by Skye McNeil
“Okay, kid, you bet. Try to get some work done while you’re out there. Maybe the mountain air will inspire you somehow. Oh, and be sure to reschedule the meeting,” Mike yelled before Asher disconnected the call.
No doubt, his ever-looming ray of publicity would send him texts and emails until he lost cell service. The sole reason to keep his phone on was his desire to hear from Jessie.
Standing, he padded over to his closet and peered inside. He had plenty of clothes to wear. Jessie thought he was a poor coffee shop employee. His lips broke into a smile. He could play the part if it was what she wanted. Judging from the fact she wanted to meet at Armani tomorrow, he predicted she desired the complete opposite. Well, he could pull that off too, since he knew it well.
The well-lit walk-in closet exposed rows of designer suits as well as an array of off the rack clothes as well. Shopping at Armani wasn’t necessary, but if it made Little Miss New York feel better about him then fine.
He scratched his jaw, which reminded him to shave. Pulling clothes off the rack, he was glad he’d called ahead to the Armani store and asked them to be dutiful to Jessie and oblivious to him when they arrived. The manager agreed without hassle. He didn’t want his ruse to be spoiled at the beginning.
Switching the light off in the closet, Asher dragged a well-worn luggage bag to his bed. He rather liked being a nobody for a change. Life in the public’s eye, even when hiding behind his publicist, wasn’t one he wanted for himself. It was thrust upon him by accident, and he longed for the days where a chauffeur named Dave didn’t pick him up every day. Simplicity was what he yearned for yet seldom received. A few days in the mountains would reset his body and soul. His career depended on it.
»»•««
Jessie was surprised to wake up to a text from Asher the next morning. Pushing Bleu off her pillow, she grabbed the illuminated screen and winced at the brightness staring back at her. “Dammit,” she mumbled as her eyes adjusted. “What time is it?”
Bleu purred in bliss despite being shoved aside and took up kneading her shoulder as he settled back into the warmth of her body. Registering the early wakeup call, Jessie moaned when the text came twenty minutes before her alarm was set to ring.
Scanning the message filled with coffee emoji’s and smiley faces, she sat up. “Meet me for breakfast at Perkatory?” she read aloud, shoving back the covers before swinging her feet to touch the cool hardwood floor.
“I could use a little something this morning.” She stood and wrinkled her nose when she spotted her matching luggage. “Or five somethings.”
Shooting a response to Asher, she padded to the bathroom and glanced at her reflection. She wouldn’t be the naïve girl from Colorado the next time she would see Tommy. New York changed her more than Chicago ever could, and she was thankful for it. She couldn’t go back to being a man’s inadvertent accessory like Tommy made her. This time when she saw the no-good bastard, she would be a success. A success who didn’t need a man to make her happy.
Deep down, she always knew it. The truth of the matter hit her when she stepped off the plane in New York. From then forward, men were a convenience she didn’t need. After unloading her bags, she’d gone to a local animal shelter and adopted an adorable one-year-old stray. Now, that was the best decision she ever made. Glancing over her shoulder, she spied the Russian Blue snuggled under the sheets, his gray tail the only part of him visible.
After grabbing a laundered towel, Jessie took a shower and dressed with speed when she noticed Asher had sent a text letting her know he was already at the coffee shop. Patting Bleu on the head, she raced out of the apartment and down the stairs.
Hailing the first cab she saw, she gave the driver the address before settling in for her ride. Without a doubt, she would need to refill Bleu’s food and water bowls before she left town. As a consolation to her rampant woes, Bridget had agreed to check in on the feline on a daily basis during her absence. She caught her reflection in the window. “And to fix my hair,” she mourned in disgust. She looked like a crazed woman on her way to the gym. In reality she was on her way to the gym.
“Did you say something?” the driver asked in a heavy Indian accent.
