Who Gets the Friends?

by Tim Smith

Hank stood and retrieved his cup. “Sorry, Jessica. Didn’t mean to upset you. See you around.”

  She finished her water. I don’t know what made me go off on him like that. Actually, I do. I want to give Tom another chance. Maybe it’s time to call in some help.

  She took out her cell phone and punched in a number. “Hello, Peggy? It’s Jessica. I need a favor.”

  * * * *

  The Sunday after Thanksgiving found Tom home alone, contemplating the upcoming holiday season. He had survived the big dinner with his family, deftly deflecting the well-intentioned homilies and sage advice from brothers, sisters and in-laws who clearly didn’t have a clue what he was going through. Black Friday came and went without so much as a thought of visiting a retail establishment. Tom used the time instead to ponder recent events.

  Much of that pondering revolved around Jessica Mays. Tom hadn’t called her since their disastrous first date. He had wanted to, but came up short on things to say. How would I start a conversation—Hi, Jessica, it’s Tom. You know, the guy you renamed Brad?

  He had maintained contact with Rashida after their hot motel romp, but hadn’t asked her out yet. He smiled at the recollection of their encounter. I’ve been with passionate women before, but she took it to a whole new level. I wonder what it would be like to make love to Jessica? Looks like I’ll have to keep wondering.

  He answered the phone.

  “Hey, it’s Doug. Catch you at a bad time?”

  “No, I’m good. What’s up?”

  “I wanted to extend an invitation to go to dinner at The Oakwood Club tonight with me and Peg.”

  “I don’t know, Doug. Three’s a crowd.”

  “Come on, you need to get out of the dumps.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because you’ve been in a blue funk all week. What better place to cure that than a restaurant that overcharges for the best steaks in town?”

  Tom chuckled. “Helluva sales pitch. What time?”

  “Six. We’ll meet you in the bar.”

  “Okay.”

  He hung up, then retrieved his cup of coffee. Man, I must be pathetic if my best friend and his girlfriend are inviting me to dinner.

  Tom picked up the Sunday paper and idly scanned it, not really absorbing anything. When things started going badly between me and my ex I couldn’t wait to get back out on my own. Now that I’m here it’s like I can’t stand the loneliness. How did I cope with it before I got married? It’s been so long I can’t remember.

  He tossed the paper aside, then drank some coffee. Time to take stock of things. I’m meeting some new people and trying to make the best of my situation, but maybe I thought it would go faster and easier. Jessica seemed like a good match but did I fall into a rebound situation with her? I know that’s what happens when you get out of a bad relationship, and it’s so easy to be attracted to the first woman who shows interest. Perhaps Rashida was right—close relationships do tend to screw up your life, not to mention friendships. Still…

  Tom occupied a stool in The Oakwood Club a little before 6:00, nursing a scotch and soda. He looked around at the elegant muted décor, plush red leather seats and fine china on linen tablecloths. The wait-staff hustled from table to table, serving aroma-enticing entrees. He glanced at his watch again and was surprised when he felt an arm on his shoulder. He looked around at Doug’s smiling face.

  “There he is,” Doug began. “Glad you made it.”

  Tom leaned over and gave Peggy a quick hug. “Hi, Peg. What’s the occasion?”

  “No occasion,” she answered. “We just felt like a night out and wanted to share it with you.”

  He raised his glass. “I’m honored.”

  Doug and Peggy took seats, then ordered drinks.

  “What’ve you been doing this weekend?” Doug asked.

  Tom took a sip. “Not much. I found some of my old prints when I was digging through a box in my closet. I matted and framed them. They look pretty good on the walls.”

  “Good,” Doug commented. “Really getting the place in shape, eh?”

  “Trying to.”

  “Tom, are you going to have a Christmas party to unveil your new home?” Peggy asked.

  He stared at her. “It never occurred to me.”

  She rested her hand on his arm. “Not to worry—you’re always welcome at our house, and I expect you to be there New Year’s Eve.”

  The hostess approached Doug, telling him that their table was ready. They started toward the main dining room when Doug suddenly stopped.

