Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart."
Chapter 2- Friendship vs. Romance
"WOW, I can't believe that you were here the whole time," Jack stated.
"Here the whole time…what do you mean?" she asked.
Suddenly feeling slightly stalker-ish, he nervously replied, "Oh nothing; it's just odd that we would meet several hours away, and yet we both live in the same city. That's all I meant."
As they chatted by her vehicle, neither one wanted to leave, nor did they want to seem too overzealous.
"Are you a student here?" Jack asked, knowing that she had received her Master's recently, he wondered if she was continuing her education.
"I just earned my Master's Degree," she replied.
"I think your friend, Katie, may have mentioned that," he responded, knowing full well that she had.
"I'm a first grade teacher at Cary Elementary School, but I teach an introduction to Elementary Education course here," she explained.
"Hey, you ready to hit the road?" Rosie pulled up beside them, rolled down her window and spoke before identifying the man standing beside Elizabeth.
"We don't need to go, Rosie," Elizabeth replied as she glanced over in Jack's direction.
"I'm sorry; I don't mean to hold you up. Where are you girls heading out to?" Jack asked.
"The Mall; there is a shoe sale at The Street Walker today only," Rosie stated quickly.
Jack's phone chimed signifying a text…
"Your class over yet? I want to get on the road…"
Jack didn't want to be rude and respond in front of them. "Hey, would you girls like to go to lunch? I was supposed to meet Lee at the Chinese buffet.
Elizabeth glanced back at Rosie; "I'm free if you are Rosie."
"I don't have any pressing plans. Lunch sounds great," Rosie stated as she couldn't believe their good fortune.
"Are you talking about the Ten-Ten Buffet on Western Blvd.?" Rosie asked.
"Yes, is that okay?" Jack replied to which both women quickly responded in the affirmative.
"We'll meet you there," Elizabeth stated as she nonchalantly shuffled her overnight bag back into her Jeep Cherokee.
As Elizabeth slipped into Rosie's car, Jack quickly texted Lee…
"No need to go. They r here. Come behind the Education Building and pick me up. We r having lunch w/ them…"
"R u kidding me…? I won't forgive u if u r…"
"I'm serious. Both of them live here. Hurry up they r waiting on us 4 lunch…"
"I'll b there n 10…"
"Make it 5…"
Jack stood by his truck and was prepared to answer all of Lee's questions once he arrived.
Elizabeth and Rosie drove off, silent, saying nothing until they were about a block away…
"Are you kidding me? They have been here the whole time? WOW, what luck," Rosie squealed, her tone seemed to be at least two octaves higher than normal.
"Rosie, don't go overboard. I know you like Lee, and Jack seems really nice too, but we need to take things slowly. You know, take some time to get to know them," Elizabeth suggested.
"Oh Elizabeth, you are always so cautious. Let go and live a little girl. We may only have these experiences once, so enjoy them," Rosie began her sermon.
"I don't want to hear that, Rosie. I know what I'm looking for in a companion…"
"Companion? Are we talking about dogs?" Rosie laughed.
"You know what I mean," Elizabeth remarked as they pulled into the parking lot.
"Elizabeth, I just don't want you be so careful that you turn your back on something that could be wonderful…okay?" Rosie responded.
"I understand, and I'm interested enough in Jack to see if it will go anywhere. But we can't force things. Just have fun, but be careful, okay?" Elizabeth remarked.
Jack and Lee decided to drive separately and pulled up beside Rosie's car, stepped out and approached the women. It was easy to see how the pairing was being handled, as they walked to their table, Jack pulled out Elizabeth's chair and sat beside her, and Lee did the same.
The group talked and laughed, maintaining a hold on the prime table by the beautiful 150 gallon salt water fish tank. Elizabeth found herself mesmerized by the many varieties of fish contained in the tank, as well as Jack's knowledge regarding them.
Several hours later, they emerged from the restaurant and headed toward the parking lot.
