15. Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Jessica

"This was a fantastic night," Evelyn cries, twirling around in her office. She seems very excited, way more than I am, which is suspicious since I'm the reason for the event in the first place.

"Evelyn," I call. "Why do you look so happy?"

"Hmm?" She stops twirling in front of me, a glint in her eyes. "What? You asked me this earlier."

"Well, because you look like you had the best time," I tell her. "What's up?"

Evelyn frowns and crosses her arms over her chest.

"Of course, I had a great time. Didn't you? I think we all did. The event was successful and makes me think that organizing more events like that will not only be great for business but a great way to get people together."

"Hmm." I nod slowly, my eyes never leaving hers. I've known Evie since forever, and I can tell there's something she's not telling me. "The last time I saw you, you were going to meet Jamie. Did something happen with you two?"

Evelyn's eyes widen, and she lets out a fake cough. "What?" I watch her hurry to the fridge and grab a bottle of iced tea. "Between me and Jamie? Your brother?"

That doesn't change anything for me because Sean is her brother, and it didn't stop me from having a massive crush on him. Plus, I've been noticing weird tension between Jamie and Evie. Since I'm not the best judge of romance, I decided to let it go and not push Evie further. Evie drinks the entire bottle of iced tea and then flings it in the trash.

"I've hardly seen Jamie tonight," she says to me. "But I met someone."

My eyes narrow. "And that's why you're happy?"

"Umm hmm." She nods, walking around the table to her chair.

The event is over, and we're both waiting for Sean and Jamie to wrap things up and clear the bakery. It's ten p.m, but my blood is thrumming, and my eyes are wide open.

"It actually was a wonderful time," I smile at Evelyn. "I had lots of fun."

"I saw you." Evelyn winks. "You were such a social butterfly, Jess. I don't think I saw a frown on your face once."

I burst into laughter, my head lolling back at the shock in Evelyn's eyes.

"You weren't looking that closely then, but I did my best. Isn't that what you all wanted? You were very adamant about it, in fact."

"Yeah." Evelyn laughs with me. "But I didn't know you had it in you. I'm still surprised!"

Before I can defend myself, the office door opens, and the boys trudge in, looking tired.

"Is everyone gone?" Evelyn asks.

"Yep." They nod. "We just have to close up and head home."

Sean glances at me with a smile, and I smile back before I can stop it. The tension that I was holding in my body from the event evaporates and I feel myself relax for the first time since I got here. I haven't seen him all night. Seeing him now is like a breath of fresh air. With a shock, I realize that I've missed him. Evelyn rises to her feet, and I do the same. We head to the front of the shop.

"It needs some cleaning," Evelyn says. "But we can finish it up tomorrow."

"I can help," Jamie pipes up, and I arch my eyebrows as I glance at him. Since when does Jamie offer to help with chores?

"Thank you," Evelyn says, tucking a strand of hair behind her ears.

"How do you intend to get home? I didn't see your car outside," I ask.

"We came together," Jamie answers. "So I'll drive her home."

Again I can't help but wonder if something is going on between them.

"Okay." I hear Sean say and I let go of my thoughts of Jamie and Evelyn.

We wait idly at the entrance as Evelyn locks the door. Walking to the cars on the street, we make small jokes about the event.

"I'm glad you all had so much fun," I say, trying to hide my smile.

"Be quiet," Evelyn teases me. "You had the most fun."

"That's arguable. You also met someone."

As soon as the words leave my mouth, the happy ambiance around us changes. Evelyn's eyes widen, and so do Jamie's. Sean is walking briskly toward his car, oblivious to what is going on. I am also oblivious, to be honest; it's not like I have any idea what's going on with these two. Jamie glances at Evelyn, and she's suddenly unable to meet his eye.

"Jess?" I hear Sean call and I look up to see him holding open the car door for me.

"Goodnight, Evie." I hug my friend, then turn to my brother. "Goodnight, Jamie."

"Goodnight." He gives me a kiss on my cheek and I head over to where Sean is.

I slip into the car and immediately take off my heels. I've broken a lot of records tonight, and wearing heels this long is the most impressive one. Sean says goodbye to his sister and my brother, then slides into the driver's seat. Now that we're alone, there's a shift in the air, and I become extra aware of him.

I watch his movements: the way his fingers turn the key in the ignition, the way his slender hands wrap around the steering wheel, his relaxed posture. Sean is an attractive man, and no matter how many attractive men I've met tonight, there is just something about how Sean's presence calms me down. Yes, he annoys me to no end but I feel safe with him. Realizing my train of thought, I call myself to order. The whole point of agreeing to this charade in the first place was to meet someone new and move on.

"Did you have a good time?" Sean asks, as he pulls away from the curb and heads down the street.

I turn to look at him, his face masked in the darkness of the car.

"Surprisingly yes, I did. Did you?"

He shrugs. "The event was for you not me," he says, flashing a smile. "If you had fun then mission accomplished."

"You seem to have forgotten that I only agreed to this if you participated too." I scowl even if he can't see it. "So this is about you as much as it is about me."

When he doesn't respond, I ask again, "So, did you have a good time?"

He lets out a soft laugh before nodding. "I guess I did." Then he continues. "You, on the other hand, seemed to easily roll with the punches and the guys you had at your table."

