Take a Breath(2)

“Yes, that’s fine,” I answer. “I think a few are going.”

“I thought so, that’s why I want to come. I think Tony has his eye on you and I want to make sure he behaves himself after a few beers.”

I think my jaw just dropped to the floor.

He spots my reaction and says, “Sorry. Just doing my protective fatherly thing.”

Oh, great. Can the floor of the car swallow me up right now? He’s only eleven years older than me. I want to die.

We get to work and I quickly rush into the office and spy Jessie sitting at her desk with a big devilish grin on her face. I notice a nice cup of steaming hot coffee on my desk.

“Ah, thanks, Jessie,” I say in appreciation. So what did you do last night?” I ask her. “Or shall I say, who did you do?”

“Shh,” she smirks. “You’ll give me a bad name talking like that, Ana. I’m not that bad.” She sits silently for a moment while I get myself organised for the day ahead.

“Well, he’s a Lawyer and certainly knows his way around a courtroom if you know what I mean.”

I gasp, “I knew it! You brazen hussy you. Are you seeing him again?”

I’m now grinning from ear to ear for her. I like to see my friend happy.

“Yes, tomorrow night. He’s taking me to dinner,” she beams.

“Wow, Jessie. You must really like him to let him take you out to dinner. So tell me all about him. What’s his name?”

She pauses a minute like she’s wondering whether to tell me or not. Eventually she speaks.

“It’s Jerry Maguire.”

I spit my coffee out and frantically grab some tissues off my desk to wipe my mouth. “Seriously, Jessie. You must be kidding me surely?” I choke.

“I’m not kidding. His name is Jerry Maguire,” she sighs.

“My goodness, he must get a lot of people ribbing him at his law firm about that.”

Jessie taps the end of the pencil on her lips.

“I believe he does. And the worst part about it is he looks like Tom Cruise.”

I think I may have a heart attack. It’s too early in the morning for this.

“I must meet him, Jessie. This I got to see.”

She smiles her devilish grin again with her auburn locks falling onto her perfectly rounded face.

“We’ll see. I’ll get the dinner over with first and see if he is worth a second date. Talking of which young lady, there has been very little action as far as you’re concerned. Why don’t you get yourself out there girl? I know Tony would appreciate it—actually the majority of the police station unmarried or otherwise would appreciate you putting it out a bit.”

“Jessie, you can’t say things like that, it’s not true,” I reply, blushing.

She sighs and rolls her eyes.

“Ana, you are either blind or stupid. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? It makes me vomit actually. I hate you and your British accent.”

I’m stunned at her honest confession, but she is smiling at me. I can’t believe that beautiful Jessie could possibly feel that way about me, but we are both different. She has her auburn hair and brown eyes; I have blonde hair and blue eyes. Jessie is small and petite; I’m 5’8” with curves.

The British accent comes from the fact I was born and raised for a while in London until the age of eleven. My mum met and married an American accountant, and we quickly moved to New Jersey. The thought of it all sends shivers all over my body.

“I wish I had your breasts.”

I’m quickly snapped back to the conversation.

“I think they’re too big myself.”

She snorts in disgust and turns her chair back to her desk.

“You’re coming out tonight aren’t you, Missy?”

I turn and look at Jessie’s back. She swings her head around and looks at me expectantly. “Yes, Jessie. Even Jake is coming.”

She swings her chair around again. “Mr Boss man, eh? That means we have to behave ourselves,” she pouts.

“He says he wants to keep an eye on Tony. He thinks that if he has a few he may make unwanted advances towards me.”

Her posture picks up.

“Yet another man who wants you, Ana. And he’s shacked up with your mother of all people.”

I gasp at her comment, “Don’t be so silly, Jessie. He made a comment about fatherly instincts. I nearly puked.”

She looks at me and frowns for a second. What on earth is she thinking now?

“Have you thought about it?”

I look confused, “Thought about what?”

She’s got that grin back on her face.

“You must have. I think every female with a pulse in this station must have. He’s super fit, gorgeous, rich and has plenty of power. Who wouldn’t?”