“Oh, honey. It’s not your fault. Everyone here loved Collin. When he got sick, we were all devastated. When he was on his deathbed, we learned about his secret daughter. It was a shock to us all.”
“Everyone knows?” she asks, looking around the cubicle hallway, and I wonder if she’s worried about another confrontation with Zach.
I grimace and nod. “Everyone knows. I’m guessing that’s why Zach’s been a bigger dick than usual.” I cover my mouth after I say it and shake my head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t say things like that.”
“If the shoe fits,” she replies with a smirk, and I find myself liking Jessa Peters more with each passing moment.
“He was always kind of a tool before, but ever since his dad got sick, he’s been on a real power trip. We all heard about the shares,” I say softly. I’m not trying to gossip with her, well maybe I am. That’s what girlfriends do, right? “Zach really likes to talk about himself.” I shrug and realize getting out of the office will be the best place to really get to know each other. “Hey, want to get some lunch?”
“That would be great,” she smiles and I feel some level of accomplishment.
“Do you like Mexican food? There’s an amazing food truck right around the corner.”
“That sounds great.”
We make our way out of Kemper’s and start the short walk to the food truck.
“So, where are you from?”
“I’ve lived mostly in Virginia.”
“Never been. Well, we sat in traffic in Virginia on our way to Maine that one year, but I’ve never spent time there.” If she doesn’t think I’m a rambling idiot, it will be a miracle. “So you knew Collin was your dad?”
“I’d only ever met him twice.” I nod and feel a pang of sadness for her. It’s just so out of character for the man we all loved at the office. I guess it’s true about never really knowing someone.
“He didn’t seem the type to just abandon his kid.”
“Men have a way of disappointing you like that.”
“You’re right about that. So the funeral was the first time you met Zach?”
“Yes, I didn’t know my father had other children.”
“Woof, this story keeps getting more messed up,” I say, and grimace. I’ve really got to work on not saying every stupid little thing that comes through my head.
“You don’t have to tell me how messed up it is. I’m living it.”
“Well, I’m here if you need me. I know it can be hard to make friends in a new town,” I say, lightly touching her forearm. She gives me a smile and I hope that maybe she’ll stick around at Kemper’s and we can really get to know one another.
It’s hot and I feel like I’m sweating tequila as I suggest we take our food back to the office. While we’re eating at my desk, Zach walks past looking pissed as hell and I have to hide my laughter.
“Sounds like someone just got put in his place.”
Aiden walks up to reception. He doesn’t look fazed in the least as he rests his elbow on the table. “Jessa, when you’re done, will you come to my office?”
Jessa frantically goes to pack up her food and Aiden holds out a hand to calm her down. “No, finish your food, take your time. I’ll see you shortly.”
“At least the person who matters the most in the office seems to like you,” I say, the hopeless, ridiculous romantic in me already shipping my cousin with his dead best-friend’s secret daughter. Something is supremely wrong with me.
“What?” Jessa asks and I shake my head and take a bite of my burrito bowl as I start to plot on how to both make Jessa my best friend and see if my initial reaction to these two being a match is spot on or not.
The day seems to drag on for fucking ever and I don’t know if it’s because I hate my job, or if this hangover is just kicking my ass.
I try to give Jessa space and pray that she’ll be back tomorrow. It’s the end of the day and everyone starts filing out, including an overwhelmed looking Jessa.
“See you tomorrow, Jessa,” I say, and she smiles back with a nod.
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
