Betting Jessica

by Deanne Wilsted

  “Fifty dollars, including the green jacket,” the sales clerk said and Katie whipped out a fresh $50 bill and presented it to her.

  Jessica realized as she walked out the door that she had entered and left the store and never said one word to anyone except herself while there.

  What seemed like days later, Jessica sat on the floor in front of her mirror and ran her hand over a particularly soft sweater set. Her clothes were spread around her, like waves lapping at the beach. Katie and Becky had left a little earlier, after an evening spent oohing and aahing over each new combination. Katie had even shown her how to tie or pin her scarves to go with different outfits.

  In their wake, though, they had left her closet a disaster. They had pulled out all of her old clothes, matching them with the new ones in different combinations. The memory of Katie dragging a plastic bag larger than she was out the door for Goodwill still made Jessica want to smile. In the garbage sat the one, lone item of clothing, that Katie swore wasn’t even good enough for charity. Jessica looked at her comfy black pants peeking from the garbage can and with a secret smile reached in and pulled them out. No one would ever need to know she had them but she wasn’t ready to give them up.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  “Uh… hi honey,” Jessica’s dad stammered opening the front door for her on Sunday afternoon. The change in Jessica’s appearance was so dramatic he’d been disoriented for a moment.

  Rather than wait until Tahoe to wear her new clothes Jessica had decided to boost her morale immediately. So on Sunday, when she arrived at her parent’s house for dinner, she was wearing one of her new short skirts; straight, simple, and neon pink. She had played around with all her new tops and finally landed on a simple little black sweater combo.

  “Glad to see you’re feeling better.” He kissed her cheek and led her in. “I knew the thought of your mom’s cooking would cheer you right up.”

  Jessica rolled her eyes. Sure Dad, she thought to herself, whatever you want to think. She threw her sweater over a chair and patted his arm as she slid past him.

  “Yep, all better. Is Mom in the kitchen?” Jessica walked down the hallway and into the kitchen.

  “Um no,” Jessica heard her Dad answer as she headed out the back door and onto the patio. “I think your mom’s in the backyard with…”

  Jessica stopped dead in her tracks.

  “Peter and Erik,” her Dad finished.

  Oh great, just great. She turned back towards the patio doors thinking maybe if they didn’t see her she could sneak away, but she stilled when she heard Erik’s voice.

  “Hey, Peter, got a new girlfriend you didn’t tell me about?”

  What was Erik talking about? She glanced around to find the girl Peter had invited to Sunday dinner. When she didn’t find anyone there she played with a potted rose bush and waited to hear her brother’s reply.

  “You know I’m allergic to girls right now.”

  “So, who’d your Mom invite over to dinner then?” Erik asked.

  Slowly it dawned on Jessica that he’d been talking about her. She giggled as she realized Erik hadn’t recognized her from the rear. Suddenly she didn’t feel the need to leave anymore. She picked one of the pink roses she had been playing with and turned to say hi to her Mom who was standing there with a pair of clippers and a bemused expression on her face.

  “Oh, there you are darling. Your dad said you were sick so I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”

  Jessica smiled and added the rose to her mom’s basket.

  “All better Mom. Sorry I didn’t call.” She turned to Peter and Erik. “Hey guys. When’d you get here?”

  Erik’s mouth was open; literally hanging open. And Jessica tried not to smile victoriously. He hadn’t seen her since the party and he was clearly floored by the new curves and style she was flaunting.

  “See,” Peter said quietly to Erik. “I told you…..”

  Jessica couldn’t hear the rest of Peter’s comment but whatever it was obviously made Erik grouchy. As usual, he took it out on her.

  “Nice sweater Jess. Katie help you to pick it out?”

  Jessica tried her best not to blush, but couldn’t help it. A memory of the last time they had discussed Katie was now firmly lodged in her brain. She looked away to gather her composure.

  “She’s got great taste doesn’t she?” Jessica finally answered pulling her shoulders back and trying for a cocky grin.

  They stared at each other for a minute before Erik visibly shook his head as if to clear it.

  “Hey Peter, are you going to show me your new iPad or what?” he called over his shoulder tightly as he stalked toward the house.

  Jessica stared at Erik’s retreating back. Sheesh! It was so typical of him to throw Katie in her face. Jessica couldn’t figure out what she had ever done to earn his nastiness. Erik wasn’t usually as cruel to others as he was to her. Of course, she knew he didn’t bring out the best in her either, so she guessed they were even. Still, she wondered what it would be like to have a nice conversation with him for a change.

  A memory of just such an occasion played on the fringes of her memory and though she couldn’t actually nail it down it made her feel a bit nicer about him… but only for a moment. Then she reminded herself that it was exactly when she was nicest to him that Erik would say something to hurt her feelings.

  Jessica remembered that when she had first met him she hadn’t been so careful. In fact, when Peter had first introduced Erik she had idolized him. Even back then though, he had treated her like she was some sort of plague to be avoided. With a self-deprecating laugh she thought of how she had tagged after them trying to think up smart and funny things to say to get their attention. At first they had sort of ignored her. But then, after a while Erik in particular would tease her about something she’d said, or something she was wearing or doing. It hadn’t taken long for her to see what a mean person he was and begin to return his insults.