"Thank you for lunch Jack; I really enjoyed it…" Elizabeth stated as Rosie blurted out her own words of appreciation for the meal.
Lee walked with Rosie around to the driver side of her vehicle while Jack stood on the passenger side with Elizabeth and finished their conversation. Jack asked for her number and she took his phone from his hand and casually entered her information into his contact list.
Elizabeth paid no attention to Rosie and Lee as Jack opened the door for her and she slipped inside. Once Rosie entered the car, she started the engine; they waved goodbye and left Jack and Lee standing at Jack's truck watching them pull away.
"So when are you taking her out?" Lee asked.
"I didn't ask her out yet," Jack replied.
"Man, what is wrong with you?" Lee stated as he shook his head and unlocked the door to his car. "Jack, if you want something, you need to go after it."
"Leave me alone. I don't want to scare her off. I'll call her and ask her out," Jack remarked.
"When…?" Lee fired back.
"When what?" Jack asked.
"When are you going to call her and ask her out?" Lee prodded him further.
"Later…I'll call her later today," Jack replied.
Rosie and Elizabeth headed back to NC State, "Okay, he asked you out…when?" Rosie asked.
"He didn't ask me out, Rosie. He has my number, but he didn't ask me out. Why, did Lee ask you out?" Elizabeth asked.
Rosie hesitantly answered, "Yes, but I'm sure Jack is going to call you."
"I like him, Rosie, but I can't force him to like me back," Elizabeth remarked.
"Now you sound like one of your students picking friends on the playground. Maybe Jack just wants to do things right, like, you know, calling you on the phone and asking you out," Rosie theorized.
"It doesn't matter. There are a lot of fish in the sea, so I'm not going to get myself upset if it doesn't work out with Jack," Elizabeth mentioned as her eyes drifted out the window, and Rosie could tell that she was disappointed by the tone in her voice.
Elizabeth turned back to face Rosie, "When are you going out?"
"Tomorrow night. There's a new movie premiere at the Cary Cinema, and we're going to dinner," she stated, unable to hide her excitement.
"I'm happy for you, Rosie. Lee seems like a nice guy. But please, just take things slow," Elizabeth stated, hoping that Rosie wouldn't do like she had done in the past and impulsively fall head over heels in love.
"I've learned my lesson; I'll take things slow. Are you happy now?" Rosie asked.
Elizabeth was happy, but she would have been happier if Jack had taken the step and asked her out too.
Since Jack wasn't going out of town, he decided to run by the precinct and work on several reports that he'd left unfinished. He found himself sitting at his desk, staring at her contact information on his phone and wondering why he was having difficulty asking her out.
It actually made no sense as he found her quite interesting to talk to, and although he would not expect her to hop into bed with him, asking her out to dinner should be easy. However, for some reason, she was different from many of the other women he'd dated. Although he was always a gentleman, and treated his dates with the upmost respect, something about Elizabeth made him worry about what she thought of him.
"Hey Jack," a familiar voice drew Jack out of his self imposed trance.
Jack looked up, "Hey Bobby, what are you doing here?"
"I heard about your promotion, and Scarlet and I wanted to take you out to dinner," Bobby, Jack's oldest childhood friend offered. "Oh, sorry, bring your girlfriend…isn't her name Darcy?"
"WOW, we haven't seen each other in a lifetime. Darcy and I broke up last year," Jack shook his head and laughed.
"Okay, so who is your new lady?" Bobby asked.
"Well, I just met a girl named Elizabeth…"
"You just met? How well do you know her?" Bobby interjected.
"Well, like I said, we just met," Jack replied.
"Well, I'm going to tell you what Scarlet told me...she said that the best thing I did was to get to know her as a friend first before we started dating," Bobby responded.
Jack opened his mouth to speak but Bobby cut him off, "Jack, remember with Darcy, you met at a party and started dating almost immediately. So, why did you guys break up?"
"We just wanted different things in life," Jack admitted.
