Deeply Personal

Chapter 37

Jessica

Friday, at the celebration for Chandler Interiors, Jessica’s coworkers bustled around her. The excitement in the air was palpable. She glanced at her watch. Paul hadn’t been able to make her party, so she’d had to beg Lenny to come as her plus one. But where was he?

The team was gathered together in a large, private room at the Prime House. Photos of old Nashville hung on the walls, and everyone was standing around the enticing assortment of wines at the open bar. Before Jessica could protest, someone slipped her a glass of white, and she took a sip. It went down smoothly. It was time to celebrate! But she so wished Paul could be here with her.

“Sorry,” Paul had said over the phone two hours ago. “I have to do this session with a big-time client who’s in town.” He sounded sincere and regretful. “I have to be there for him.”

“You can’t get out of it?” she asked, hurt by the news.

“I can’t. Honestly. It’s the only time he can make it.”

A wave of disappointment had flooded her as she ended the call. She hoped Paul wouldn’t turn out to have Adam-like tendencies after all. Was he a bird waiting to happen? No. He couldn’t be. Where did he really stand on long-term commitment?

Still, Lenny or not, Paul or not, nothing could bring her down. Her victory in the world of design was too sweet. The mood too jubilant. The future too promising. She whispered a prayer of thanks to Athena.

Jessica schmoozed with everyone, basking in the victory alongside her employees. She and Helen reached out their arms to each other and hugged.

Helen’s eyes radiated happiness. She and Jessica clinked glasses. “You did it, Jess. I still can’t believe it.”

“It’s all about teamwork,” Jessica said. “We did it together. Everyone on the project pulled their weight.”

“Congratulations,” Helen’s husband said standing next to her. He was balding, slim, wearing black-framed glasses and a blue suit and held a martini in his hands. Penguin-ish as could be. His dark eyes focused directly on Jessica as he ate the olive from his glass. It was as if he were studying her like a number on a spreadsheet. His cheeks had turned rosy from the alcohol. “Helen said you’d been concerned about winning this project.”

Concerned wasn’t even the start of it.

“I was, but I survived it because of Helen. I don’t know what I’d do without her. She’s my right hand.” Jessica slipped one arm around her friend’s waist, and for a brief moment, rested her head on her shoulder.

“She’s the best,” he said, pride written all over his face. “And she really loves working with you.”

“And I love working with Helen.”

With all her employees drinking and happy and having a good time, everyone surrounding her and in such good spirits, for a deliciously ecstatic moment, Jessica felt higher than high, as if she’d somehow ascended to the lofty heavens of the gods and goddesses herself. The image of the Parthenon floated through her mind. One day, she’d have to go visit the real thing.

She glanced at her watch again. Where was the food? And where was her annoying brother? He was always so punctual about anything. This wasn’t like him at all.

Just as she grabbed another glass of wine from the bar, she heard from behind her, “A little celebration, I see.”

Jessica swung around, her eyes going wide as she took in Paul. The brick wall surrounding her heart crumbled at the sight of him. He’d come! He was dressed in a jacket and gray pants, looking sexy as hell.

“Paul. W-what are you doing here?”

“I rescheduled. I told the client I had an emergency. I called Lenny and told him I’d surprise you. I couldn’t imagine missing your big celebration, Jess. This is the best.” He grinned at her.

She touched his hand. “It’s even better now that you’re here.”

He’d shown up. He hadn’t thought of just himself. She took a great big breath. Penguin potential, for sure.

The bartender handed Paul his drink, a Malbec.

“Looks like a great party,” he said. He scanned the room. “I mean, you really pulled it off.” He looked down, and there was that shy, awkward Paul again, the one she’d met when he was talking about interior design. Jessica couldn’t stop smiling. She touched his arm again just to make sure he was real.

“It’s been one hell of a rough road, but we made it. I still can’t believe it. Cheers.” They clinked glasses and drank. Then she put her hand on his arm. She was dying to pull him close. She could hardly contain herself. A warm glow radiated inside her chest, spreading to her entire body.

Before they could talk further, her colleagues moved in on her, wanting to get the goods on who her date was. Everyone was all smiles, eyes twinkling. Helen knew the inside story, of course. Their eyes met, and she gave Jessica a wicked grin. Jessica introduced Paul around, reveling in the company of her employees. She couldn’t help but feel that she was showing him off.

“Man, oh, man,” Amanda, another designer, whispered in her ear. “You so hit the jackpot, girl.”

Jessica laughed. Maybe she had.

“Here’s to you,” Jessica said a minute later, raising her glass.

“To me?” Paul asked.

“Absolutely. If it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have met Tom Buchanan, and we probably wouldn’t be standing here right now, celebrating.”

“Your proposal was what won them over. I just got your foot in the door, that’s all.”

“We make a good team, though, don’t you think?” she asked.

He drew closer to her and whispered softly in her ear, “The best.”

Goose bumps rose all along her arms.

The group took their seat around a long table with her at the head and Paul sitting next to her like her king. Bottles of her favorite Cattier Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs champagne were presented, preordered for the event.

Anything worth celebrating is worth celebrating well. That was Jessica’s motto. Everyone got a glass and then raised it.

“To Chandler Interiors!” Jessica said.

“To Chandler Interiors!” they all echoed.

They drank a celebratory toast. Jessica met Paul’s eyes and shivered inside. She felt his leg rub against hers, and her body went still. He leaned over and whispered, “To you, Jess.”

The waiter poured Jessica a second glass of the bubbly, which she drank quickly. So smooth. So nice. Such a delicious taste. Tipsy now, she excused herself and went to the ladies’ room. While washing her hands, “Born to be Wild” began to play over the speaker system and Jessica needed no encouragement to dance along. A gray-haired elderly woman emerged from one of the stalls and glared at her.

“Must we?” she asked in a severe tone.

“Yes, we must!” Jessica said, laughing. “We damn well must!”