“Jessica Ramsey.”
“You sound out of breath. You’re going to have to kick those workouts up a notch. Where is Lisa anyway?”
Jessie held the phone between her ear and her shoulder while she put the portfolios and other items on her desk.
“Lisa’s at lunch. Hold on, let me put this piece in my ear. There, that’s better. I’m not out of breath, just rushing to get the phone. I’m expecting a call from a client soon. What’s up?”
“When is the next time you’re flying out here? Michael and Brian are inviting a few friends over on Saturday, plus I have something I really want to tell you and I don’t want to do it over the phone.”
“Michael and Brian always have something going on. I was just out there a few weeks ago.”
“Come on, you’ve really got to come out for this one. It’s our one-year dating anniversary.”
Jessie sat down at her desk and opened up a portfolio, “Wow…Has it really been that long since you guys started dating?”
“I know it’s hard to believe but yes. We’ve been dating for a whole year tomorrow, but we’ll celebrate it on Saturday. You know what I find even harder to believe? That you and Brian never hooked up especially after seeing those pictures of you guys in the tabloids. It’s obvious something is there.”
Jessie rolled her neck and shoulders. “Why is that so surprising? He’s a great guy but I’m too busy to date and Brian has zero interest in me or dating seriously. We get along just fine hanging out. No expectations and no pressure. It’s satisfying to just hang out with you guys when I come into town.”
“Brian definitely likes the ladies. But, it does look like he’s starting to slow down a little bit. He’s been dating this girl, Brigitte Cameron for the last couple of months. I think she’s his co-star from his last film. I think he might really be in to her.”
Her gut clenched, but Jessie made sure to hide that in her voice, “Really?”
Jessie and Brian had become really good friends. When Jessie wasn’t flying out to see them on weekends, she spoke to him on the phone several times a week. He’d even made it out to Phoenix a few times to visit. They’d become so close that they shared almost everything with each other. Brian even shared stories about the women he’d been dating, so it felt a little strange that he hadn’t mentioned Brigitte. If she were really honest with herself, Jessie was a little hurt.
“Really? Is that all you’ve got to say?”
Exasperated Jessie took a deep breath, “What should I be saying Téa? If he’s found someone, then I hope things work out.”
“That’s it, ‘I hope things work out.’ Well, I’m mad about it. You two are perfect for each other, but you’re both just too stubborn to realize it. We have such a great time together! I mean Brigitte’s nice, but I don’t like her for Brian. Jessie I want all of us to get married and have some Wright babies.”
That felt like a punch in the gut for Jessie, “I want that for you but, I’ve been there and done that. Marriage and babies are not in my future.”
Téa didn’t want to bring up those memories. Even after almost nine years, she could still hear the pain in Jessie’s voice.
“I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to say that. I know you can’t replace one family with another. I just want you to meet a wonderful guy…someone to share your life with, and I think Brian is it.”
In some ways Jessie thought that was pretty ironic. Both she and Téa lived a whole other life that Brian and Michael had no idea about. “Téa there is just so much going on here that I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it this weekend.”
“Then, I guess I’ll just have to tell you over the phone. Michael and I got engaged last night. We were going to celebrate it Saturday with a barbecue, but we’ll have to put it off until you can come down.”
“Oh my goodness, Téa! Why didn’t you tell me that first? Congratulations. I’m really happy for you.” Jessie was genuinely happy for Téa. The stars seemed to align for her and Michael. They were perfect for each other. But, if they were getting married at some point, Téa was going to have to tell him about MEGA-AX1.
Aside from that, how was having babies going to fit into the equation? Téa was her best analyst. Well, it was something they were just going to have to work out if and when it happened.
“Are you sure you can’t come out this weekend?”
“I really wish I could, but it’s just too crazy right now. I’ll try to get out there as soon as I can, I promise.”
Chapter 11
It had taken over a week before Jessie could fly down to Naples. There was so much going on at MEGA-HQ that made it hard to get away. She was a little tired but excited to see her friends. The taxi pulled up in front of Brian’s house where Téa was waiting for her at the door.
Téa yelled at Jessie before she could step foot outside of the car, “It’s about time you got here!”
Once she got out of the car they hugged. “Wow Jessie…look at you. You look great. I can’t believe you’ve finally let someone tame those curls.”
Jessie had taken extra care in how she looked today. She didn’t want to examine the reasons behind it; however, her jeans fit her to perfection. Usually if work didn’t require it, Jessie was content wearing sweatpants with an oversized sweat or t-shirt. Not today, Jessie wore fitted jeans and a fitted short-sleeved sweater with strappy heels. The sweater accented her small waist and full bosom. She’d also had a hairstylist straighten out her curls. Jessie even wore