"Yep, my point exactly. If you had gotten to know her before as a friend, you could have saved yourself some heartache," Bobby stated as he pulled his wallet from his pocket to show Jack the newest pictures of his growing family.
Jack smiled at the family picture of Bobby, Scarlet, four years old Nathan, and eighteen month old Madeline.
"I'm telling you Jack, Scarlet and I have a wonderful relationship, but you remember we hung out as friends for a long time before she went out on an actual date with me," Bobby remarked.
Bobby left Jack's office with each one contemplating the best night to go out and celebrate his promotion. Bobby told Jack to stay in touch and that they would work out a night when Scarlet returned from visiting her family and babysitting arrangements could be made.
Jack sat back down at his desk and resumed staring at Elizabeth's contact information.
"Was Bobby right? Did he rush into a relationship with Darcy without being friends first? Would it be best to have contact with Elizabeth within a group of others, becoming her friend first?" Many thoughts ran through his mind, with each one causing him to question himself more.
"Hi Elizabeth…this is Jack," he decided to call her before his courage waned. "Do you like bowling?"
"I haven't been in a while, and I'm not the best, but I enjoy it," she replied.
"A group of us are going this evening and I thought you might like to join us," he stated.
She thought for a moment, "Join them?"
"Elizabeth, are you there?" he asked.
"That sounds like fun. I'd love to go," she stated, although she was still taken aback by the term "Join us."
"Would you like me to come by and pick you up, or would you rather meet us there?" he asked.
Feeling a bit uneasy regarding the direction of his invitation, she chose to meet him at the bowling alley.
She pulled into the bowling alley parking lot and found Jack sitting in his truck. She assumed that possibly he was waiting for her as he got out when she pulled in beside him.
She grabbed her purse, opened her door and stepped from her Jeep.
"Are you ready to go have some fun?" Jack asked.
"I'm ready, but no laughing, because I'm not any good," she replied.
"Friends don't laugh at each other," he replied.
She wasn't certain that she liked the direction this night was headed, but responded, "You're right. Friends should build each other up, not tear them down."
Jack spent the evening with Elizabeth, introducing her to his police officer friends, getting her the proper fitted shoes, helping her with her bowling swing, teaching her how to keep score, and hugging her when she had a personal game high score of 72.
However, Elizabeth also made note of the several references he made when introducing her as his friend. She realized that there was nothing wrong with being his friend, but she already knew that she wanted more.
At the end of the evening, everyone headed for the parking lot and their respective vehicles. Jack walked Elizabeth to her Jeep, but sadly the end of their evening seemed awkward, and nothing like she remembered in Wilmington.
She headed for home. She took Baloo out for an evening run in hopes of blowing off some of her own steam. As she ran, thoughts crossed her mind… "I can't make him like me romantically; some people are simply meant to be friends, and will I be satisfied if that's all we become?"
She and Baloo returned to her apartment; both were exhausted, but for Elizabeth, the run did little to clear her mind or answer her questions.
She changed into her pajamas, pulled back the covers and slipped into bed. She grabbed her journal off of her bedside table and sat momentarily thinking about men in general, and Jack specifically. She opened her leather bound journal and flipped through the ever increasing entries before reaching a blank page, and she began to put her feelings down on paper…
"The foundation of our successes often lies within our failures. Whether they are employment, educational, or our various relationships, our trials will make way for our very best stories. Emotionally we search for someone who brings reason, purpose, joy and contentment to our otherwise vague existence. We pray that the right person enters our life, one who wants to stand firm, side by side, weathering those violent storms that pass, as we confront each challenge together. However, just because we desire or dream of a possible outcome, does not make it happen.
It is true that friendship first is essential in any relationship. We build emotionally as the friendship deepens. However, we must realize that some relationships will stall, never going further than the "glad to hang out with you; you are fun to be with, or you are my best friend" stage.
