With conditioner in my hair I paced the room. I should have just checked the phone and gotten it over with like ripping off a band aid. I sent the text last night then turned off my phone.

I picked up my phone. No new messages. I frowned. There was a missed call from Lula. Danny’s girlfriend. They had been out of town together. I shot her a quick text.

That was a bumper. I rinsed the conditioner out of my hair. When I got back I strongly felt my room needed to be in the festive season. What a wonderful excuse to go shopping. I found a response from Lula. She wanted to have coffee. I appreciated Lula, she knew Danny and I had been best friends since middle school and we were more than just friends. She wasn’t threatened by me and she never pushed me away I intentionally stepped back to give them the room they needed.

I spent most of my time at Danny’s house since Mom was too intoxicated to take care of me. She was always one grain of rice away from losing me to foster care. My Dad was around, but he most all his time with his other family. I was born first. Dad only lived with Mom and I until I was three then he packed up and met Hayley’s Mom.

I only got a few phone calls from him, couple cards and handful of visits. Hayley and I only started a relationship when I was in senior year.

Before I drove to town to have coffee with Lula I had something to do first. I wish I had a pie or something sweet to go with my apology. I totally rushed to conclusions last night. Poor Russell must not like me.

I rang the doorbell and stared at my dark blue heels. I smoothed the wrinkles on my polka dotted skirt. Russell opened the door.

He groaned, ‘Oh it’s you.’

I bit my lower lip. ‘Please don’t slam the door in my face.’

‘I really should, but Mom would have my head for that. She seems to like the girl who jumps to conclusions.’

‘I know I’m guilty, but if you…’ I stared at the ground then smiled.

Russell narrowed his eyes at me, arms crossed. The uneven beard grew in every direction really didn’t do Russell any good. He filled out his dark blue shirt nicely, I thought the shirt had seen better days. He fit into his black jeans well. I could tell he was an active man.

‘Listen I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, I was just worried about Donna being sick and all.’

‘For goodness sake I’m not sick! I’m going to bingo tonight.’ Donna declared.

I snickered.

‘You’re not going to bingo you’re staying in.’

Donna laughed, ‘Says you.’

‘Well I’m not taking you.’ Russell shot back

‘Jenna will take me.’ Donna appeared by the door, red lipstick on.

I grinned, ‘I don’t know Donna I’m already on Russell’s bad side.’

He smirked and I liked the sight of it.

‘You don’t want to get on my bad side too, right?’ Donna arched her brow.

‘We’ll work something out, Donna.’ I laughed

‘That’s my girl.’ Donna winked.

I was glad she was feeling better. I got into my car and drove to the café at the mall. It was the one Lula and I liked.

‘How was your trip?’ I asked.

‘Ugh, I cannot take another trip in that truck anymore! Tell your brother to buy an RV.’ Lula dumped a packet of sugar in her cappuccino.

Lula and I both had blonde hair, but hers was thin, longer and straight. She had big pale blue eyes.

I giggled, ‘You know he’d buy a beat up truck and try to transform into an RV.’

‘That man is more than capable. I often wonder what I got myself into with him.’ Lula rubbed her forehead, but I knew she loved him.

Danny was a bit of a cheapskate. A cheapskate that made a ton of money, but he loved saving a buck which involved intense budgeting and plenty do-it-yourself projects. At least he was good at making things.

‘Oh my gosh, where’d you get that necklace. It’s gorgeous! You mind showing it to Danny?’

I almost forgot I wore it. I touched the stone and smiled.

‘Oh, it was a gift.’ I stirred the sugar in my latte. I caught Lula's eyes raise to her eyebrows and her smile widened.

‘A gift huh? Jenna’s got a boyfriend! How could you not tell me? I wouldn’t tell Danny.’ She planted her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her palms.

‘So, who is he? Jenna I can’t believe you! It’s not from Ben is it? I never liked him for you, you know? He never told people you were an item either.’

I bit my lip when we had the conversation about that. He told me he liked to keep his business private. Yet, the whole world knew when he bought the latest Mercedes and the mansion.

‘Ben? No, he’s engaged now. I got the necklace a couple days ago, no sender just the package.’

Lula shook her head and blink a couple times. ‘So much to talk about in one statement. All this happened while I was away? I’m never leaving with Danny again.’

