11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Sean

I've been with different types of women in my life. Models. Actresses. Singers. Entrepreneurs. Even Princesses. But never have these women made me feel strung like a cord. Never have these women brought me to my knees with a single stare. None of them has ever made me feel the way Jessica does.

I'm so powerless when it comes to her, and it's ironic because being in her presence fills me with strength and excitement. It's a paradox. One that I have no intention of dissecting because very soon, I'll find her a good man. The perfect man for her. I'm doing this for myself, as much as her. I need to prove that whatever is happening when I'm around her isn't me having feelings for her. I need this just as much as she does.

I park my car in front of Evelyn's bakery and remain in the vehicle to gather my composure. Jessica was wearing a pair of jeans with a cotton shirt and tank top underneath. Just your average girl next door outfit, but she still was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. Everything is a novelty with her, and this makes me want to seek her out.

Sighing, I push the door open and step out of the car. Jessica will be the end of me if I don't do something about it. I walk into Bake My Day, wave, and smile at one of the employees before using the back door that leads me into the hall. Evie's office is at the end of the hallway. My sister is on the phone when I reach her, and she immediately hangs up when I walk in.

"Sean." She stands to her feet and walks around the table to hug me. "How are you?"

"I'm fine." I kiss her cheek and settle into the chair across from her. "How are you?"

"I'm good." She narrows her eyes at me. "I didn't know you were stopping by today," she says. "Is everything alright?"

"I have a proposition for you," I tell her. "Have a seat."

She stares at me for a moment before walking back to her chair. "What is it? You're making me anxious."

"Don't be." I smile. "It's about Jessica."

She relaxes against the chair. "Just the other day, Jessica was sitting right where you are and ranting about you."

"She was?" I ask distractedly.

"What's with you two?" She sighs. "If I didn't know better, I'd think that you each have a thing for the other."

"Jessica?!" I glare at her like she's far from the truth. "Shut up. Okay?"

"Fine, fine." She giggles. "What is it this time?"

"Remember yesterday when Lenny was talking about all the past failures in Jessica's relationships?"

"Yes."

"Well, we kinda talked about it on our way home, and…"

"‘We'? You and Jessica talked on your way home?"

"Is that so unbelievable?" I ask.

"Go on." She waves her hand, leaning forward, her eyes shining with interest.

"So Jessica and I talked briefly on our way home," I continue. "And I realized this is affecting her way more than she's letting on."

Evelyn nods. "You're right." Her eyes are sad and thoughtful. "Jessica just acts strong, but she's such a softie. She hates that she doesn't have a boyfriend but would never admit it to anyone. I hope she'll find someone soon enough."

"That's why I'm here."

Evelyn's mouth falls open. "I—I don't understand," she stammers. "You want to be that man for Jessica? Her—her man?"

I shake my head at Evelyn in disappointment, ignoring the wild beat of my heart as it reacts to the prospect in Evie's words. "Maybe Jessica is right," I tell her. "Maybe all the romance books and movies you watch are beginning to mess with your head."

Evie giggles. "Okay, I'm sorry. But what did you mean by what you said?"

"Remember when I worked as a dating coach on that reality TV show?" I ask her. "You loved that show, Evie. And if you remember, we had twenty people, and seven couples found their true love. Six of those are still together."

"Oh, yes." Evelyn nods. "The show is still on? Jessica would never agree to be one of the people on that show," she says. "Not ever. There'll be no convincing her."

"You think I don't know that?" I run my hand through my hair. "Why does Jess need to go on the show when the dating coach is right here?" I jab a finger to my chest, wiggling my brows at Evelyn.

For a second, she looks confused, then finally, understanding dawns, and her mouth falls open. "You want to coach Jessica?"

"Yes. Correct."

Evelyn starts to shake her head and laughs. "Jess will not agree to this," she says. "She won't."

I almost panic, but I keep a straight face. "That's why I'm here. You've got to talk to her. She has to agree to this."

"Why?" Evelyn suddenly looks serious. She sits up, narrows her eyes at me and folds her arms. "Why do you have so much interest in Jessica's dating life?"

I swallow, my brain working quickly to cook up a lie. I'm usually a lousy liar, but not this time. "Evie," I sigh. "I don't blame you, actually. With the way Jessica and I bicker, you must think I don't care about her, but I do. I love her, and I want what's best for her. Just like you."

Evelyn nods, and I continue. "After hearing her speak last night, I realized I must do something to help, I want to do something to help, even if it's the last thing I do before returning home to LA. I want her to find someone and be happy."

Evelyn rises from her chair and walks toward me, her arms outspread. "Oh, that's ridiculously sweet. I'm so happy Jessica is surrounded by people who love her so much." She hugs me, and I nod.

"So you'll speak to her about it?" I ask when she pulls away. "You know how stubborn she can be."

"I'll surely talk to her. Have you told her about this?"

"Yes. Right before I came here, but she was adamant. She refused. Then, eventually, she promised to think about it, but I know that's because she wanted to kick me out."

Evelyn chuckles. "Don't worry, leave Jess to me."

Relieved, I nod. "You're the best."

She shrugs and sits on the edge of the table. "So, how do you plan to go through with this?"

"I can't do it alone. I'll need all the help I can get. Especially from you, her best friend."

"At your service."

"What kind of man does Jessica like?"