Relationships, no matter what type, should always be about appreciation and not possession. Much like a flower, once picked, it begins to die. The beauty of the flower is in its fragrance, its bold strength, as it stands alone often amongst that which is undesired. Like the flower, friendships should be allowed to grow, enjoying it as it was intended to be, through appreciation, and not possession or expectation. We should realize that both people must have the desire to move from friendship to romance. Should only one desire the change, they must be willing to stand down, accept the limits presented by the other person, or simply move along."
Elizabeth closed her journal and rested it back on her bedside table. She lay back with her head on her pillow, contemplating what it was about Jack that had tossed her world upside down. Possibly it was his beyond compare manners, or maybe it was the fact that she felt safe with him, or it could even be that he wasn't chasing after her, making him a bit of a challenge. She wasn't certain what it was, but whatever the reason, she was unable to get him out of her mind.
Elizabeth pulled up her contact list on her phone and texted him…
"Jack, I enjoyed this evening. TY 4 introducing me 2 ur friends…"
She watched the screen to see if he responded. She didn't understand why he seemed to back away from her, because she truly felt something special with him during their short time in Wilmington. However, she also understood that "what it is, is what it is," a saying that Rosie used often, and Elizabeth actually hated to hear, but was quickly realizing its truth.
Jack sat on his sofa drinking a beer and watching a tape of the Braves vs. Mets baseball game. He heard the ding on his phone, realizing that a text had come through.
He read her text over and over, wondering if "this friend's thing" was really what women want, and if he would regret his decision to take things extremely slow. He liked her, more than he thought he should, but he also didn't want to appear too overzealous, possibly scaring her away. Maybe Bobby did know what he was talking about.
Rosie checked her cell phone and realized that although she had called Elizabeth three times tonight, she had yet to hear back from her. "Hey, I've been trying to reach you. Why haven't you answered your phone?"
"I'm sorry. I was out bowling with Jack," she replied.
"See, I told you he liked you. When are you going out again?" Rosie asked.
"Put your horse back in the barn; we met at the bowling alley and it was with a bunch of his friends," Elizabeth replied.
"Oh…" Rosie responded, before attempting to change the subject. "Hey, did you see where Macy's is having a sale this weekend?"
"Rosie, what changed between Wilmington and home? I thought he was interested in me, and I don't mean like a buddy," she stated, her voice was full of disappointment.
"I'll be seeing Lee tomorrow, I'll ask him…"
"Don't you dare; I would be mortified if you did," Elizabeth stated, making her promise to keep her mouth shut. "Oh wait, I have a text…"
"I'm glad u had a good time. My friends r the best. Maybe we can hang out w/ ur friends sometime…"
Jack pushed send as his heart pounded. "That's not what I wanted to say," he thought to himself. "I want to tell her that I find her fascinating, intriguing and beautiful. That I want to spend time alone with her to get to know everything about her; to learn what makes her tick, what's important to her, and how I might possibly fit into her life."
Jack's phone dinged again, and he assumed it was from Elizabeth…
"Hey Jack, Scarlet is taking the kids 2 visit her family and will b back in a month. Dinner on that Saturday she returns to celebrate ur promotion…"
"Y is she staying so long? Everything OK…?"
"Her dad is sick, so she wants 2 get the kids there for a visit…"
"Sorry 2 hear that. Dinner when she gets home sounds good…"
"We'll decide where when it gets closer…"
"OK, TTYL…"
Back at Elizabeth's apartment, she read the text to Rosie who had no words of encouragement, "Well, I wouldn't wait for him."
"I'm not going out to find someone just to show him that I'm not waiting on him. Besides, maybe he's decided that being friends is all he wants right now. I can't force something that isn't there," Elizabeth replied.
"Well, if it bothers you, talk to him about it," Rosie suggested.
"I will not ask him why he doesn't find me appealing romantically. That's embarrassing," Elizabeth remarked. "I'll just consider him one of my friends and go on from there. If things change, then I'll deal with it at that time."
