Part 13 (1/2)
”Yes you do,” I tell her. ”I've got plenty to go around.”
Leah shakes her head. ”I couldn't take your money, Jess.”
”Yes, you can. My grandfather gave it to me to use as I see fit. And I'm going to give some of it to you. I'll put it in Mama Lynn's name for now but when you turn eighteen, it's all yours. You won't want for anything for the rest of your life.”
”Well, first thing I think we need to do is get you some new clothes,” Mama Lynn says, looking at Leah's threadbare attire. ”What do you think Faison? Outlet store time?”
Faison nods. ”Yeah, definitely outlet store time.”
I leave Leah in the good hands of Mama Lynn and Faison.
When I get back to my house, it's empty and I feel extremely lonely all of a sudden.
I decide to take a short nap. It's been a long couple of days, and I don't want to fall asleep on Mason tonight. Wait, scratch that. I do literally want to fall asleep on Mason tonight I just don't want to yawn at an inappropriate moment and break the mood. When I lay down in my bed, I hug his pillow and sniff. It still smells like him which makes it easier for me to fall asleep.
Chapter 9.
I wake up to b.u.t.terfly kisses across my cheek. When I open my eyes, I see Mason lying on his side of the bed. I smile.
”How long have you been here?” I ask, drinking in his presence.
”I just got here,” he murmurs, brus.h.i.+ng his lips against mine.
”Do you have everything ready for tonight?”
”Anxious are we?”
”Very.”
Mason smiles. ”Yes, everything is ready.”
I sit up. ”Is it five already? I didn't realize I was that tired.”
”No, it's four.”
I stare at Mason. ”You're early? I thought you didn't do early.”
”I needed to see you.”
I lay back down beside Mason. ”Just can't do without me, can you?”
”No,” he says, gently rolling me onto my back. He looks down at me and caresses the side of my face with the tips of his fingers, ”I will never be able to do without you.”
”Jess! Jess, I am here with your dress, mon ami!”
Mason kisses me quickly on the lips. ”You better go see what JoJo has for you.”
”Do I have to?” I whine. ”I was looking forward to a preview of tonight.”
Mason smiles and kisses me one more time. ”I'll be back. I promise.”
He phases and I groan in frustration.
I roll out of bed to go see what JoJo has brought me.
When I get in there, JoJo has Isaiah helping her lay out some very simple looking summer dresses on the couch.
”Ah, there you are, ma cherie. Come, come, look to see what I have brought for you.”
There are five gowns lined up over the couch but one in particular catches my eye.
”I thought you might like a few choices for tonight,” JoJo tells me.
”If you ladies will excuse me,” Isaiah says, ”I need to attend to something. JoJo, call me when you are ready to leave.”
”Oui, merci, Isaiah.”
After Isaiah leaves, I go to stand in front of the one red dress JoJo brought.
”Do you happen to know where Mason is taking me tonight?”
”Non, he just said it would be warm. I don't believe he intends to share you tonight, ma cherie. Even Isaiah doesn't know where you are going.”
”Did he pick the dresses out or did you?”
”I did, but,” JoJo smiles at me, ”he did make one request.”
”What was that?”
”That it be easily removable.”
I instantly bury my face in my hands and shake my head.
”Mon cher,” JoJo said, coming up to me and taking my hands away from my face forcing me to look at her. ”Do not be embarra.s.sed. It is a beautiful thing that you and Mason will share tonight. I envy that you get to share your first time with someone you love so much. There is nothing like it in the world. Do not hide your face and act ashamed. Making love with the man who holds your heart is not something to be embarra.s.sed about.”
”I think everyone I know knows what we're going to be doing tonight,” I lament.
”So?” JoJo shrugs like it's no big deal. ”I can not speak for the others but I am jealous of you right now. I have waited my whole life to find a love like your and Mason's. Yet, I have not. Though, I can't say I haven't enjoyed the many lovers I've had over the years but none of them have been the one for me. Cherish the memory of tonight because your first time will only happen once in your life.”
”So you've had a lot of lovers?” I ask, testing the waters on how experienced JoJo is.
”Oui, some good, some bad,” she laughs.
”Do you have any advice for me?” I ask, not wanting for JoJo to give me a play by play of her love affairs but some pointers couldn't hurt.
”The best advice I can give to you is to relax and let things unfold naturally. You will know what to do when the time is right. Wonderful love making is not something you plan out like a pattern for a dress. Trust Mason to lead you where you need to go.”