Wes entered his car checking his cell for messages. There were three.
“I have a few more stops to make. They’re over in Port Orianco, though. Do you want to come with me?”
Janet’s eyes widened dramatically. “Are you planning on leaving me here?” she whined.
He burst out laughing. “No, you funny girl. I thought maybe you were getting bored. I could take you home first or…”
“No! I…uh…I’d like to come with you… if it’s okay,” she said, feigning a casual attitude she didn’t feel.
“Yeah, it’s okay,” he said, unable to keep from grinning. God help him, but he loved spending time with this girl and maybe she did too.
“I’m learning loads you know,” she said.
“Are you? Like what?” he asked curiously, starting the car and pulling into traffic.
“Oh...loads…about how to run a business, you know?”
“Okay. That is why I brought you,” he countered and they lapsed into silence.
“Wes?” she said, at last.
“What?” he said, stopping at a light.
“Do you know my father?”
Taken aback he made a weird face before answering. “I never met him, remember?”
“You might have done some work for him, fixing up a website for him or something?” she said.
“I would remember if I did. What’s his name? What does he do for a living?”
She gaped at him. “You mean you don’t know?”
He shook his head. “Should I?”
“I thought everyone at school knew. Fummel? As in Fummel Jewelers over in Port Orianco?”
“Really? Jeffery Fummel is your dad?” he said, incredulous.
She gasped. “So, you do know him!”
“Not, you know, personally, but I’ve been to his store. My dad always bought jewelry for my mom there and I bought a nice little charm bracelet for my sister this summer,” he said staring at her. “I should’ve known. You look a lot like him… only…you know, much prettier.”
The car behind him honked when the light changed to green. Wes absently waved and moved forward. He then frowned. “But what does me knowing your dad have to do with anything?”
“Uh…nothing, just…wondering,” she lied.
“Are you sure?” he asked, not at all believing her.
“Yep,” she said. “So… um… where to now?”
“Papa Franco’s bakery,” he replied.
“Oh, I love that place! Have you ever had their baklava? It’s to die for!” she gushed.
Wes laughed. “Then I’ll buy you a dozen or two. Gotta keep my yenta happy.”
“And fat! I’ll gain thirty pounds if I eat all that!”
“Then share them,” he said.
“No way, they’re too good for sharing,” she said.
He laughed again. “Well, then I’ll buy you… four pieces. How’s that?” he asked.
“Make it two and I’ll lov…like it very much,” she said, shyly looking away.
“As you wish,” he said, grinning.
Twenty minutes later, Wes was hunched over the computer screen with Janet looking over his shoulder.
“Did you design this one, too?” she asked into his ear. "It's beautiful!"
“Yep,” he replied.
“You do good work, Wes,” Janet said. “But does a bakery really need a website?”
“Need one? No, but it’s increased their sales about forty percent in less than a year, so….”
“Seriously?” she said completely aghast.
“They ship all over the state now. I remember someone telling me their baklava is to die for,” he said, smirking. She playfully pushed him then giggled.
“Wow, that’s awesome! I told my father to get a website so he could increase his sales, but he never listened to me,” she said angrily.
“We can stop by his shop and…”
“No!” she snapped.
He turned and stared at her. “It’s no problem. I don’t mind helping him,” he said.
“But I do. He doesn’t deserve it,” she muttered, turning away and folding her arms over her chest.
Wes sighed and turned to the computer screen. The moody Janet was back again. He knew better than to try to get anything out of her, but at least now he knew it all had to do with her dad, just as he thought. He applied himself to updating his client’s website instead of worrying about it.
“There it is, all done,” he said several minutes later. “Now to get my yenta some yummy goodies.”
“You don’t have to, Wes. I was just kidding,” she said, coming out of her reverie to stand next to him and take his hand.
“You mean you don’t like their baklava?” he asked.
“I love it, but you don’t have to get me any,” she replied.
“Sure I do,” he said, pushing her hair from her face.
