Jenna tried to move her hands. Kris thought Jenna was preparing for another tickling session, so she tightened her grip again. She used her weight to push Jenna’s hands out from under her shirt, pushing them over Jenna’s head until Jenna’s hands touched the headboard. Jenna was a little taller than her, which forced her to slide further up Jenna’s body still pinned to the bed beneath her. She couldn’t keep herself from getting turned on as their bare stomachs touched, hot flesh against hot flesh. Her clitoris pulsated between her legs as Jenna’s pelvis came into contact with just the right spot.
Jenna was enjoying the wrestling match too, pretending to squirm underneath Kris acting like she was trying to escape. She took advantage of both their positions to derive some pleasure for herself.
Kris leaned further into Jenna using more of her weight to pin Jenna’s muscular body beneath hers. She felt Jenna’s body against hers breathing in rhythm to each other, hard and fast. She had a flashback to being pinned beneath Jenna on the couch last year. All those same feelings came back again. It was time to give Jenna a dose of her own medicine. She made eye contact with Jenna and lowered her body even more until her lips almost touched Jenna’s. She shifted to the side grazing her lips against Jenna’s ear setting off tiny electrical explosions all over her body, running up and down her spine.
“What does the riddle mean?” Kris whispered. She turned back towards Jenna’s lips.
Jenna wiggled around some more raising her head until her lips touched the side of Kris's neck. “I’m...not...telling.” She lowered her head back down to the mattress and smiled up at Kris.
Kris used her right hand and forearm to keep both of Jenna’s wrists pinned to the mattress above Jenna’s head. She slid her left hand down between her body and Jenna’s until she felt the soft skin of Jenna’s exposed tummy. Stopping there took all the willpower she had. She ran her nails across Jenna’s stomach making her wiggle around more.
Kris whispered in Jenna’s ear again. “I have a proposal for you. If I let you go, you have to promise to not tickle me anymore, and I promise I’ll not peek inside your naughty box.” She grazed her nails across Jenna’s stomach again.
Jenna wrestled her hands free from her grasp and sat up forcing her up also. She was still straddling her, but now they were face to face with her on her knees. She could feel Jenna’s hot breath against her face. They were so close their noses touched, and Jenna had both of her hands pinned down to the mattress.
“I promise not to tickle you anymore tonight,” Jenna said.
Allie peeked her head around the doorway not knowing what to expect. She clapped her hands like a scolding school teacher. Startled, they both jumped causing them to bump their foreheads together.
“Do I need to separate you two, or can the both of you act like civilized ladies?” Allie asked.
Kris held her hand up to her forehead and rubbed it.
Jenna pointed at Kris, “She started it.”
Allie pointed at her watch while Kris’s back was turned. Jenna gave her a nod and fell back down on the mattress. She watched Kris button the rest of her shirt while still straddling her. She waited as Kris crawled her way to the edge of the bed and stood up. She rolled to the edge and stood up beside her.
“Thanks, guys, for helping me today. It really meant a lot.” She called them in for a group hug.
Jenna walked Allie and Kris to the door. She gave Allie a hug first and then turned to hug Kris. “I’ll see you tonight for dinner. Go home and get cleaned up. You’re a filthy hot mess.” She winked and closed the door.
She collapsed against the door. This was it. The next time she and Kris met again, she was going to confess her feelings to her. Her heart pounded fast and it felt like all the blood rushed from her body as panic and her nerves took over. Their relationship would never be the same again. Kris was her best friend, the one she could count on for anything. She didn’t want to mess that up if things didn’t work out.
She pulled herself together and made herself busy going through some of the boxes. Before she knew it, it was time for her to jump in the shower and get ready for her first date with Kris.
Kris went home and tried to take a nap, but she couldn’t fall asleep. Her mind kept thinking about Jenna and how bizarre she had been acting all day. Her house felt so empty now. It felt strange without Jenna there. She was sad knowing Jenna wouldn’t be there anymore. No more breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with her.
