Chapter Three
Jessie sat at her desk, eating lunch as she scanned through emails. The soft rain coming from her sound machine was the only sound that filled the room, allowing her to focus on work.
It had been almost a whole week since she got her life back. While everyone was happy to see her back, it was also hectic and stressful.
The door to her office suddenly swung open, and in walked Lacie. She had a mischievous grin plastered on her face. Jessie barely looked up, used to Lacie’s dramatic entrances.
“Don’t you know how to knock? I mean, I could’ve been indulging myself with BOB.” Jessie joked, referring to her vibrator.
“Pft…girl, we both know you would never bring BOB to work. You’re not that adventurous.”
Jessie knew her friend was right. She saved all her sexual activities for the bedroom. Even though the only sexual adventures she’d taken part in the last year and a half had involved BOB, and it was in her bedroom.
Alright, maybe she was that predictable.
“Okay, I can see by the look on your face that you know I’m right,” Lacie teased. “But, I have something to tell you that may just help pull you out of your shell,” she told her, her voice dripping with excitement.
Beneath all the theatrics, Lacie had a heart of gold. However, Jessie couldn’t help but brace herself whenever Lacie had one of her “brilliant” ideas because it usually meant Jessie was about to be roped into some wild, chaotic adventure—like the time they nearly crashed a wedding in Miami dressed like the wait staff because they heard one of their favorite music groups were supposed to be playing at the reception. Fun, yes. Was it safe? Not always. But that was Lacie. She was a whirlwind that Jessie was equally grateful for and slightly afraid of.
Jessie glanced up, raising a curious eyebrow. “This sounds like trouble.”
“You could say that,” Lacie laughed, pulling the chair across from Jessie’s desk closer and plopping down into it. “But it’s good trouble. I promise it’ll be amazing, and I did it for your own good.”
Jessie’s stomach tightened with unease. “Lacie, what did you do?”
“Well, now that we’ve established that the only recent action you’ve seen is from BOB.”
Jessie gave her friend a stern look. However, Lacie wasn’t wrong.
“Lacie—”
“And now that the threat against you is gone, it’s time for you to get back out there.”
Jessie narrowed her eyes. “Lacie, what did you do?”
Lacie leaned forward, her eyes twinkled with mischief. “I signed you up on a dating app.”
Jessie’s mouth dropped open. Her fork, full of broccoli, was frozen halfway to her mouth. “You did what?!”
Lacie bit her lip, clearly regretting the timing of her news. But then she grinned. “I, um, signed you up on a dating app,” she repeated, shrinking slightly under Jessie’s wide-eyed gaze. “But it’s not just any dating app,” Lacie continued as if she hadn’t just dropped a bombshell. “It’s for billionaires, super exclusive, and I thought—”
“Lacie.” Jessie set down her fork and rubbed her temples. “You know how I feel about stuff like this. It feels…impersonal.”
“I get it, I do. But hear me out. It’s called One and Done . It’s like a no-strings-attached thing. It’s just one incredible date with someone who meets your criteria. You don’t even have to see them again. So, no pressure or awkward moments afterward.
Jessie blinked, processing the name. “One and Done? That sounds awful.”
“Come on, Jess.”
“Lacie, are you out of your mind?” Jessie’s shouted, her voice showing her disbelief. “Why would you think I’d be interested in a one-night stand kind of date?”
“Because Jess,” Lacie said softly, her tone more serious now, “You deserve some fun. And what better way to ease back into the dating scene than with something light that doesn’t require any emotional investment?”
Jessie looked away, her heart constricting. A sliver of it still beat for one man. A man she couldn’t seem to forget. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this,” she admitted, her voice quieter. “You know how complicated things are for me, Lace. And what about Mac? I haven’t even spoken to him yet.”
Lacie shifted uncomfortably in her seat, biting her lip again. “Jess, we’ve talked about this. Remember those pictures we found online a few days ago? Jessie, Mac’s been attending all those events the last year and a half, and he wasn’t exactly alone. He had women on his arm at every one of them.”
Jessie’s chest tightened. She remembered the pictures all too well. Mac could look good wearing a potato sack. But Mac in a tuxedo was on a whole other level. But seeing the stunning women draped on his arm and his arm around their waists as they smiled for the cameras had nearly crushed her. It had been like a punch to the gut when she first saw them, jealousy and hurt flaring up instantly.
But there was something about his smile in those pictures, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
“Lacie,” she said quietly, “those smiles…they weren’t real. You could see it. He didn’t look comfortable. Those pictures didn’t portray the Mac I know.”
Lacie frowned. “Maybe. But Jess, a year and a half is a long time. He probably thought you were gone for good as the rest of us did. Who could blame him for moving on? Even you said that.”
Jessie’s heart twisted. It was true. It all came down to her decision. She made her bed, and now she would have to lie in it, even if it meant lying alone in her big bed.
“I can’t blame him,” Jessie whispered, her emotions getting caught in her throat. “But seeing those pictures, it hurt. I don’t know,” she sighed, pushing away her plate of chicken and veggies. Her appetite was gone.
Lacie reached across the table, squeezing Jessie’s hand. “That’s why I think you should at least meet with Ana, the app creator, tomorrow and hear what this whole One and Done thing is about. It’s not like you have to commit to anything. Just keep your options open.”
Lacie nibbled on her lip again, and Jessie had a bad feeling.
“What else is there, Lace? You still have that guilty look.”
“I already confirmed with Ana that you would meet with her tomorrow morning at ten,” Lacie said, her grin returning. “And I already sort of created your profile for the app.”
Jessie stared at her best friend, stunned. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I don’t know about this, Lace,” Jessie said, her mind still thinking about Mac.
“Nope. It’s happening. And trust me, it’s going to be amazing.”
It was obvious that Lacie wouldn’t take no for an answer. Jessie didn’t have any choice but to concede to her best friend.
“Fine…” Jessie huffed out. “I’ll go to the meeting tomorrow. But no promises.”
Lacie clapped her hands as she stood up and winked at Jessie. “That’s all I’m asking.”
As Lacie left the office, Jessie sighed, leaning back in her chair. She wasn’t so sure about this. Something in her gut told her that life was about to get a whole lot more complicated.