"Well, I think you're smart. I don't get him. He certainly seemed so in to you in Wilmington and even at lunch," Rosie stated. "I just can't imagine what happened. Maybe he's had a bad relationship and he's scared to open himself up."
"Maybe I'll find out when we're hanging out…"
"As friends?"
"Yes, as friends."
Elizabeth saw Jack a few times a week for the next month, but always accompanied by hers or his friends. He always gravitated to her, sitting next to her and carrying on safe conversations, but nothing more.
On this particular occasion, Jack had actually picked her up and taken her to dinner with several other couples. Thinking that things were possibly moving forward, she attempted to relax, but found herself analyzing everything he said and did.
At the end of the evening, he drove her home and walked her to her door. He took the key from her hand and opened her door. He leaned in…
"Would tonight be the night that things progress?" she thought as her eyes slowly moved between his eyes and his lips. She felt that she was giving him every indication that she was interested. Her hopes were high and then…
He kissed her cheek, "Thanks for going with me tonight. It's hard when all of your friends have girlfriends, and well, I do appreciate our friendship," he managed to choke out the words, feeling somehow that this friend's first thing was going to majorly backfire on him.
She was disappointed, but somehow hearing him reference her as his friend simply made everything so real and she finally understood. Sad that their relationship was destined to remain in the "Friend's Zone" she realized that life was too short to wait for something that may never materialize.
Scarlet finally returned home and stopped by the precinct to firm up their dinner plans for Saturday night.
"Hey Scarlet, come on in. Welcome home," Jack stated as he offered her a seat in his modestly decorated office.
"Hey, Bobby told me that he had talked with you about going to dinner when I got home. Is tomorrow night okay?" she asked.
"Yea, that would be fine. By the way, how is your dad?" he asked.
"He's better. He had a heart attack 6 weeks ago and it was touch and go for awhile. Thanks for asking," she explained.
"So dinner, where do you want to meet?" he asked.
"It's a celebration for you, so you pick," she replied.
"How about Outback?" he asked.
"Perfect. There is a new art show at the Plaza too that I'd love to see. I know you have to be dating someone, so bring her along," she suggested.
"Well actually, I've been spending some time with a woman, but I've been taking it slow and doing the friend's thing," Jack hesitantly admitted.
"Friend's thing? What are you talking about?" she asked.
"Bobby told me that you told him that being friends first was the best way to approach a relationship with a woman. So, I've kept it friends only," he stated as he nervously tapped his fingers on his desk.
"Are you crazy? Why are you listening to anything Bobby has to say about relationships?" she asked.
"He told me that you said being friends first was the best thing he ever did in your relationship," Jack responded, his expression was now somewhat horrified.
"Of course that was the best thing he ever did because I didn't like him at all when we first met. I had to get to know him and like him as a friend before my feelings grew into something more," she explained.
Scarlet continued, "If you like this woman you need to let her know. She isn't going to wait around forever for you."
After work, Jack headed over to Elizabeth's apartment. He intended to invite her to dinner, alone, so that they could talk.
"Hi Jack, what are you doing here?" she asked as she watched his eyes taking her in completely.
"WOW, you look absolutely beautiful tonight. Would you like to go out to dinner? I need to talk to you," he stated as he stepped inside her apartment and she closed the door behind him.
"Jack, I'd love to but…"
*Knock, knock, knock*
She opened the door and awkwardly smiled, "Hi Alex, come on in, I'm just about ready."
"Alex, this is my friend, Jack…Jack, this is Alex. We teach together at State," she completed the introductions.
Jack looked stunned; hearing her reference him as her friend was his worst thought coming to fruition. He had used the term, but in doing so, he knew he didn't mean it. Hearing the word slip passed her lips was a nightmare, but one he should have seen coming. "She didn't wait for me," he thought.
She looked at Jack and suddenly saw in his eyes what she thought she'd seen during their dinner and dancing in Wilmington, but what seemed to disappear once they reconnected at home.