“No, I’m good,” she replied, pulling her phone out. Bridget had sent her a text, asking about her hunky date. Bridget’s words, not hers. Typing a response, Jessie couldn’t ignore Asher was attractive. If you’re into tatted up Army guys. She mused as another text flashed across her screen. This time, it was from the man of the hour and it wasn’t a mere text. It was a photo. Jessie’s heart quickened when she opened the message. She couldn’t hide the smirk at what she saw. Her date for the week held a coffee cup up so the only thing visible were his forest green eyes. The crinkles on his brow told her he was smiling behind the cup. The knowledge made her smile even brighter.
“Meeting with your boyfriend this morning?” the cabbie asked, forcing Jessie’s attention away from the innocent message.
Seeing the middle-aged man grin in the rearview mirror, she demanded her face stop its cheerful nature. It wouldn’t obey. “Um, no. A friend.”
The driver chuckled. “Ah, it’s how it starts.”
Jessie opened her mouth to object, but the cab pulled to the side of the street. “Here’s your stop,” he said, turning to face her.
Seeing Perkatory’s neon sign, she was surprised how fast they got there. Her stomach jolted. Was she ready for this? She wasn’t sure, but she had to get out of the cab. The meter was still running.
Paying the driver, Jessie slid out of the car and walked up to the welcoming café doors. She may have liked the way Asher looked and acted, but she reminded herself friendship was all it would ever be. Men weren’t on her five-year plan. When and if she settled down, it would be with a boring guy and not a tattooed barista who made her wonder how whipped cream would taste off his abs.
»»•««
Stirring a packet of sugar into his red mug, Asher tapped his foot to appease his anxiety. His idea to meet Jessie the morning of their departure shocked even him. If he was supposed to spend five full days with a stranger, he needed more than generic text message conversations. The bell above the door chimed, but when he didn’t see the object of thoughts enter, he went back to his brew.
The lanky New Yorker intrigued him so much he agreed to her spur of the moment request. In all his years of walking the streets of New York, this situation never popped up. The reason behind her odd proposal had to be good if she risked a stranger by her side for a wedding, of all things. He doubted he would attempt it with his family.
Finishing off his cup, Asher stretched his legs as he stood to get a refill. He eyed the front door, willing it to open. Suddenly, the entrance held Jessie. Coffee long forgotten, he took in the sight of her. She could only be described as incredible. Her hazelnut-colored hair looked fresh and a tad damp as it rested on her blue workout tank top with NYC scrawled across the front. Gray leggings accentuated legs which were no doubt honed each day at the gym. He let out a breath as his eyes drifted up the never-ending length of her legs until he reached her face. She wore a touch of makeup. Nothing compared to the getup she sported when they first met. This was chill Jessie. Jessie who looked ready to jump on a treadmill and run five miles without batting an eyelash.
“Hey,” she said, already in front of him.
“Hey, you came,” he replied, willing himself to sit. He looked down at his cup and noticed it was empty.
Jessie took a seat across from him at the table. “Yeah, I figured we may as well spend a little time together so it’s not awkward.”
Asher doubted things would ever be awkward between them, but he would humor her anyway. “Good idea.”
“I see you’re already a cup in.” She pointed at his mug.
“Oh, yeah. I was getting ready to fill it back up.” He stood and snatched the solitary cup. “Do you want some coffee?”
Jessie seemed to ponder his question before she answered. “No, I’m g
ood. I don’t drink coffee anymore, but I will take a tea.”
“No coffee, huh? I can’t wait to hear the story behind your crazy notion.” He stepped away before she could respond. His nerves were a jumbled mess for some reason.
As he waited in line, he knew it couldn’t be because of her appearance. She was beautiful, yes, but he was never lost for words when he encountered gorgeous women. The Whitaker men were silver-tongued devils when it came to the opposite sex, a trait he both loathed and loved.
When he reached the counter, Nadine offered him a puzzled expression. “You know, you can refill your coffee over there, right?” She pointed to the warming station holding two pots of fresh coffee, packets of sugar, and fresh cream.
“Oh, yeah, I know. I’m getting Jessie a drink.”
Nadine smirked. “Why don’t you make it yourself, newbie?”
