Authors: Anna Kristell
She walked into the bowling alley and immediately saw K
aren waving to her. She looked fantastic in her tight jeans and cute pink shirt and Jessica wondered how Bruce could possibly not notice her. She thought they’d make a great couple. She joined her co-workers and was actually having a good time when she saw Andy and Cody walk in the front door. Her heart raced as her tummy did a flip-flop and she decided to pretend not to see them.
Bruce put his arm around her when he saw who she was looking at. “It’ll be al
l right,” he whispered.
Karen came over to offer moral support as well. She looked at Bruce and smiled. “We’ll get her through it.”
Obviously ignoring them worked because after only a couple of sets, Jessica saw them leaving and her heart dropped. She would’ve loved to have talked with him, just one more time, even though she knew it was in her best interest not to go down that path again, especially now.
She turned her attention back to bowling and tried to enjoy herself. She bowled a strike and then a spare, enabling her team to win. When they were finished, they all decided to go out for drinks. They went to Zone’s, the bar Cody and Andy used to frequent. It was dark and she could pretend to have fun. She laughed on cue and danced with a few of the men, but underneath the gaiety, her heart was breaking.
She finally left and drove home wondering if Cody would consider cheating on his new girlfriend. She even considered a stud service call, but deep down, she knew her heart wouldn’t be in it and it would only make her want Cody even more.
****
When they’d returned from the bowling alley, Andy had gone out on the patio so he could talk to his fiancée in private. He told her about running into Jess and her boyfriend and about how it had affected Cody.
“I just don’t understand it. She hasn’t said a word about another guy.”
“I don’t understand it either, but enough about them, what are you wearing?”
“If you must know, I am lying on the bed in my lace undies and that sexy lace bra you bought me at Victoria’s Secret.
”
“The black one, you took it with you? Why would you take that with you to Texas when I’m not
there?”
“I br
ought it for one reason, silly…so I could be wearing it when you called.”
When Andy came back in, Cody
was on the couch. “She got your motor running, didn’t she?”
Andy laughed
. “All she has to do is walk into the room to do that.”
“Think Jessie would cheat on her man with an old lover?”
he asked his friend cautiously.
“What are you thinking, Cody?” Andy looked at him warily.
“Just wondering what it would take to get her back in my bed.”
“It might get you back together or you might be setting yourself up for a
serious fall, my friend. We don’t know how serious this is and Missy doesn’t know either.”
“It would be worth it,
” Cody said wistfully.
“Cody, not to change the subject, but I need to ask you something. Missy and I have set a date and I want you to be my best man.”
“Sure, sure Andy, just let me know when and where.”
“There’s something you should know. Missy plans to ask Jess to be her maid of honor.”
“That might be perfect for my plan if she doesn’t take lover boy with her.”
“You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”
“Hell, yes. Is Missy going to ask Jessie about the guy?”
“She may wait for Jess to tell her.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Next month.”
“How fitting, getting married in the month you met her, one year later. Okay, that gives me time to work on my plan.”
“
‘Operation Seduce Jess?”
“That’s the one.”
“Good luck, man. You may need it with that plan.”
“And then again, I may not.”
After her sexy phone conversation with Andy, Missy decided to call Jess
ica. She had the perfect excuse. She needed a maid of honor. Jessica answered after just a few rings. “Busy?” Missy asked, trying to find out if her friend was alone.
“Almost asleep, but that’s a
ll right. What’s up?” Jessica replied.
“What did you do tonight?”
“I went out with Karen and some people from work.”
“Anyone I know?” Missy was on a fishing expedition.
“You wouldn’t know any of them except Karen.”
“Well, I called because I have something to ask you.”
“Yes?”
“Andy and I are getting married next month and I want you to be my maid of honor.”
“Sure, Missy, I’d love to. Let me know the details so I can put in for leave.”
She gave her the details and asked, “Bringing anyone?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Andy
’s going to ask Cody to be best man.”
“I guess I
should’ve expected that. I wonder if he’ll bring anyone.”
“I don’t know. I’ll try to find out for you.”
“Okay. Let me know.”
“Well, I guess I’d better let you get back t
o bed.”
“Okay, talk to you soon, hon.”
Missy hung up frustrated because she didn’t find out anything other than that Jessica probably wouldn’t be bringing her new guy to the wedding. That was probably a good thing since Cody would be there.
I wonder
what’ll happen when Cody and Jess are thrown together and their
significant others aren’t with them. It could be interesting
. She giggled to herself as she thought how great it would be if they reunited the weekend of the wedding.
Andy went home, Missy returned from her trip
, and the fireworks began. They lay in bed talking as she flung a leg over his.
“Keep that leg there and you’ll be in trouble…I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”
“And just what will you do, pray tell?” she teased.
“This for starters
.” And he nuzzled her earlobe then moved down to her neck.
“Andy…oh…mm…d
on’t stop there.”
Later, as they lay in bed talking, she said with a giggle, “We’re getting as bad as Jess and Cody used to be, doing it all the time. I can understand now why she had to have him all the time.”
“If Cody has his way, they’ll be doing it again real soon.” Andy laughed as he remembered Cody’s plan.
“Why? What do you know that I don’t?” Missy asked curiously.
“He plans to try and get her to cheat with him the weekend of the wedding.”
“He’s not bringing his girlfriend then?”
she asked, hopefully.
