Page 77 of Jack
She’d lied. Okay, not exactlylied, but, “Conrad got a text from her. Said she was in Minneapolis.”
So, a half lie.
It burned like a coal inside her, but watching Boo’s face as she leaned back and let the pedicurist massage her feet and legs—yes,her friend needed this day, without fear. Besides, like Jack had said, what could they do? He was probably sitting with Jenna right now, tracking down leads.
As the deputy flirted with him.
Harper closed her eyes, trying to relax into the leg massage.
“Okay, Mom, give us your five best tips for a long and happy marriage.” This from Austen, who sat in the next chair, wearing the same attire, same mud pack. Beside her sat London, who also sat with her eyes closed.
Emily Kingston leaned forward in her chair from where she sat at the end, on the other side of Boo. “Seriously?”
“You’ve been married for nearly forty years, Mom,” Boo said. “Certainly you have some tips.”
“I don’t know. Forgive, maybe? Yes, that’s the right color.” She nodded as her attendant held up a deep red.
“Racy, Mom,” Boo said.
“It’s the only shade I wear. It’s called I’m Not Really a Waitress.” She winked. “Even if sometimes your dad thinks I am.”
“And you think he’s your personal handyman.”
“What? He is.” She grinned. “Okay then, my tips.” She looked at Boo, so much love in her eyes.
Oh,Harper had wanted Emily Kingston for her mother. It wasn’t just the cookie comfort food—although Conrad’s words had struck home. Mama Em listened. Cared. And after Harper had won the sixth-grade spelling bee, she’d found her picture and the article cut out and displayed on the fridge along with the rest of the family’s accolades.
She’d belonged.
So maybe Harper did have something to contribute to Boo’s beautiful wedding week . . . her silence.
“First,” Mama Em said, “remember that men are built to protect. So don’t be whiny and needy, but also let him step in for you when he wants to. Sure, you can pump your own gas, change your own tire, and open your own door, but it doesn’t make you weak to have your man do it for you. In fact, it makes you honored.”
So different from the advice Dr. Phillipa Malone would have offered.“Stand on your own two feet. You don’t need a man.”
“Then, remember that you’re partners, not adversaries. He’s on your side, and you’re on his. Listen to him, seek to hear his point of view, and work with him to solve problems. The more you work together, like a team, the stronger your bond will be.”
And just like that, she could feel Jack’s hand on hers, under the table, squeezing.
“Be team Fox. Just like we were—and still are—team Kingston.” Nothing of the Big Family Fight reflected on Mama Em’s face, and maybe that was the point. Teammates fought, but they didn’t betray each other. And in the end, they showed up.
Like Jack, back for Boo’s wedding, despite the wounds he’d caused.
Harper had clearly misjudged him.
The pedicurist held up a color for Harper. Harper had picked blue but now pointed to the wild red on Emily’s toes. “I’d like to not be a waitress too.”
“Me too,” Boo said.
“Not me,” said Austen. “I’m getting Barefoot in Barcelona.” She held up the pale pink color. “I’ve always wanted to go to Barcelona.”
“It’s beautiful,” London said beside her, her eyes still closed. “Especially for a romantic getaway.”
Harper noticed a purple color on her toes. “What’s yours, London?”
London opened her eyes, wiggled her toes, wearing a grin. “Shaking My Sugarplums.”
Laughter.