"Goodnight Teresa."
As she lays down to sleep, the sentence comes back to her. Goodnight.. Teresa? It's probably nothing, she thinks, nothing more than it seems, but it feels strange. He is Jane, she is Lisbon - anything else is never really said.
The date with Pike went well, too well.. How can a date go too well? Perhaps because she did not think of Jane for one moment? But why should she when she is on a date with an interesting man? And Jane.. Jane is fine, Jane is solitary. He likes his peace and quiet, he likes his mysteries and somewhat glib charm. Because she's not naive enough to believe he is sincere in his charming ways. And yet, she now feels guilt, this strange nagging sensation in her gut, but she can't quite figure out why.
Jane, after all, is only a colleague - a friend too, yes, but no more. It makes sense for them to be close - comrades in adversity - but it was never more than friendship and deep emotional bonds formed by mutual hate of a man. He said she was beautiful tonight, but isn't that what he does? Comments on things, to destabilise.. to prove a point? That he notices, that he can care? What does it all mean, really? Is it flattery? Does he need her to do something for him, and is simply working up to the moment?
It felt like he was checking something.. Testing waters? There seems to be no hint of jealousy where Pike is concerned, and Jane.. Jane doesn't love her anyway. She would know. It's a platonic love, it's all there is. And if she thinks about it, she's sure she loves him - but as a friend, not more. They have so much history together. Oh, Jane had his tender moments, when he needed something out of it.. That night at the beach.. It was a surprise indeed - that wasn't a lie. But the hug and the words.. What to believe? And even if it was sincere, that's no proof of love and attraction..
Pike is great, Pike is fun and friendly.. They had a wonderful dinner, at a wonderful restaurant.. Cloth napkins and all..
She turns over, fluffs up the pillow. She really should get some sleep, but Jane won't leave her mind.
Jane on the couch, with his book.. She could've sworn he looked sad, lonely.. No, she's over thinking it. Jane always looks a little distant.
She glances toward the shelf, where a small blue box catches her eye.
"You being absent from my life makes this new chapter strange and sad."
On his brown couch, Jane lays, awake, pensive, thoughts turning back to that night at the beach.