My head snaps toward him, but when I notice his shoulders shaking with laughter, I relax.

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Yeah, I mean, I didn't know you had it in you." His honest answer makes me laugh.

"Well, never underestimate me."

"Lesson learned." His gaze meets mine, and we both burst into laughter. "So, tell me, Jessica, any prospects? Did you meet anyone you like?"

"Firstly, I want to say you and Jamie did a good job of rounding up men for this event. I didn't meet one creep, which is quite a feat."

Sean slightly bows his head in my direction and his voice takes on a more serious tone.

"I'll be dead before I let a creep come close to you." His tone leaves me with no doubt that he means exactly what he just said.

I feel my breath hitch in my throat, causing my cheeks to flush.

"So, you liked some of these men, hmm?" he asks.

I nod. "I didn't think it was possible to meet many people I have things in common with, but I did. About six of them."

Sean gasps playfully. "That's a lot. Look who went from having no prospects to having six!"

Laughter bubbles out of me. "Right? If I had known this could happen I would've tried speed dating much sooner. However, almost spilling my drink on two of them was not very graceful of me."

Sean laughs again. "At least they're meeting you in your element. Clumsiness is your core nature; they better experience it first hand."

"Stop." I slap his arm playfully, and he chuckles.

"Ow!"

"But of the six," I continue. "There's one that I felt like I connected with. He was the one who just seemed to understand me."

"Understand you?" Sean glances at me.

"Yes. He loves to read thrillers, and he geeked out to find that I'm a writer of thriller novels. He's read some of my books and was very excited to meet me."

"So he's a fan, then?"

"I can say so." I giggle, thinking of Rick. After our time, I found myself having to really focus on the person in front of me, as I found myself returning to Rick now and then. He was easy to talk to, not to mention handsome with a to die for smile.

"Is that advisable?" Sean asks me. "Dating a fan?"

"What?" I frown. "What do you mean? What's wrong with that?"

Sean shrugs just as we pull into his driveway. "Don't worry, I'm simply being overprotective."

He kills the engine, and the car is plunged into silence. We are parked in front of his house. It's almost eleven, and I should go home, but neither of us makes any attempt to get out of the car.

"So what's his name?"

"Rick." I catch Sean's gaze. "He says he knows you and—"

"Yes." Sean nods stiffly. "We went to school together and were in the same class. He was one of my and Jamie's good friends. He still is."

"Really?" My interest flares. "Is he a good guy?"

"What was your impression of him?" Sean asks softly, sidelining my question.

I shrug, contemplating the question for a few seconds. "He was really nice. Too nice, actually. That's why I'm asking you, because I don't think I've ever met a guy who was all around perfect on the first meet, except Rick."

Sean turns away from me to glance out the window, and I wonder what must be so interesting in the darkness that captured his attention.

"Are you listening to me?"

"Yes." He says, not turning to me. "I am. Go on."

"There's nothing much to say. When Rick and I were talking, conversation just seemed to be easy." I laugh. "Plus, our shared love for thrillers? Sign me up!"

"That's great, Jess," Sean looks at me then, a smile on his face. "So this operation was a successful one, I presume? Are you going to see him again?"

"That's up to him." I sigh. "We exchanged numbers, and I really hope he calls."

Sean nods and turns to look out the window again. Discomfited with the silence, I search for something to say, mainly because I'm not quite ready to return to my empty house.

"What about you?" I ask. "Did you meet anyone interesting?"

Sean is quiet for a moment, then he chuckles. "Yes."

My heart skips a beat painfully, and I struggle to compose myself. Dang! What is wrong with me?

"That's great," I sing, cringing at how high and fake my voice sounds. I hope he doesn't notice. "Who is she? Do I know her?"

"Probably not," he answers. "You hardly interact with anyone new. So, I doubt it."

"Let me be the judge of that." I pout. "What's her name? I might know her."

"No." Sean firmly shakes his head. "I'm not telling."

"Why?"

"Because I refuse to shift the focus to me."

Our gazes catch again, and his eyes are so soft I find myself wanting to lean over and kiss him. My thoughts are interrupted when he says.

"Let's make this about you until we're sure you've found someone."

I hate that he's right, but it's killing me that I can't put a face and name to the mystery lady in my head. Who is this woman? Why was Sean interested in her? How did she get his attention? Is she pretty? Prettier than me?

Realizing that my thoughts are starting to derail again, I unlock the car and step outside. Sean immediately follows.

"I'll walk you to your door," he says, waiting for me to get to him.

"Thank you. You don't have to. You can watch me since I live next door."

"Doesn't matter. I need to be sure you get in safe." He walks me across the fence, up my porch, and stops before my door.

"Thank you, Sean," I manage, even though I feel ungrateful right now. "Thank you for organizing this. Thank you for walking me to my door."

He smiles. "You're welcome, Jess. Have a wonderful night." He steps down. "I hope Rick calls."

"Are you okay, Sean?" I ask, picking up on something in his tone.

"I'm fine, Jess."

"You're sure?"

"Yes," he smiles at me again.

I'm not sure I believe him but whatever is bothering him, he's not going to tell me. I smile back and wave one last time before stepping into my house and shutting the door behind me.