Jocelyn pulled into the valet for the upscale bistro in the lower part of downtown. The only area she’d really explored prior to meeting Mason. But it was nice to be back in the comforts of familiarity. Her whole body was on a nervous edge in anticipation of meeting up with Taylin. It was too late to back out now, and if she did, that would be that, and an end of a friendship that had lasted more years than she could count.
Jocelyn shook her hair out before getting out of the car, handing her keys to the valet, and taking her slip. The door was held open by the staff as she made her way into the restaurant, and she was quickly greeted by the maître d’.
“Do you have a reservation?”
“Yes. I’m actually meeting someone.” Jocelyn paused, scanning the room. “Oh, I see her.” She pointed.
The man at the desk gestured for her to proceed.
“Thank you.” Jocelyn smiled before walking toward the table.
It only took a second for Jocelyn to lock eyes with her friend. Taylin quickly stood from the table as Jocelyn approached, and in moments she had Jocelyn wrapped up in a tight hug. Jocelyn wrapped her arms around Taylin in reciprocation. How she’d missed her friend; so much had happened in the little time since they’d last spoken.
They broke away and Jocelyn saw tears in Taylin’s eyes.
“Are you okay?” Jocelyn asked, concerned.
Taylin swallowed hard, nodding for Jocelyn to take a seat. They both sat before Taylin spoke.
“I’ve just really missed you. And I’ve been replaying our last conversation over and over. I was really bitchy to you. I just didn’t know how to handle what you were saying. I still think I need you to explain it to me, but this time I’m going to stay open-minded.”
She still doesn’t get it. At least she promised to hear Jocelyn out. That was something.
“Let’s order something to drink first,” Jocelyn said with a heavy sigh.
As if on command two mimosas were placed on the table.
“I already ordered drinks. I hope you don’t mind.”
Jocelyn smiled. She should have expected as much.
“Do you ladies want to order food yet?” the waiter asked.
Jocelyn gave Taylin a questioning look to see if she was ready.
“I know what I want,” Jocelyn offered.
They’d come to this place over a dozen times and always ordered the same thing.
“Yes, thank you,” Taylin said to the waiter. “I’ll have the spinach and berry salad, with chicken, and she’ll have the chicken Caesar salad. And we’ll both take the endless mimosas. One check please.”
“You don’t have to buy me brunch,” Jocelyn said with a halfhearted smile as the waiter left.
“Of course I do. It’s the least I can do to apologize.”
“Thank you.”
Taylin tipped back half of her mimosa before she spoke again. “All right, tell me everything. Start at the beginning and don’t leave anything out.”
Jocelyn pressed her lips together, trying to figure out where to start. But there was no point beating around the bush, she just needed to come out and say it.
“I love him, and he loves me. I’ve never met someone who makes me feel so alive, who’s so supportive and caring…and amazing in bed.” Jocelyn blushed.
“Wow.” Taylin finished off the rest of the drink, signaling for the waiter to bring another. “So, you’re in love… Okay,” she said, letting out a heavy exhale. “Don’t be mad at this next question.” Taylin paused, and Jocelyn knew exactly where she was going.
“Tay, the age thing still bothers me, but I don’t know what to do about it. If I let what other people think about me bother me all the time, I’d never leave the house. It doesn’t even faze Mason. And his friends are coming around to the idea. How am I supposed to say no to love?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate that you’re dating a younger man. I guess I never imagined a woman going after a younger man, it always seems like some midlife crisis thing that men do.”
“I didn’t go after him,” Jocelyn said curtly. “It just happened. And maybe I was a little lost, but he’s helped me find my own way. It’s been amazing.”
“What has he helped you find your way to?” Taylin asked, leaning across the table with interest.
“Well, I’ve been taking a lot more pictures, and with his encouragement, I’ve decided to do a gallery event.”
“What! That is amazing, Jossie.”
“You think so?” Jocelyn asked, sipping her drink.
She wasn’t sure how Taylin would react to the new direction her life was taking. The idea of being independent and going after something she wanted for herself was out of character, but she was growing as a person, and sometimes the people closest to you have a hard time adjusting.
“Yes, I do! And if Mason helped get you there, then I’m happy you’re together.”
“Really?” Jocelyn asked hopefully.
“Come on. Of course.” Taylin rolled her eyes. “What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t want you to succeed?”