  “Uh—could we get a booth over here in the bar?” he stammered.

  Tom looked at him. “Why do you want to sit over here? A table is better for three people.”

  Doug placed his arm on Tom’s shoulder and turned him back toward the bar. “You don’t want to sit over there.”

  “Why not?”

  Doug nervously glanced past Tom’s shoulder. “Just trust me, you don’t.”

  Tom wrenched free of his grip. “What the hell is wrong with you tonight?” He turned his head and looked at the far end of the room where a large group was seated. His eyes narrowed when he spied his ex-wife in the group, laughing along with the others and sipping wine. “You’re right—I don’t.”

  “Sorry,” Doug apologized. “I had no idea…”

  Tom waved him off. “Don’t worry about it.” He looked at him. “But thanks. I appreciate it.”

  They squeezed into one of the booths and scanned the menus. Tom took a few breaths to get his pulse under control. I always knew we’d run into each other sometime, but I wasn’t ready for it. I’m sure she didn’t see me and I’ll just do some planned ignoring. Try to have a nice time and forget about it.

  He was absorbed in reading the menu when he heard Peggy speaking.

  “Well, this is a surprise.”

  Tom looked up and saw Jessica standing next to the table. He stood out of reflex.

  “Hi, Jessica.”

  She smiled tentatively. “Hi, Tom. Are we still speaking?”

  He peered into her soft eyes. “Of course. Won’t you sit down?”

  Jessica slid into the booth and Tom sat next to her. He looked at Peggy and Doug. “A surprise, huh?”

  Doug looked sheepish. “We thought you two needed another chance.”

  Tom looked at Jessica. “What do you think? Do we deserve a second chance?”

  “The question is, do I deserve one?”

  His face broke into a smile. “For what?” He placed his arm around her shoulder, leaned in close, then spoke in a low voice. “Do you suppose we could start over?”

  Her smile broadened. “I’d like that.”

  “So would I.” He addressed Doug and Peggy. “Would you excuse us?”

  He escorted Jessica through the rear-canopied entrance to the parking lot, then pulled her into a dark spot. He wrapped his arms around her, then kissed her deeply, inhaling her scent. Jessica rubbed the back of his neck and got more into their passionate embrace.

  Tom pulled away and peered into her eyes while caressing her cheek. “Jessica, I don’t want to take the place of someone you were in love with, and I’m not looking for a replacement, either. I’m starting over and I know I’ll make mistakes, but I’d really like to take the journey with you and see where it leads us.”

  She gave a shy smile and brushed his cheek. “Thank you. I’m truly sorry for what I said that night, but I’ve had a lot of time to think about it.” She paused. “I’m ready to move on, too.”

  He kissed her. “Then let’s go back inside and get started.”

  He wrapped his arm around her waist and walked her inside. When they reached the door, Tom stopped in surprise. His ex-wife was leaving the restaurant with a tall distinguished-looking man with sandy brown hair. He regained his composure and forced a cordial smile.

  “Hello, Judi. Nice to see you.”

  She gave him a smug look. “Same here. Tom, I’d like you to meet Stan. He’s a doctor.”
r />   Tom shook hands, then looked at Jessica. “And I’d like you to meet Jessica. She’s my new friend.”

  Chapter Eight

  Tom looked around his apartment, assuring himself that everything was tidy and presentable. This is the first time I’ve had anyone over besides Doug. Hope it looks okay.

  He answered the knocking at the door and smiled when he saw Jessica. He let her in, then gave her a hug.

  She shrugged off her coat while scanning the living room. “Very nice. I see you have all the creature comforts.”

  “Thanks. It’s taking shape.”

  Jessica looked at the framed photographs adorning the walls. “These are yours, I take it?”

  “Yeah, they are.”

  She slowly nodded while looking at each detail. “You have a real knack for capturing the mood.” She pointed to one picture, taken in the mountains. “I recognize this place. Cade’s Cove, down in the Smokeys, right?”

  “Good eye. I took that one a few years ago.”