“Why?” she asked.
“Cuz that’s what boyfriends do for their girlfriends, we buy them stuff they like,” he said just before kissing her lightly.
“Wes, you shouldn’t do that here,” she whispered, nervously looking around.
“Why not?”
“It’ll get you in trouble again. Remember last time at the sawmill? It’s not professional,” she said earnestly.
Wes grinned. “And that’s why you make such an awesome girlfriend, Janet. You worry about me… and my business,” he said. He kissed her again then led her out into a fray of customers who shouted their orders to three frazzled looking counter girls plus the owner.
“Uh, maybe next time?” Janet said. “You still have those other clients to see yet.”
Before Wes could reply, a very pretty girl with long glossy black hair and stormy gray eyes approached him.
“Hello, Wes. Do you remember me?” she asked, smiling brightly at him.
“Amy! Hey! How are you?” Wes said, obviously surprised.
“I’m well, thanks. And you?” she asked.
“Good…great actually,” he said, putting his arm possessively around Janet and bringing her forward. “Meet my girlfriend, Janet Fummel.”
“Hello, Janet,” Amy said. “Related to the jeweler?”
Janet and Wes exchanged looks. “See? I told ya!” she said.
“Guess I’m the last to know,” he said, laughing.
“Yeah, he’s my dad. My great-grandfather started it though,” Janet said to Amy.
“Yes, it’s one of the oldest stores here. How nice,” Amy said. She then turned to Wes. “I haven’t seen you since… the funeral. How are your sister and father doing?”
Wes shrugged. “Good.”
Amy smiled sympathetically and nodded. “Well, I guess I’ll see you at the party.”
“Party?” Wes repeated.
“The engagement party,” Amy said, looking perplexed. “I know it was last minute and all, but you do know Rebecca’s getting married, don’t you?”
“My cousin?” Wes shouted, incredulous.
Amy laughed. “None other and you’ll never guess to whom. Like I said, very sudden.”
“She’s not…” Wes whispered the last words, “Pregnant, is she?”
“I…I couldn’t say, but I doubt it. They’ve only been together for a week,” Amy said. “Anyway, I should be going. I told Marc I’d meet him after I got these.” She held up the string-tied box then added, “Janet, it was really nice meeting you and I hope to see you on Sunday.”
“Why would you see me on Sunday?” Janet asked, bewildered.
Amy laughed. “I assumed you’d come with Wes to the party. I’m sure everyone would love to meet you. Bye!”
Wes stood dumbstruck staring at Amy’s retreating back, her long silky hair swaying from side to side as she moved through the crowd. “I can’t believe Becky’s getting married and no one bothered to tell me.”
“Well, you heard her, it was sudden. Don’t see how she thinks I should be there, though. They don’t even know me!” Janet said.
This statement brought Wes out of his stupor. “You gotta come with me, Janet. Please!”
“But why? I don’t know your cousin,” she said.
“But she knows about you. She’s Billy’s sister,” Wes said almost frantically.
“No, she’s not. You said her name was…”
“Rebecca, we call her Becky.”
“Oh…”
“By now, my Uncle Rob and Aunt Beth would’ve told them about you. If you don’t come they’ll think…”
“That I’m not really your girlfriend.”
“Yes! Exactly. You gotta come,” Wes said, earnestly.
Janet stared up at him and smiled. “Guess we’re going to a party.”
Before she knew it Wes had her in a brutal embrace and was kissing her soundly.
“You are the best girlfriend ever,” he said before kissing her again.
In a blur she saw him chatting with the bakery owner, Papa Franco and in what seemed like no time, she was sitting in the car with Wes beside her driving away. On her lap she held a string tied box very similar to the one Amy had. It was full of her favorite baklava, too. However, all she could think of was that kiss and what Wes said.
If she didn’t know better--and in all truth she didn’t-- she could’ve sworn Wes was the best boyfriend ever, too. Pity it wasn’t real.