Her lease was up soon. Maybe it was time for her and Jax to move on to a smaller house. She needed a new place that wasn’t full of memories of Jenna, one that didn’t seem as big and empty as this one felt now. She wanted to call Allie, but she knew Allie was busy tonight. Allie told her that she and Danni had something special planned. All her friends had someone special in their life now. The only one single was Jenna, but even she mentioned being interested in someone. After staring at the clock for what seemed like an eternity, she started getting ready for dinner.
Chapter Eighteen
Jenna shook with anxiety and anticipation. She checked in at the hospital, and so far the few patients she had on her service were doing well. She grabbed her jacket and began the walk to Kris's house. The searing hot day had been replaced by a cool late spring night. She walked slow trying to calm her nerves down. Her palms were sweaty and her mouth was dry. She didn’t know why she was so nervous. She knew how Kris felt about her. Maybe it was the fact it had been so long since she had dated, and no one had ever made her feel the way Kris did. Kris was special.
Kris spotted Jenna a block away walking down the sidewalk wearing dark blue jeans that Kris knew well. They were tight-fitting and showed off her slim figure. She had on a pure white button-up shirt that made her glow like an angel. The first top few buttons were undone. She loved that about her, how simple she was. She wasn’t flashy and never flaunted anything. She opened the door before Jenna had made it up to the porch. For the past thirty minutes she waited by the window. She couldn’t believe how much she already missed her, and it had only been a few hours since she left her house.
Jenna was surprised to find Kris waiting with the door open. Kris looked beautiful as always wearing a flattering pair of jeans. She didn’t understand why Kris didn’t appreciate her own body, pointing out what she thought were flaws. Kris was perfect to her. Kris was wearing a pale blue blouse.
She smiled up at Kris as she came up the steps. “Do you miss me that much already?”
Kris took a step to the side as Jenna brushed past her while she held the door. The scent of her perfume lingered in the air behind her. “Jax has been sulking around here all day. He misses you.”
Jenna bent down and gave Jax a kiss on the top of his head and scratched his back. She stood up and walked towards Kris still standing in the doorway. This time she sounded more serious when she asked again. “What about you? Did you miss me?” She leaned in towards her reaching up and to the side of her.
Kris took a step back and bumped into the wall behind her. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m so happy for you, but at the same time I’m sad. Yes, I miss you.” She forced a smile. “I haven’t rented your room out yet. You can move back if you want to.”
Jenna had been reaching for Kris's jacket hanging on the coat rack beside the door. “You might want to bring this.” She handed it to Kris. “It’s a little cooler than usual tonight.”
“What about you?”
Jenna held up her jacket. “I’m fine, thanks. I have mine too.”
Kris poked her beneath the ribs. “No silly, have you missed me?”
“Of course I have. You’re my best friend.”
Kris lowered her eyes to the floor. Just what I need, another friend.
Jenna reached into her jacket pocket, pulled out a small box, and handed it to Kris. “It’s not a big deal, just something I wanted you to have.”
Kris took the box and ran her fingers over the soft black velvet. Jenna had been full of surprises all day. She laid her jacket down on the back
of the couch and opened the box. It was a shiny brand new key.
“My home is your home. Whenever you feel lonely or want to talk or share a good laugh or a meal, just come on over.”
“Thanks.” She took the key out of the box and placed it on her keyring.
“Do you want your key back?”
“No, don’t be silly. I want you to feel free to come and go whenever you want. Feel free to surprise me with dinner or breakfast anytime.” She reached up and gave Jenna a hug. It still felt like she was losing her.
Jenna picked up Kris's jacket and handed it back to her. “Ready for dinner?” She led Kris out the door and turned to lock up using her key.
They walked down the block like they had so many times over the past few months. This time it felt awkward for Jenna because she knew they were walking towards a new future together, a future that she could’ve never imagined just a year ago. It was all new and exciting as well as a little scary at the same time.
