Jane glanced down at the mobile phone by her limp hand on the couch. As she sipped her favorite cheap wine, she stared at her ceiling.
Nearly seven years passed without fail. Once she wrote that letter, her heart was able to let go of the most unbearable pain almost instantly. She surprised herself.
But emotions were too real for her to endure for very long.
Nearly everyone she knew knew her to be a cynic. Critical of the world, yet menacingly optimistic.
Even in the hardships in her line of work, Jane controlled herself very well.
"Jane, tell me again about this mystery guy you always reference!" a very drunk redhead boisterously demanded.
Jane smiled. "He was tragically pulled away from college in order to fulfill his duties as the next king of Denmark," she started and joined Natasha in a fit of laughter. Jane slapped her hand through the air a few times in order to calm her friend down. "We had a whirlwind harlequin romance, really. I'm sure he'll name his first born daughter after me."
"You change the story every time," Romanoff whined.
Jane restlessly raised her brows, sighing, "That's because the truth is quite sad. Why not romanticize it a bit?"
Natasha chuckled again, punching Jane's arm, "Seriously, I need to know!"
Although Jane's smile endured, her laughter died, "It's repetitive, really. Think back to how you and Bruce got together."
Natasha pushed her drink toward Jane as she pointed a finger at her, "Not fair! It all worked out in the end, anyway."
"You're engaged with my ex-boyfriend!" Jane shouted playfully.
The two women laughed giddily as the alcohol set over their moods. Eventually Jane shoved Natasha, gluing her eyes to the whine glass, "We were together for exactly two years. Our birthday fell on the same day. I thought it would last. I thought I'd be married by now."
"I feel like that's my fault. Technically, I am the other woman where Bruce is concerned."
"He did cheat on me, yeah," Jane admitted.
"Wait," Natasha said as she shook her head, "Who are we talking about?"
"Well, both I suppose. I do have to separate Bruce. He doesn't count, but he does. You know?"
Natasha set her drink on the table beside her. Instantly, Natasha reached for Jane's hands. "Are you know?"
"Of course I am, I just don't like talking about Bill."
Natasha smiled knowingly, "Last time his name was David."
Jane mimicked her smile, "Now that you mention it, I'm positive his name is Xavier."
"So, his name starts with an L?"
That caught the cardiologist off guard. Her body stilled as her head turned slightly, "Why do you say that?"
Natasha just rolled her rolled her eyes, "We've been friends for three years. You've been saying different names, and eventually I started analyzing the names, organizing them in alphabetical order."
"Okay, Ms. Detective," Jane choked, "You win. Yes, his name begins with an L."
The bright redhead winked while raising her brow, "I am pretty good at my job even when inebriated."
"I hate that, honestly."
Romanoff shook her head with a disbelieving smile, "You would absolutely go nuts with idiot friends."
Jane flattened her mouth, showing surrender, "That is true."
Natasha clicked her mouth, "I wish I could have made it to your party. Darcy always gets to pamper you on your birthday."
"I saw him there."
"L?"
Jane nodded.
Natasha instantly scooted closer to her, "How was it? Was he attractive? Was he hideous? Would I have fucked him back when I was a bit more loose?" She scrunched her face, "Ooh, did he have wrinkles? I don't know if I could commit to wrinkles."
Jane giggled like a little school girl, "Need I remind you that once dated that guy from the gym?"
"I hate that Bruce told you that," she pouted.
The cardiologist clapped a bit, "He was, what...56?"
Natasha scoffed, "Ew, I would never date or screw anyone who is 56!" After a while, she smirked, "He was 54."
Jane bit her lip. "I love that we are like this. I'm not going to even pretend I ever loved Bruce. I didn't. I tried to move on, but dating him was no way to do that."
"I typically hate other women. We're caddy creatures," Romanoff added darkly.
Again, Jane laughed. "I've met some awful women."
Natasha allowed her smile to fall a little, "Have you moved on, though?"
"For seven years, I didn't think of him. For the most part, I was really happy. I met two of my best friends in that time. I wouldn't change anything about my life as it stands now," Jane told her.
"But..."
Shrugging, Jane continued, "When I saw him the other night, all of these feelings came flooding back. Thankfully, though, I know how to control myself and my visage well. I can't have these feelings floating around my life again. It's not healthy."
"I could look him up...background check, credit report, phone records...the works!" Natasha beamed.
Jane simply lowered her head, "Eh, no. I'd have to tell you the name, which I won't."
"You're no fun! Why not?"
Jane tilted her head up as if considering an original answer, "It would ruin the mystery and grandeur of it all. Don't you think?"
The detective chuckled loudly, "No!" As the other woman was about to add something, Romanoff gasped and snapped her fingers, "Eureka! I have a perfect scenario for you and your mystery guy!"
"Indulge me," Jane replied lightly.
"Why not have a one-night stand with him?"
"WHAT?!"
Natasha held her hands out in front of her, calming her friend down significantly, "You still have feelings for the guy. It's not like it'll be completely impersonal. I'm sure he'll enjoy it. Oh, come on! It's perfect! It could be a way to fully move on!"
"You just said I'd go nuts with idiot friends...well, check," Jane retorted. She stood up and moved to the kitchen with both of their glasses.
Natasha followed quickly behind her. "OH, come on! It's not like you haven't thought about it. I'm just the one saying it!"
Jane nearly threw the glasses at the sink. Luckily, they didn't break. As Jane turned, her eyes were wide with anger, "It's the most bizarre advice I've yet received from any of my more colorful friends. This is wacky...even for you!" Jane crossed her arms, "Besides, I'm a doctor!"
"And that means you're asexual?" Natasha rolled her eyes before Jane did the same. "Let me tell you that Dr. Banner is the most wild lover I've ever-"
Jane threw her hands up, "Okay! Okay! That's enough!"
"So you'll think about it?" Natasha's eyes lit up.
Jane scrunched her face in disgust, "What? Think about you and Bruce having sex? I don't think so."
Romanoff snickered, shaking her head. She pulled out a chair at the dining table and watched Jane do the same. "I will take that as a maybe."
"Mhmm...It's not going to happen," Jane sharply fought.
Natasha's phone rang. "Bruce texted me! He's off. We're heading to the 24 hour diner down the street from here. Wanna go with?"
Jane shook her head slowly, "I think I'll stay in. He's worked thirty-six hours straight. You should go alone."
"You're loss, Annie," Natasha playfully spoke while she exchanged a single kiss on Jane's cheek.
When her friend began to head out, Jane followed her to the door and let her out, "Bye, Tash!"
When Natasha turned around after waving, she shrugged, "Think about it, okay?"
And then she rounded the corner.
And Jane continued to drink while watching I Love Lucy reruns for several more hours.
