The Matchmakers Club (:COMPLETED:)

Chapter 30

CHAPTER 30

Rick's POV

"Richie !!! Is that you?" She gasped as if she had found me by chance. She had tailed me all morning and was dumb enough to think I wouldn't notice her yellow Lamborghini. I wondered how Car handled her stalkers. I sure as hell wanted to wring Jessica's stick thin neck.

I pursed my lips to show her I was displeased to meet her.

"Yes Jessica, it's me." I forced a smile knowing fully well that she would hate it if I called her Jessica instead of Jess.

"What are you doing here?" She asked sounding curious while stealing a glance at Car.

"I might ask you the same thing. But I know it's a diner and I use my common sense." I replied curtly.

She ignored my burlesque reply as she sat herself across Car and me. "I hope you don't mind me joining you." She said, knowing fully well that I would mind. She turned to Car, "I'm sorry I don't think we have been introduced. I'm Jessica Walters, Richie's ex- fiancée." She reached across the table to shake Car's hand. Car extended her hand forgetting that it was bandaged. Jessica didn't seemed to mind it as she held firmly and gave Car's hand a hard shake. Car swallowed the wince that was about to escape with the steak I had put in her mouth.

I shook my head in disapproval and introduced Car before she could introduce herself. "This is Carmen Swan. She is my fiancée."  I smiled affectionately as I looked at Car.

Car widened her eyes at this but concealed her surprise well. She grabbed her chocolate drink and put the straw to her mouth.

Jessica on the other hand seemed to have bit off her tongue. I was happy to see her speechless. She took her time to recover.

"Really? I didn't believe it when my grandmother told me about your engagement." She whispered with a forced smile.

My Nana had met Jessica's grandmother at some dinner party last night. They had gotten into a verbal match as to whose grandchild had gotten over the other faster. My Nana had lied that I had been engaged to Carmen to beat Jessica's grandmother's boasting about Jessica's new NASCAR boy friend. Nana had called me later to inform me of the lie. She claimed she had lied to shut Jessica's grandmother up. But I knew better. My Nana seemed to have developed a liking to Car and she wanted us to end up together. Now that was a nice thought.

But Jessica being the possessive, control freak she was had tailed me all morning to find out if it was true. Did she still harbour feelings for me? Even after so many years!!

"Yes. I met her a week ago and fell madly in love with her. She is my she-squirrel and I can't imagine my life without her." I explained it to Jessica as well as Car, who was trying very hard not to look amused.

"A week?" She asked incredulously.

That must have bit Jessica. Jessica and I had gone out for three years before she faked a pregnancy and obligated me to propose. If only she had been more patient and honest, we might be married. I shuddered at that thought.

"Well what can I say? You know when you know." I smiled and tried to look dreamy as I popped the last bit of steak in Car's mouth and drew her into a one armed hug.

"Yeah! Can I see the ring?" She directed her question to Car.

Car looked alarmed. "Ahem" She cleared her throat and tried to hide her left hand under the table. "Um..."

I pulled Car's hand from under the table and held it up for Jessica to inspect. "It's the ring Nana refused to give you." I pointed out as Jessica's eyes took in the rock, her eyes were as wide as saucers as she ground her teeth together.