Kris looked around. “Where are we going? We’re walking away from downtown where all the restaurants are.”
“I thought we would go for a little walk before dinner and work up an appetite.” They walked past the house Jenna rented when she first arrived in town. “This is where it all started for me.”
Kris looked up at the house. “Yes, I remember meeting you here and showing you around town before asking you if you wanted to move in with me.” She wished she could do the same now.
“That’s right. We met here first and then we walked to the same coffee shop we went to this morning.” She started walking again. “We’ve come a long way since then, haven’t we?”
Kris thought the way Jenna was talking sounded either like a marriage proposal or a breakup, which was confusing either way since they weren’t dating. “Yes, we have.”
Jenna looked down at her watch. “I’m not sure if I locked up before I left. Do you mind if we stop by the house first?”
“No, of course not.” Kris almost hated the house now. It felt like it had come between the two of them. She wished she had never convinced Jenna to buy it. She knew that was selfish, but she was going to miss having her around.
As they reached the front porch, Jenna started to question whether this was the right time or not. She had waited months, but she felt anxiety over telling Kris how she felt. She jiggled the knob, but it was locked.
“The front door is locked, but I want to check the back before we leave.” She opened the door and stepped to the side motioning Kris to come in.
Kris walked through the door and her jaw dropped. There were candles everywhere and the fireplace was lit. Light music played in the background.
Jenna took her hand and pulled her in further. “Let me take your jacket. We’re eating dinner here.”
Kris still had no idea what was going on. She handed her jacket to Jenna and took another step in further. In front of the fireplace was a rug with two large cardboard boxes and a pizza box on top. Her mind raced.
Jenna placed her hand on Kris's back and nudged her to walk in further. “I wanted to recreate the first night when I moved into your place. Do you remember?” She sat down on the rug and patted the floor for Kris to join her.
Kris’s mind raced back through all the memories they shared, but it was hard trying to concentrate on the past while also trying to figure out why Jenna was acting so strange. The light dancing across Jenna’s face from the flames of the fireplace and candles mesmerized her.
Jenna lifted up her hand to Kris's and gently pulled her down to the floor beside her. “Are you feeling okay?”
Kris nodded her head yes. The memory of sharing pizza with Jenna when she moved into her house was coming back to her now. She hadn’t forgotten, but she had a lot of memories occupying space in her mind. The fact that Jenna was acting so strange tonight didn’t help her relax either.
Jenna stood up. “Stay right there. I’m going to go get some sodas from the fridge.”
Kris was dumbfounded. They were supposed to go to dinner, but instead they were in Jenna’s house surrounded by candles and mood music talking about the past. She took a deep breath in, closed her eyes, and cleared her mind before exhaling out. By the time she had opened her eyes again, Jenna had returned.
Jenna sat back down and placed her hand on Kris's knee. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”
Kris reached for her soda. “Yes, I’m fine. I was just thinking back to that night when you moved in. I don’t remember having candles, but the rest I remember pretty well.” She handed a slice of pizza to Jenna and then took one for herself.
Jenna folded the slice in half and took a bite. She watched Kris starting to relax, now if only she could. “We started off at the pizza restaurant, remember that?”
Kris finished chewing and swallowed. “I remember. Please tell me Stacy isn’t here hiding somewhere, because somebody will get hurt.”
Jenna laughed. “I promise you. She isn’t here.” She shivered and shook her head. “That’s definitely one part of that night I’d like to forget.” She grabbed another slice. “What else do you remember about that night?”
Kris thought for a moment. “Well, we had beer instead of soda.”
Jenna held up her can. “Sorry about that. I still have a few hours on call at the hospital. Cross your fingers. At least I’m off the next two days.” She took a nervous sip from her soda. “What else?”
Kris wiped her fingers on a napkin and grabbed another slice. “I feel like I’m on a game show or something. Do I win a prize if I get it right?”