“He doesn’t have a girlfriend, babe. That woman Jess saw him with was his AA sponsor. They’d just come from a meeting that night. I forgot to tell you that, we were all so worried about Jess’s new secret.”
“I don’t think I’ll tell Jess that. We can keep a secret from her for a change. Let her think he is seeing someone.”
“I won’t tell.” He laughed at the deviousness of his bride to be.
The rest of the night was spent making up for the week they’d been apart and thoughts of Jessica’s and Cody’s problems were put to rest for the time being.
Missy was kept very busy between work and the final preparations for the wedding. She made numerous phone calls to her mother and to Jess talking about dresses and flowers. She still had not told Jess Cody didn’t have a girlfriend and Jess hadn’t mentioned her boyfriend.
I wonder who he is.
Jess had been known to have her secrets, but she couldn’t believe she hadn’t let on that she’d moved on. Whatever her reasons for keeping it secret, she was in for a surprise if Cody followed through with his plan the weekend of the wedding and Missy, for one, couldn’t wait.
Andy laughed as he watched the usually very capable Missy become all thumbs as the wedding day drew nearer. “Are you nervous about spending the rest of your life with me?”
he teased his bride mercilessly.
“Never, just a little nervous about walking down the aisle, that’s all,” she replied.
“I’ll run down the aisle and pick you up if you fall, baby,” he chuckled again.
“Gee, thanks, wouldn’t that be cute?”
“Come here baby, let me give you some loving to calm your nerves.” He held out his arms and she rushed into them, grateful for him.
He held her close and caressed her gently while he whispered, “I love you, baby.”
She looked up at him and said, “I’m so glad we found each other.”
They stood like that for a few more minutes then he offered to help her with the wedding details for the rest of the evening.
“Jess’ll be here tomorrow evening and then you’ll be fine.”
“Thanks honey. There
’s just so much to do, yet.”
“And it will all get done. Quit worrying.”
****
“What’s up with you?” Karen asked
Jessica one day as they were preparing to lock the office and head home for the day.
“What do you mean, Karen?” Jess
ica asked innocently.
“You’re smiling again. Did you and Mr. Wonderful get back together?” She and Karen had become friends throughout the whole Cody ordeal. Karen had been there for her on those days when
she’d thought she couldn’t go on.
“Not yet, but I’ve got a plan
,” Jessica told her as they walked out of the building into the blinding sunlight. She pulled her sunglasses out of her purse.
“Uh oh, why does that scare me?” Karen asked apprehensively.
“We’ll just have to wait and see how it plays out, Karen. By the way, did you give any more thought to my idea about you and Major Brooks?”
“The idea you had about Bruce and me getting together?”
“Yes, Karen, that idea.” She laughed as she looked at Karen’s blushing face.
“Well, he would have to do the asking.”
“Maybe he’ll do just that one of these days, Karen. Maybe he’ll do just that.”
They reached their cars and said their goodbyes.
Once she had reached her own apartment, Jessica called Missy. The big day was approaching and plans had to be finalized. It was decided she’d drive up on Wednesday to help with last minute details. Friday, would be the rehearsal and a dinner afterward. Then Saturday would be the wedding and reception. After that, Jessica would be free to put her plan into action.
I can’t wait to feel Cody’s arms around me again
. The thought of being with him again was so tantalizing, she had to get up from her couch and take a cold shower.
As she packed her suitcase on Tuesday night, she could feel herself getting excited again. Anticipation was building
.
By the time I finally get him into bed, I’ll be so hot I
won’t know what to do with him first
. She kept thinking positively, not wanting to even imagine the alternative.
****
Cody was whistling as he got into his truck to go home from the plant. When he pulled into the driveway, he unlocked the glove compartment and took out the little black velvet box that had been there since that awful night at the hotel. He’d never been able to bring himself to get rid of it, but today was the first day he’d taken it out and looked at it.
How I long to be able to put it on her finger. But for now it has to go back to its hiding place. I’ll know when the time’s right.
He wasn’t driving
up until Thursday since he wanted to attend another AA meeting before the trip. He didn’t want to miss the meeting with the reception coming up. He really had no desire to drink, but if Jessie turned him down, he might be tempted. He thought about her until he had to stop packing and take a cold shower, which didn’t work.
Wednesday Jessica awoke at dawn and after throwing her things into the trunk of her car headed out to I-44 to begin the journey that just might change her life. She arrived in the afternoon and seeing the state Missy was in knew she was going to have her hands full for the next few days performing her maid of honor duties.
“How long has she been like this, Andy?”
She laughed as she winked at her friend’s fiancée.
“Oh, for a couple of
weeks now, if you can believe it, our calm, cool, collected Major Roberts isn’t so calm, cool, and collected now that she’s about to become a bride.”
“There’s a lot of difference in being a
n army officer and being a bride. I’m not one of those girly girls, you know. Brides are supposed to be girly girls,” Missy chimed in as they all burst into laughter.
“Come on, Missy, show me what needs to be done. I’ll start doing my maid of honor duties so you can calm down.” She put her arm around her friend as they walked into the kitchen where Missy had table favors spread everywhere. Jessica looked at one that was finished to see what it was supposed to look like then picked up a glass votive cup, silk flowers, a glue gun and began to glue the flowers to the glass. When she was finished, she took a white gardenia scented votive candle from the box on the bar and popped it into the cup. Then picking up another, she did the same thing, this time putting a lavender candle in the cup.