Unexpected

Chapter 1

But she wasn't ready to let her sister know about him. So she lied, pretending that she had not met mister "Right" yet but was having fun. That answer seemed to put at ease Tamara, who changed the subject.

Vanessa was standing on Stacy's porch, thirty minutes late to the barbecue organized by her friend to allow her to finally meet with Carl without the awkwardness of the first date. She got back from Switzerland, where her sister and her family lived, the day before yesterday. Her hands were shaking in anticipation. She was a little stressed.

"What is Carl like? What if there is no physical attraction when we meet? Is it really a good idea? I should call sick! Yeah, definitely calling sick" She decided and was about to go back to her car when the front door opened.

"Hey Nessa, you know the doorbell doesn't bite, right?" It was Stacy in all her glory. She was wearing a figure flattering playsuit that showed her long legs and with cross back straps that tied around the waist. The green of her outfit was a good match with her fair skin and amber eyes. Stacy was an actress with a bubbly, joyful personality. She could be a lot sometime but she was just as lovely as full of energy.

Vanessa smiled at her friend. "I am not that late. Let me in" pushing her on the side and going straight to the kitchen with the pie she brought for dessert. "And Hello to you, miss superstar".

"Ha, ha ha!" How are you Nessa?"

"Good Cycy. You?"

"I'm great. But you seem tense. You sure you okay?"

"Yeah, Yeah! So... where is he? In the backyard?

"Who?"

"Who who? Carl of course!"

"Oh! Did you not receive his text?"

"What text? My phone is in my bag, let me see"

"He will not be there. I am sorry".

Vanessa's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She was really surprised. Even though she was stressed out about that meeting, she was now really disappointed. He probably chicken out. What a shame and a waste of time, she thought. "Why?" She asked, trying to sound detached. But Stacy knew better. Vanessa played tough but she was a big softy on the inside. She would not admit it, not even to herself, but she wanted to believe that there was someone out there good for her. Someone she could share her joy and sorrow with.

When she initially gave her number to Carl, Vanessa was mad at her. However, the more they got to talk, the more she was opening up. Stacy had the feeling that it might be it.

"He had an emergency at work. I am really sorry."

"An emergency? What kind of emergency does a cameraman have? He broke his Camera? You know what! Never mind. Who's there?"

"My brother, his wife and kids, Marla and her kids, 2 other friends and my boo Dave."

"Cool. Let's go then"

Vanessa followed her friend. She said hi to Stacy's boyfriend, the brother, his wife and Marla. The other friends were behind the grill with beer in their hands. When they finally got to their level, Vanessa's jaw dropped. She quickly recovered as she spun to greet the first one, Will a friend of Dave. But for the second one, she had to take a break, staring at the broad chest in front of her as she being introduced. When she raised her head, she felt like a dwarf, even with her heels on. Stood there Jered Shepherd, in his 6.1 ft. and athletic built. At 36, he was an actor, director and producer. She took her time to admire his chiseled face. He was a work of art. She could see freckles on his face that only made him even more handsome. God, the man was perfect.

"It is good to finally be able to put a face on the name Nessa. Stacy wouldn't stop talking about you when we worked together." He started with a deep husky voice that sent shiver in all her body.

"Oh did she really?" She asked suddenly shy as she raised her eyes to meet his green sea one. 

"You have no idea sweetheart! If I knew that the face was so lovely, I would have forced her to introduce us sooner."He replied, clearly flirting with her as he ran his hand in his short light brown hair.

Vanessa smiled. She normally would hate being called sweetheart by a stranger but this one was just giving her butterflies. He was flirting with her. God! Too bad she wasn't into white guys and celebrities.

"Eh! Jay, back off. Don't use you charms on my friend, okay?" said Stacy with a tap on his arm.

"I would never do that, unless she wants me too." He said playfully and winked at Vanessa. She smiled back at him. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of her Stacy, you can go back to your boyfriend".

"Yeah, Stacy, go join Dave".

Spending some time with a handsome man couldn't be bad, thought Vanessa.

Few hours later, Vanessa was happy. Her eyes were shinning with laughter as Jered was counting her one of his many stories. He hadn't leave her side the whole afternoon. He was really funny, a little goofball. She kept laughing all the time. He was a little touchy feely but she didn't mind at all. At some point between all the fun and all the flirting she forgot about Carl.