by Ella Sparkle
I took a sip of wine and felt myself starting to let my guard down a bit. Cass was here to try and cheer me up. I gave her a small smile. “Thank you, Cassie. The feeling's mutual.”
I set my wine glass down on the coffee table as Cassie cleared her throat. “That is why I feel it is my duty to tell you that it is time to get off your ass and make some big fucking changes in your life. Like, now. Otherwise, the next thing you know you're going to be living alone in a house full of cats, sitting around in your bathrobe, watching Forensic Files reruns on Netflix every night, wondering where it all went wrong.”
It was like a record scratching sharply inside my head. What did she just say? That was not at all what I had expected. I grabbed my glass and took a big gulp of wine, not even knowing what to say or how to react to that statement. Cassie just sat patiently, not taking her eyes off of me. She had a look of genuine concern on her face. I took another drink and a deep breath before I responded. “That is a very specific scenario you have just laid out.” I ventured, not really knowing what to say to the vision she'd drawn of my potentially bleak future.
“Don’t try to deflect from the issue at hand. I am being serious, Jenna.”
“I don’t think that there is anything wrong with my life,” I said quickly, feeling a bit defensive. “It's just fine.”
Cassie looked at me like I had lost my mind. “That's a big part of the issue. Fine is not good enough for you. You are so amazing, Jenna. You deserve nothing but the best. You are the whole package... smart, beautiful, kind, hardworking, and incredibly loyal. I know that what happened with Brett really did a number on you, but...”
“I don’t want to talk about Brett,” I quickly interrupted Cassie. I didn’t even like hearing his name. “I am over that.”
Cassie sighed. “No you're not, honey, and that is part of the problem. You two were together almost all of college and I know you were planning on a future with him that included a big poufy white dress and a walk down the aisle. What he did to you was terrible, and one of the worst possible break-ups that someone could have happen to them.”
“Really, I am fine. Totally over it.” I gulped down the rest of my glass of wine. “More wine?” I said reaching for the bottle that was sitting on the table between us. My attempt to change the subject was futile, I knew that Cassie wasn't going to leave this idea alone.
“Jenna. You were at dinner with his parents and yours to celebrate your college graduation. Everyone, including you, thought Brett was going to propose that night with your families there. Instead of finding a ring in your dessert, when the check came, that bastard announced, in front of everyone, that your relationship was just not working and it was time to move on now that graduation was over.”
I closed my eyes as Cassie spoke. “Please don’t remind me. I don’t want to relive that moment.”
“Sweetie, he broke your heart and it broke you for months after that. You were too distraught to start law school and had to take a year off before going back this fall. I get it, and it was the right decision at the time, however, you stopped living that night and have just been a shell of your former self ever since.”
I opened my eyes and took a big gulp of wine. Twirling the stem of the glass around in my fingers for a moment before I looked over at Cassie. “As fun as this trip down memory lane is–"
“Jenna,” Cassie interrupted. “You've had your life plan as long as I have known you. You planned to get married, have a successful career as a kick-ass attorney and have a big house in the suburbs with lots of little kiddos running around. Your life is not going according to your plan, so you have stopped living it,” she said bluntly.
For the second time that day, I could feel the tears building under my eyelids. The worst part was that as much as it hurt to hear, I knew she was right. “I have only ever had this plan to work towards. Without the plan, I don’t know what to do or where my life is going. I need to have a plan.” My voice was barely a whisper as I said the words I didn’t want to hear out loud.
Cassie scooted closer to me on the sofa and took both of my hands in hers. “Jenna honey, let me be the first to tell you that this life plan you have is just not working and it is time to move on.”
I couldn’t help but laugh even as tears were running down my face. “Actually, you are now the third person to tell me that.”
“Well, third time's a charm, right? Plus you don’t need a life plan. You have a super fantastic, one-in-a-million friend like me to help you out.” Cassie let go of my hands and started waving hers all around herself striking different ridiculous poses.
“Oh yeah? What do you suggest, oh wise one? Teach me your ways,” I joked.
By then we were both laughing hysterically. That was one of the great things about Cassie. She always seemed to know what I needed to hear and was not afraid to tell me.
Cassie was bouncing up and down in her seat and clapping her hands. “So I have an idea. You have been so closed off and shut down that you have not allowed yourself any new possibilities or experiences. From now on, when something presents itself, you are only allowed to say “yes.” You cannot turn anything down. Well, unless it is totally unsafe, illegal, or something I wouldn’t do. Force yourself outside of your comfort zone. Actually, on second thought, better just go with unsafe and illegal as your boundaries. Those are much stricter boundaries than just opening it up to something I wouldn't do.”
I groaned at Cassie. “That sounds like something straight from Oprah or from some flowery self-help book.”
Cassie looked at me over the top of her wine glass. “I'm sure it is. I didn’t say it was an original idea, but you have to admit, it is a great idea for you. Think about it. What do you have to lose?”
I sipped my wine while I rolled everything over in my mind. “You do have a point there,” I agreed. “I have no job, no love life, no friends - other than you...”
