The Wrong Girl Chapter 10 Part 1

Ellie

*

“Oh my god, I knew it!” 

Tessa and I were out to brunch at Rocky Side Up, and she was practically swooning over her eggs benedict. “It’s about time, El. I freaking called it. I hope you remember that. I better be the maid of honor at your wedding,” she added sternly, before taking a swig of her mimosa.

“You’re ridiculous,” I laughed, scooping a bite of my omelet. I’d hardly eaten anything, too busy relaying every detail of last night’s epic smooching to my best friend. The melted cheese was already congealing. “It was one kiss. We’re hardly headed for the altar.”

Tessa scoffed. “You say that now, but I see the look in your eyes. You’ve got it bad. Besides, this isn’t your average play boy. He’s a commitment kind of man, El. He’s got kids, he’s not trying to mess around. You know it’s a big deal for a guy to invite you to hang out with his kids, right? How long was he in the military for?” Tessa jumped topics like a bunny rabbit with ADHD, especially when she was excited.

I swallowed my eggs and washed them down with coffee. “I mean, I met Olivia and Ethan at the Fall Fest, and it’s just an invitation to hang out at Oktoberfest in town. All of Aspen Ridge will be there. We’d probably bump into each other even if he hadn’t invited me. And as for your other question, I’m not sure. Over fifteen years, I think.”

“Do you know how long he was with his ex wife?”

“I’m not sure, but it was a long time. I think they might have been high school sweethearts.”

“See?” Tessa said meaningfully, waving her fork at me. “He doesn’t play around.”

“He’s on the rebound,” I scoffed. “I doubt he’s looking to get serious anytime soon.” Despite my words, I couldn’t help recalling the look in Jake’s eyes last night. There was something so solid there. So sure, and steady, and real in that gaze. For a moment I’d felt absolutely grounded, the world spinning around us while the two of us were firmly planted together.

“I’m telling you,” Tessa shrugged. “Commitment guys don’t do rebound.”

“Well, regardless, there’s no rush. Right now I’ve still got to do whatever it takes to make my dad satisfied, so he’ll step down and let me take over as CEO. He would not be cool with us dating while we’re in the same part of the company, you know that. But once he’s gone, and we transfer Jake out—did I tell you my dad decided to put him with James, over at mountain ops?—there could be something there.”

Tessa grinned like the Cheshire cat. “Yeah, uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that you’re not going to jump him before that happens.”

“Tessa!” I admonished, then lowered my voice when I realized the tables nearby were glancing at us in annoyance. “I have to behave. Aren’t you listening? Dad wants me to be this ‘prim and proper professional’ woman. I’d hardly convince him of that if I’m hooking up with Jake.”

“Oh, come on, your dad loves Jake. You told me yourself.”

It was true, Dad was constantly singing Jake’s praises whenever I was within earshot. At first I’d was annoyed, seeing as how he’d brought Jake in to ‘shape me up.’ But I realized he just held Jake in high regard. Jake didn’t seem to curry favor or anything, just was an outstanding employee who worked hard. My dad valued that.

My chest warmed as I thought about it. “You’re right, he does. He’s lined up a pretty sweet job for Jake with James too, who also, incidentally, really likes him.”

“See? He fits right into the family.” Tessa leaned back triumphantly, pushing away her empty plate and signalling the server for another mimosa. “He’s perfect.”

“Tessa, you know it’s not that easy. I have a lot of work to do with Aspen Ridge, and once my dad leaves, I’ll have even more. I don’t have time to date, let alone take on a whole family.”

She sighed. “I hear you, but can you just give it a chance? You don’t have to marry the guy, but at least don’t freeze him out. Go out, have lots of dirty sex, get your groove on.”

“Tessa!”

“Hey, if the guy was married for over ten years, he knows how to keep a woman satisfied. That’s all I’m saying.”

“He is a fantastic kisser,” I admitted, the smile creeping across my face at the memory .

“See! I’m telling you, all signs point to bang.”

“Okay, but even if I wanted to—and I’m not admitting I do!—you said yourself he’s a commitment guy, with the kids and all. I don’t know if I’m ready for the total family experience. I have a lot on my plate and we’ve barely kissed a few times.”

