48 - Jessica

Jessica

Matthew canceled our movie night. I knew I shouldn't have waited until morning to apologize. In my defense, I was baking my peace offering.

I had to try three times because the previous two pies had burnt crusts. It was past dawn when I perfected the pie. I figured Matthew must be out for his run, so I showered first. When I got out of the shower, I got his message.

He said he couldn't make it because he was going... on a date. With Harper. Also, I pored over the group chat too many times and hated Harper a bit more.

I was sprawled on my bathroom floor all morning, with nothing on but a piece of towel, my hair dripping wet, tears all over my face, eating the pie I made with a huge serving spoon.

I admit, it's a pretty disgusting picture. But I did it to myself.

Why did I let my jealousy blind me? Like a moronic fool.

I would've stayed there all day long if not for that dinner I owe to my grandma. Luckily, she picked up a place not far from my apartment, so I had time to sulk-walk my way to the restaurant.

As usual, I was late. My mother, whom I didn't know was included in the dinner thing, gave me a black look. I should've known she was going to be here. I just heard she and my dad are gradually easing into retirement. Plus, my father has been sending me pictures of small, disfigured carrots since their surprise visits.

I ignored it. I'm too heartbroken to fight. She must have noticed because her poker face softened a little bit.

I didn't feel like eating so I just ordered a grilled cheese sandwich.

My grandmother went on and on about the party, telling me which cousins had and which ones did not. My mother was on her phone, probably looking up tips on gardening because she and my dad sucked at it. Maybe she's skimming through the group chat she just recently had with the Foresters and Parkinsons. They were all retiring and apparently all bad at gardening.

"Jellybean, you barely touched your food. What's wrong? Everything okay with Matthew?"

Matthew's name brought a surge of bitterness in my mouth. "He's probably doing okay. Probably had a good night at the charity with his date. Probably doing okay that he's going on a date with Harper later tonight."

A fork clattered on the table because my grandmother dropped it, including her jaw. Even my mom stopped scrolling through her phone.

"What do you mean?" My grandmother reached over the table and held my fist on the table. "Are you okay? Did you guys break up?"

My eyes went suspiciously hot. "We were never together. He even asked someone else to go on that stupid charity with him."

My mother set down her phone, confusion cracking the impassive expression on her face. "What are you talking about? Matthew didn't have a date. He went with Chandra. Harper was her plus one."

"W-What?" My head spun, reeling from the new information.

My grandmother nodded. "Who told you that?"

I clicked on the group chat again and back-read everything. It really said she was going with Matthew.

What the hell are my friends up to?!

I feel my frown deepening between my brows, digging into my skin like a blade as I get even more confused.

"Jessica, are you okay?"

I look up at my mom's worried face. "My head hurts."

She leaned toward me and pressed a hand over my forehead.

"Lillian, honey, I doubt there's a medicine for whatever's ailing your daughter." Grandma put a hand on my mother's arm.

She gave her a confused look. Slowly, she nods in understanding. "We'll take you home."

I shake my head. "I'll walk."

"What? You can't—" she trailed off when my grandmother squeezed her arm.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Go on. Walk on home." She gave me a comforting smile.

I put on my leather jacket and left. On my way home though, I could hear them following close by. Every time I look over my shoulder, they hide behind a streetlight. As if the pole was enough to cover them.

I sighed and continued on. They're just probably making sure I wasn't going to get hit by a truck on the way home. Or step into traffic.

I made it to my apartment and changed into an oversized t-shirt, big enough to serve as a tissue as well.

I couldn't blame anything but myself and my stupid pride. Matthew would've been on my couch right now watching a crappy rom-com with me. It could be a stupid nature documentary and I wouldn't give a freaking shit.

He wouldn't be out there with another woman (worse, with one of my good friends) eating a fancy dinner.

Damn it. It should've been me! You stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid.

I swipe a tear off my face. Wine would help. Maybe a couple of glasses. I grabbed a bottle from the fridge, but my eyes were too blurry, and my kitchen was too disorganized to find my wine glasses.

Straight from the bottle it is.

I was about to chug it down when a knock came from the door. I let out a long sigh to compose myself and set the bottle on the kitchen counter.

I walk to the door and find Matthew standing behind it. He was wearing a pristine navy suit that matched his eyes.

I forced a smile. "Matthew, what are you doing here?"

Matthew quietly steps inside. There was something different about him. Maybe I felt that way because he didn't have a smile on.

I was too sober to face him, so I walked back into the kitchen to reunite with what seemed like the solution to my problems at the moment. "Are you here for dating tips?" I almost dropped the bottle when I turned around because I didn't know Matthew was standing so close behind me.

I could smell whiskey on him. It was faint though. Maybe he had a glass of whiskey before coming here.

Now that I'm seeing him up close, it was pretty clear that he was pissed. Royally pissed.

I set the wine aside. "Matthew?"

"I never agreed to go on a date," he murmurs, his voice taut and stern.

It caught me off guard because I never saw him this angry. No, he was furious.

I blinked, struggling to let the words sink in. "Wait, you never what?"

He took a step forward.

I took a step back but there was very little space between me and the counter.

"Do you want me to go?" He took another step forward.

There wasn't any more space, so I ended up pressed up against the counter. There was also a bile in my throat that wouldn't go away. "You can go if you want to."

He frowned. Like it wasn't what he wanted to hear. He placed his hands on the counter, on either side. "Do you want me to go?"

I look down at my feet. My eyes started to get blurry again.

I felt his finger under my chin, urging me to look up. When I finally did, I saw the desperation in his blue eyes. "Do you?" He asks one more time.

I gulp, shaking my head.

Matthew rested his forehead against mine. "Say it, Jessica."

My fingers clutched on the sleeve of his suit. "I don't want you to go. To Harper."

I held my breath for what felt like the longest second of my life.

He sighed and I felt his taut muscles eased. "Good. Because I'd rather be here with you watching whatever's on stupid TV."

I stared at him in disbelief. Then, I could feel the smile on my lips. My heart was beating so fast I bet he could hear it too. The power this man has over me is tremendous.

He was so close, and I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed his tie, rolled on my tiptoes, and pressed my lips against his.

Oh, God. He feels divine.

He pressed me further against the counter, his arms going around my waist. He kissed me back with the same fervor.

There were tingles all over my body, even in places I never thought they could reach. The way he touched me felt different.

It was... purely galvanic.

I've fantasized about kissing him all the time, but this is beyond my dirtiest dreams.

"Matthew," I gasped, out of breath but didn't want the kiss to end. "Bedroom."

I felt his hands slide over my back and down my hips, lifting me off the floor. I wrapped my legs around his waist.

Matthew dipped his head, snagging my lower lip between his teeth, lightly scraping it before releasing me.

I was too preoccupied to realize we had already made it to the bedroom.

He laid me down on the bed, covering my body with his. Somewhere along the way, his suit jacket and tie were rid of. I also managed to unbutton his shirt.

He cursed under his breath.

I froze, thinking he might've come to his senses.

We were both still panting when he broke the kiss off. "Jessica, I don't have a—"

I smiled, cutting him off with another kiss. "I'm on the Pill."

I was expecting him to hesitate, but he surged forward and gave me a kiss that immediately escalated from passionate into something carnal. Good to know I wasn't the only one desperate to get this out of my system.

His hand slid to the back of my knee, tugging my thighs further apart as he settled between them. His fingers gently trace my cheek. Then, he dipped his head again to give me another kiss that was far from gentle. It was a long, hard kiss that made my toes curl. The kind of kiss that let me know that we were never just close friends at all.

Happy reading, ladies! I promised I'd make it up to you next chapter and I did.