Jenna's Awakening (Dr. Jenna Harper Series Book 1)

by Missy Redstone

  Finally, Jenna began the move to Kris's house, which was only a few blocks from where she had been staying. She didn’t have many things since her stay in town might be temporary. She liked Kris and anticipated spending more time with her. Kris could show her around town some more and introduce her to people. She also liked the neighbors, Erin and Liz. She hoped to hear soon from the hospital about a more permanent position because she wanted to settle down in her own place.

  By that evening Jenna had moved all her things to her new home. Moving was the easy part. Unpacking and finding a place for everything was the difficult part.

  Jenna sighed and collapsed on the couch. “Thanks for helping me move. Let me buy you dinner tonight.”

  Kris stacked another box against the wall out of the way. “It was my pleasure, roomie. You don’t have to buy me dinner.”

  “No, I want to. You offered to share your home with me and helped me move. Where would you like to go? You pick the place.”

  “Wherever you want to go is fine with me. I’m not picky.”

  “I’m going to go take a shower. You think about it and let me know.” Jenna grabbed a stack of three boxes. “I might as well take these up with me.”

  ***

  Jenna finished her shower and came back down, but Kris wasn’t there. She heard a door open upstairs and Kris appeared at the top of the stairs.

  “I took a shower too. I should have asked if you needed anything. Did you find the towels?” Kris asked.

  “I had everything I needed, and I used one of my towels. Did you decide where I’m taking you for dinner?”

  “Since this is your moving day, how about pizza?”

  “I love pizza. Let’s go. I worked up quite an appetite today.”

  “Great, I know a great pizza restaurant downtown. It’s my favorite place out of all the restaurants.”

  They both grabbed a light jacket and started their walk towards the restaurant only a few blocks away. The days were warm, but the nights were starting to get a little chilly. Jenna loved this kind of weather.

  As soon as they entered the restaurant, Kris spoke to several of the people inside and introduced Jenna to each one. Jenna’s stomach growled as the smell of Italian food cooking in the kitchen spurred her appetite. The sweet smell of tomato sauce mixed with olive oil filled the air around her.

  Finally, they made their way to a booth in the corner and sat down across from each other. The one waitress that Kris didn’t like in the whole restaurant came over.

  “What can I get for you lovely ladies?” the waitress asked as she handed them menus.

  Kris tried to be polite as she could. “Can you give us a moment, Stacy?”

  “Sure.” Stacy winked at Jenna before turning away to leave.

  Kris saw the wink out of the corner of her eye and liked Stacy even less than she did before, which she didn’t know was possible.

  Before they had a chance to look at the menus and discuss what they wanted, the waitress was back. “You look like you could use a drink right about now.” She handed a mixed drink to Jenna.

  Jenna gave the waitress a polite smile. “Thank you so much, you shouldn’t have.”

  Stacy sat down in the booth beside Jenna. “Where are your manners, Kris? Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” She held her hand out for Jenna to shake. “My name is Stacy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Kris rolled her eyes and made a fist under the table.

  Jenna shook Stacy’s hand and smiled. “My name is Jenna. Thanks again for the drink.”

  “No problem. So what brings you to town, Jenna?”

  Before Jenna could answer, Kris interrupted. “Right now, she’s in town looking for a meal to eat. We’re ready to order. Do you think you can help us with that?”

  “Sure, Kris. I was just trying to get to know more about the new girl in town, but I’m sure I’ll have plenty of opportunities later.”

  Jenna felt the tension between Kris and Stacy, and it made her feel awkward. She wondered if the two of them had dated before and had ended it on bad terms. “Where is the bathroom?” she asked Kris.

  Kris pointed. “It’s on the right just around the corner.”

  Stacy stood up and seized Jenna’s hand. “Come on, sweetie, I’ll show you where it is.” She led Jenna to the bathroom, and she returned back to the table where Kris was waiting.

  “You need to back off, Stacy. She may not be in town long anyway.”

  Stacy flashed a devilish grin. “You know that isn’t a problem for me, Kris.”

