Chapter 4 – Only Best Friend

(Aiden’s POV)

“Your friend, Deborah... She doesn’t seem to like me,” I said, following Jessamine into her bedroom and closing the door.

“Don’t!” Her eyes were wide as she chuckled, stopping me from closing it. “You’ll only make her fret more about us. She’s not done with me yet.”

“What do you mean she’s not done with you yet?” I lifted an eyebrow as I asked.

I watched her smiling while looking around her bedroom, perhaps wondering where to put my luggage. Sighing, I took the handle from her and rolled it near the coffee table. Her bedroom was the main room in the apartment, making it bigger than Deborah’s. She didn’t have much furniture, so her bedroom looked more spacious with just the queen-size pulled-out bed, a full-length mirror wall between the bed and the way toward her bathroom, and a coffee table with two chairs on the far end of the room.

The six-drawer dresser on the opposite end of her bed took my attention. I walked toward it and found a few business books and novels on top. Sometimes I wished Sonia, Jessamine’s mother, would see her daughter not as the black sheep in the family but as another angel. My best friend had a strong passion for business but was often not supported because her mother believed she should have been a doctor or a lawyer.

“What have you done this time?” I asked Jessamine, eyeing her curiously when she sat on the edge of the bed. I walked toward her and sat, facing her. “Why is Deborah worried about you?”

She pursed her lips and shook her head.

“Come on, Jessamine. Your roomie’s ready to strangle me, thinking I’m here to take advantage of you. Is there something I should know?” I grabbed her hand and looked at her worriedly. “Are you... are you getting married? Did you do something horrible?”

“God, no! Let’s not talk about that, okay?” She chuckled and looked at our hands as I intertwined our fingers. She heaved a deep sigh and met my eyes. “I was furious with my boss yesterday, and guess what?”

“You quit,” I laughed briefly when she nodded. “Good for you. You never like working with Trina anyway.”

She nodded, half-smiling. “Then, I... I went to the club last night, got myself drunk... Really, drunk, and met these two attractive guys -”

“Why is it that I don’t like where your story is going?” I knitted my eyebrows, cutting her.

“Let me finish, okay? I’ve been trying to reflect on it and... I am trying very hard to remember everything.” She heaved a sigh. “Only I can’t.” Her lips curved into a smile, beaming. “The good thing is...” she bit her lower lip, sighing before she continued. “I wasn’t with two guys last night. Just one.” She squinted her eyes, hissing as she continued. “Yet I still don’t remember which of the two guys.”

My eyes narrowed, studying her face because of the hint of worry flustering across her face.

“There’s more, right? Say it,” I said, my voice now serious and filled with concern.

She bit her bottom lip and looked at our hands again.

“Aiden, I couldn’t remember a thing, but I knew something happened last night. Umm...” She closed her eyes and tilted her head. “I wasn’t sure if he used protection last night. If not, I’d be doomed because I stopped using pills two months ago. If I get pregnant, Mom will happily print me a diploma for being the most stupid daughter in the world.”

I did not laugh this time. I raised my hand, my index finger lifting her chin to meet my eyes.

“Well, first, you’re indeed stupid for drinking that much, but not to be considered the most stupid daughter in the world.” I sighed, eyeing her bewitching and divine face. “You remember what I always say?”

The corners of her mouth lifted, nodding. “Don’t cross the bridge until you get there.”

“Good! So, for now, don’t worry about it. Don’t even overthink, okay?” I said, pulling her to me.

Jessamine leaned on my shoulder and anchored her arm on mine. “I’m glad you’re here, Aiden. With you, I don’t feel alone. It’s like home finally came to me. I have a family, but why do I feel like a lost sheep even when I’m with them?” she muttered sadly.

“Even Benjamin makes you feel like that?” I asked curiously about her quiet but kind father.

She craned her neck. “Nah! Dad’s the best,” she grinned happily. “Did you know he still secretly gives me money whenever I visit home?” She moved back slightly. “I’m keeping the money, saving it for his retirement. You know how mom talks about retirement to him like it was a big deal.”

“How’s his business?” Sonia was a school principal, while Benjamin proudly owned a small car repair shop.

She wrinkled her nose. “He doesn’t accept many clients these days. Only the regulars. Mom wanted him to close down his business, but you know how much he loves it. What would he do if he shut the business down? The repair shop is already part of him.”

“Jessamine, Aiden,” called Deborah after knocking softly at the open door.

We both turned our heads at her.

“The food is here. By the way, Xavier’s dropping by to see you.” When I raised my eyebrows, she scoffed. “Not you, Aiden. Jessamine.” She rolled her eyes at me and turned around, walking back to the living room.

Jessamine stood up and walked toward her closet, opening the doors wide, and then she began moving her clothes to empty two shelves and two drawers. Her lips curved into a grin as she turned to me.

“What do you like to do first? Eat lunch? Change your clothes? Or... sleep?” She chuckled at the last option.

“Sleep? I’m not good at dealing with jetlag, Jess. It’ll probably take days.” Staying in one room with Jessamine was the most difficult to deal with. I rose to my feet and walked to get my luggage. “I’ll just shower, change clothes, and then let’s eat. I can close the door when I shower, right?” I smirked at her.

Jessamine laughed briefly, unsure why she blushed. “Of course. Just don’t take me with you, or you’ll find Deborah banging the door. She’s one protective sister.”

I watched her walk toward the door, but she turned to me before she exited her room.

“I’m really happy you’re here, Aiden. I don’t know why, but having you here with me, makes me feel safe and complete.” Her cheeks turned red as she smiled shyly at me.

“You know what I feel now? I’m finally home, Jessamine,” I muttered honestly, stopping myself from pulling her to me. “I had never met another friend like you. You’re the only best friend I had.”

I didn’t know why I had to add that. Maybe it was my way of assuring her that we would never cross the boundary of becoming more than best friends.

“Me, too, Aiden,” she murmured, smiling sheepishly as she exited the door and slowly closing the door behind her.

As soon as I was alone, I took my phone and sent the same message to two people.

Me: Here now at Carterville. Don’t call me or text me. I’ll call you. Much love -A.

Knowing Paige and Simone, they would not dare reply to a message like that. I sighed deeply and turned off my phone before entering Jessamine’s bathroom.