“Mmm, maybe. Is there something you want?”
Jenna caught Kris off guard and she choked. She grabbed for her soda and managed to recover. She raised her hand to signal she was okay. “I want a lot of things, but we can’t always have what we want.”
Jenna placed her arms behind her on the floor and leaned back. “Well, that depends on what it is. You deserve to have everything you want. So, back to the first question, what else do you remember?”
Kris pushed the half empty box of pizza out of the way and rested her elbow on the makeshift table. “Well, like I said, we had beer. I remember drinking a little too much.” She paused as she traced the top of her soda can with her fingertip. “Laughter. I remember a lot of laughing, so much that my sides hurt.”
Jenna couldn’t contain her nervousness. Her heart pounded and it felt like her skin was on fire. “It’s getting a little warm in here.” She leaned over and turned the fireplace off leaving only the candlelight dancing around them. It was now or never time.
“I remember a lot of laughing and how much I enjoyed being with you,” Jenna said.
Kris looked up from the can she was still playing with to find Jenna looking at her, and she didn’t look away when their eyes met. She watched Jenna rub the palms of her hands against her legs. Jenna was nervous about something.
Jenna gathered up the courage to continue. “I remember lying on the floor with you sitting beside me.” It was hard to hear her own voice over the loud thumping of her heart in her chest. “I remember the laughing stopped, and there was a moment where we were close.” She sat up and crossed her legs Indian style. She rested the palms of her hands on her thighs trying to keep them dry. She looked down at the floor and looked back up to find Kris's intense beautiful questioning eyes still staring at her.
Kris hadn’t spoken a word. She knew the exact moment Jenna was talking about. She had replayed it in her mind several times since that night, and she still wondered what might’ve happened if Allie hadn’t shown up.
Jenna took a deep breath and continued. “In that moment, I felt like you wanted something more from me. I felt like you wanted to kiss me.” She paused again to gauge Kris's reaction.
All the blood rush from Kris’s body. She appreciated the fact the candles helped hide how pale she looked right now. She didn’t know how to respond to what Jenna had just said.
Jenna took another deep breath. “I don’t want yo
u to feel uncomfortable. I just want you to listen. During that same moment, I wanted to kiss you. That night was a turning point for me. After that night, I never thought about you the same way again.”
Kris felt woozy and had to brace herself. She opened her mouth to speak, but Jenna shook her head for her to just listen.
Jenna stretched her legs out. “These past few months have been hard on me. I wanted to tell you how I felt, but I had no idea how long I would be here. Then, things got a little complicated in Boston, but I don’t want to talk about that.” Her heartbeat began to slow down. She had already gotten it out in the open and Kris was still listening, which was a good sign. “This morning, we went for coffee at the same cafe you took me to when we first met. At lunch, you sat on the kitchen counter just like that time I scared you after running. I wanted to kiss you then too. I had hoped this dinner would recreate that same moment we shared that first night when I moved in with you.”
Jenna was afraid she was babbling too much. “Let me know if I’m making you feel uncomfortable.”
Kris tried to speak. “I had no...I don’t.…”
Jenna shook her head. “You don’t have to say anything. I need to say what I have wanted to tell you for months.” She leaned forward until she was on her hands and knees moving towards Kris.
Kris sat motionless and speechless. What in the hell is happening right now? She was afraid to blink.
Jenna placed her hand on Kris's right ankle. “I want to be the one to take care of you like when you twisted your ankle.” She placed her right knee between Kris's calves. “I want to be the one you lean on for support.”
Kris couldn’t believe her eyes. The woman she had been longing for was on her hands and knees crawling towards her like a sexy vixen.
Jenna rested on her knees in front of Kris. She reached out and brushed Kris's hair back. “Do you know how hard it has been for me to know that you’re right here and not be able to touch you? To stare into your beautiful blue eyes and try to look away before you caught me staring?” She let her hand slide down the side of Kris's neck while her thumb caressed Kris's chin.
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