Kelly Jamieson - Dream Girl

Ashlyn closed her eyes. “But you were married to him,” she whispered. “You loved him."

"That's why it hurt so much."

"Oh, Mom.” It was so sad. Her parents’ marriage destroyed because of a lack of trust. Yeah, her mom had had reason to suspect things—much like Jessica Montgomery. But things weren't always what they seemed. Ashlyn's chest ached as she thought of how miserable Connor had been without his wife. And how miserable her parents were without each other.

A few days later, Ashlyn got a call from Securitech telling her they wanted to make a formal job offer. They were going to courier the papers over to her that day. She would have been ecstatic if she hadn't been so heartbroken and confused. After all the interviews she'd been on in the last few months, this was the company she most wanted to work for. Finally, at least something was going right, but she couldn't get up the energy to care.

Right after that, she got another astonishing call. It was Jessica Montgomery wanting to meet with her. She gulped.

She did not want to see Jessica. Her inclination was to blow her off. She just wanted all that to go away. She and Zach were done; she wanted to forget this whole painful mess. But somehow, Jessica convinced her to meet with her again at Java Jack's.

Ashlyn arrived at the coffee shop and waited in a booth for Jessica, folding a paper serviette into smaller and smaller squares. When Jessica arrived, Ashlyn couldn't help but notice how happy and relaxed she looked now. Now her marriage was safe, and she knew her husband loved her.

Jessica's glossy black hair was smooth, her face perfectly made-up with smoky eyes and dark red lips. Her exotic beauty glowed. Ashlyn reluctantly admired her expensive-looking red suit and tan pumps as she slid onto the seat across from her.

Jessica eyed her assessingly. “Now you look like hell,” she said. Ashlyn's mouth dropped open. “Sorry. No offence. Zach looks even worse."

Ashlyn sighed and let the waitress fill her coffee cup. “Thanks.” She smiled up at the girl.

"Okay.” Jessica leaned forward. “Zach and Connor talked me out of suing you or your dad's company.” She shrugged. “I can see I do have some responsibility in this."

Ashlyn's eyes widened. “It was my mistake...” she began. Jessica held up a hand.

"Wait. There's something you need to hear. The reason I ended up telling Connor the truth about what I'd done."

Ashlyn waited curiously.

"Last week I still had this ... stupid idea that I needed to know if Connor would cheat on me.” She shook her head. “So I found another company that has sex decoys. One of them went to test Connor last Thursday night."

"He was out with Zach,” Ashlyn said slowly. “Playing pool. I was home studying."

Jessica shook her head. “Connor went and had one quick drink, but he wanted to get home to me.” A smile flickered on her lips. “So, Zach was sitting there alone when the decoy walks in, and guess what?"

"No!” Ashlyn's eyes widened.

"Yup. The girl thought he was Connor and did the routine. She had to get pretty aggressive, because he was so not interested."

Ashlyn just looked at her. “Did you not tell her what happened last time? So she'd know?” How could she be that stupid?

Jessica's eyes dropped to the table. “No. I was too embarrassed to tell her this was the second time I was doing that."

"All right then.” Ashlyn shook her head.

"When Connor got home early, I freaked out,” Jessica said. “He didn't know what was wrong, so I had to tell him what I did.” She gave a crooked smile. “He wasn't too impressed with me. But we've been through a lot lately, and he actually still loves me. Despite all my paranoid screw-ups."

Ashlyn smiled. Connor was a good guy. Just as loyal and faithful to those he loved as Zach was.

"Anyway, Zach is totally in love with you,” Jessica said. “He's miserable. He was actually defending you when I was talking about suing you."

"He was?"Ashlyn sat there, stunned, confused. “Why are you telling me this?"

Jessica sighed and looked down at her coffee. “You don't know me, but I have these security issues."

Big surprise, thought Ashlyn. The woman had hired two sex decoys. Lots of trust there, all right.

"There are reasons for it,” Jessica continued, a little awkwardly.

"I heard about Melissa."

Jessica nodded. “He says nothing happened. Then there were the late nights ... always working. I'd try to call his cell, and he never answered. Then a couple of months ago, I found a receipt in the bedroom for a diamond bracelet.” She paused. “I never got any diamond bracelet."

Ashlyn shook her head. “All the signs of a cheating husband."

"Yes.” Jessica took a breath. “Connor wants me to get some counseling.” She took a deep breath. “I really do love him, and I want my marriage to work. But..."

Ashlyn couldn't help but think of her parents. “Do it, Jessica.” Their eyes met. “Seriously. If you love each other, don't throw it away. My parents did that.” She swallowed. “My dad swears he never cheated on my mom, but she doesn't believe him. Can't believe him. It's such a waste ... don't let that happen to you and Connor."

Jessica nodded. “Thanks.” She studied Ashlyn. “Do you trust Zach?"

Ashlyn stared past Jessica's shoulder, not seeing the busy coffee shop, tuning out the chatter and the hiss of the espresso machine. Did she trust Zach?

"Has he ever given you a reason not to trust him?"

Ashlyn focused back on Jessica's face. “No. He never has.” She paused. “Why are you doing this?"

Jessica smiled wryly. “You almost wrecked my marriage—completely innocently. Now, I've wrecked your relationship with Zach. Also completely innocently. I had no idea that you and he were involved. Or that he had such strong feelings for you."

"Oh."

"So, I'm just trying to fix my mistake. Like you did."

Ashlyn's mind whirled.

Jessica pulled some bills from her purse and put them on the table. “You should talk to him,” she said, more gently. “He was angry, but I think he's getting over it. Connor's actually helping him realize this wasn't totally your fault. Take your own advice, Ashlyn. If you love him ... go talk to him.” She stood up.

"Wait,” Ashlyn said. She looked at Jessica standing there, a bit vulnerable even in all her impeccable elegance. “I want to tell you something too. Last weekend I was at the Pooch Picnic with Connor and Zach. There were women coming on to Connor left, right and center. He wasn't interested in any of them.” She met Jessica's eyes meaningfully. “Not one. I really don't think you have anything to worry about."

Jessica slowly smiled. “Thank you for telling me that,” she said. “I know I have to trust him, and I'm working on it. I don't think I actually needed to hear that. But thank you."

Ashlyn sat there. Should she take Jessica's advice and go talk to Zach? What more could she say to him? She looked down at the paper napkin she'd destroyed.

Then she knew.

Before she lost her nerve, she got in her old car and drove to his place. He wasn't home. She glanced at her watch. He could still be at work.

She drove to the brewery but damn, the doors were locked. She got back in her car and sat there for a moment. There was one more place she could try.

When she walked into Doc McCue's, he was sitting at the bar, holding a beer between his clasped hands, leaning on his elbows. He wasn't in the exact same seat as the night they'd met, but close.

She climbed onto the stool beside him.

He glanced at her once, then twice, staring at her in stunned surprise.