After that, I didn’t hear from Jessica for another week.
But every now and then, Selena would mention that Jessica seemed to be fighting a lot with Cameron. According to Selena, Cameron was selfish and had an extreme personality. She didn’t understand what her best friend saw in him.
Honestly, that was my question too.
For five years, I’d practically laid my heart out for Jessica, but in the end, she didn’t seem to care as she remained fixated on Cameron.
As I listened to Selena telling me about my ex-girlfriend, I realized I felt no lingering sadness about her at all. I was strangely indifferent, so much so that I couldn’t even understand it myself.
One night, Selena asked, “Seb, our team is having dinner tonight, and everyone’s bringing a plus-one. I was wondering… Would you come with me?”
Selena was probably thrilled at the thought of me going. By now, we both thought of ourselves as a couple, even though we hadn’t made it official.
I was initially a bit hesitant, since I knew Jessica would be there as she was on the team too. But then, I thought about it. If everyone was bringing a plus-one, Jessica would definitely bring Cameron. If she wasn’t embarrassed by it, then why should I be?
When I agreed to go, Selena smiled brightly like a kid in a candy store.
Not wanting to embarrass her, I got a haircut and dressed up in a suit before heading out to meet her. Arriving at the hotel, I found Selena already waiting outside. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as soon as she saw me, and she looked almost giddy.
“Seb, you look so good tonight! You’re so handsome, I’m sure all the other girls won’t be able to take their eyes off you. I’m gonna get jealous.”
I gave her a playful look and followed her inside. Afraid she would be teased, I took the initiative to hold her hand before we entered together.
“Whoa! You’re really something else, Selena! How long have you been keeping this handsome man to yourself?”
The people in the room immediately started teasing her, and Selena’s face flushed as she tightened her grip on my hand.
“This is my boyfriend, Sebastian.”
I couldn’t help but glance over at Jessica, and that was when it hit me—we hadn’t seen each other in over a month.
Her surprise was obvious. She stared at me and Selena, her gaze lingering on our clasped hands. What struck me as odd was that Cameron wasn’t with her.
As we sat across from Jessica, I noticed her eyes were locked on us, her gaze sharp and intense. I deliberately avoided looking at her, pretending I didn’t see.
One of Selena’s coworkers asked, “So, Lena, how did you and your boyfriend meet?”
“I’ve got to thank Jess for that. She set us up,” Selena responded honestly.
“Wow, Jess, you know such a handsome guy, but you didn’t keep him for yourself? You introduced him to Lena?”
“Have you forgotten that Jess also has a boyfriend? Wasn’t he the one picking her up from work every day two weeks ago? He was pretty handsome too.”
As the table began buzzing with conversation, someone asked Jessica why she hadn’t brought her boyfriend.
She drained her glass and replied flatly, “We broke up. He was never home. Always out mountain biking with his friends. When he was home, all he did was play games. Looks don’t matter if there’s no heart behind them. He only gave me stress wrinkles, so it’s better to end things early.”
My movement faltered.
So, that was how things were between her and Cameron?
Selena reached for the serving of shrimp on the table, and instinctively, I grabbed some before she could.
“I’ll peel them for you.”
After I was done, I placed the peeled shrimp on her plate and smiled. “Eat up.”
As she took the shrimp, her eyes sparkled. She handed me a napkin to wipe my hands.
“Thanks, Seb,” she said sweetly.
After that, I placed more food on her plate. Selena’s coworkers couldn’t help but tease us, saying that they were here to eat actual food, not to be fed public displays of affection. Jessica didn’t join in the conversation and silently ate her food.
Strangely enough, I felt a sense of satisfaction I couldn’t quite explain.
The meal was enjoyable. I got to know some of Selena’s coworkers, who warmly wished us well and promised to give her a big present when she got married.
After dinner, everyone began heading home. Since I’d been drinking, I let Selena call us a cab instead of driving myself. While we waited, I noticed Jessica standing off to the side, her face pale and her lips pressed tightly together, saying nothing.
Selena called out, “Jess, we’re headed in the same direction. Why don’t you come with us?”
I thought for sure she would refuse. But to my surprise, she quietly walked over without saying a word.
