(57) Jessica

Jessica

I toyed with my napkin on the table. For the hundredth time since Matthew and I got to the restaurant, I looked over the entrance. Matthew is on a business call next to me. It's been about fifteen minutes but I didn't really mind. My mind was somewhere else.

Matthew put his hand over mine on the table.

I didn't realize that I was fidgeting so much that the napkin was completely crumpled.

He distanced his phone for a second and asked, "Everything okay?"

"It's fine. Everything's fine," I answered, sounding a little rushed.

His brows furrowed with worry.

I shook my head and gave him a reassuring smile. If it wasn't enough, maybe the peck on the cheek that I gave him. It took another peck to make him hesitantly press his phone back up to his ear.

Finally, a woman in an elegant, dusty rose dress walked in through the revolving doors. Her eyes swept around and then settled on our table.

I gave her a little wave, holding in a sigh of relief.

Kierra visibly relaxed. I didn't even realize she was tense. Just in time, Matthew wrapped up the call and got up to help her to her seat across from us.

"I'm glad you could come," I blurted out.

She sighed, taking her seat in front of me. "I'm glad you invited me."

Matthew gestured for the waiter. I blushed when Matthew insisted on nothing-peanut of some kind. He was so serious about it too. I just gave Kierra and the waiter an embarrassed smile because I couldn't sink into my seat any further.

It's been at least a couple of weeks since that wedding debacle. The papers had it sprawled all over the front page for days. Today though, a new scandal kicked off its spot on the paper. Thank God for that one womanizing senator.

We talked and talked until our orders came. Looking at Kierra up close, I could tell that she had an extra layer of eye makeup on. Even her concealer has done its magic to cover up her sleepless nights. My heart twisted in my chest. When I heard Kierra hadn't been out of the house for days, I suggested we invite her to dinner. However, by the looks of it, I should've invited her to go have some drinks at the bar with me.

Halfway through our long conversation, Matthew's phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and sighed. "I have to take this one. Be right back." He pecked on my cheek before leaving the table.

Kierra and I had our gazes lingering on his back.

I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling nervous. "Just so we're clear, you can tell me off if this seems a stupid question, but on a scale of one to ten, one being the worst, how are you doing?"

"Gosh, is it that obvious?" She looked at her salad on the table.

"I mean, you just had your wedding canceled and found out your boyfriend was a jerk," I stopped myself, "Sorry."

She looked up with a smile. "No. It's nice not being coddled for once. Everyone at my house tried not to say the W-word like it would break me."

"On a scale of one to ten, it's probably a seven. For now. Honestly, it was eleven a week ago. I'm just so sick and tired of my friends telling me how sorry they are and treating me like I'm a ticking time bomb, like I wouldn't be able to pull through."

I shrug. "Makes sense. You're a grown-ass woman. If there's anyone who can pull through all that hot mess, it's going to be you."

She reached for my hand and squeezed it. "I know, right? I'm not some fragile woman in distress. Come on, give me a bit of credit."

I chewed on my lip, contemplating whether to bring someone up. "Listen, Kierra, about that one bridesmaid."

She nodded in acknowledgment. "Oh, the one Matthew told me about."

"Yeah. I feel like I should've been the one to tell you, but if it were me I think it'll be easier to hear it from a person that I trust, not from someone I just met."

Kierra shakes her head. "I think you made the right call. I'd probably scratch your eyes out."

"Damn, Kierra. I had no idea you have murder blood in you." I let out a pseudo gasp.

She threw her head back and started laughing. When she stopped, she dabbed the corner of her eyes with her napkin. "My gosh, I didn't think I'd laugh again."

"Maybe you just needed to hear the right joke?" I smiled playfully.

"You know what, yes. I needed to talk to someone who's as fun as you. From the moment you walked in, I knew Matty was head over heels."

My smile faltered.

Kierra must've seen it because her brows furrowed. "Oh, no, wait. He didn't tell you yet?"

"No, he did," I blurted out and then suddenly confused. "Uh, wait, what?"

She sighed. "I thought I stole his thunder."

I must've still looked stupid and confused because she continued, "The night my mom called him, Matthew told him he was going to tell you. He wasn't sure if you feel the same way about him, but he was going to risk it all."

