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.
“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.