Asher stepped close and lowered his voice. “Because I suck at making her tea blend. I don’t want to gag her after meeting her.”
Writing the order on a notepad, the barista shrugged. “Saving it for later, right?”
Shoving aside her innuendo, Asher looked over his shoulder. “Look, I don’t want her to know who I am, okay?”
A devious grin covered the shop owner’s face. “Oh, is that so? Now, this is interesting. Why the charade?”
Asher followed her behind the counter. “She doesn’t recognize me. I need some time to just be me. A majority of the time, I don’t get this opportunity with women.”
“Ha! That’s for damn sure.” Nadine went back to conjuring Jessie’s drink as he watched.
She was a coffee goddess and rightly so. The woman operated the shop with little assistance. Nadine was the ideal entrepreneur if he ever saw one. When he first stopped by the shop for a coffee, Nadine identified him within seconds. He missed the days where he was a man first and not a celebrity.
“Here ya go.” She produced a blue and white checkered mug filled to the brim with Jessie’s tea. “Don’t have too much fun now,” she said with a wink.
Retracing his steps to the table, Asher hoped he wasn’t as transparent as he felt. Being an average guy sounded like a great vacation from his day job. He didn’t want to give up the chance to play the nobody boyfriend. “Special order,” he told her with a smile.
“Thanks,” Jessie replied as he sat. She took a small sip. “Okay, so to make things less weird, I’m going to tell you something embarrassing about myself.”
Intrigued, Asher disregarded his refill. “I think I could listen to such a story.”
She took another drink and pushed her hair out of her face. “My junior year of college, a bunch of us went to the bowling alley in town. I was wearing this skin-tight leather shirt.” Asher cocked his head at the apparel. “I didn’t know we were going until we got there. Anyway, on my first frame, I threw the ball hard and the leather ripped at the seams.” He held in his laughter until she added the last part. “The seams were in the front.”
Shaking his head, Asher imagined the horrified look on her face when the shirt breezed open for all to see. “And were you wearing anything underneath?” He had to know.
Jessie scratched her head and looked up at the ceiling. “Um, no.”
Letting out another round of laughs, Asher wished he had been there on the fateful night. No doubt, it had been a sight, one he wouldn’t mind seeing for himself.
“Now I spilled, so it’s your turn,” she said with a lift of her cup.
Smirking, he drummed his fingers on the table. “Oh, I don’t get embarrassed,” he tossed, waiting for her reaction. He wasn’t disappointed.
Her face turned bright red and she gripped the mug for dear life. “Oh.”
“I’m kidding. Loosen up. I joke a lot,” he said, and her jaw slackened in relief.
Thinking over the numerous stories he could tell, Asher decided on one sure to please. “All right, I have a good one. Prom night, my senior year of high school. My little brother decided it would be fun to sneak a bottle of vodka into the dance.” Jessie leaned forward in interest. “My buddies and I got wasted. Like fall down drunk.” He smiled at the nostalgia. “Anyways, when we returned to our dates a bottle later, they wanted to dance.”
Jessie’s lips curved into a smile. “Oh, really?”
“Don’t get ahead of me,” he warned, and she attempted to stifle her grin, which left him breathless. “So, we were all jamming out and suddenly I didn’t feel so good. Pasta, vodka, and head bobbing didn’t mix as I found out when I puked all over my date. Her dress was ruined and I got in trouble for drinking. My friends didn’t, which only made it worse.”
“Oh my God!” Jessie exclaimed, chuckling. He liked the sound when it passed through her lips. It reminded him of a playful orchestra. “Is your low tolerance the reason you’re single? You can’t hold your liquor and all the girls run for cover?”
Asher shook his head. “Nah, I can hold my own these days.” He leaned in and added, “But I will never drink vodka again.”
“I don’t blame you. It’s not one of my preferred drinks,” she confided, setting her now empty cup down.
“What is your drink of choice?” he asked, intrigued as to what her answer would be.
“Wine.” Her index finger traced the rim of the mug. “Beer if I have to and whiskey if I want to forget.” Jessie’s features clouded. “I have a lot of whiskey at home.”
