CHAPTER 20
Jessa listened to Will’s latest voicemail one more time. In fact, she’d been listening to it over and over. Analyzing every part of it.
The tone of his voice—definitely not cheerful. In fact, almost dismal. His choice of words—so ominous. I was really hoping you’d answer.
Each time she listened it cut her a little deeper because the only conclusion she could come to based on the evidence was that he was calling to tell her he couldn’t see her again.
Jessa could only assume that Sara had called him and that he had forgiven her and was getting back together with her.
She couldn’t bring herself to call Sara and ask. She supposed she could also answer the phone next time Will called instead of holding her breath and watching it ring. Somehow she couldn’t bring herself to do that either.
God, she was hopeless.
Meanwhile, she had an appointment at her soon to be new apartment to meet with the ever elusive Jon Rudnick, the supposed security expert. He was going to look it over for her and give her advice on what she needed to make sure it was safe.
Better neighborhood or not, she would feel safer with the added security since she’d be living there alone.
She really was pitiful—moving into a studio apartment barely big enough for one person just so she had a good excuse why Sara couldn’t move in with her.
A stronger woman would tell the truth. That, selfish though it was, Jessa couldn’t see Sara happy with the man she wanted for herself.
That she couldn’t stand to watch as the man she loved rode off into the sunset with her sister, who’d dumped him without even a goodbye.
How she hated Will as much as she loved him for taking Sara back.
Jessa pressed her hand to her belly as it growled from being empty. She couldn’t stomach food right now. She was so upset. On the bright side, heartache was proving to be an excellent diet plan.
Even so, she’d have to force herself to eat a few bites of something. With a sigh she grabbed a yogurt from the fridge and a spoon from the drawer. She’d bring it along with her in the car on the way to the new place.
The realization that she’d have to move all this stuff in her apartment before the first of the month, and by herself, increased her stress level.
She’d pick up some boxes today and start packing things up tonight. She wasn’t sleeping well at night anyway. Might as well make use of the time instead of watching the hours click by on the bedside clock.
Another benefit of heartache—all the extra time she’d have by not sleeping. She rolled her eyes at herself, undid the two locks Will had installed, and felt sick all over again at the memory as she headed out the door.
In the car, when she’d been hoping for peace and quiet for the drive, her cell rang. Of course it did, because the universe had chosen to test her strength and it was doing a damn good job of it too.
Glancing down, she saw it was Sara and once again she had a decision to make. Let it ring, or answer?
Obviously into pain, Jessa hit the screen to answer the call and put it on speakerphone.
Her heartbeat sped as she said, “Hello.”
“Hey. Are you home?”
“No. I’m actually on the way to my new place.”
“Oh.”
Something about Sara’s tone, in addition to the background noises, had Jessa asking, “Where are you?”
“Just about to get off the exit for Norfolk.”
Holy shit. She’d really come. Sara was here.
Jessa swallowed hard. “Were you heading to my old place?”
“I’d been thinking I would if you were there, but I guess I’ll just go to Will’s.”
The car drifted until it hit the warning strip on the edge of the road. Jessa swerved back into her lane.
She was going to have to pull over. Possibly to throw up. Definitely because she shouldn’t be driving right now or she’d end up causing an accident.
So that was it then. It was done. She’d been right. Will had forgiven Sara and taken her back. And, thanks to Jessa signing that new lease on a studio, they’d be living together too.
“Jess?” Sara asked.
“Um, yeah?”
“Oh, I thought I’d lost you.”
She drew in a breath. “Nope.”
Sara hadn’t lost anything at all. Jessa on the other hand had lost quite a lot.