"Hmm." Evelyn touches a finger to her chin and taps. She looks thoughtful for a moment. "Jessica is more attracted to the qualities of a man than his physical attributes. You know what I mean?"

"She doesn't care about looks."

"Yes and no." Evelyn nods. "It means that the man you need to find needs to have depth and be attractive. But the depth is more important to her."

"Don't worry, Evie," I laugh. "Just tell me the qualities she wants in a man."

"Jessica wants a kind man," Evelyn says. "A man who is willing to compromise and always puts her first. She also loves someone spontaneous. That's what drew her to Dillon in the first place. She also—"

"Dillon?" A cold fist grips my heart. "Who is that?"

"Her last boyfriend," Evelyn explains.

"Oh," I remember overhearing her mention this name on my first day here, but now it seems like a big deal. "Why did they break up?"

"Because he didn't want kids," Evelyn answers. "So you might want to add that to the qualities she wants in a man. He has to love and want kids sometime in the future."

"How long did they date for?"

"Uhh…three months, I think. Or four. Not for long, though."

"Hmm." I gaze at the desk, hating how my heart constricts at the mention of this Dillon. I can't put a face to the name, and I already dislike him. You see, this is why I should find Jessica a man. This has to stop.

"Okay, let's forget about Dillon. Let's go on to—hold on before we leave this conversation. What did Dillon look like?"

"What?" Evelyn frowns. "Why does that matter?"

Oh, shoot. She's right. But I'll lie again. I can't let her see right through me.

"So I don't get a man that looks like him." I shrug. "This is a small town, you know? The odds are high."

"You're right." Jessica nods. "You're right." She grabs her phone and swipes across the screen for a moment before handing the device over to me. There's a face on the screen, a fairly attractive face, with a fairly attractive smile. Okay, I hate him.

"Alright." I hand the phone back to Evelyn. "Let's move on."

Evelyn nods.

"Now that I know what she likes, tell me what she doesn't like. I know she doesn't want a man who doesn't like kids. What else?"

"That is a lot," Evelyn says thoughtfully. "She doesn't like a lot of things. Jess is very picky."

"That goes without saying."

"She doesn't want a selfish, arrogant man. She doesn't—"

"Evelyn," I groan. "Please, give me substance. No woman likes a selfish, arrogant man. Be for real."

Evelyn sighs and starts to pace. "Jessica is a little tight-lipped about this stuff. Everything I know, I found out by gleaning information out of her. But let me think…"

I wait patiently until Evelyn turns to me. "Okay, I remember she would always complain that Dillon was addicted to his phone."

"Really?"

"Yes." Evelyn nods. "At the dinner table, when they were hanging out, on dates, everywhere, he would always have his phone out."

"What a weirdo," I blurt out. "If you're with your woman, your phone should be kept away."

"Jessica would love you," Evelyn jokes, and my breath catches in my throat.

We spend the next half hour reviewing Jessica's likes and dislikes, and by the time we're done, I feel like I'm well-equipped to find her a stellar man. Just as I'm about to tell Evelyn I'm leaving, she's called out by one of her staff. I pick up my phone and dial Jamie's number to fill him in on this new development. He picks up on the first ring.

"What's up, Sean?"

"Where are you?" I ask.

"Home. Why?"

"Uhm…so I developed a plan to help Jessica."

"Help Jessica?" He sounds panicked. "What's wrong with her? Where is she?"

I realize I may have started this conversation off in the complete wrong direction and quickly explain. "Hold on. Jessica is fine. I'm talking about her relationship situation. After Jessica and I discussed it yesterday, I figured we should help her find a man."

Jamie laughs. "It's not that serious, Sean. Believe me. I think if Jessica actually wanted a man, she would find one."

"You're so clueless, aren't you?" I tut. "She does want a boyfriend; she's lonely."

"Really?"

"Yes. And since I'm a dating coach, I can help her."

"Since when are you a dating coach?" Jamie asks.

"Google it, dummy. I worked as a dating coach on a reality TV show and helped people find their true love. It works."

"And you think Jessica would agree to this?"

"Leave that to me. Are you in? If we all work together, we can help her."

"I don't know." He sounds unsure. "Jessica is already mad at me over you being her neighbor. If she finds out I helped you—"

"Okay." I nod, even though I know he can't see me. "I'll just tell Evelyn you aren't interested. Good—"

"Wait—Evelyn is in on this?"

"Yep."

"Okay. I'm in," he says, confirming my suspicions about his feelings for Evelyn.

"You're an idiot."

"Why?" He sounds confused. "I just told you I'm in."

I don't tell him I'm on to him, and I don't ever plan to unless he decides to come clean with me. "Can you meet me at Sully's?" The local bar in town will be the perfect location to scout for potential boyfriends. "We have work to do."

"Uhhh…okay. I'll meet you there in an hour."

"Awesome. I'll see you soon and we will get a plan in motion." I hang up the phone just as Evelyn walks back in. I know the perfect place to go where all the good men can be found and it's time to make some friends. "I have to head out, I've got some things to get into motion." I hug Evelyn briefly. "I'll talk to you later. Don't forget to call Jessica and talk to her. She has to agree to this. Okay?"

"I'll do my best." She waves me off as I head out, my thoughts are already focused on the "Get Jessica a Man" plan and putting it in motion.