I nodded and sipped the sweet brew.

‘Let’s start with the gorgeous necklace. Really no sender? You have a secret admirer? He better come out and say something, oh boy look at that rock.’

‘Secret admirer? No, I don’t think so.’ I lifted the rock off my chest and scrutinized it.

‘Jenna? Are you kidding me? No one buys someone that kind of gift if they didn’t have some sort of feelings for you.’

‘I thought it was an overactive secret Santa from work.’

‘Girl, he likes you. Got any idea who it could be?’

If he’s from work it could be any number of men. Maybe even a client I dealt with. The list suddenly grew. Though, he had to have been at the party yesterday because he saw me wear it.

‘It could be anyone. I hope he comes forward because I can’t take this anymore.’

Lula nodded and gulped her cappuccino. ‘You better keep me updated. Now Ben, who in their right mind would want to marry him?’

‘His girlfriend Arti. They announced it at a party last night.’

Lula nodded, ‘What a scumbag.’

Lula wasn’t a fan of Ben was an understatement, she hated the way we ended. It was as if she was the one who’d been dumped and replaced quickly.

‘We’re going to Cancun for Christmas. It’s just the two of us you’re more than welcome to come along. Danny will drive me crazy if I’m left alone with him.’

I laughed, knowing Danny would. ‘Thanks, but Hayley’s coming over next week. We’ll spend Christmas together.’ I beamed.

Lula’s expression dipped a bit. ‘Your sister… is she really going to make it this time?’

‘Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah. Hayley works a lot. She’s got two jobs on her plate that’s one of the reasons I can’t wait for her to come.’

Lula’s hand covered mine. ‘You’re too sweet honey. There’s always space in Danny’s truck if you change your mind. Yes, he wants to drive to Cancun.’

***

I just got off a virtual meeting with a New York client. I breathed a sigh of relief when we were able to come agree on a price without dumping into another meeting. They wanted their first order of skincare products by the end of this week. The future was bright for us. I started aromatic skin care products because they helped me relax and I wanted others to feel light and beautiful too. Now I was doing that and providing jobs for others.

I bobbed my head up when two knocks came from my door.

‘Neil!’ I jumped off my seat. ‘When did you get in?’

Neil leaned against the doorframe, a boyish grin plastered on his face. I wrapped my arms around his neck. One of his hands held a brown chocolate box while the other circled my waist.

‘Great to see you too.’ He said.

‘I didn’t think we’d see you for a while. You seem to have fallen in love with Holland maybe someone.’

He took a seat in front my desk and I returned to my chair.

He chuckled, ‘Maybe someone possibly.’ He placed the box of candy in front of me and I smiled.

‘You’re not watching your figure, are you?’ He arched his brow.

‘Of course not! Will you tell me about your mystery girl?’

He winked, ‘Over a glass of wine maybe.’

Neil was shorter than his brother by a few inches and had blonde hair compared to his brother’s black hair. He had turquoise colored eyes. They dazzled me every time I was caught in their view.

‘You’ve got yourself a deal. I know a cute little place that just opened.’

‘Neil?’ Ben’s voice cut our conversation short.

He stood on the door with his arms crossed, draped in Gorgio Armani. He adjusted the blue scarf around his neck then took a step forward.

‘Hey bro, I was just about to stop by your office.’ Neil said.

‘Is this really the day you decide to show up?’

‘What’s the matter with you? I arrived this morning.’ Neil stood.

‘I’ve been telling you about my engagement for weeks. I needed you to be there.’

‘You can’t be serious Ben. I didn’t miss your wedding, right Jenna?’

I shrugged, I didn’t want to get on this.

‘Leave her out of this.’

I sighed, ‘Maybe you too should leave my office.’

Neil eyed his brow, ‘We still have a date planned right?’

I smiled, ‘I’ll text you.’

Neil walked out with a smirk on his face just to irritate his big brother more. Ben leaned over my table when Neil was gone.

‘You couldn’t get to me now you’re trying my brother.’

‘Ben!’

He shook his head and straightened his back.

‘What was that about?!’

‘You know Neil and I have always been friends since college.’

He rolled his eyes then left my office. Was this going to be the dance with us? He better come to his senses sooner rather than later.