23. Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Jessica

Sean is beginning to annoy me. More importantly, I'm annoyed with myself. I must have read Sean's signals wrong because that's the only explanation for this situation. Somewhere along the way I blurred the lines between friendship and attraction because what I feel for Sean goes way beyond the surface, and it's too late to come up for air. But I'll be darned if I let him walk all over me because I made the mistake of falling for him.

I've always been a strong girl, and right now, that's what I'll be.

"Listen, Sean, I appreciate your input in my dating life and your efforts to get me this far, but it's time for you to step back and let me handle it from here."

Sean narrows his eyes at me. "Oh, really?"

"Really." I nod. "You're being condescending and annoying, acting like you know what's best for me."

"I probably do," Sean fires. "I mean, everyone knows that."

"Hey guys–" Evelyn raises her arms, but I stop her.

"Hold on, Evie. Your brother here thinks he's the spokesperson of romance. I agree that you might be knowledgeable in some areas, like setting people up for dates and all, but come on, you don't know everything."

Sean's jaw starts to tick, and I shrug. "Did I hurt your feelings?"

"No, actually, you didn't." He smiles, and it's so shiny and white that I'm blinded for a moment. "I'd be stupid to believe that you—a girl who reads and writes thrillers for fun—would know more about romance than me. Come on."

I burst into laughter. "Jessica…" Evelyn's call has a warning note, and as my best friend, she knows that my laugh is a precedent to something mean. She's right.

"And you think you're a better romantic because you're a celebrity lover boy, hmm?" I ask. "Because you act in cheesy romance movies and host romance shows? Is that it? I watch all your shows, and let me tell you, as interesting as they are, they don't reflect real life. They're fake. They're ordinary and definitely not real. You're a fool to think you know anything about love based on the movies you act in or the characters you play."

There's a heavy silence between us until Sean laughs. "Okay. Fine. Let's agree that I don't know anything about love based on the movies I act in, but guess who has gone on more dates than they can count? Me. Guess who has dated women of different calibers based on their charisma alone? I have." He points to himself. I shake my head at him, but he doesn't stop there. "And there's you, who hasn't been on any dates since technology hit planet Earth."

"Sean!" Evelyn calls, but he shrugs. "What? She started it. I didn't see you cautioning her when she went on her rants, so let me be."

"Come on, Sean," Evelyn calls. "Stop it."

"Nah, let him get it off his chest. Seems like he's been holding this in for a long time."

"I have nothing against you, Jessica," Sean says. "But if you're not going to let me help you, that doesn't mean it's because I'm not qualified to. It's because you're hardheaded, and everyone knows that."

I don't respond to him, and we stare at each other momentarily. Suddenly, I rise to my feet, and Sean does the same. "Where are you guys going?" Evelyn asks, walking around the table to stand before us.

"I'm going home," I answer.

"Home," Sean says.

Evelyn runs a hand across her face. "I can't with you two," she snaps. "You're both acting like children. Can you both sit back and talk this out?"

"No!" Sean and I chorus.

"Look Evie," I turn to my friend. "There's nothing to discuss, okay? I'm not upset with Sean. I'm just glad we're on the same page."

Evelyn glances at Sean and sighs. "Okay. Since you've both decided to leave at the same time, let me walk you outside."

Sean and I flank Evelyn as she leads us out of her office, through Bake My Day, and onto the street. Sean embraces his sister. "I'll catch you later. Okay?"

She nods at him, and he walks briskly toward his car.

"Bye, Jessica," he says carelessly, slipping into the driver's seat. I don't dignify him with an answer. Instead, I hug Evelyn. "See you later, Evie."

"Jess–" she grabs my hand. "You know Sean didn't mean anything he said, right?" She searches my face. "I don't know what's wrong with him, but he'll come around."

"Whatever. You're acting like I care." Evelyn groans in frustration.

"Jess!"

"What?" I wave her off and walk to my car. My irritation increases when I drive down the road and see Sean's car a few vehicles ahead. I roll my eyes because, at this rate, we might get home at the same time, which would be all shades of awkwardness.

As I contemplate what to do, my phone starts to ring. It's my agent, Winnie.

"Jessica?"

"Hey, Winnie."

"There's something I'd like to talk to you about. Can we meet up?"

I'm not a fan of unplanned meetings, and I almost say no, but a glimpse of Sean's car ahead changes my mind. "Where are you?"

"At the diner in town," she says.

"Alright. I'm on my way. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Great. See you in a bit."

I turn right at the next block and head on back to the center of town. Shortly, I'm walking into the diner, my eyes scanning the semi-busy space for my agent. She always stands out because of her red hair, and I spot her sitting by the window.

"Winnie." I wave, walking toward her. She gets up from her seat and gives me a hug.

"You look wonderful, Jessica."

"Thank you." I smile. "Why did you need to meet up so suddenly?"

"How's the new book coming?" She asks. "There's been a lot of demand, and we want to make sure it's published while we still have momentum and demand on our side. Do you understand?"

"Yeah." I nod. "I only have a few chapters left; then I can send it in. I'm looking at forty chapters in total; that means I only have seven chapters left."

"Can you have it to me by next Monday?"

My breath catches in my throat, and I ponder the request. "I'm not entirely sure, but can we push it back to next Friday? I am positive that I can make that work."

She nods. "Next Friday then. I'll make sure that everyone is on alert and ready for your manuscript when it comes in."

I lean against the chair, watching Winnie with amusement. "You couldn't say this over the phone?"

Winnie rolls her eyes. "You know you hardly listen on the phone. You're always in a hurry to get off. Plus, I wanted to look into your eyes while I told you."

I nod. This isn't the best time for me to focus on my books. My mind is still stuck on an annoying blue-eyed man and everything he said to me. Since he's so good at dating, he could go home and date every actress and model for all I care. He's never had a stable relationship. Who does he think he is lecturing me about relationships and dating? I swear he's the most annoying person who ever walked the earth.

"Why are you frowning?" Winnie suddenly asks, bringing me to the present. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just a few things on my mind."

Winnie raises her hand to signal a waiter. "This place has the best daiquiri in Willow Falls. Want to try one?"

I have nothing else planned for the day, so why not. "I think I would."

"Two daiquiris please," Winnie places an order with the waiter and smiles at me.

I have an insane urge to go home, pack all my things, and disappear until Sean leaves town. But why should I be the one who leaves? He's the one who should go! Everything was fine until he came back into the picture. This is all his fault.

"Uh-oh," Winnie says. "There's the frown again."

I roll my eyes and smile. At that moment the waiter arrives with two chilled daiquiris. I take one sip and feel a smile creep across my face. Winnie is right, this is the best I've ever tasted.

We drink in silence until Winnie's phone rings. She signals to me that she has to take this call. I hear her promise the caller she'll be there soon. When she hangs up, I narrow my eyes at her. "Winnie?"

"Yes?"

"Why do I feel like you used me as a placeholder while you waited for someone? Hmmm?" I tap a finger on my face and narrow my eyes at her.

Winnie laughs while shaking her head. "No, Jess. It was important that I saw you. It doesn't hurt that you helped me fill the time before my next meeting."

"Winnie," I laugh. "Wow."

"What?" She laughs with me. "I decided to try, okay? I didn't think you would actually come."

Well, if I weren't so angry with Sean and needed an escape, I most likely wouldn't have met up with Winnie. But I am and so I did.

"Anyway–" I take the last sip of my drink. "I'll let you go and meet up with your…friend."

We say our goodbyes, walk out of the diner together and head over to our cars. When I get in mine I put my hands on the steering wheel and take a deep breath. The last place I want to go is home. Right next door to Sean.