  Just thinking about it now made her want to put him in his place. Oh well, at least he couldn’t tease her about her clothes anymore. She looked hot today with a capital H if she did say so herself. And she was a grown-up now so she promised herself she wouldn’t resort to the old bickering that had been the hallmark of their younger exchanges.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  “Oh really, Erik? I forgot you were so smart and knew all about bovine mating habits. I’m sure that a comedic movie couldn’t be also making a very true point about the psyche of the male species.”

  “It’s a movie Jessica, and a stupid girl movie at that. Of course they come up with some inane theory that would appeal to women; that’s who go to see those dumb movies.”

  Jessica and Erik were too lost in their own world to notice Peter roll his eyes, or her parents leave the table. Finally Peter made his own escape by picking up a bunch of the plates and heading for the kitchen.

  Seeing him leave snapped Jessica out of the ridiculous argument.

  “I’ll get it; it’s my turn,” she called, standing up quickly to follow Peter.

  Unfortunately, in her haste, she bumped the table, sending Erik’s coffee flying into his lap.

  “Ow! Shit, shit,” he cried, throwing himself out of the chair and trying to pull his hot pants away from his body.

  Clearly horrified by her own clumsiness Jessica was already on her way over to him with a napkin when he started yelling at her.

  “What the hell Jessica? Are you trying to maim me now? It’s not enough to constantly insult me. Now you’re trying to hurt me physically?”

  “Physical?” Jessica said incredulously. She let her frustration carry her. Hands out, she shoved him back, literally and metaphorically. “You want physical? I am so tired of your spitefulness Erik. You know I didn’t spill that on purpose, but you have to think and say the very worst things about me, don’t you?”

  Erik took the first three of Jessica’s shoves without fighting back until he was practically against the wal
l.

  “I swear Jessica. I’ve never hit a girl, but I might make an exception for you.”

  He finally pushed her away from him just to get her to stop. It wasn’t much of a shove, but in her new heels Jessica completely lost her balance. With arms pin wheeling through the air she flew to the ground. Humiliated, frustrated and hurt she burst into tears and sat there crying.

  Erik watched Jessica fall as if in slow motion and horrified, rushed over to see if she was okay.

  “God Jess… Are you alright?” He squatted down to check on her.

  Jessica couldn’t get any words out at first she was crying so hard.

  “I’m sorry, Jess. Really! I didn’t mean to,” Erik said. “Please don’t cry; don’t.”

  Without even realizing what he was doing Erik placed one hand on her back to comfort her and reached out with the other to wipe her tears away. Jessica looked up at him with her huge tear filled eyes and his heart turned over in his chest.

  “What, Erik?” she barely whispered. “What did I ever do to make you hate me so much?”

  She dropped her head back into her hands and started a fresh crying streak.

  Erik felt horrible. What had he done? How had it come to this? He never wanted to hurt her but somehow she always brought it out of him. Unexpectedly he reached over and kissed her cheek. “I’m so sorry Jessica. I really am. Honestly, I don’t hate you.”

  Pears and a soft soapy smell filled his nose. Helplessly he watched her struggle to catch her breath, his brain unconsciously registering the bare skin at her neckline. His mind went completely blank. As if to calm her shaky breath, Erik placed his fingers on the skin just above her heart.

  Jessica looked up at him, confusion in her big blue eyes. His own eyes closed for a moment. Unable to meet her eyes again he looked down instead and noticed she sat cross legged. Her skirt had crept up and her lacey blue underwear now peeked out from beneath. He was powerless to stop his brain from imagining what was so near.

  “Shit, Jess,” he said reaching out to touch the skin where her very mini mini-skirt ended.

  Unable to help himself, he leaned forward. This kiss was different; sad and hurt and fragile. He could taste her tears, and for some reason it drove him deeper. He pushed at her until her mouth opened and allowed him in. Jessica barely moved, obviously confused by this abrupt emotional change. The taste of coffee and salty tears mingled and Erik heard her let out a breath as he pulled back.

  He dared to look into her eyes. They were no longer wet, but were still cloudy with questions; questions he couldn’t have answered even if he wanted to. He left her sitting there stunned, as he fled to his car.

  Chapter Thirty

  One thing Jessica knew, as she thought about the kiss on the drive home later, was that it had not been like the previous one. In fact, the only thing the two kisses had in common was that they had both started with a fight.

  Erik was a complete enigma to her. One minute he would make her feel as if she wasn’t good enough to shine his shoes, and the next minute . . . well, the next minute he would be doing what any other guy would when faced with a crying female.

  Had he simply been trying to comfort her or stop her from crying? She tried to remember what he had said before he kissed her; all that came back was the moment when she had felt his hand on her leg. It was like an instant ON button.

  In fact, just thinking about it now made her feel hot fudge melty. This would have been fine… even exciting for Jessica; except, well, it was Erik. Even though she hadn’t had a boyfriend in a while, how on earth could her body have responded to him?

  Perhaps that was what had happened to Erik, Jessica suddenly realized. He hadn’t had a girlfriend in a while either. Maybe her sexy new outfit had simply put him over the edge.

