Jessie picked up her plate to put it into the sink, “Brian breakfast was really good. Thanks again. I can be a real bear before breakfast.”
“Yeah, me too. I’m just glad you ate it. Most women are so concerned with their figure that they forget how to enjoy their food.”
“Well, I can’t say that I eat like this all the time. Fitness is very important to me, but I do enjoy good food.”
“So how long have you known Téa?”
“Are we still in the interview process or are you actually interested?”
“Maybe both. Would you like to go out on the patio? It looks beautiful.”
Brian and Jessie walked out onto the patio. There was a little bit of a chill in the air but it had the makings of a truly beautiful day.
“My brother seems to be really taken with Téa. Naturally, I’m a little concerned. They’ve known each other for all of twenty-four hours maybe.”
“What, you don’t believe in love at first sight?”
“Not at all.”
“Neither do I, actually. Look, Téa is a wonderful person. I’ve known her for more than eight years. Of course I’m biased because I love her like a little sister. She has great instincts and believe me, we’re typically so busy with work that we rarely have time to hang out like this. As a matter of fact, the next couple of days will be like a vacation to us.”
“Well, I hope you don’t think I’m being too forward. It’s just that in my position I can’t be too careful.”
“No, you can’t.”
Brian was relieved that she didn’t seem to be phased by his celebrity. It was also nice to have a conversation with a woman without any pressure or expectations. He could understand why Téa and Jessie were best friends. They seemed to be equals, but where Téa was all fire Jessie seemed to be just cool enough to keep things calm. It didn’t feel as though she would rattle easy.
Brian threw some bread crumbs out to the doves on his pond. “So Téa told you?”
“How did you know that I didn’t know who you were?”
Brian laughed out loud and flashed that smile, “I can read people within two seconds of meeting them. I knew immediately that you didn’t know who I was. Just like I knew immediately that she did. It was hard to believe that you didn’t know but honestly pretty refreshing.”
Jessie’s stomach did a little flip again. “Well, I’m normally pretty quick on my feet but I’m exhausted. I’ve had about seven hours sleep in the last seventy-two hours so I’m not as alert as I usually am.”
When Téa and Michael came back from their walk, there weren’t going to be any more excuses. They were leaving. Jessie was tired and needed to get her bearings.
“Me too. I haven’t been asleep in the last eighteen hours. If I ever make it to my bed, I don’t know if I’ll wake up in this lifetime.”
Brian’s cell phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and looked at the number. “Excuse me. I’ve got to take this call.”
“Hey, sweetheart. Michael planned the party. I’m sure it was a mistake that you weren’t invited.”
Jessie turned and looked out over the pond trying to give Brian a little privacy. She was a little disappointed that he was possibly seeing someone.
“Look…I’m in the middle of something right now, can I call you back? Ok…You too.” Brian disconnected the call. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s no problem. Girlfriend?”
“Not really.”
Jessie looked at him a little skeptically. He was off limits and that was fine. She didn’t have time for anything other than a friendship anyway.
“So, you said you could help me with my home security. Does that offer still stand?”
“Sure.”
“Great, I can show you around the house and property until Michael and Téa get back from their walk.”
They spent the next hour or so walking around his property and inside the house until Téa and Michael finally returned. Michael and Téa reluctantly said their goodbyes but made plans to get together later on in the evening. Finally, Jessie and Téa were on the road to go home.
Chapter 9
One month later….
It was only 7:00 p.m. and Jessie was already home in her pajamas, lounging on her couch and watching TV. As she flipped through the channels with one hand and ate popcorn with the other, she wondered, Why the hell am I paying for all of these channels when I’m never home to watch them and when I am, there’s nothing on? Her cell phone buzzed. Jessie reached over to the coffee table to pick it up. She didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello?”
“Hey Jessie, I thought I was going to get your voicemail.”
“Brian?”
“Sorry...I should have said that first. Yes, it’s me. I’m here in Phoenix. I had an unexpected layover and I don’t know a soul here. When I called Michael to let him know I wouldn’t be in LA tomorrow, Téa was in the background suggesting I call you to see if you could help me out.”
Jessie immediately sat up on the couch and—even though Brian couldn’t see her—ran her fingers through her hair.
“Umm…yeah sure. What do you need?”
“The paparazzi got wind that I’m in town and they’ve swarmed the airport. I’m currently in the high-profile client waiting room. I don’t have any security with me because they managed to make the connecting flight somehow. Can you believe that?” Brian was laughing out of the sheer irony of the situation. “Is there any way I could hire you to come get me and take me to an undisclosed location?”
Jessie laughed out loud, “An undisclosed location? You sound like you need presidential-level security.”
Brian sighed deeply. “Unfortunately, sometimes I do. It gets pretty intense out here with all the fans and flashing lights. It’s hard to see anything.”
“Forgive me for making fun of
