"Come on… don't be a wuss!"

"Yes, my little Jessalina, do it!"

Jessica was doing her best to ignore Cathy and Lisa, her two best friends from the Animal Hospital. Cathy was a vet tech and Lisa was the assistant to the owner Dr. Pendleton, which meant she basically ran the place. No small feat for someone who'd dropped out of college sophomore year. She was street smart though. They all were. That's part of the reason they were friends.

"You guys. That's stupid. I am not waiting for the band."

"It's not stupid! It's a right of passage!"

"Yeah, come on, isn't this your childhood dream or something?"

"Um, kind of. I mean, other than not having a disfunction alcoholic family and being taller than an Oompa Loompa."

Cathy and Lisa looked at each other and then back at Jess. Cathy crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrow.

“Oh you are going.”

“Oh… no I’m not.”

They stood off, toe to toe. Cathy was stubborn. But Jess was, um, stubborner.

Yeah, pretty sure that’s not a real word Jess.

"I dare you."

Lisa chirped up behind her.

”So do I."

"Buck buck buckAW!"

They started flapping their elbows and making chicken noises. Jess hushed them, immediately embarrassed.

Ugh! Damn it.

They knew she had a weakness for dares. She hated being called a chicken. Anytime anyone called her on something, she immediately stepped up to the plate. Jessica loved a challenge.

Even a stupid one.

"Fine! This is ridiculous though. Just please, no more squawking”

They waved and giggled as she stormed away. Jess followed the steady stream of fans toward the back of the amphitheater. There - across the street and just up ahead a crowd was forming.

A big crowd. No screaming teenagers though, these were all women her age and older. And they looked… like cougars on the prowl.

Cougar groupies obviously.

Coupies.

Yikes.

She stepped into the street, determined to at least stand in the crowd for two seconds before rejoining her friends. If they wanted her to get caught up in the madness, she would.

But only for a hot minute.

The car slammed into her before she even heard it. Jessica had the strangest thoughts as she flew through the air.

This must be how a dog felt when it got hit by a car.

She hit the ground and blinked, trying to determine how bad it was. She must be in shock. It didn't even hurt.

“Oh my God! Are you okay!??"

Jessica was laying on her back, staring up at the sky. And then she was staring at him, one of the most gorgeous men on the planet.

Kendall Jackson.

She blinked once. Twice. Three times.

Nope, not a mirage. He was still there. He looked… concerned.

"Miss? Are you alright? I'm so sorry- I didn't see you."

Jess took stock of her body, wiggling extremities one by one. All good. Though she had taken a knock to the head when she hit the ground. She sat up slowly, holding her head.

"Ouch."

“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. Jesus."

"No, no. I'm fine. No need to take the name of the lord in vain."

He was staring at her with a funny look on his face.

She shook her head, feeling like an idiot.

"I'm just kidding. I'm fine. Seriously."

"Are you sure? Here, let me help you up."

He held out his hand and she stared at it stupidly, then up at those ridiculously beautiful eyes.

Kendall Jackson wanted to hold her hand.

No Jess, he’s trying to help you up.

She exhaled and took it. A flash of electricity leapt from his hand to hers. She could feel his huge, calloused hand enveloping hers and he pulled her up- nearly into his arms. She blinked again and took a hasty step backwards.

Kendall Jackson was grinning down at her.

"You're a cute little thing, aren't you?"

She grimaced. Cute. Great. Her childhood obsession had just called her cute.

"Yeah, I'm short. It's easy to miss me."

He looked horrified.

"No, no- God, that sounded wrong. I just meant that- I'm so sorry I hit you."

"It's totally not your fault. I am short. It's okay, I'm used to it."

"Get in the car, let me take you to a hospital."

"I don't need a hospital. I'm fine. You should probably- um- go and do your concert anyway."

He tilted his head quizzically, as if he was trying to figure her out.

"We have a doctor on staff. Or at least there should be a nurse backstage. It's standard procedure. Let them take a look at you."

"Really, it's okay. I'm a doctor."

He gave her a doubtful glance.

"Very funny. At least get in the car. You can watch the show from backstage and then I can be sure you don't keel over."

"I don't want to be any trouble."

"It's no trouble! I insist. Please, it would keep me from worrying about you all night."

She did feel a little bit out of it to be honest. And it would be fun to watch from backstage. Now, that would be a good story to tell her friends.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I’m sure. Come on. Let me take care of you.”

He held the passenger side door open and she shrugged, climbing in. He climbed into the drivers seat and smiled at her.

"Put on your seat belt sweetheart.”

Oh God, Kendall clearly thought she was a kid. This couldn't be more humiliating. Then again, she was in a car with Kendall Jackson.

"Okay, dad."

He gave her that quizzical look again. The look that said he found her mildly amusing at best.

"What were you doing back here anyway?"

"My friends- they dared me. It was a stupid idea obviously."

"Do you always do what people dare you to do?"

"Kind of. I don't tend to back down from a challenge."

He gave her an odd look as he put the car in drive.

"That's funny. Neither do I."

Her cheeks heated up as she realized what was happening. Her forever crush thought she was underage. But he was still flirting with her, in the most innocent way.

He might think she was a kid, but he had no idea he was giving her the thrill of her life. She stared at his hands as he gripped the steering wheel.

Then again, maybe he did.