"Oh, you two have plans. I'm sorry, I'll get out of your way," Jack stated as he rushed to the door.
Elizabeth stood with the door slightly open as Jack walked out into the hallway. "Jack, you aren't in my way. I'm sorry about tonight..."
"It's my fault; enjoy your night," he stated as he turned and headed down the corridor feeling much like his heart had been ripped from his chest.
"Jack," she called out causing him to stop and turn around. "Can we get together tomorrow night and talk?"
"We'll see," he stated as he turned and disappeared down the hallway. He stepped into the elevator and felt badly that his true feelings were that he hoped she had a horrible time.
He drove home, sat on his sofa and attempted to become engrossed in a baseball game. Unfortunately the first thing he observed was the "Kiss Cam" going through the crowd and he immediately shut off the TV.
His mind was reeling, with thought after thought passing through, "I know what he sees in her, but Lord knows what does she see in him? I guess he's considered handsome, if you like that type."
"How could I have been so stupid? Of course she won't wait for me forever," he stated through harsh breaths. Unable to sit still, he grabbed his basketball and headed for the court.
While at dinner, Elizabeth found Alex to be interesting, and engaging, but he wasn't Jack. She sadly also found him to be a bit narcissistic, but played along knowing that this would be the only evening that she would spend with him.
Following dinner they took a stroll in the park. They weren't alone as this appeared to be a popular place for young lovers who walked the paths holding hands. He took her hand as they walked, and she felt uneasy, an awkwardness with him. Having been used to Jack's "friend" demeanor, she also found him to be somewhat forward, almost as if he was expecting some kindness from her in return for taking her to dinner.
Once back at Elizabeth's apartment, Alex took the key from her hand and opened the door. He stepped inside before being invited, which Elizabeth found to be quite bold.
As the door closed, she suddenly felt the evening moving from "first date, getting to know you" to "you owe me" status, as she felt him press her up against the door.
"Rrrrrr," never before was she so thankful to see the teeth of her generally mild mannered black Labrador Retriever.
"Whoa, I didn't know you had a dog," Alex stated as he released her and backed away slightly.
"I usually keep him locked up because he isn't really friendly," she remarked, knowing all the while that Baloo was as sweet as they come.
Baloo moved over close to Elizabeth, separating her from Alex.
"Go put him away, and I'll wait right here," Alex remarked.
"Sorry, I need to take him out, so I guess we should call it a night," Elizabeth stated as she opened the door.
"Are you sure? I was looking forward to spending time with you," he stated as he walked toward her.
"Rrrrrrr," Baloo's lips curled up showing his perfect scissor-bite.
"No, thank you for dinner, but I think you should go," she stated as she pulled Baloo back allowing Alex room to squeeze by.
"I'll call you tomorrow. Maybe we can do this again, without the interruption," he stated as Baloo continued to growl.
"No, there's no need to call tomorrow. If my dog doesn't like you, I can't see us going any farther," she teased, but truthfully meant every word.
"You are kidding, right? You wouldn't let a dog make a decision about us, would you?" he asked, seemingly quite confused.
"Absolutely. Baloo and I have been together for awhile, and he will always come first," she remarked before closing the door.
She felt herself shaking and moved to the sofa where she took a seat with Baloo resting beside her.
She glanced down at her buddy and asked, "I have never seen you raise your lips to anyone or anything. Where did you learn that?" He immediately began licking her face and wagging his tail.
They waited long enough for Alex to leave the property before she attached Baloo's leash and they headed outside for a walk.
Back at Jack's Apartment Complex…
Everyone at the court thought the world of Jack, and hated to see him depressed and preoccupied. They could only assume that a woman was behind his mood, but as they attempted to talk with him, he immediately shut them down. He played in two pickup games, and was absolutely exhausted when he returned home.
He took a shower and slipped into bed, hoping that sleep would not evade him, but it did. He spent most of the night re-living his many meetings with Elizabeth, all the while developing a friendship, but missing out on what he really wanted to pursue, a romantic relationship. "Why did I listen to Bobby?" he asked himself.