“Rachel,” Jocelyn teased.
“Oh God, don’t get me started on her. Now that woman is ‘misery loves company’ type of people. I don’t have time for that.” Taylin waved her hand in the air, figuratively brushing the woman off.
“Good, because I need you to help me plan it.”
“I thought you’d never ask!” Taylin squealed with excitement.
“Thank you! We need to get started, I’ve given myself a month.”
“A month! We need to get those ‘save the dates’ out this week. Let’s go back to my house after lunch, and we can start on some mock-ups and try to get them rush ordered from the printer.”
Jocelyn smiled at her friend, tears welling in her eyes. The roller-coaster of emotions that she’d been riding for weeks had been exhausting. Now she had her best friend back, and not at the expense of Mason. She was about to have it all, just like Mason said she could.
* * * *
Mason knew he shouldn’t feel guilty but having time with his boys felt nice. He loved spending time with Jocelyn, but he forgot how great it was to just hang out with the guys. Shoot the shit, and act like assholes.
“So, she let you off the leash for one day?” Derrick teased.
Mason shook his head. They’d only made it to the third tee before they started to give him shit. But he was somewhat prepared for it. He wouldn’t expect any less from them, but now was the time to get them on board, and he hoped Preston would help since he seemed to be warming up to the idea.
“Well, he didn’t have to ask her permission this morning, so I’d say he’s good,” Preston answered back.
“She’s staying at your place now?” Bo asked. “That’s how it all starts. Next thing you know she’ll be leaving stuff at your place, and then…man, then comes the lock down.”
“Now, wait a minute, Bo. No one heard you complaining about Sarah while you were dating and then living together. It was only after you broke up that you started complaining.”
“Yeah, that’s because women know how to brainwash us. Before you know it, they rip the carpet out from under you, making you look like a fool for caring.”
“Woah, Bo. You have some serious issues.” Derrick laughed. “You need to get yourself in check.”
“You guys are going to have to get over it. She’s my girlfriend. You’re going to have to at least pretend to get along. Preston’s the only one even trying.” Mason brought Preston up, hoping the men would take it more seriously if they knew Preston had his back.
“Is that right?” Bo asked Preston as he approached the tee.
“Yeah.” Preston shrugged. “What other option do we have? Mason seems really into her, and I don’t think our bitching is going to change his mind.”
Mason nodded in agreement as he watched the other men contemplate Preston’s reasoning. The men hushed as Bo took his swing.
Derrick gave Mason a slap on the back as he headed toward the tee, ready for his shot. “I haven’t met her yet… I guess I should give her a fair shot.”
“Thanks, man.”
“And she is fucking hot,” Bo conceded. “What is she, like thirty-five, thirty-seven? She looks great.”
Mason nervously cleared his throat.
“What is it, man? What are you hiding now?” Preston pushed. “Wait, does she have a kid your age?”
“Fuck you. She doesn’t have any kids.”
“A couple of ex-husbands?” Preston eyed him suspiciously.
“No. She’s a widow.” Mason ran his hand through his hair. “But she isn’t thirty-five. She just turned forty.”
“What. The. Fuck,” Bo exclaimed.
Mason watched as Derrick and Preston boldly laughed.
“Shit, man. Really?” Derrick asked.
Mason rolled his eyes. If he was going to ask his friends to get over it, they might as well have all the information. No more surprises.
Preston crossed his arms over his chest, rocking back on his heels, with a cocky smile on his face. “You know, man, I have heard that women don’t hit their sexual prime until their forties.”
Mason could feel heat hit high in his cheeks as he tried to bite back a smile. He didn’t want to be the type to kiss and tell, but being with Jocelyn was amazing. They had sex, and made love, and it was wild.
“Really, that good, huh?” Bo asked seriously.
“Well, it isn’t bad, that’s for sure.”
The round of approving whoops and hollers was reassuring.
“That’s enough about me and Jocelyn.” Mason shook his head. “Are we gonna golf?”
The round of ‘fines’ as Derrick took his swing was nice. It seemed like his friends had finally gotten over themselves and were okay with who he was dating. That was the biggest hurdle that he and Jocelyn had faced thus far, and maybe the most important. Who cared what outsiders thought? As long as they had the support of their friends, that was enough. He hoped, for Jocelyn’s sake.