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Jessie’s mouth dropped open. Her fork, full of broccoli, was frozen halfway to her mouth. “You did what?!”
Lacie bit her lip, clearly regretting the timing of her news. But then she grinned. “I, um, signed you up on a dating app,” she repeated, shrinking slightly under Jessie’s wide-eyed gaze. “But it’s not just any dating app,” Lacie continued as if she hadn’t just dropped a bombshell. “It’s for billionaires, super exclusive, and I thought—”
“Lacie.” Jessie set down her fork and rubbed her temples. “You know how I feel about stuff like this. It feels…impersonal.”
“I get it, I do. But hear me out. It’s calledOne and Done. It’s like a no-strings-attached thing. It’s just one incredible date withsomeone who meets your criteria. You don’t even have to see them again. So, no pressure or awkward moments afterward.
Jessie blinked, processing the name. “One and Done? That sounds awful.”
“Come on, Jess.”
“Lacie, are you out of your mind?” Jessie’s shouted, her voice showing her disbelief. “Why would you think I’d be interested in a one-night stand kind of date?”
“Because Jess,” Lacie said softly, her tone more serious now, “You deserve some fun. And what better way to ease back into the dating scene than with something light that doesn’t require any emotional investment?”
Jessie looked away, her heart constricting. A sliver of it still beat for one man. A man she couldn’t seem to forget. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this,” she admitted, her voice quieter. “You know how complicated things are for me, Lace. And what about Mac? I haven’t even spoken to him yet.”
Lacie shifted uncomfortably in her seat, biting her lip again. “Jess, we’ve talked about this. Remember those pictures we found online a few days ago? Jessie, Mac’s been attending all those events the last year and a half, and he wasn’t exactly alone. He had women on his arm at every one of them.”
Jessie’s chest tightened. She remembered the pictures all too well. Mac could look good wearing a potato sack. But Mac in a tuxedo was on a whole other level. But seeing the stunning women draped on his arm and his arm around their waists as they smiled for the cameras had nearly crushed her. It had been like a punch to the gut when she first saw them, jealousy and hurt flaring up instantly.
But there was something about his smile in those pictures, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
“Lacie,” she said quietly, “those smiles…they weren’t real. You could see it. He didn’t look comfortable. Those pictures didn’t portray the Mac I know.”
Lacie frowned. “Maybe. But Jess, a year and a half is a long time. He probably thought you were gone for good as the rest of us did. Who could blame him for moving on? Even you said that.”
Jessie’s heart twisted. It was true. It all came down to her decision. She made her bed, and now she would have to lie in it, even if it meant lying alone in her big bed.
“I can’t blame him,” Jessie whispered, her emotions getting caught in her throat. “But seeing those pictures, it hurt. I don’t know,” she sighed, pushing away her plate of chicken and veggies. Her appetite was gone.
Lacie reached across the table, squeezing Jessie’s hand. “That’s why I think you should at least meet with Ana, the app creator, tomorrow and hear what this wholeOne and Donething is about. It’s not like you have to commit to anything. Just keep your options open.”
Lacie nibbled on her lip again, and Jessie had a bad feeling.
“What else is there, Lace? You still have that guilty look.”
“I already confirmed with Ana that you would meet with her tomorrow morning at ten,” Lacie said, her grin returning. “And I already sort of created your profile for the app.”
Jessie stared at her best friend, stunned. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I don’t know about this, Lace,” Jessie said, her mind still thinking about Mac.
“Nope. It’s happening. And trust me, it’s going to be amazing.”
It was obvious that Lacie wouldn’t take no for an answer. Jessie didn’t have any choice but to concede to her best friend.
“Fine…” Jessie huffed out. “I’ll go to the meeting tomorrow. But no promises.”
Lacie clapped her hands as she stood up and winked at Jessie. “That’s all I’m asking.”
As Lacie left the office, Jessie sighed, leaning back in her chair. She wasn’t so sure about this. Something in her gut told her that life was about to get a whole lot more complicated.
Chapter Four
Mac had returned from his business trip earlier in the day, but the mound of paperwork he had waiting for him had kept him busy for hours.
But now he sat at his desk, the glow from his computer screen illuminating the darkened room. Outside, a rain shower moved into the area, but inside Mac’s office, there was a major storm brewing that was about to unleash all kinds of havoc.
Adam stood nervously on the other side of the desk, waiting for Mac’s reaction.