“Hey! Careful what you say next there! I am such an awesome friend. Why would you need a bunch more?” Cassie waved her arms around pretending she was offended by what I'd said.
“Ha ha, Cass. Listen. This may just be the wine, and my overly taxed emotions from today speaking, but I am in.” Cassie was right, what did I have to lose at that point? I already felt like my life had gone down the toilet and if I wanted things to change, I needed to do something different.
Cassie let out a squeal of excitement as she grabbed me into a big hug. “You're really going to do it?” She asked.
I took a deep breath. “Yes. I will do it. I will start saying 'yes'.”
Chapter 4
Nick
I shuffled through the massive stack of paperwork on my desk and told myself that I had to get through at least half of it before I could call it a night. Permits, building plans, contracts, payroll... fuck, I really needed to get a full-time assistant to help me keep all this shit organized. Blaine Construction had just grown too big for me to try and keep doing it myself.
That last thought brought a smile to my face. Who'd have thought a few years ago when I started Blaine Construction that I'd be sitting in the corner office of my new company headquarters, thinking about how much I needed to hire a full-time assistant? I had worked damn hard to get there, that was for sure. Blaine Construction had been my sole focus for those past several years and all my hard work was really starting to pay off.
The business plan was simple; hire locally and work exclusively with local contractors to build top-quality housing in all price ranges. Hiring locally and working with local contractors helped keep the employment rate up in our community. When people were employed, they spent money, which stimulated the economy. When people are employed and the economy is good they buy things like houses, creating increased demand, therefore creating more jobs. It was 'Good Business 101'. Recently, Blaine Construction had expanded into doing remodel work, which meant I'd bought up some of the more run-down houses in the area and fixed them up to resell. It kept my contractors and employees busy w
hen we were in between building jobs and helped to restore parts of the community that were in need of repair. I'd recently moved into a condo that was remodeled by Blaine Construction and it was a really nice place (if I did say so myself).
I had grown up in the community, and I really wanted Blaine Construction to be a homegrown business that local folks would get behind and support. That meant Blaine Construction did everything from sponsoring little league teams, to having employee-led highway clean-up events, to hosting a community haunted house every Halloween. I personally attended every event so that I could to get the company name out there. My next big project was getting a Blaine Construction Scholarship started for each of the local high schools for a student that wanted to go to college and study architecture or business management. Making all that happen meant that I fucking worked non-stop, but Blaine Construction was on the cusp of hitting it big, which would make all the sacrifice worth it.
I pressed my hands into my exhausted face before picking up the next piece of paper off the stack. I really needed an assistant to help. From somewhere in the mounds of paper, my phone started to buzz. I quickly located it under the stack I had just been working on and pushed the answer button.
“Hello, this is Nick speaking.”
“After all the time we have been friends, that's is how you greet me? You're an asshole, Nick.” I immediately smiled as I recognized the voice of my best buddy, Baxter. We had been friends since high school, when we played baseball together, now mostly he called me and I told him I had to work. Things had changed a lot the last few years.
“Give me a break, I didn’t look to see who was actually calling.” I put the phone on speaker so I could continue to file papers while talking to Bax.
“Well, you are going to be glad that I called.” I could hear lots of noise in the background as Bax shouted through the phone. I glanced at my watch and saw what time it was. Given that it was Friday night, I knew he was already out somewhere.
“Tell me why it is that I am going to be glad that you called because so far you are not giving me much to work with.” That was a lie, I knew Bax and I knew exactly why he had called.
“Nick Blaine, have I got a deal for you,” Bax said in his best salesman voice. “I am down at The Bulldog on fifth street. The game is on, there are several pitchers of beer, and a couple orders of wings on the way. Yours truly and a few other upstanding gentlemen are here and there are more ladies at our table than there are guys. Get your ass down here!” Bax sounded like he was already a few drinks into the evening.
“It does sound like an enticing offer, but I am going to have to pass, Bax.” I finally had all of the shit on my desk separated into piles that kind of made sense.
“Just a minute. I'm going to step outside where I can hear you better because it sounded like you just said you were passing on tonight.” I could hear a rustling noise on the phone and in a few minutes, Bax was back on the line, minus the background noise. “Alright, I'm outside now. Tell me I heard you wrong and that you are not fucking saying no to coming out tonight.”
I sighed. “You heard me right. Not tonight, Bax.”
“Wait, are you still at work?”
I hesitated before answering. I was not in the mood for a lecture. “Yes, I am. I have shit that has to get done.”
“Not on a Friday night you don’t. Come on, Nick. There is more to life than just working. There are really hot ladies at our table Nick. Like seriously fucking hot. When was the last time that you actually went out with someone that had tits?”
“Listen, Bax, you know I am not looking to date or for a relationship right now. I don’t have time for all of that shit and the drama that goes with it. And the last person I went out with was that blonde you set me up with. You know, the one that only wanted to know about my company and how much money I made. No, Bax. Just no,” I said flatly. I knew his game all too well.