  Jessica giggled to herself. Sure, that would be the day. She couldn’t see herself ever being considered a temptress. Still, it did bode well for her chances with Ian Drake. She glanced down at her skirt and sweater noting the combination for when she finally met the famous celebrity.

  Of course this was still her biggest dilemma. She hadn’t quite figured out a plan for actually meeting Ian Drake. Her trip was two weeks away and all she had to go on was a very vague picture of what his house in Tahoe looked like from a boat on the lake. She sighed. At this rate she would never even find him, let alone get a date. And tonight her brain was too confused to worry much about it anyway.

  Then again, maybe that was what Erik was trying to do. Distract her enough and she wouldn’t be able to complete her plan and win the bet. Well, she thought with a frown, if that was his strategy he would be terribly disappointed. Because no matter what else happened, Jessica intended to get that date. And all Erik’s kiss had done was to convince her she looked good enough to tempt anyone.

  She refocused her mind and tried to think through the rest of her plans. Her flights were set and the condo rented. After tonight she was especially relieved she would have the first two weeks to herself before the others arrived.

  I can’t believe Erik is going to be there, she thought for the millionth time. If tonight was any indication, he would probably do whatever he could to try to keep her from winning the bet. She’d have to plan to get as much done as she could before he got there.

  Jessica sighed as she thought about what it was going to take to win the bet. Sometimes it felt like she had set herself an impossible task. And, not for the first time she wondered why she was pursuing it. Still, it was much more fun than worrying about her new job, which was not so new anymore and was starting to bum her out yet again.

  She shifted in her seat and was reminded of one very good outcome from the bet so far. For the first time in a while her seat belt was actually lying in her lap comfortably… like it was supposed to; rather than across her protruding tummy as it used to do. And it wasn’t only her figure that was new and improved. Katie had shared a bunch of makeup with her and they had played around with it till it looked much better than what she had been wearing. And just last week Becky had surprised her by giving her a gift certificate for a pedicure. Even her toes would be perfect in Tahoe.

  So, while she was still unsure how she’d meet Ian, she knew when she saw him she would be looking her best. And… it wasn’t like she was at a total loss for ideas. In fact, she had a whole plan to implement as soon as she arrived in Tahoe.

  She might not have an address, but she did know in general where his house was and where he might be likely to hang out. She had researched enough to even know that he seemed to be between acting projects and so there was a good chance he’d be in Tahoe as usual at this time of year. She thought about what a bummer it would be if he chose to go to Bermuda instead. Then she shook her head to dispel the negative thoughts. No, he will be there, she asserted. He will be there, and I will be looking great and I will meet him and he WILL ask me out.

  Jessica glanced in the rearview mirror to change lanes and noticed the two bags her parents had loaned her for the trip. As contributions went it was pretty weak. But she tried to remind herself that her dad had paid for her plane tickets. Hopefully the bags would be large enough. She had already started to lay out her clothes and it seemed like she had an awful lot to bring. She had even considered packing soon, but she knew it would be bad for her clothes to sit folded up like that for so long. It was still two weeks away.

  She gave a little laugh as she realized how impatient she was to get there. All things considered, there wasn’t much left to do other than get through the next two weeks at her ridiculous job. Well, that and try to stay as far away from Erik as possible.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Jessica pushed her wet hair out of her face and determinedly peddled her bicycle back to her rental condo in Tahoe. She’d just arrived in Lake Tahoe the day before and already she realized nothing was the way she had thought it would be.

  For one thing, the area was a lot bigger and there were a lot more people than she had dreamed there would be. Also, for
being the middle of summer, it sure rained a lot. Not much, in fact, was as she had expected. But, thinking back, she realized that it had started to go downhill the moment she stepped on the plane.

  “What do you mean my bag didn’t make it on the plane?” Jessica had tried to get her head around what the customer service person was telling her, but she had been too sweaty and tired to pay attention.

  “Ma'am, Ma'am?” The rep waved her hand in Jessica’s face to get her attention. “I was just saying you wouldn’t want us to be unsafe, right?” She asked this as if it was Jessica’s fault that they had overloaded the airplane.

  Really, like what was the likelihood that her measly bag had tipped the scale on safety? She had looked at the rep suspiciously, but the customer service person was un-phased as she had pushed a form across the counter and told Jessica to fill it out so they could deliver her bag to her when they found it.

  The pedals on Jessica’s bike were barely moving, so Jessica got off and started to push it up the hill. God! She was so stupid, she thought. If she hadn’t packed her other bag so full it would have fit in the overhead as originally planned and she wouldn’t have been forced to check it.

  The whole flight had been awful; stuck between a very large man on one side and an even larger one on the other. A screaming child had sat across the aisle from them and the two men had spent the entire time yelling at the harried mom to get her child to stop crying. In truth, Jessica had been more annoyed by their obnoxious behavior than by the poor child.

  She had tried to keep her spirits up though, excited to finally be starting the trip and ready for an adventure. But after filling out all the lost bag forms and then enduring an endless and expensive cab ride to the condo rental office she had lost her sense of humor and had begun to wonder if she had bitten off more than she could chew.