Jess had just gotten to work the next morning when the phone was ringing. She didn't have a free hand so she hit the speakerphone.

Jess - "Hello."

Loren - "Well it took you long enough."

Jess - "I just got in the door."

Loren - "Were we out late last night."

Jess - "No not really I just couldn't get going this morning. What's up?"

Loren - "I just wanted to see how your date went."

Jess - "Good I had a lot of fun." She turns on the TV in her office and an Nsync video is playing.

Loren - "So what's his name?"

Jess - "I don't want to tell you."

Loren - "Why is it something awful like Faultaroy or something like that?"

Jess - "No I just don't want to tell you."

Loren - "Oh now I have to know. Come on spill it you know you're going to tell me any way."

Jess - "No I'm not. At least not yet."

Brad comes in with Jess's morning tea. "Um, Jess Lance Bass is on the phone for you."

Jess - "See if you can get his number so I can call him back."

Loren - "So who is he? Come on stop holding out on me."

Jess - "Nope I'm not telling."

Brad - "Here. When I asked him what it was regarding he said that it was personal." He raises an eyebrow at her. Jess swipes the paper out of his hand.

Jess - "Thank you Brad." She had taken Loren off speaker, but not quick enough.

Loren - "wait a minute. He's in Nsync right. And isn't there a Justin in Nsync. And didn't Britney tour with them."

Jess - "It's just a coincidence. That's all."

Loren - "Jessica."

Jess - "Alright she set me up with Lance."

Loren - "Oh God. So what did you do?"

Jess - "What do you mean what did I do. We had a good time."

Loren - "You say that like you're going to see him again."

Jess - "I am we're going out for dinner tonight."

Loren - "Oh honey I really think you need to see someone about this boy band thing of yours. It's not healthy."

Jess - "I don't have a thing for boy bands. It's just a coincidence that's all."

Loren - "Jess. You almost married Donnie, who was in New Kids. You 'had' this weird thing going with Brian, who is in Backstreet. And now you are thinking about going out on a second date with Lance, who is in Nsync. You don't see a pattern."

Jess - "well you're with Kevin."

Loren - "That is not even the same. Isn't he like ten years younger then you?"

Jess - "No. He's only four years younger then me. But it doesn't matter, he's fun and I think I am in some desperate need of some fun. Last night you were happy I was going out."

Loren - "Well I am but. Okay I'm not trying to tell you who you can see so I'll just shut up now. God, Kevin's going to lose it."

Jess - "Don't tell him."

Loren - "Why not?"

Jess - "Because I don't want a big thing made out of this. It might be nothing. Just please don't say anything."

Loren - "Alright I won't say anything."

Jess - "Thank you."

Loren - "So I'll let you go so you can call your new boyfriend back."

Jess - "he's not my boyfriend."

Loren - "Yet. I know you. You don't do second dates unless it's a possibility."

Jess - "Bye Loren."

Loren - "Bye." She hangs up and Jess looks at the message Brad gave her debating if she should call Lance now or later. She decides on now. He had given her a direct number so she didn't have to deal with a receptionist.

Lance - "Hello."

Jess - "Hey it's me. Jessica."

Lance - "Hey sorry for calling so early but I wanted to get you before you start getting really busy."

Jess - "That's okay so what's up?"

Lance - "Not much. Just going over some contracts they want us to sign."

Jess - "Oh if you're really busy I could just call back later."

Lance - "No it's cool. I called you remember."

Jess - "Oh yeah. So what did you want?"

Lance - "Well we didn't make plans last night. Do you still want to do dinner tonight?"

Jess - "Yeah."

Lance - "good I was afraid you would change your mind."

Jess - "No I'm actually looking forward to it. What time?"

Lance - "Umm, how about I pick you up at work?"

Jess - "You sure you want to do that? You do remember where I work."

Lance - "Yeah. When do you get off?"

Jess - "Four thirty."

Lance - "Okay I'll see you then."

Jess - "Okay."

Chapter Thrity-Four