“Dude, you live alone and it was months ago that you went out with her. I set you up because it had been months since you had gone out with anyone before that. Come on, Nick. You are twenty-eight years old, you are not totally unfortunate looking, and your personality is tolerable. You could seriously hook up with just about anyone you wanted to.” I could tell he was exasperated, as per usual, he just didn't get it. Work was my focus and it was paying off.
I laughed, “‘Not totally unfortunate looking’ and ‘tolerable personality.’ Thanks, Bax. I don’t think anyone has ever paid me such a huge compliment before.”
“Don’t let it go to your head you salty son-of-a-bitch. Someone has to keep you from a life of complete celibacy since left to your own devices, you seem bound to head that way.”
“Listen, Bax. We have been through this before. I have other priorities right now, and those do not include any type of relationship. I’m over the random hookups. My choice and I am totally fine with it. Bachelor life suits me and I intend to keep it that way.”
“That may be the stupidest fucking thing I've ever heard you say, Blaine. Fine, if you want to continue to live alone in your new, fancy condo and have a life of nothing but the gym, work, and eating takeout, be my guest.”
“Sounds perfectly fine to me.”
“You’re an idiot. You know, someday, despite all your best efforts to the contrary, you are going to meet some girl who is going to flip your world upside down and I am going to just sit here and laugh and say ‘fucking told you so.’ How about that?” He joked.
“Not going to happen, Bax. I have no time or interest in that shit,” I said, after all, I knew myself and what I wanted and I wasn't going to be swayed by one of Bax's 'hot babes'.
I decided it was time to shut down my computer and get ready to leave. I could come in on the weekend to get caught up on this paperwork.
“Suit yourself. Just means more ladies for me tonight now that you won’t be around. Have fun at the gym, alone. And going back to your condo, alone. And ordering takeout, alone.”
“You’re an ass, Bax,” I said as I grabbed my gym bag and headed towards the front door.
“An ass that is getting laid tonight. Unlike you, my friend. You are just an ass. A lonely, lonely ass,” Bax said with a laugh.
“Night, Bax.”
“We 'll be here for the rest of the night if you change your mind.” I could hear the background noise start to pick up again as it sounded like Bax was heading back inside the bar.
“Thanks, man. I'll catch you later.”
“Later.” He clicked off the line.
My whole life for the past several years had been dedicated to Blaine Construction. That meant there were many Friday nights spent in my office doing paperwork rather than dating or any of the other things that single twenty-eight-year-olds did. Truth was, I was fine with it. I dated plenty in high school and college, but as I worked on growing Blaine Construction, I found I just didn’t have the time or energy to play the dating game. There was too much bullshit that came with it and I had to keep my priorities straight. Plus, I never seemed to meet anyone I really wanted to invest the time and energy into for a relationship.
I locked up the building and started to walk across the parking lot. It was a perfect night. The sky was clear, the air was crisp and everything around me was quiet. I decided I would much rather go for a ride on my Harley than hit the gym. My Harley was the first big purchase I made for myself when Blaine Construction started to make money and I was damn proud of it.
I smiled to myself as I threw my gym bag on the back of my bike and climbed on. That was one of the great parts of being single, I could do whatever the fuck I wanted, whenever I wanted. The engine revved to life and I was itching to hit the road, to just go wherever the night took me. I pulled out of the parking lot relishing in the breeze hitting my face, the purr of the engine, and the fact that I had no plan about what was going to happen next. No way was I ever going to give any of that up and be tied down to another person.
Chapter 5
Jenna
> The next morning, I awoke with a splitting headache, and my mouth was so dry it felt like I had been sucking on socks all night. I rolled over to look at my phone and saw it was almost noon.
I shuffled out to the living room where Cassie was sleeping on the sofa. Wine bottles and pizza boxes from the night before littered the coffee table and floor. We had decided to celebrate the new plan of saying yes for the rest of Friday night... and into Saturday morning.
“Cass, wake up. It's almost noon,” I groggily mumbled to the pile of blankets on my sofa.
“Fuck! Why do I feel like I got hit by a truck?” the pile of blankets mumbled back. I saw Cassie’s hand reach out and grab her dark-framed glasses. In college, when Cassie had to get glasses, she did it in typical Cassie fashion and got wild, thick black frames that had a slight cat-eye shape to them. With her bright red hair and funky wardrobe, they totally worked for her. Cassie poked her head out with her glasses on, opened her eyes, and looked around the living room. She let out a giggle followed by a moan. “I see why now.”
Cassie sat up, pushed her glasses on top of her head, and rubbed her eyes. Her red hair was sticking out in all directions and her makeup was smudged across her face. “What do you have planned for the rest of the day?” she asked as she stretched and yawned simultaneously.
“I am going to make us some coffee and we can go from there.” My slippers padded softly into the kitchen where I flipped on the coffee pot. I always set it up at night before I went to bed, it was part of my nightly checklist. One of the many mental checklists that I operated off of daily.
“After that task is completed, what is next on the checklist for the day?” Cassie shouted from the living room. She knew me too well.
I tossed some bagels into the toaster while the coffee brewed. “Well, I guess my first priority is to find a job. I should have one last paycheck coming from the law firm, but then after that, I have nothing. I need to find something quickly, even if it is only temporary.”