46 - Jessica

PLEASE REMIND ME AGAIN IF A NEW CHAPTER ISN'T UP ON MONDAY/TUESDAY.

Jessica

I refreshed my calendar one more time. I squint at the reminder of the day I'm supposed to go to the benefit with Matthew. It says that I'm photographing a wedding that day.

Maybe I'm just seeing the whole thing wrong. I closed the calendar for the tenth time. Ultimately, I just texted Rachel about my schedule for the month.

"Everything okay?"

After an exciting furniture shopping this morning, we grabbed lunch at his brother's restaurant. I'm helping him move in—practically doing anything to keep him close. Until he figures out how great I am and I'm possibly a great girlfriend material. And that his life will be a better place when I'm more than just a friend.

Usually, I would just let a guy buy me a drink at the bar if I'm interested. It's different with Matthew though.

It's not like I can just 'bend and snap' in front of him and he'll know. He probably would've just picked up whatever I pretended to drop like the gentleman that he is.

I don't want him for one night and then leave him the next morning.

"Jessica?"

I blink. "W-what?"

Matthew's brows were creased with worry. "Are you okay?"

"Oh. I'm good. I'm just sorting something out." I smiled and continued on my hamburger and onion rings. I caught a glance at the food on his plate.

He ordered a smoked salmon. Maybe I should've just ordered the same thing. Or I can order one for later. I think I still have room.

"You want a taste?" Matthew asks, looking so casual and gorgeous in his light green shirt with the sleeves bunched up on his arms.

My jaw dropped. "A what?"

I've been struggling to tamp down some naughty fantasies about this guy and him asking things like that (no matter how innocent it's supposed to be) isn't helping.

He just smiled and gently pushed his plate in my direction.

Oh, the salmon.

The hell was I thinking?

I think I felt a little heat in my cheeks, embarrassed with my own thoughts. I stabbed the salmon with my fork and shoved a forkful into my mouth.

I sighed, relieved that the food distracted me from my naughty thoughts. "I knew I should've ordered this instead."

"We can share if you want," he offered with a little twinkle in his blue eyes.

I smiled delightedly. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'm saving room for dessert anyway. I requested strawberry shortcake."

My heart fluttered. "You did?"

I was watching a baking show last night and I was drooling over a strawberry shortcake someone made in the show.

He nods, his dimple more emphasized than ever because he is grinning boyishly.

Oh, God. This guy is being nonchalantly sweet across me while I'm over here falling head over heels for him.

He's really going to end up chained in my bed if he keeps this up.

Matthew's phone vibrates on the table. He gave an apologetic smile and said he had to take it.

I made a shooing gesture at him because I just took a mouthful of his salmon. I was expecting him to leave the table, but he didn't. However, the kid at the next table started crying and then he had no choice.

I followed him with my gaze, contemplating the entirety of him and wondering, at the same time, about how I was going to make my move without coming on too strong.

"Ma'am you need a napkin to wipe that drool?"

I blinked and suddenly snapped out of my thoughts. I looked up and beamed at the familiar face. "Hey, you. I thought you were on vacation?"

France, Andrei's sous chef (and one of Chassie's long-time friends) beamed back at me, two slices of strawberry shortcake on one tray and two glasses of lemon juice on the other. "I had to cut it short."

"Oh. But why?"

He set down the lemon juice and cake. "That's what I've been asking myself."

"Andrei said you're on a spiritual journey," I kidded, taking the glass of lemon juice.

France slumped on Matthew's seat, crossed his legs, and ran his fingers through his pepper-black hair. "Yeah. But I've just had one clarity in my life."

"Oooh, what is it?"

He downed the lemon juice before answering. "That I hate nature."

I guess the lemon juice isn't for Matthew. I found out why when I took a sip. Vodka scraped its way down my throat. "Whoa. That's strong. This is not lemon juice."

He nods and wags his eyebrows at me. "I see lots have happened while I was gone."

I narrowed my eyes. "I know you've read the group chat."

"It was one hell of a back reading, but it was worth it." He lets out a giggle.

"Some of them were extremely exaggerated—""

France cut me off. "If you say nothing's going on with you and Matty, I'll punch you in your right boob."

I gaped at him, putting a protective hand over my boob. "Damn, France. So aggressive. I like that."

"I guess you must've known he exchanged numbers with Harper," I murmured. I told myself I was not going to skim through the group chat, but I'm not an idiot so here we are.

