Grady?” I ask. “Dating anyone?”
Grady laughs it off as our friend Vance joins us. He is all fired up about his little sister Georgina.
“She’s acting wild. She needs to be tamed,” Vance huffs as he takes a long pull on his beer. Vance is a cop and keeps tabs on his sister. “Good thing her best friend Valerie is level-headed.”
A loud guy from a few tables over has us turning our heads. “Hey sugar,” he calls out to a young woman. “I know you wanna piece of this.”
“Please leave me alone,” the woman says, looking around for her friends. She’s alone though, and looks like a deer in headlights.
The man stands up, chuckling. “Aww, you know you want me, princess. I’m a real man.” He cups his groin. “And I could take care of your little—”
I step up to him, cutting him off before he can finish this lewd thought. “Leave her alone.”
“Or what?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.
“Or we’ll make sure you’re dealt with. Get out of here. Now,” I growl. I know Vance and Grady are behind me and we aren’t backing down.
The asshole grunts, dropping it, and instead of saying any more, he leaves like a dog with his tail between his legs.
The woman is joined by her friends, and I see a look of gratitude sweep over her.
I leave O’Malley’s, thinking that if anyone ever treated Jessa like that it would be difficult not to punch them in the face. And as I get in bed, I can’t help but wish I could speed up time. That Jessa was here, in bed with me. That I was the man she chose to protect her now and forever.
Sunday night can’t get here soon enough.
Jessa
There is no reason for me to have doubts about Josh, but as I close the shop Sunday afternoon and head to my apartment to get ready for my date, old feelings crop up.
I shower, hoping that the water will wash my fear away, but after I wrap a towel around myself, I think maybe it’s better for me to cancel.
Just as I am about to, my friend Valerie calls.
“Hey,” I say, surprised. “Didn’t expect to hear from you.”
She laughs. “Seriously? I know what you are doing right now. And this is your only friend calling to talk you off the ledge.”
I groan, sitting down on my bed in my towel. “How did you know?”
“Because you’re the queen of self-sabotage. And I love you too much to let you do this to yourself.”
Valerie and I were foster sisters and she knows me better than anyone. In fact, after that asshole Tim talked down to me at the bank, she was the one who told me the value of filing an official grievance. I’m glad I did. It was one of the first times I really stuck up for myself.
“He’s just… out of my league. And I’m scared, Val. Because he’s different…”
“Different how?”
I swallow. “Different like his parents are stable, supportive. They all went to Ivy League schools. They all—”
“Hey,” Val shushes me. “Listen, don’t compare yourself to anyone. You’re a survivor, Jessa. And a strong woman. He’s lucky to even get this date with you. Make him earn it, okay?”
“I just don’t even know where we’re going. I don’t have fancy clothes or—”
“Wear something that makes you feel like you. Don’t dress to impress.”
I laugh, grateful for her sound advice. “Why are you so level-headed?”
“I think it’s because I’m a Libra.”
I laugh, knowing she is obsessed with horoscopes. “Okay, well let’s hope my zodiac is in the mood for love.”
She laughs. “Oh, I bet your sun sign is in the mood for more than love. Girl, it’s time you got—”
Not wanting her to mention my status as a virgin, I groan. “I’m hanging up now!”
“Love you, Jessa.”
“Love you more.”
I stand, walking to my dresser, looking for my favorite blue jeans. Val’s right, like always. It’s a date, not an interview. And all I need to be is myself.
Chapter Four
Josh
When I get to her apartment, I’m greeted with a big smile and it warms my heart. Part of me was scared she forgot, changed her mind, wouldn’t be here at all.
Because meeting her felt too good to be true.
But here she is, looking goddamn adorable.
“Am I dressed okay?” she asks, looking down at herself. I use the moment to take her in. She is in light wash jeans and a pair of white low top Converse. She has on a V-neck tee that flatters her