did.”
“No, Dena, of course not. She’s his sister.”
“Oh, I didn’t know he had a sister. His Wikipedia says he’s an only child.”
“She’s his stepsister from his dad’s relatively new marriage.”
“Ahh, so you do know insider stuff.”
“So what does Caroline want to say to me?”
“She wants to beg for you to reconsider. Jett is willing to be a part of a whole promotion for her company if she can get you to agree to the third date.”
“That’s unfortunate for her then because there’s not a chance in hell I’m going out with him again.”
“Is that your final answer?”
“What is this, Jeopardy? Yes.”
“Then you won’t be angry if she matches him with someone else?”
“Someone else?”
“Well, yeah, the money he paid is for an annual membership. If one match doesn’t work out, then he can meet another woman.”
That asshole!
“Hell yeah,” I tell Dena. “In fact, I recommend that Caroline find him another match. We’re just not compatible. It’s not happening.”
“Fine, I’ll let her know.”
“Why do you sound so disappointed?”
“I think you are making a major mistake.”
“I make ‘em all the time. I’ll live with it.”
I try studying for an hour, but it’s a waste of time. I keep being drawn to my laptop and the search engine bar. I look up Jason and try to create a timeline of his alleged relationships and celebrity dalliances over the years. I actually write them down on a piece of paper and study the dates. It looks like he spent the most time with an actress I’ve seen in all of maybe three movies.
I click on her name, which is linked to a Wikipedia page as well. Under her personal section, it says that she was in a relationship with Jason Jett Caraway on and off for a year. There’s even a picture of them walking hand in hand on a beach.
That leads me down another rabbit hole for an hour or so because now I want to know more. I find little, which in some ways disappoints me. There isn’t much to find online because his association with this woman was obviously very casual. And this was his longest documented relationship?
What a joke.
Thirty-Two
ADRIENNE
I have a study group tonight at Owen’s place and I’m looking forward to it. Nothing can get my mind off of things I’m stressed about better than working towards a goal. Getting my board certification in pediatrics will be just one more solid step towards meeting my career goals, which include securing a permanent position in Mercy West’s pediatric clinic and one day teaching.
When the four of us meet at Owen’s apartment to study, it’s always my responsibility to bring the coffee, so I stop at the local coffee shop to grab a to-go carton of dark roast and some assorted pasties. I’m pleased to see one of the regular baristas there who I’m friendly with, but our jovial chit-chat quickly turns when he tells me that his cancer has returned.
The barista is only twenty-three years old, and this will be his second battle with bone cancer. It’s so unfair. He’s a nice guy who just wants to live the rest of his life like everybody else. I try giving him one of my mini motivational speeches about how I’m so sure that he’ll beat his cancer again because of the kind he has and his age, but I’m not as confident about things as I hopefully appeared. After I leave, his news darkens my mood so much that I hardly notice when a shiny black SUV abruptly stops next to me as I walk toward Owen’s.
It’s him.
“Where are you going this time of night?”
His unexpected appearance and the tone of his voice throws me off and only sours my mood.
“None of your business.”
“We have one more date.”
“Go away.” I continue to walk.
“You signed a contract.”
He snatches the carton of coffee out of my hand, and we keep walking. The SUV trails slowly behind us and I realize it must not be a regular Uber car but one of Jason’s. God knows he’s rich enough to own a fleet of cars.
“Is that your car?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Do you have a driver too?”
“Sometimes.”
“Caroline can tear up the contract and give you your money back. Oh wait, that’s right, she can find you another match.”
“I don’t want another match. I want my third date with you, Adrienne.”
“Well, I want world peace and healthcare for all, but that ain’t happening no time soon.”
“What’s wrong with you today? Did something happen at work?”
“You’re what’s wrong.”
“So let me