Free Jessica's Breakdown [Journey of a Thousand Miles 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Alicia White Page B

afterward. Could she trust Mark? Did she really want to do this?
    “I need to think about it.” Standing up, Jessica said good-bye to Mark and he let her go. Heading back to her hotel room, she looked down, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. Questions ran through her mind and Jessica walked faster.
    When she finally reached the third floor, Jessica went to her room. Opening the door, she kicked off her shoes and started stripping down, needing to be out of her tight dress. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she curled her toes in the carpet and enjoyed the silence.
    The sound of her cell phone ringing got her attention, and Jessica went over to the desk and answered the phone. “Hello.”
    “Hi. How are you?” a deep voice asked and Jessica felt herself tearing up a bit. How did Chase know she needed a friend?
    “I’m okay. How are you?” She sniffled, sitting back down on the bed.
    “You don’t sound okay. Are you enjoying your vacation?”
    “Maybe I’m a little homesick,” she lied, not wanting to tell him where she was. She didn’t want Beau and Chase to know her secrets.
    “I can tell you that Beau and I miss you. What can I do to make you happy?”
    “I don’t know. I’m in Dallas and you’re in Coltmann County. It’s good to hear your voice, though. How did you know that I needed a friend?” Lifting up her feet, she moved back and leaned against the headboard.
    “We could come to you.” Biting her lip, Jessica leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling. That was the million dollar question. Did she want them with her in Dallas? It made her think of Mark and his offer. It was all so confusing. She did care about them, had spent time with them, and she had to be honest, they were growing on her more than she wanted to admit.
    “Jessica?” he asked quietly, and she wondered if he knew what she was thinking.
    “I-I don’t know.” Shaking her head, she started questioning her life, everything she knew, and everything she had wanted. She really did need some time to think, and being away from her friends was probably the only time she would have.
    “No, no, I’m fine. Thank you, though, for offering. I’m going to get some lunch and relax for a bit. Is it okay if I call you later?”
    “Yeah, of course. If you need anything at all, just give me a call.”
    “Talk soon.” Clicking the end button, Jessica stared at her phone. How had he known that she needed someone? They always proved how much they cared about her. What was wrong with her that she couldn’t have a normal relationship?
    Reaching over, she picked up the hotel phone. She was planning to order room service, take a hot bath, and maybe even a nap. She needed to think about her next move.
     
    * * * *
     
    Pocketing his phone, Chase sat down on one of the huge overstuffed couches in Mark’s office. He had seen Jessica’s face while she was on stage and knew the moment she had mentally checked out of the scene. She just looked so miserable and lost. It made him want to find her and hold her, but he knew that wasn’t what she wanted. She didn’t want to be coddled, and it seemed that she really didn’t like affection. He couldn’t seem to figure the woman out.
    “Is she okay?” Beau asked him, and Chase could only nod. He hated being this close to her and not able to do anything.
    “What did she say?”
    “She was glad to hear from me, but she doesn’t want us coming to Dallas. She doesn’t want us here. I don’t know, maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe we should just go home?”
    “I can’t believe you’re giving up. We came here to win her over, not leave with our tails between our legs.”
    “I’m not saying that we give up on her. I want her to be a part of our lives, but if she’s not ready, then we’re wasting our time.”
    “Bullshit.” Before Beau could say more, he was cut off by Mark’s telephone ringing.
    “This is Mark,” he said. After a minute, his eyes widened and a smile curved his