"He had a fucked up timing to share that, don't you think?" I asked wryly.

She shrugged. "I needed to hear something nice other than those horrible truths I had to take in all at once. Plus, my mom was exaggerating. I didn't lock myself in the bathroom. I was going to come back. I just needed some time to be alone. They were all hovering over me and I couldn't take it anymore."

I gaped at her. She's tougher than I thought.

"I don't think I've seen him this happy with anyone." She gave my hand another squeeze. "He talks about you all the time and every time he does, he has this spark in his eyes and a bubbly smile on his face."

I hate to be emotional but it almost made me tear up.

"So, Jessica Keith, whatever you're doing, keep at it. We love to see Matthew finally happy and living his life." There was warmth in her smile but quickly faded when something caught her eye. She stared over my shoulder, her smile gone.

I took a peek over my shoulder and saw Jason.

He was looking around and then finally spotted us.

Shit.

Kierra's eyes met mine. In the heat of the moment, we had an understanding.

"Ladies' room?" I blurted.

"Oh, yes, please." She grabbed her purse.

We power-walked toward the direction of the ladies' room. I guess we weren't fast enough because the jerk still caught up with us. The hallway was empty and I was torn between punching the life out of him and grabbing Kierra away from all his bullshit.

"Kierra, please, let's talk." Jason grabbed Kierra's arm.

We stopped in the middle of the hallway.

Kierra twisted her arm away, her eyes shooting daggers at him. "Leave me alone."

"Come on, give me a chance to explain myself." Jason was practically begging, armed with puppy eyes and the rugged look that would make any woman think that he'd been miserable.

Kierra wasn't falling for it though. She was shaking her head firmly. "For the millionth time, it's over, Jason. Why would I even listen to you? So you can lie some more? I don't want to hear another word from you. I swear to God, I'll knock your teeth out if you say another word."

As we started walking away again, Jason reached for her hand. "Baby, please, just one more chance."

His voice was soft, almost breaking, and he doubled down on the puppy eyes.

Wow. I have to say he's really good.

Kierra stared at his face for a moment. And then suddenly, she swung her fist. He doubled back, clutching his nose. Blood trailed down his mouth.

If I was almost speechless a moment ago, I'm definitely tongue-tied now.

It wasn't just a punch that made him take a couple of steps back. It was a punch that knocked the air out of him.

Kierra grabbed my hand and led me to the ladies' room. She looked at herself in the mirror and let out a sigh. She looked at me through the mirror. "Was that harsh?"

I shake my head, still speechless.

She started washing her hands and started mumbling. From what I can manage to hear, she was calling him a jerk and that she should've known better.

I cleared my throat, finally finding my voice. "Where on earth did you learn to do that? I know it's from Matthew because have you seen him try to punch somebody?"

Kierra chuckled. "I learned it from my kickboxing class."

I gaped. "Oh, kickboxing?"

Holy shit, what else does she have under her belt?

Our eyes met in the mirror. Hers lit up as if she just had a brilliant idea. "Hey, you can sign up, if you want."

I beamed. "Yeah, sure. In fact, I have some friends that could use some lessons, well, that's if you're okay with you."

She turned around with a mile-wide grin. "Really? Oh my, gosh, yes." She was so happy that she hugged me tight.

Again, my heart broke a little for her.

"Are you sure it's not just because you feel bad for me?" She mumbles through her breath.

I snorted. I gently tugged her away from the hug and kept her at arm's length. "Puh, lease, you're way too cool for that."

Kierra laughed and gave me another hug. "Thank you for inviting me to dinner... and everything else."

I hugged her back as tightly as I could. My mind drifted to my friends. My God, they're going to love Kierra.

When we left the ladies' room, Jason was no longer in sight. Matthew was back at our table. He was drumming his fingers on the table as if impatiently waiting. As our gazes met, the corners of his mouth lifted, his dimple became visible, and his blue eyes sparkled.

Suddenly, I saw what Kierra was talking about. Suddenly, I'm in awe of how much it took my breath away.

Hi, ladies! I hope you're having a great week so far. If you're not though, you're going to make it through. I know you can. See you in the next chapter. We're almost at the finish line and I don't think I'm ready!