Chapter 9: I’m not going!

“I’m not going!” Janet shouted to her sister who had been cajoling her into dressing nicely for her date. “And stop calling it a date. We’re just supposed to be talking business… I mean… if I was going, but I’m not going!”

“Janet, you have to,” Jasmine whined.

“Give me one good reason why,” Janet said, her arms stubbornly crossed over her chest.

“Cuz Wes is a sweet guy and he works a lot,” she said.

“So what?”

“So much that he hardly allows himself time to breathe let alone to have fun. He’s becoming just like his father. Troy told me he started this computer business right after his mother died. To distract himself, you know?” Jasmine said, making a sad face. “But he takes it too seriously. Troy says he had a drag him kicking and screaming to play soccer with him. He agreed to stay on the team only when his dad threatened to confiscate his computers. Troy said it was the first time he heard Wes really laugh since his mother died when he was with you at dinner last night. You’re good for him. So, be a friend and get him away from work for a little while and get him laughing again.”

It was just like Jasmine to say something like that. She knew exactly how to get to Janet’s sentimental soft spot. Her heart softened instantly. It always did when she thought of Wes without his mother.

She bit her lip frowning slightly.

“Oh, all right. The things I do for humanity,” she said in an ever-suffering voice.

Jasmine laughed. Shaking her head she pulled out the dress she chose for Janet. It was a deep crimson color in a frothy fabric with a deep plunging neckline and and not much more in the back. “This one is so pretty, don’t you think?” she stated joyfully.

“Seriously? You want me to wear that?" Janet said, incredulous.

"What's wrong with it?" Jasmine said innocently.

Janet rolled her eyes. "Oh, I don't know...like maybe I'll look like a hooker!"

"Oh, you will not! It's sexy but tastefully done," Jasmine insisted pulling it off the hanger.

"Why do I have to get all dolled up anyway? This is business not pleasure,” Janet said, exasperated.

“And why can’t it be both?” Jasmine said, glaring at her twin. “It’s funny. I thought you got a great deal of pleasure out of your business. So does Wes. And you know what? He always dresses as if going to meet with a client. You should start doing the same if you want to be taken seriously . You want to be as successful as he is, don’t you? You two are like twins which is really weird. You have a real twin, me, and a kindred twin, Wes. Funny, huh?” she said giggling.

"Yeah, hysterical," Janet muttered as she slipped the dress over her head. She then allowed her sister to fix her hair in some fancy style. She had to admit it looked rather nice when she was done.

“Maybe that’s your calling in life, Jazz. Stylist for the busy business person. You can consider your account paid in full,” she said as she slipped into her shoes. 

They heard the doorbell ring. 

“Gees, that can’t be him already,” she said, startled.

Jasmine looked out the window and giggled. “That’s him all right. He has got some car,” she said, awestruck. 

“Must be his dad’s. He told me he’s a very successful Real Estate Agent,” Janet said casually. She picked up her purse and went down the stairs with Jasmine following. They found him talking with their mother.

“I told Mr. Gantry that if he ever needed any help to just give me a call. If he tries to do it himself he just makes it worse,” Wes said woefully.

“Well, you know how cheap he is. He doesn’t want to shell out the big bucks for The Genius. Serves him right, ruining his computer that way. He may be my boss but he really ought to listen to me when I say ‘We need Wes’,” Wendy said brightly.

“You guys know each other?” Jasmine asked, amazed.

“Oh, yes! I’ve known Wes since he was only four inches taller than me. How long was that? Two years? You’ve grown quite a bit since then,” she said staring up at Wes. 

Wes, on the other hand, was staring up at Janet, an appreciative smile on his face.

“So, like where do you know each other from?” Jasmine asked. “Wes?”

“Huh?” Wes said, still staring at Janet. He pulled his eyes away and focused on Jasmine. “Sorry, what?"

"How do you know our mom?"

"Mr. Gantry was my very first customer," Wes said, shrugging carelessly.

"How many clients do you have?" Janet asked, sounding half annoyed and half impressed.

"A fair few," Wes answered smirking. "Anyway, I don’t even think he knows that I still only charge him my old fee… the one I started at. I didn’t want to give him a heart attack,” he said to Wendy.

“Well, enough about that old grouch,” Wendy said smiling up at Janet. “It’s about time Janet got herself a beau. I personally think it’s the lack of smooching that has her so cranky.”

Wes burst out laughing. 

“Mother, he is not my beau and I’m not cranky!” she shouted.

“No, of course not, dear,” Wendy said soothingly. She then turned to Wes and rolled her eyes whispering, “You got your hands full, boy. I wish you luck.”

“Wes, you will take good care of my sister. She’s the only one I have, you know,” Jasmine said, pulling Janet down off the stairs and actually handing her to Wes who willingly clung to her hand.

“I promise to have her home before she turns into a pumpkin,” he told her.

“Thank you, Wes. Now have a good time and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Jasmine said winking at him.

“Out of curiosity, what wouldn’t you do?” Wes asked as he held the door open for Janet.

“Well…for one thing I wouldn’t elope to Vegas. I want a big church wedding,” she told him seriously.

“Oh, brother!” Janet grumbled. 

She pulled Wes out of there before they started picking out bride’s maid dresses. Wes waved back at the two at the door and beamed. 

Oh, yeah, this was going to be interesting!