  She gestured at another one. “Sausalito, San Francisco.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, so you’ve been around. I’m impressed. Would you like a glass of wine?”

  “Love it.”

  Tom returned from the kitchen with two glasses, then handed her one. They toasted each other, then took sips.

  “I like this,” Jessica commented. “Niagara?”

  “Yeah, from one of the Lake Erie wineries.”

  She curled up on the couch and Tom sat next to her.

  “I like your Christmas tree,” she said while looking at the four-foot decorated tree on an end table. “Do the decorations mean anything?”

  “Some do. I’ve had a few of them for years. Strictly sentimental value.”

  “I think that’s nice. It’s like you’re keeping family tradition alive.”

  “Do you do that with your tree?”

  “Yeah. I like to add ornaments that mean something, whether it was a family heirloom or something I picked up on a trip.” She sipped her wine, then set her glass on the coffee table. “I seem to recall someone telling me they were going to show me their portfolio when I came over.”

  “Who told you that?”

  She laughed. “You did, silly. Coming back to you now?”

  Tom answered by retrieving a thick photo album from the table and resting it in her lap. Jessica eagerly flipped through the pages, but stopped at one showing two young children playing on a Jungle Jim, all smiles.

  “Who are they?”

  “My niece and nephew. They were having so much fun I couldn’t resist capturing the moment.”

  She flipped to another series of shots featuring a bulldog puppy. “Aw, he’s adorable. Yours?”

  “Family pet named Brutus. Puppies make the best photo subjects because they love to explore everything. All you have to do is follow them around.”

  Jessica chuckled and continued looking. She stopped and her eyebrows arched when she reached a section that contained photos of women in swimsuits, in a variety of beach poses. “These are your model shots?”

  “Yeah. All of them trying for the next Sports Illustrated cover.”

  “Did any of them make it?”

  “If they did, word hasn’t gotten back here yet.”

  She closed the album, then handed it to him. “Very nice. I’m glad you’re getting back into photography. It’s clearly something you like.”

  “Thank you.” He leaned in, then planted a lingering kiss on her lips. “I’m glad you came over tonight.”

  “Me, too.” She rested her arm around his shoulder. “I’d like to make something up to you.”

  “What?”

  Her eyes took on a murky glow accompanied by a sly smile. “What we started the other night.”

  Tom laughed uneasily. “Look, Jessica, you don’t need to do that because you think you owe me something or that you have to apologize. I told you I understood.”

  She traced her fingers along his jaw and peered into his eyes. “Who said it was just for your benefit? Maybe I want to.” She kissed him. “In fact, I had a really crazy idea.”

  Tom’s pulse quickened. “Such as?”

  “Such as something you offered once.”

  His mind quickly recalled all of their previous conversations. What did I offer her? “You’ve got me.”

  Jessica sat up, then pulled her sweater over her head, revealing the top of a red lace teddy with a white bow on the bosom. Tom’s eyes took in her firm cleavage encased in red lace.

  “Didn’t someone offer to do some model shots of me?” she asked. “With or without clothes?”

  Tom’s heart picked up a few beats. “Do you really want to?”

  She answered by standing, then peeling off her jeans, revealing the rest of the teddy. He noted the red thong underneath, giving a teasing glimpse of her pubic hair.

  “What do you think?” she asked. “Am I model-worthy?”

  His eyes lustily scanned her from head to toe, then back up again. “Definitely.”

  He got his digital camera from the other room, then positioned her next to the tree.

  “Let’s start with something really corny. Rest your hand on one of the branches, then give me that mega-watt smile.”

  Jessica struck a natural pose and smiled for him. “You’re right, this is corny.” She curled up under the tree, pinning her legs under her and flashing a coy smile. “Is this better?”

  Tom snapped a couple of shots. “Much.”

  His heart beat faster when she pulled the teddy down over her breasts.

  “How about this?”

  Tom pressed the shutter, then zoomed in for a close-up of her chest. She placed her hands on her firm breasts to push them up, then played with her nipples while teasingly running her tongue over her lips.