  Jenna returned to find the situation hadn’t gotten any better. “Do you like pepperoni pizza, Kris?”

  “How did you know that’s my favorite?”

  Jenna collected the menus and handed them to Stacy. “We’ll take a medium pepperoni pizza and breadsticks, please.”

  Stacy let her hand linger on Jenna’s as she took the menus away. “You got it. Anything you want or need, Jenna, just let me know.”

  Jenna pulled her hand away from Stacy. “Thanks and can you make it to go? I need to get back. I have a ton of things to do.”

  Stacy flashed an evil glare at Kris. “Okay. I’ll make sure they speed up your order.”

  Jenna lowered her voice and leaned towards Kris. “I have a feeling Stacy isn’t one of your closest friends.”

  Kris fidgeted with the napkin she had clenched in her right hand. “Stacy and I go way back. I try to be friendly with everyone, but I could never be friends with her.”

  Jenna reached across the table and put her hand on top of Kris’s. “Enough said. I hope you don’t mind me getting the order to go. I wanted us both to be able to enjoy our meal in peace.”

  Kris looked down at Jenna’s hand resting on top of hers and smiled. She put her other hand on top of Jenna’s. “Thanks, I don’t mind at all. That sounds perfect.”

  ***

  The two of them carried the pizza back home, and Jenna sat it down on top of a pair of boxes that were on the living room floor. “We might as well eat this in the traditional just moved-in fashion.”

  Kris felt contaminated just being around Stacy. She washed her hands in the kitchen sink followed by Jenna. Kris grabbed the napkins. “Do you need any silverware?”

  Jenna smirked and threw her hand up. “No thanks, that’s what pizza crust is for.”

  Kris grabbed two beers from the fridge and handed one to Jenna. “Spoken like a true lady.”

  They sat on the floor and each grabbed a slice of pizza. Jenna never ceased to amaze Kris. As soon as Kris thought she had her figured out, Jenna would surprise her again. Who would’ve ever known this sexy, professional doctor would be comfortable sitting on the floor eating pizza without utensils while using a cardboard box for a table? I wonder what other surprises she’s hiding?

  Kris decided now was as good a time as any to find out more about the mysterious Jenna. “So, should I be surprised if I see someone coming out of your room in the middle of the night?”

  The question caught Jenna off guard just as she took a sip from her beer and she choked a bit. “Hell yes, you should be surprised, but not as surprised as I’d be.”

  They both burst into laughter. Jenna laughed so hard her sides hurt. She laid back on the floor to catch her breath. As she laid back, her button-up shirt rode up beneath her ribs with the ends falling off to the sides.

  Kris could see Jenna’s slender tummy and the tan that would soon fade in the coming cooler weather. She also saw something else. “You have your belly button pierced?”

  Jenna raised herself up on her elbows and ran her hand alongside the piercing. “Yep, just a little something I did to make me feel rebellious when I started college.” Jenna rolled onto her side towards Kris and gestured for Kris to come closer.

  Kris's heart pounded faster and faster as she got closer to Jenna. Jenna put her hand behind Kris's neck to draw her even closer, and Kris could feel Jenna’s hot sweet breath against her face.

  Jenna paus
ed before whispering into Kris's ear, “I also have a tattoo.”

  It took every ounce of willpower Kris had to control herself. She pulled away enough to see Jenna’s face. She looked into Jenna’s eyes, then down to her lips, and glanced back up at her eyes again. Their eyes locked on each other. It was like one of those moments in a movie where everyone knows the characters are about to share their first kiss.

  Kris broke the gaze and glanced down at the floor. It felt like she was in a dream. She looked back up at Jenna to make sure she was there. Jenna was still there and their eyes met again. She pushed her hair behind her ear and her voice crackled a little. “Oh, really, where’s your tattoo?”

  There was a knock on the door and they both jumped. The moment was now gone, and Kris didn’t know when or if she would ever get it back again. They stood up quick. Jenna was busy adjusting her shirt back down when Allie opened the door. Kris had completely forgotten that Allie had taken her dog, Jax, for the day so that she could help Jenna move.