“I’m not saying you have to marry the guy,”—I shot her a look, and she recanted—“I was joking about being a bridesmaid, El, you know that. But that doesn’t mean you can’t test out the hot rod and see if you like how it drives.”

“Fair,” I agreed. “And he said the kids at his parents’ all weekend.”

“Holy shit, El, he gave you an in!”

I nearly spit out my coffee, trying not to laugh. “Why do you make me sound like a criminal?”

“He told you he doesn’t have kids all weekend? That’s a freaking invite, my dear. Guaranteed.”

“No, you’re a lunatic. It wasn’t like that. He was just saying he planned to have a quiet weekend since his kids were with his parents.”

“Jesus, woman, are you blind? He was telling you he had no plans, and no kids, all weekend. Was this before or after he kissed you?”

“Well… it was before he kissed me, but after I kissed him.”

“WHAT!” she shrieked, and I slid down in my seat in embarrassment as half the restaurant glanced our way. “Wait a second. You didn’t tell me you kissed him first!”

“It wasn’t a big deal,” I hissed. “He was telling me about his life in the military and how he liked what I was doing with the employee programs, and I just kind of leaned over and kissed him. It was just a peck on the lips.”

The smirk on Tessa’s face was smug. “You little liar. You played this whole thing off like you didn’t know how he felt and he surprised you, and then you finally admit you kissed him first. Well, the ball is definitely in your court now.”

“Wait, what? Why is the ball in my court?”

“You kissed him first.” She ticked off her points on her fingers. “Then he told you he was kid-free and without plans all weekend. Then he planted one hell of a smooch on you, escorted you to your car, and sent you home all glowy and weak in the knees. Did you text him when you got home?”

“I did.”

“And how did he respond?”

“He thanked me for letting him know and said ‘sweet dreams.’”

“Ha! See? Gate’s wide open, babe. He’s waiting for you to run through.”

“How do you conclude that?”

“If he had said something like ‘have a great weekend’ that’s him assuming, or implying, that he won’t see you again until Monday. But he only said ‘sweet dreams’, which leaves it open for the entire weekend.” Tessa retrieved her fresh mimosa from the table and took a long, triumphant sip. “Ball is in your court, and if you want to get a little somethin’ somethin’, all you gotta do is ask.”

I set down my coffee and picked up the mimosa I’d been ignoring in favor of caffeine. It’d sat long enough for condensation to collect on the outside, and the cold droplets ran down my fingers while I sipped. It had been a while since I’d gotten some action, and I couldn’t recall being this excited about a guy since Zach and I first started dating. The last couple of years of on-again, off-again felt more tedious than fun. “You really think so?” I asked finally. 

“Girl, I know so. You guys want to keep it on the DL around your dad? That’s your business. But I guarantee if you text him and invite him out, he’ll be up for it.”

“Maybe, but we’ve got plans tonight. I’m not going to blow you off for a guy. Ride or die, remember?”

“Honey, you know I’m living vicariously through you with all of this. But you don’t have to cancel. Why don’t you just invite him to come with us?”

I lowered my chin and leveled a disbelieving stare her way. “To karaoke? Come on, most guys hate karaoke.”

“Not all, and trust me, you have an in on this one. Didn’t you say he loves eighties movies?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Girl, did you even look at the Underground’s calendar?”

“No.” I shrugged. “They have karaoke every second Saturday of the month, and we go every time. Why would I bother?”

Tessa shook her head at me, then whipped out her phone, tapping a few times before turning it to face me.

This karaoke night, inexplicably, had a theme. A garish, neon-colored graphic proclaimed tonight’s event dedicated to eighties music.

“Tessa, you are an evil genius. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you orchestrated this.”

She put her phone away and settled back in her seat with a smug grin. “It’s perfect. You have to admit, you couldn’t have planned it better yourself. Even if he doesn’t want to sing—which would be lame, let’s be clear—he’s still going to have fun. And then you two have a chance for a little mm-mm.” She shimmied her shoulders and gave me a meaningful look.

“Okay, I’ll invite him, but I’m not doing it to have sex. It’s too soon, Tessa.”

She reached across the table to clink her champagne glass with mine, and after we both took our sips, she smiled. “Famous last words, my friend.”

Get your own copy of The Wrong Girl here!