As Summer was reluctant to leave Jackson, we had no choice but to leave the maternity shop and look for a place to sit down.
Jackson wasn’t good at coaxing a child. However, the lady beside him tried her best to play with Summer, thus freeing him to turn around and look at us.
Although Jackson behaved warmly like he used to, I somehow felt that he had changed a lot.
A moment later, I took the initiative to say, “How have you been lately?” My mind went blank once I started talking. As such, I paused for a while before I continued, “I heard that you went overseas. Have you settled everything?”
“Mm.” Jackson nodded in response, indicating a silent admission. The next moment, he shifted his gaze toward Rose.
I suddenly recalled that I hadn’t introduced them to each other. “This is Rose, Nick’s wife.”
With a warm smile, Rose reached out her hand and greeted, “Nice to meet you.”
Jackson was startled by Rose’s enthusiasm. Shortly afterward, he shook her hands and replied meaningly, “I know you.”
Since Rose wasn’t aware of the relationship between Jackson and Nick, she asked in surprise, “Oh, really? Did Scarlett mention about me?”
I was taken aback by her words and dared not respond.
Fortunately, Jackson defused the awkwardness, “The news about your marriage with Mr. Harrison was all over Facebook. So how can I not know you?”
He withdrew his hand and continued, “You and Mr. Harrison are a perfect match. I give you two my best wishes.”
Since their marriage established a close relationship between the Harrisons and the Walkers, the wedding was a grand event that received wide coverage. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising at all that Jackson watched their wedding online.
“Thank you!” Rose blushed as she replied.
I heaved a sigh of relief. Then, I gazed at the lady next to Jackson and changed the subject of conversation, “May I know who she is?”
Judging from the lady’s behavior, I felt that she wasn’t a loose woman as Nick had described.
Upon hearing it, Jackson wrapped his arm around her shoulder and introduced proudly, “She’s Lydia, my wife.”
I was taken aback. He’s married already? But he only left for merely a few months! Besides, this was the first time I met his so-called wife. Perhaps due to my self-esteem, I couldn’t accept that Jackson, who grew up with me, married someone without informing me. Hence, my face darkened once he introduced her.
“Are you surprised?” He flashed me a broad smile, but the dimness in his eyes remained. “Well, I don’t blame you since you’re not really aware of my personal life. I’ve known Lydia for almost a year, and we registered our marriage two months ago. So it wasn’t really a flash marriage.”
My heart sank although he was speaking in a joking manner.
Deep down, I knew that Jackson was blaming me.
After all, what he said just now was true. Back then, as I was in a romantic entanglement of sorts, I had basically neglected my childhood friend.
“Jackson, you…” My mind went blank once I started talking.
Overwhelmed by guilt, I turned around and avoided his gaze. However, the next moment, I met Lydia’s eyes which were brimming with kindness. After putting on a faint smile, I lowered my gaze without uttering a word.
In Rose’s eyes, it was only a reunion between two old friends. As she thought Jackson was joking, she chimed in, “Well, it’s not a problem even if you had a flash marriage. After all, falling in love at first sight does happen. My husband and I were already deeply in love shortly after we met, and we still have a blissful marriage. So, it’s perfectly fine as long as you two are happy.”
