The road to love (editing!!)

Chapter 20 - A few lines can change a lot

Jessie’s POV

It was Friday and I couldn’t wait to get to the office.  I could hardly get dressed this morning because my hands were shaking so much, but made sure to at least wear my new gold, strappy, high heeled sandals for good luck anyways.  I’d wanted them for weeks, but thought they were too expensive.  Then just yesterday, in an effort to make myself feel better I went to fit them again after work, only to find that they were on sale - 50% off - and that there was one pair left in my size.  If that’s not luck, then I don’t know what is.

I’d hardly stepped into my office when Sharon came hurling through my door like a mini hurricane, making sure to close it behind her this time, as she waved an envelope in the air.  “Look what I just high-jacked at reception!  It’s here, Jessie! Open the darn thing that my nerves can get some rest!”

Ha! HER nerves...

I nervously took the envelope from her outstretched hand and after a few deep, supposedly calming breaths, I ripped it open and started to read the contents, vaguely aware that my hands were shaking in the process.   I felt my knees give way as I read the last few lines, causing me to sag into my office chair just before I would have hit the floor.  I dropped the page in the process and Sharon quickly scooped it up.

“What?!  What did it say, Jes?”

I motioned for her to read it herself, too overcome by emotion to answer her at that moment.  She lifted the page and read out loud: “We can thus ultimately conclude that there is no match between the two DNA samples given to us for testing.”  She looked at me questioningly.  “Does this mean what I think, and hope, it means?”

“Yes, Shar!” I beamed at my best friend, nodding my head for emphasis and grinning like a Cheshire cat.  “Dean and I are not related, not even one tiny bit!  I am my father’s daughter!”  I sat back in my chair, feeling the tension roll off my shoulders and relaxing completely for the first time in more than a week.  “I can date Dean!” I whispered, the tears of joy slowly rolling down my cheeks. 

“Yes, yes, YES!!” Sharon shouted, jumping around for joy.  “We, my best friend, are going out tonight to celebrate!”  She stopped and glanced at her watch.  “Gotta go, got a meeting in 10 minutes.”  She moved to the door, pausing to open it.  “I’m really happy for you, Jessie.  You deserve love in your life.”  She left as quickly as she came, leaving me to stare down at the page that held my, now rose-coloured, future within the few lines neatly typed on it.  I placed it back into the envelope and made sure to put it into my handbag, away from prying eyes.

Picking up my cell, I typed a quick message to Dean.  “I miss you.  Hurry back. Xxx. J”.  Still holding the phone in my hand, I smiled when a message buzzed back immediately.  “Try and stop me, babe ;-) D”

I sighed dreamily, the day suddenly much brighter, before I started on the pile of work on my desk with a song in my heart.

After a day that just flew by, Sharon and I agreed to meet up at the club that we went to on her birthday, as she was still dating the club’s hunky assistant manager and was eager to hook up with him, while celebrating with me of course.  I didn’t mind, though.  The club held good memories for me and since Dean would probably only be back tomorrow morning, I’d rather go there than somewhere else where I didn’t feel comfortable.

Feeling fabulous in my new gold shoes again, this time paired with my favourite little black dress and gold accessories, I made my way to the club.  Shane greeted me at the door with a hug, telling me that my best friend was already inside waiting for me in a private booth he booked for us.  After following his directions, I found Sharon sitting in the booth chatting excitedly to Bianca.  “Hey JJ!” she smiled at me as she jumped up to give me a warm hug.  “I thought we could make it a real party, you know, so I texted Bianca and Joe to meet us here tonight.”