  Jenna carried the pizza box and her empty beer bottle into the kitchen before the big yellow lab had a chance to attack it. As she placed the bottle down on the counter, she realized her hands were shaking. What had just happened? What would have happened if Allie hadn’t interrupted when she did? Several questions were popping up in her mind all at once in a flurry. The most important question, the question that only she could answer herself, was what did she want to happen?

  Upon returning from the kitchen Kris called her over. “Jenna, this is my best friend, Allie.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Allie.”

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, Jenna. Kris has told me so much about you.”

  The three of them talked a little while and Jenna managed to smile, but her mind was elsewhere trying to answer the questions that were still popping up in her head.

  Jenna stood. “It was nice meeting you, Allie. If you two will excuse me, I think I’m going to head up now. It’s been a long day and I’m exhausted. Thanks again for everything, Kris.”

  “You’re welcome. Goodnight.” Kris said.

  As soon as Allie heard Jenna’s door shut, she crossed her arms and gave Kris a stern look. “What were you two doing when I walked in? Are you two hooking up already?”

  Kris poked Allie beneath the ribs. “Well, there might have been something to tell if you hadn’t barged in when you did. Who knows maybe I could’ve been in bed with her now.”

  “Jenna was rearranging her shirt when I came in, and you expect me to believe you two weren’t fooling around?”

  “It was completely innocent. There was a tiny moment, but we’re just roommates for now.” She winked at Allie.

  Chapter Six

  The next morning Jenna awakened to the smell of coffee and bacon. She put on her robe and hurried downstairs to find Kris in the kitchen.

  “How did you sleep last night?” Kris asked.

  “I slept well. Thanks.” It was a lie, but she couldn’t tell Kris that she was awake most of the night thinking about what happened.

  “Great, glad to hear it. Now, go wash up and get ready to eat. I’m just finishing up breakfast now.”

  Jenna went to the bathroom and turned the faucet on. She looked at herself in the mirror still desperate to find answers to the questions she had. She splashed cool water on her face before washing her hands and returning to the kitchen.

  “Can I help you with anything?” Jenna asked.

  “No, almost done. Go sit down.”

  Jenna sat down on one of the bar stools and allowed herself an opportunity to look at Kris. She was standing in front of the stove with her back to Jenna wearing what looked like the clothes she had slept in. Her shorts and top were a little boyish, but yet still feminine. The shorts were light gray, not too short and not too tight, but flattering to her figure. The comfortable looking white T-shirt revealed the fact she wasn’t wearing a bra because when she turned around Jenna could see her nipples pressing against the soft fabric of the shirt.

  “Well, do you?” Kris asked.

  Jenna jumped, realizing she hadn’t heard a word Kris had said. “I’m sorry. My mind was elsewhere. What was the question?”

  “That’s okay, I’m sure you have a lot on your mind right now. I was just asking if you like your eggs scrambled.”

  Jenna forced a nervous smile. “I love scrambled eggs.” She hoped Kris hadn’t caught her staring at her because the last thing she wanted was any awkwardness between the two of them.

  They exchanged some small talk over breakfast, but Jenna couldn’t look up from her plate. She refused to let herself look at Kris. The few times she did glance at Kris, her gaze would drift down to Kris's lips and then down to the front of Kris's shirt.

  Kris tried to keep the chitchat going, but she was getting the impression that Jenna didn’t want to be there. It was the first morning after Jenna had moved in and already there was a strange vibe. They had gotten along so well the past few days. The only thing that could explain why Jenna was acting different was what had happened, could have happened, or what might have happened had Allie not shown up when she did with Jax. Kris felt they had shared a connection the night before, and she thought Jenna may have felt the same way. Now, she was not only worried about having lost the moment, but maybe there never was a moment. Maybe Jenna had sensed the way Kris felt and now felt weird being around her and sharing a house with her. All Kris could do now is back off and hope Jenna would forget about the night before.