The slight insight into her life fascinated Asher. In that moment, he wanted to know why whiskey and wine were apt for her. “Whiskey and I always got along, but beer is my main vice.” She didn’t have a comeback, but he didn’t expect her to. Her demeanor shifted when she mentioned her secret to amnesia.
Reclining in his chair, Asher was glad he suggested they meet up. Even though they were set to see each other in a few short hours, their morning meeting reiterated his decision to fly across the county to act as her date. Jessie was a different type of New York. One he was growing to like at a steady pace.
Just as he was settling in for a long conversation, Jessie stood, prompting him to reciprocate. “This was a smart idea.” She swung her purse over her shoulder and he identified it as a designer label. “But I need to get a good hour-long workout in before we leave.” She perused him with candor. “It doesn’t look like you need one at all.” Her eyes widened as though the words were meant to be silent and somehow slipped between her lips.
Asher grinned at her blunder and moved to give her a hug. When she stepped backward with a wary expression, he spoke. “Boyfriends hug their girlfriends, Jessie. It’s normal. And something your family will expect.”
Jessie’s cheek twitched as she registered his words. From where he stood, it didn’t look like she had been in a relationship for some time. Her adjustments to simple requests, though warranted given their new friendship, sent his curiosity into overdrive.
“You’re right. I suppose they do.” She took a step and lightly wrapped her arms around him, patting his back three times.
When she stepped back, Asher squinted his eyes at her. “Yeah, it was as awkward as two exes sharing a wedding venue.”
A foreign expression crossed her face. “Well, it’s all I’ve got.”
Not believing her for a second, Asher pulled her in for a hug that would put hers to shame. Her body stiffened at first at his proximity but after a moment molded to him. The delicate peach scent of her shampoo made him hold her even closer. His heart thudded with elation when Jessie dipped her head into his chest.
Asher didn’t know how long they stood in the middle of the coffee shop, but when he released her, they had a growing audience.
Jessie blushed red when she looked around, and he offered a charming smile before addressing the crowd. “Well, it looks like we have a new embarrassing story to tell,” he announced loud enough for the coffee addicts to hear.
Nadine caught his eye and he couldn’t ignore the gleeful expression on her face. She made a not-so-subtle heart shape with her hands, teasing him wi
thout mercy.
“I’ll see you in a couple hours,” Jessie managed to say from beside him.
Turning his gaze back to her, he nodded. It would take some time getting used to the fact that he didn’t have to crane his neck down to look into her eyes. She was the tallest girl he’d dated by far.
As he watched her leave, he reminded himself they weren’t a couple in real life. Although he rather liked the idea of waking up beside her. He shut his mind off when it ventured to all the dangerous yet delicious advantages a six-foot-tall girlfriend could bring. They were friends. No, we’re acquaintances. Though, as he watched her long hair flutter in the wind outside as she climbed into a cab, Asher wondered if the upcoming days would change either of their perceptions of their time together.
»»•««
Soft classical music met Jessie’s ears as she sipped on the white wine in the fluted crystal. Despite the pink hue, the settee under her buns felt like plush heaven. An hour passed since they’d arrived, but she wasn’t satisfied with any tuxedo. It had to be stunning if she was to keep her mind occupied from the obvious issues with her younger sister. It wouldn’t help. Distract her, yes. Obliterate it, no.
Clicking her heels together, she waited with waning patience as an associate helped Asher into another masterpiece. The low rumble of his voice settled around Jessie. He had a way with words, she would give him that. The Armani staff treated them like royalty compared to the handful of times she’d frequented the store. It was a nice change of pace.
Her mind drifted to earlier in the morning. Their coffee shop visit went well until he hugged her. Dear Lord Almighty, she had never felt a hug like it before. It was difficult to describe why she pressed her face into his broad chest and inhaled him like a cigarette. She chalked it up to his height. She had never hugged a guy taller than her before. It was different and captivating on multiple levels. Hugging Asher was somehow the highlight of her week. How sad is that?