I swallow the lump in my throat. He has no idea what’s been going on these past few months, and I feel this overwhelming urge to tell him. But not now. “Yeah.” I nod. “It’s been really cool hanging out with you this week,” I add. “Even after we got past that whole awkward thing at that bar on my last visit.”
He laughs now, and it fills the car, reminding me of how things used to be. I haven’t heard that laugh in a while. “Thatthingat the bar?” He raises his eyebrows. “The part where we dirty danced in a sea of people not caring who saw, or when I took you out back and hoisted you up against the wall while I ground into you?”
I swallow, heat rising in my face, my blush now apparent across my cheeks. He definitely wasn’t bringing that part up when we touched on it at the rink. Maybe now we’re alone in private he has more to say on the matter. “Jay!” I let go of the door handle and reach out to shove him in the shoulder as he tries to dodge it.
“Hey, I’m sick of trying to sugar-coat it, Princess. It happened. It shouldn’t have, but it did.”
“You’re not going to tell Tanner, are you?” I gasp. Oh, God. I’d never live that down.
Tanner isn’t a stick in the mud by any stretch, but I think he’d have something to say about me cavorting with his best friend, even if neither of us knew at the time who each other was.
Talk about complicated. And awkward.
“Of course, I’m not going to tell Tanner. It was an accident, and like you said, a mistake.”
A mistake? Shit. I did say that.
He’s probably right, but why does that feel a little like a stab to the heart? Especially when I was the one to say it first.
“Was it that horrible?” I don’t mean it to sound like I’m put out, but it seems to hit harder than it’s meant to. His head turns quicker than I can blink, and familiar fingers land on my wrist. Much like that time in the hallway when he knew I’d been eavesdropping and heard more than I should have, but I kept it at bay for the sake of his feelings.
“That’s not what I meant. It wasn’t horrible, Jade, nothing like that. I just feel bad I acted that way with you, that’s all I meant.”
“Acted what way? Your usual way?”
His eyes look up for a moment, like he’s contemplating his answer. His head is shaking before he even speaks. “That’s not myusualway, well, not with you it isn’t.”
I reach down to the floor for my over-sized purse by way of distraction. “I’ll pretend to believe you, even if we were victims of circumstance.” I figure I need to lighten the air a little. I don’t know why I keep going on about that night. It happened like he said, I need to get over it.
He laughs now, heartily, and I can’t help the smile that permeates my face. Jay has always had the ability to make the most intense situations feel light as air with a simple laugh or a smile.
Now is no different. He’s gotten even better at it over the years, perfected it down to a fine art. “You say some funny things sometimes,Little JJ.”
“Glad I can amuse you. Now, I’d better get out of here or I’ll never get anything done.”
“Good luck with the filming. Text me later,” he says again.
“Will do.”
CHAPTER 7
Jade
The Washington Arboretum is not only more beautiful than I ever anticipated, but the vastness of it takes my breath away. There’s no way to see even part of it in a day, so I already make a mental note that I need to come back at some stage so I can enjoy it properly. I know I don’t have much time here, but boy, I wish I had.
I was trying not to think about everything else going on around me during filming. I ended up capturing three new thirty-minute workouts, an hour-long power yoga, plus a few meditations. Then I found a quiet spot in a part of the garden called the Pacific Connections. It was both amazing and ingenious; five different countries all connected by the Pacific Ocean; Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Cascadia and China, coming together for an amazing plant display. Each section exhibits plants and shrubs native to their country.
I was in awe walking amongst the vast density of the Snow Gum trees, native to Australia, the smell of them sharp,medicinal and earthy, reminding me of the Rosemary planted in my parents’ garden.
The swaying and gentle whoosh of the trees in the light breeze took my mind off everything going on at home as I admired the different variations of Grevillea and Callistermon, along with other Eucalyptus varieties also native to Australia.
I’ve always felt a sense of peace among plants, or whenever I’ve been in the forest. I love being around nature and find it incredibly grounding. This setting is just incredible, not just for filming my videos, but for myself, too.
After a couple of outfit changes, I finish my recorded meditations in “New Zealand” among a vast array of sword-like leaves ofPhormium Colensoi, a pretty mountain flax perennial with sweet yellow and orange flowers. I do one of my best ever guided meditations under the careful watch of theDacrycarpus dacrydioidesConifer trees, the tallest indigenous trees that grow in New Zealand. The footage, which I’ll edit when I get back home, is going to be like no other. It reminds me how much I love shooting on location.
It’s safe to say I’m shining like a sunbeam by the time I pack up and exit the gardens, vowing to come back soon because I want to explore the Japanese gardens section next time.
It takes just a few minutes to walk to meet Beth at The Volunteer Park Cafe and Pantry for a bite and a cup of coffee. It’s close by and really quaint.