  As they were finishing breakfast, Erin and Liz showed up. Kris was relieved because she felt they would make Jenna feel more comfortable. Jenna was relieved because now she had something to focus on besides her plate, Kris's lips, and Kris's breasts. Erin and Liz had baked fresh blueberry muffins. Kris got up from the table to pour coffee for everyone.

  “How was your first night here? Is Kris being a good hostess?” Liz asked Jenna.

  Kris overheard the question and dropped the spoon for the coffee creamer onto the floor. The last thing she needed was Jenna thinking about last night again. “Sorry girls, you know how clumsy I am.” She hoped it was enough of a distraction that someone would change the subject.

  Kris bent over to pick the spoon up and as she did Jenna couldn’t help but notice her shorts came close to revealing what was underneath them. Forgetting they had company, Jenna rose up a bit out of her chair so she could see over the edge of the bar. The back of her knee hit her chair and it fell backwards. She realized everyone was staring at her now. “I was just checking to see if you needed any help, Kris.”

  “Well, Liz, I think it’s safe to say these girls didn’t get much sleep the way they’re both acting this morning,” Erin said. Everyone laughed and the situation returned to normal as they finished their muffins and coffee.

  Kris was still worried Jenna felt uncomfortable around her, so she knew she needed to do something. “Why don’t you two come over this evening? I’ll invite Allie and Jay over too and Jenna can meet the rest of the group.”

  Erin and Liz looked at each other and nodded. “Sure, count us in.” Liz said.

  “Is that okay with you, Jenna?” Kris asked.

  “Yes, I’d love to meet your friends.”

  “Good. Let’s make it a dinner too.” Kris made a mental note to call Allie and Jay to invite them over also. Unfortunately, most of her friends were lesbians, but she hoped having more people around would help Jenna feel more at ease.

  ***

  After Erin and Liz left, Jenna knew she had to get away and try to figure out what she was thinking and feeling. Going for a jog always helped clear her mind so that’s what she decided to do. After helping Kris clear away the dishes, she went upstairs to change into her running gear. She heard Kris in the shower, so she left a note on the kitchen counter thanking her for breakfast and letting her know that she’d be back later.

  Jenna knew the jog wouldn’t last long enough for her to sort through the emotions running through her head. S
he jogged past the park, past the bench where she had first started seeing Kris in a different way. She couldn’t get Kris out of her head.

  She returned home to find that Kris had left, which was a relief. She wanted to get things under control before having to face Kris again. She spent the rest of the morning and afternoon unpacking and finding a place for all her things.

  For lunch, Jenna walked downtown to try a new place. She was determined to try new things and explore new areas. She wished Kris was with her, but right now she still wasn’t sure how she felt about her anyway.

  Jenna found a little deli that served sandwiches, soup, pastries, and coffee. She decided to grab a quick bite there, contemplate her feelings about Kris, and people watch. She loved to watch people and how they interacted with each other. Sometimes, she would observe couples that would sit and eat their meal without saying a word to each other. She felt sorry for those people and couldn’t imagine what their relationship was like. All she wanted was to settle down with someone and share her entire life with them. She couldn’t conceive of sitting across from the person she loved and not saying anything while their lives passed them by.

  She grew up in a family with a mother and father who worked different shifts so they wouldn’t have to deal with their failing marriage. Her father was a hard worker and everyone loved him. He was the kind of guy who would do anything for anyone. Jenna’s mother was a hard worker also and did her best to help provide for the family. Unfortunately, in the process, Jenna’s mother found herself in debt. Jenna grew up knowing she wanted her life to be different. She wanted to go to college, have a successful career, stay out of debt, and maybe find someone to spend the rest of her life with along the way.

  Jenna ordered a sandwich and a bottled water. She found the perfect spot in the corner to sit down and begin contemplating and observing. There was a cute elderly man and woman a few tables away. She could see the love the two still had for each other even after what she assumed must have been fifty to sixty years of being together. They both had plenty to say to each other between bites of their meal. They took their time, not rushing through it like so many couples do. They enjoyed their meal and enjoyed each other’s company. Jenna hoped she would be in a relationship like that someday.