  “You’re getting the idea,” he said.

  She walked to him on her knees, then tugged on his belt. “This isn’t fair. If I’m going to model in my lingerie, so are you.”

  Tom looked down as she unfastened his jeans, then pulled them over his thighs. Is she serious? Her hand lingered on the bulge forming in his shorts. She’s serious.

  He took her hand and led her to the bedroom. Jessica pulled the teddy over her head, leaving her only in the matching thong. She reclined on the bed. Tom quickly stripped off his clothes, then focused the camera on her.

  “Okay, let’s go for provocative. Show me your butt.”

  Jessica got into the action by lying on her stomach and perching her firm ass in the air. Tom took several shots, zooming in to capture the thong bisecting her round cheeks.

  “Like what you see?” she asked.

  He pressed the shutter a few times. “Oh, yeah.”

  “Then look at this.” She got to her knees to face him, hooked her thumbs in the elastic, then pulled the thong down part way, giving just a teasing hint of trimmed red pubic hair. Tom took several shots before she pulled it down the rest of the way, showing the full package. He felt his cock jerking to life between his legs.

  Jessica gave a lusty chuckle. “You definitely like what you see.” She peeled off the thong, then leaned forward on her knees, shoving her ass into the air.

  Tom took shots from different angles. His pulse picked up speed when Jessica slid her hand in between her legs and began running her middle finger along her wet slit, teasing it before slipping it inside. Wow, she’s really getting into this.

  After a few moments of playing with herself she sat upright and looked at his hard-on. She giggled, then held out her hand. “My turn.”

  “Your turn for what?”

  She crawled over to him. “My turn to take your picture. Surely you’ve posed before, haven’t you?”

  “Not for a long time.” He handed her the camera, then reclined on the bed, resting against the headboard with his hands behind his head.

  Jessica took a series of shots of him from different angles, then zoomed in on his cock, standing at attention between his legs.

 
; “Mmm, I like that.”

  She set the camera on the bed, then straddled his midsection, placing her palms on his chest. “I really got turned on posing for you.”

  “So did I.”

  She gave a wicked chuckle. “I could tell.” She lay across his torso, then kissed him hungrily.

  Tom ran his fingers through her hair, then down her back to her ass, fondling it. Jessica ground her pelvis against him while kissing him more intensely. After a few minutes she sat up, retrieved the camera, then handed it to him.

  “Why don’t you shoot me sucking your cock?”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Seriously?”

  She answered by grabbing his hard-on and tickling the tip with her tongue. Tom focused on her and took pictures of her loving his cock, running her tongue up and down the length of his shaft before taking him into her hot, wet mouth. When he was imbedded part way, she looked directly into the lens and winked.

  He set the camera aside and closed his eyes, losing himself in the feeling of what she was doing to him. He opened his eyes when he felt Jessica’s thighs resting on either side of his head. She lay across him, nestling her pussy on his mouth while continuing to suck him. Tom parted her lips with his fingers and began eating her, devouring her wetness with his tongue and mouth, sliding his tongue in and out of her. Jessica stroked him a little harder and sucked him with more energy while moaning softly. Tom sucked her clit between his lips and massaged it with his tongue. Her clit was hard. Jessica’s moan of pleasure was muffled by his cock in her mouth as she came, rewarding him with her cum.

  Jessica dismounted, lay on the bed beside him, then pulled Tom on top of her. She panted when she pulled her legs up toward her torso, opening wide for him. Tom quickly unrolled a condom onto his cock, then pressed into her with one long hard push that made her gasp. He propped himself up on his hands above her and made love to her in a steady, unrushed rhythm.

  “Damn, Tom, you’re good.”

  “So are you. You’re so tight.”

  He looked down at his hard cock moving in and out of her. Her lips engulfed his head and she tightened around him. Tom closed his eyes and enjoyed their closeness. Jessica’s intimate scent wafted to his nose, increasing his arousal as she moved against him, urging him on. He thrust his hips harder and faster when he felt his climax brewing, and groaned as he swelled inside her.