Friday night dragged on. Jack could only assume that Elizabeth and Alex had had a wonderful night out, "because who wouldn't have a great time with her" and he figured that most likely more dates would follow.
Saturday morning did not arrive quickly. Jack only slept a few hours, but none of them were restful. He was drinking a cup of coffee when his phone dinged…
"Hey, I'm sorry about last night. Can we talk tonight…?"
"Sorry, I'm having dinner with friends…" he responded. He wanted to see her, but couldn't stand the fact that she had moved on without him.
"Can u put it off until another night? I'd really like to talk 2 u…"
"I can't it's been planned for a month…"
"I'm taking my dog to Jordan Lake this afternoon. Can u meet me there…"
"OK, say about 2…?" he finally gave in.
"Perfect. I'll c u then. TY Jack…"
"Guess where I'm taking you today?" Elizabeth excitedly announced to Baloo. "Yep, we're going to your favorite park."
Jordan Lake…
Jack arrived at the park about fifteen minutes early. He stepped out of his truck and headed for the lake. He sat in the grass and contemplated what he would say to her, and unfortunately what he was afraid she would say to him.
There were very few people located near them so Elizabeth released Baloo to run and swim.
"Hi Jack," Elizabeth stated as she approached his still form lying by the water.
He jumped up, "Oh hi, I didn't hear you pull in."
"I won't keep you long because I know you have plans…"
"I have time," he stated, knowing that if truth be told he would always make time for her.
"I'm sorry about last night," she began.
"It's not your fault," he quickly jumped in.
"Maybe not, but…"
"But what?" he asked.
"Jack, you are a great friend…"
Jack felt his heart pounding so loudly that he could barely hear the words as she spoke them.
"It's not your fault that I feel something for you that you can't return. I want something more, or at least to see where this goes, but since it's just me, I can't make you feel something that you don't. Just like Alex can't expect me to feel something for him that I don't," she stated as she glanced around, making certain that Baloo was still nearby.
"Wait…what?"
"Jack, I do want to be your friend, and if that's all it can ever be then I'll have to be okay with that. Just give me some notice when you start dating other girls," she attempted to make a joke but felt the punch line ripping her heart out.
She felt his hands on her arms, "Elizabeth, are you serious? You mean I didn't mess everything up?"
"What are you talking about? You haven't done anything wrong. It's me, I want more, and it's okay that you don't," she stated as she had a difficult time making eye contact.
"I do…I mean, I don't want to be just friends," he felt a rush come over him, much like a kid on a combination of Christmas and his birthday.
"Then why have you been consistently putting me in the "Friend's Zone" since we came back from Wilmington?" she asked.
"I listened to a friend of mine who told me that women want friendship first; no pushing; no expectations," he explained.
"WOW, who is this friend? You may need to reevaluate who you're hanging out with," she stated with a cleansing breath.
"I was stupid, and I should have just talked with you about it," he replied.
"Well, I have to say that friendship with you is much more enjoyable than the blast I received from Alex last night," she remarked as she turned and walked toward the open field, calling Baloo to return to her.
Jack caught up to her and placed a hand on her arm, turning her around to face him, "Elizabeth, what happened last night? Did he hurt you?"
"No, he didn't hurt me, but it was the typical take you out and expect payment at the end of the evening," she replied as she turned around and clapped her hands together calling Baloo to come to her.
Jack eased up behind her; he wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "What did he do? I'll take care of him."
She turned around to face him, "I don't need you to take care of me, Jack."
"I care about you; I want to keep you safe," he replied.
"Apparently that's what I have my vicious dog for. Thanks to him my evening was cut short," Elizabeth remarked as she explained Baloo's uncharacteristic behavior that had Alex leaving early.
"You're a good boy. Thank you for taking care of your momma for me," Jack squatted down and played with Baloo, who unlike last night, seemed quite happy to have Jack together with Elizabeth.
