town car was awaiting her, she felt strangely at ease. One of reasons she had come to Atlanta again had been successfully fulfilled. No longer would she have to agonize about Bekah, and her potentially deviant plots to get her to confess. Lexi hadn’t told her everything, but she had disclosed enough to keep her appetite hampered.
Lexi was almost to the exit, when Bekah stopped her. “Let’s just have a peek,” she exclaimed, her eyes shifting to her right.
Lexi’s stomach dropped at the store front before her. Tiffany’s. Bekah had directed her straight to the entrance of Tiffany’s. Now, suffice it to say that jewelry stores made Lexi nervous. She had never been able to put her finger on it, but something about the inside of them made her skin crawl. Her body would break out into a cold sweat, and she couldn’t help but chew on her bottom lip. She couldn’t go in there.
“I really can’t…” she stammered.
“Oh, come on. We don’t have to get anything. Just a quick look,” Bekah said, her smile bright and vibrant at the prospect. She grabbed a hold of Lexi’s elbow and hauled her through the well lit storefront. Bekah’s eyes barely focused on the stunning collections before her. She ignored the eager looks from the sales associates as she dragged Lexi to the counter. Lexi felt as if she had hit the top of a rollercoaster ride, and her stomach was on auto-pilot down the metallic runway.
Engagement rings clouded her vision. Perfectly cut, perfectly designed, flawless engagement rings on display shining brilliantly in the light. Lexi’s hands were shaking as she reached out to touch the glass for support. This was not good. She could not be here with Bekah. It was all fine and dandy when they were shopping for dresses, but this…this was entirely different. She couldn’t imagine one of these beautiful stones on Bekah’s finger securing her to the man she loved…to the man Lexi loved. She swiped a thin layer of sweat from her brow.
“Aren’t they gorgeous?” Bekah cooed, her extra thick blond hair framing her face as her eyes ballooned at the prospect of owning such a rock.
“They’re…they’re something,” Lexi mumbled coughing into her wrist.
“I’d love this one,” she said pointing to a large princess cut diamond set on a gold band.
“Would you like to try it on?” the sales associate asked materializing out of thin air with a set of keys. He undid the lock and procured the ring from its home before she even had an option of declining.
“Oh dear,” Bekah exclaimed taking the ring and sliding it onto her ring finger. To Lexi’s pleasant surprise it was much too large. It would have to be downsized considerably to even look remotely good on her finger. Regardless, the diamond still shone true and her French manicured hands only increased the beauty and perfection that was now placed on her hand. “Well, that won’t do quite yet,” Bekah conceded handing the ring back to the associate. “Next time perhaps,” she added.
“I think…I should go,” Lexi said retreating.
“Yes,” Bekah said glancing up at her, “we should go. Are you alright? You don’t look well.”
“I’ll be fine,” Lexi said hurrying out of Tiffany’s and back into the open air. She let out a long breath and felt color return to her cheeks.
“Well, I’ll see you Friday, if not beforehand,” Bekah said nodding her head at Lexi as she exited. Lexi fell into the cool comforting town car and forced her mind to wander in other directions. The last thing she needed to consider was engagement rings and proposals.
*****
Ramsey had vaguely hinted that he would be out when she returned from her shopping excursion. Something related to work though he hadn’t given any details and had evaded any further questioning on the subject. He had slipped a key into her purse before letting her out of the house, and told her that she was welcome back whenever she had completed her errands. After depositing the hanger in the upstairs guest bedroom and letting any remaining thoughts of engagements flutter from her mind, Lexi found that she was surprisingly relaxed. She had a new fabulous dress. She never had to speak to Jack’s snotty girlfriend again. And soon enough, she would be spending some much needed time with her family. Not much else could get her this excited. The only issue that she had left to deal with was talking to Jack.