Chapter 3

"Do you remember that one time we snuck into your father's library because our ball got stuck in there?" Jessie began to laugh, and Taylor joined in.

"Father was so mad at us. He banned us from playing with that ball. He banned us from doing anything that involved guys and told us to act like ladies instead."

"You know what made me laugh the most? It was when he brought a teacher home to teach us how to behave like a lady." Jessie began to laugh again.

"Lilly ruined the lady's dress, and my father got so angry at my sister for that."

"He gave up. He was tired that we wouldn't be able to behave like one." Jessie exhaled. "That was a really great time. I wish we could go back to the time when things were easy for us and when we could have whatever it is we want." She shook the bottle, and when nothing poured from it, she dropped the bottle on the table. "That was good champagne."

"Yes. There will be a party in Las Vegas, and I will be in charge of the drinks there. This sample will be showcased. I want you to be there. This is my first big gig Jess."

Jessie sighed.

"I know that look," Taylor said.

"What look?" Jessie asked.

"You are backing out. I can't believe this is happening. I thought we talked about making him understand that you are a woman who wants her dreams to come true. What is all this now, Jessie?"

"Calm down. Hear me out. I am not backing out. It is on a Friday, right?"

Taylor rolled her eyes. "Obviously."

"I will be having a gig then too. That's why I had that look. And besides, this isn't your first big gig. Every gig has always been your first big gig every time you tell me you have a gig."

"But I am serious right now. It is my first big gig and you have to come to show your support. I need you, friend."

Jessie sighed. "All right." she nodded. "I will see what I can do about that day."

"You are the best of the best of the best." Taylor moved closer to her as she continued to kiss Jessie's cheeks. "I know I can always count on you to do this for me."

Her phone beeped when she went back to her normal position. She picked it up and glanced at Jessie. "Oops. It is the management. I'm sorry, babe. I have to go. I don't think I will be able to stay here any longer." She jumped down from the stool, and so did Jessie.

Taylor held her hand. "Good luck with your date tonight. I know you can do it. You have always been the type of woman who gets what she wants, and this is what you want. I don't want you to have any regrets and I fully support you with whatever it is your decision is. Don't forget that you are a classy woman and beautiful too."

Taylor took Jessie's hand and made her turn around. "A short red dress would look great on you tonight. Have fun and don't forget to tell me in detail. Ciao." Both of them did their secret handshake, and it almost took a minute before Jessie saw Taylor at the door.

Taylor kissed her cheeks one more time before heading out of the house.

Jessie shook her head as she walked back to the kitchen. She couldn't stop smiling. Her friend was silly and she would never change.

Red dress, huh? She cleaned up the empty glasses of wine and kept the bottle. It was a gift from her friend and also a memory that her friend made with her. Disposing of it would be a waste.

When Jessie was done in the kitchen, she found her way to the room. When the wedding is over, she and Mark will be moving to a bigger place where they will raise their kids together. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought she would be getting the things she had always wanted. A man who loves her and wants to build a family with her. She couldn't stop smiling as she opened her closet.

She picked the red dress she bought for her next two Friday gigs and looked in the mirror to see if it fit the mood, which it did. She dropped the dress on her bed and checked which hairstyle would go with it. A ponytail or drop. She looked younger in her ponytail, so she went with it.

Jessie searched for matching stiletto heels. She used silver earrings and chains that had the same design.

After she was done in the shower, she dried herself up and dressed up. She had always been a perfect woman. The woman that was never who she was but another person who only had her face and body and name but not her heart. She forced a smile on her face again. It was everything she wanted: to be with him and to have the life he gave to her. The comfort he provided.

She put her hair in a ponytail and used her identity as she always does. smoked eyes when she was done applying her eye shadow. Red lipstick was a form of confidence for her. Jessie slid into her red heels and stood up to look at her image in the full mirror.