Jack stood back up and approached Elizabeth, "I have an idea…"
"What's that?" she asked softly as the distance between them lessened.
His hand cradled the side of her face as his thumb gently swept across her cheek. His other hand brushed several strands of wavy auburn hair behind her ear, "Do you have any idea how much I want to kiss you right now?"
"Is that your idea? If so, it's a good one," she smiled as her gaze drifted between his eyes and lips.
"Actually, my idea was that we take care of each other, but right now I can't think of anything else but…" his lips met hers. Her lips were warm and soft as his hands cradled her head. He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss that each one had previously dreamed of, but just assumed would never happen.
Jack took her hand and they walked, taking a seat on a bench by the water. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.
Jack's right hand under her chin turned her head slightly to face him, "I'm glad that we're friends, but I have to tell you that being your friend wouldn't be enough for me."
His lips met hers again and again, with each one building on the passion of the one before.
Jack's heart pounded, "I have to tell you that seeing you go out on a date last night just about killed me."
"I'm sorry Jack…"
"It's not your fault. I wasn't honest with you about how I felt. I didn't ask you what you wanted; I just assumed that all women want a friend first…"
"Jack, I thought we were already friends. I mean maybe we hadn't known each other for a long time, but we had seriously talked on the occasions that we'd been together. We were certainly moving in that direction," she stated as she rested her head on his chest.
She leaned back up and faced him, "As for being friends only, it would not be enough for me either. But being your friend is better than having no relationship at all."
Elizabeth gently bit her bottom lip, "Jack, you are a special man; I knew that soon after we met when you put me in my place."
He pulled her closer to his body as they sat quietly watching the fish cause the rippling effect on the water. Baloo returned to Elizabeth, but chose to sit on the bench beside Jack with his head on Jack's lap.
Jack leaned over and kissed Elizabeth on the top of her head. "Thank you," he whispered.
"For what?" she asked.
"For sticking with me; for pushing me to meet with you today, and for wanting to see where this goes," he stated with deep emotion.
"Well thank you for meeting me today, but I think you have to leave now," she stated.
"Leave, I'm not leaving you now," he stated, surprised that she would even consider it.
"Jack, I can see you tomorrow, but you have plans tonight. You need to go or you'll be late," she reminded him.
"Come with me. Actually you were invited too," he advised.
"I was…why?"
"They told me to bring the woman I was dating, and I immediately thought of you," he replied.
"But we really weren't dating," she reminded him.
"Maybe not in the traditional sense, but I've felt closer to you that I have any other woman in a long time. Besides, Scarlet made me realize what a mistake I was making," Jack stood up and held out his hand.
"Well then, I guess I need to meet Scarlet and thank her," Elizabeth remarked as she took the hand he offered and they walked toward the parking lot.
Baloo was loaded up into her Jeep and Jack followed her home. He waited in her den while she freshened up and changed.
Fifteen minutes later she walked back into the den and he was speechless. Elizabeth checked herself in the mirror assuming that something was horribly wrong with her outfit.
What she saw was a perfectly fitted white A-line dress with tiny embroidered flowers, a thin blue belt, and white sandals. Her hair was swept up on the sides and held by clips as her loose curls cascaded down her back and across her shoulders.
She turned back toward Jack and asked as if she wasn't certain, "Is this okay?"
"You're beautiful; it's actually better than okay," he admitted.
"Are we ready to go?" she asked.
"We don't really have to go. We could just stay right here," he stated as he patted the cushion on the sofa beside him.
"J-A-C-K," she arched her eyebrows and gave him a disapproving look.
"I didn't mean what you think I meant. I just want to spend some time alone with you," he clarified.
"That will come. Tonight we need to celebrate your promotion, and maybe our first night out as a couple?" she suggested as she grabbed her purse from the table.
"Our first night out as a couple? Hmm, now that is something worth celebrating…" he brought her hand to his lips before escorting her out of the apartment.
To be continued…