He gestured dismissively. "A little competition. All the more reason to seduce him sooner. Why didn't you just tell the girls that you like him anyway?"

"I was in stupid denial stage. Plus, I'm still a little hurt that they're pairing him up with somebody else now." I grumpily swung my arms around my chest.

He nods slowly like he's taking in the information. "You really do like him. What are your plans?"

"I'm going to get him drunk and ambush him."

His eyes rounded.

I giggled. "I'm kidding."

He sighed, his hand going over his chest. "I thought you were going to pull off an 'Audrey Danler' on him."

"Getting pregnant with his baby? Actually, that's not a terrible idea."

He nudged me on the knee from under the table. "You can't do that. Matthew is a delicate little thing."

"Again, I'm kidding." I scrunched my nose at him. "I know that this is delicate."

"Please, just tell me your plans," he begged me with puppy eyes.

I smiled. "Okay. I'm thinking, maybe, inviting him over for movie night."

"Movie night?" He monotones.

I raise my finger as if I was making a point. "I'm going to make dinner."

His frown turns upside down. "Aw. You never made dinner for anyone ever."

"I know."

He reached over the table and covered my hand. "Do you want me to send you some recipes? Maybe, come over to help you practice for a bit."

"Sure. Anything to make it look like it's made by a caring, passionate woman."

We both giggled.

He froze all of a sudden.

I stopped.

"Okay, don't look. I think I'm seeing Jason Boyd."

I gasped. "Matthew's best friend? Is he with his fiancé? You know, Kierra?"

I tried to look over my shoulder, but France blurted, "Don't look."

"Oh, God." His eyes were round as saucers.

"What? What is it?" I whiper-yelled.

He looked at me with a horrid look on his face. "I think he's with another woman."

"Are you sure it's not Kierra? I just had a meeting with them the other week. Trust me, they're still getting married." I rummaged for my compact in my purse.

"Oh, I'm sure. Kierra doesn't have red highlights."

"What? Well, maybe she's just a friend." I opened my compact and pretended that I was retouching my makeup.

Sure enough, I saw Jason Boyd in the far corner of the restaurant. The woman was wearing a floral scarf while Jason had a black beanie on and huge sunglasses, enough to cover half of his face. I'm surprised France even recognized him from where we were seated.

It looks like they're just in some sort of a friendly kind of lunch. But then... they're playing footsies under the table, and I saw them holding hands briefly every now and then.

I squinted my eyes at the mirror. There's something about her that makes her so familiar. Something about her red highlights.

I gasped as I realized where I'd seen her. I snapped my compact. "She's one of the bridesmaids."

France's jaw dropped. "Oh, shit."

I shake my head. "Wait, maybe we're just reading too much into this."

"I'd like to read more into that." He grabbed the trays and left the table.

"France, stop." I groaned because he was already out of earshot. I sighed as I watched him pretend to check on every table. "Fine, I'll call you later."

Just then, Matthew came back. "What did I miss?"

I gulped. "You didn't."

He took his seat across from me and smiled at the sight of our strawberry shortcake.

I tried to push the Jason thing at the back of my mind. I don't want to make assumptions. Instead, I focused on my strawberry shortcake. I took a forkful and shoved it into my mouth.

My phone buzzed on the table. I clicked on Rachel's message and the cake turned stale in my mouth.

She just confirmed that I'm working the night I'm supposed to be going to a charity event with Matthew.

"Jessica? Is there a problem?"

I sighed.

Darn it. I decided to just rip it off like a band-aid, so I just mustered all my courage. "Matthew, I can't go with you to my grandmother's charity thing. I have a wedding gig."

"Oh." His shoulders drooped a little. Disappointment flashed past his blue eyes. "It's okay."

"But I'll make it up to you."

His eyes lit up. "Really?"

My heart fluttered in my chest. "Yeah."

He put on a full-fledged smile. "What do you have in mind?"

"Movie night at my place? What do you think?"

He chuckled. "Jessica, we could be burying a body. You know I'm in."

I laughed. "I'm that fun to be around?"

"You know you are," he says with a wink.

A cute little wink that made my stomach flip.

I'm not spending Saturday night with Matthew. Despite that, I hid a triumphant smile. Matthew was disappointed that he wasn't going to the charity event with me—that's enough to make me happy.

Thank you for reading! Also, big shoutout to @henihorlar_1234 for reminding me about the update. My memory isn't good these days. 🥲