Part III: Hooking Up
Katie was scribbling a few notes on a piece of paper when Russell took notice.
"What are you doing lover… girl?" Russell laughed.
Katie just glared at him and then she went back to scribbling.
"Hmmm… I wonder what that is…" Russell suddenly took the piece of paper from Katie.
Katie didn't want to put an effort to go after Russell. She just sat there and gave him a defiant stare.
"Tall, Caucasian…" Russell began to read.
"In love with art and poetry… nice Katie…"
Katie gave him a mock smile.
"Loves Shakespeare plays… Loves Billy Holiday…"
"Personal quote: sometimes things happen between people that you don't really expect, and sometimes the things that are important are the ones that seem the weirdest or the most wrong, and they're also the ones that change your life. Now Katie… I didn't know you felt that way…" Russell laughed.
Katie took the paper back.
"You are no help." Katie gave Russell a mock attack with her stapler.
"Katie… I'm sure you'll get a sweet girl with those."
"Right…" Katie rolled her eyes.
"Promise me Katie."
"What?"
"No sex on the first date." Russell winked.
"Like I could help that!" Katie replied grinning.
----
The next day Jessie hurriedly took a pass at the magazine vendor. She scanned for the same magazine Grace gave her.
"Ahh… there it is!" Jessie grabbed the copy and gave the magazine guy ten dollars.
She took her change then walked off.
As she got into the hospital, she hurriedly went to her office. But when she got inside, it was pretty crowded. She hid the book inside the bag before anyone noticed she has arrived.
"Jessie!" Grace gave her a hug.
"You're late as usual. We were just talking about dinner tonight."
"Oh I think I'll pass." Jessie replied sitting on her chair.
"Why any thing more important to do?" Tad asked.
"No not really. I just need to be alone." Jessie replied.
"Now you guys get out of my office. I need to work."
Jessie stood up pushing the people out.
Jessie locked her office door then took out the magazine. She scanned a few ads and found something interesting.
"Tall, Caucasian, Loves Art and Poetry, Loves Shakespeare plays and Billie Holiday" Jessie smiled.
Jessie loved Billie Holiday too. Reading more she felt her heart bounce.
"Sometimes things happen between people that you don't really expect, and sometimes the things that are important are the ones that seem the weirdest or the most wrong, and they're also the ones that change your life."
Jessie hurriedly took a pen then looked for the number and the nick name.
"KS… Weird." Jessie giggled then wrote the number down.
She then heard a knock on her door. She hurriedly hid the magazine again. Standing up slightly panting to open the door.
"Where's the fire?" Grace asked.
"What?" Jessie asked confusingly.
"Well anyway, I saw this nice ad from the magazine. You should answer the ad. Looks to me he's Mr. Right."
Jessie took a look at what ad Grace was referring to. It was the same ad she took notes on. She smiled.
"Oh maybe some other time. I have stuff to finish right now." Jessie yawned and pushed Grace out the door.
"Come by later. I have another guy I would want you to meet." Grace grinned.
"Ok… Ok…" Jessie gave in.
----
Katie was having dinner with Russell and Sarah when they heard Katie's phone ring. It had been ringing for the last three hours. They were the people replying to her ad. Some were scary, some were hot. Some were horny. Some seemed to be psychotic. They have allowed Katie's voice mailbox to take the calls. As Katie took her last bite, she heard a sweet, loving voice speaking.
"Hi… KS… Well I don't know your name. Your Voice Box didn't really say nor did I hear your voice. I'm Jessica Sammler. I… Uh… Saw your ad. I was wondering if we could meet up and talk. You can reach me…"
Katie swallowed her food and ran to her desk looking for a pen.
"Here try this." Sarah giggled as she handed Katie her pen.
They watched as Katie hurriedly took down the phone numbers. They were surprised to see Katie excited and jumpy over a phone call.
"Jessica Sammler." Katie whispered.
----
Jessie was getting bored but she tried to be nice to the guy she was talking to: Simon. Tad was giving her weird looks but she shrugged it off. You don't want your ex to go all psycho on you.
"So Simon, you two are really getting along!" Grace exclaimed.
"She's a good listener. She'll be a great friend." Simon replied.
"A friend?" Jessie asked.
"Yeah a friend. I can't wait till I tell Rachel about you. I'm sure you'll have fun talking."
"Who's Rachel?" Grace asked worriedly.
"My girlfriend." Simon replied.
Jessie blushed. What a way to have dinner.
"I didn't know that." Grace nudged Eli who was beside her.
"UGH! I'm sorry about the last detail…" Eli answered.
Seeing Jessie's embarrassment, Tad decided to help her out.
"Hey Jess, it's late. Want me to drive you home? Lisa's house is near your apartment. You could hitch a ride."
"Oh no. Thanks. I'll be fine."
----
"Send her a message now Katie!" Russell yelled.
"Call her now!" Sarah yelled too.
"Call her? NO!" Katie responded.
She was walking back and forth in her living room. Unsure of what she should do.
"Send her a message. Meet her for coffee. How bad could it be?" Russell stood up and held Katie's shoulders to make her stop.
"Fine! Fine!"
Katie took her phone and wrote a text message. She sighed when she saw the icon and read the text.
"Message Sent."
----
"I should probably get going." Jessie stood up as she told Grace and Eli.
"I'll take you home Jess." Eli stood up and got a nod from Grace.
In the car, Eli took the opportunity to apologize.
"Jess… I didn't know he had a girlfriend. I'm so sorry."
"It's ok Eli…" Jessie smiled and then turned her gaze back to the road ahead.
She suddenly felt her phone vibrate. She took it out of her purse then read the new text message.
"Farafena Coffee Shop, 116th street NY. 5 PM. Will wait for you. – KS"
Jessie smiled.
"What's that?" Eli noticed the sudden change in Jessie.
"A date." Jessie grinned.