Jennifer slipped out of Jonathan's bedroom and into the half-bath. He went and answered the door, and she came out as he was letting the person in.
"Susan, hi!"
"Hi Jennifer. So good to see you. I didn't see your car out front".
"I got dropped off. I was actually in a car accident last week, and my car is totaled. So, I'm taking a lot of cabs these days".
"Oh my goodness! Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. I'm perfectly fine".
They shared a warm hug, and then Jennifer stepped behind Jonathan's bar to play bartender.
She mixed up a strawberry coconut spritzer, and then offered to make Susan one.
"What's in it?"
"Coconut flavored vodka, strawberry flavored vodka, fresh strawberry puree, and club soda".
"That sounds amazing. I'm definitely in for that".
Jennifer whipped up another, and then she and Susan took their cocktails over to the couches.
More people started arriving, and pretty soon the living room was full. Jennifer was sitting with Mandy, Susan, and Laura. Jonathan was across the room with Bill, Drew, James and Jack. There were a few other people from Jonathan's office there as well.
Jonathan started dinging his glass with a spoon.
"Ok everyone, Max has expertly grilled us some chicken skewers. And Jennifer made some appetizers, and it's all ready, so let's eat".
Jennifer got up and went and stood by Jonathan.
"Darling, would you like another cocktail?"
"Yeah, that sounds good".
He gave her a quick kiss and then they headed to the bar.
"You mean….you and Jennifer?"
"That's right".
"You and Jonathan?"
"Yes".
"How long has this been going on?"
"We were secretly dating for a bit a few months ago. And then we took a break, and now we are officially together and officially public".
Everyone agreed that it was wonderful.
Jennifer noticed Jack and Mandy making flirty faces towards each other.
Everyone headed to get a plate, and the evening seemed more relaxed.
Once they were all seated, Susan looked over at Jonathan and Jennifer.
"So, I'm curious. Why the secrecy? We love both of you, and I can't imagine anyone who would have had an issue with you two dating or spending time together".
"Well, during the time when I met Jennifer, I was in the press quite a lot. And when we started spending time together, it was nice to have one aspect of my life not being plastered on the front page of the paper every morning. And then when we ended things for a bit, I realized that in all actuality, I can control how often I'm in the press, so then it became a matter of would Jennifer give me a second chance. Thankfully, she said yes".
Jennifer filled them in on how the secrecy took its toll and how Jonathan rescued her after the car accident.
"And now, here we are".
"Well, I for one think you two are great together."
"Thank you".
Everyone loved the appetizers that Jennifer made, and kept asking for the recipes.
After they took their after-dinner drinks to the living room, she wrote down a few copies of all of them, and they passed them around.
"Ok ladies, what do we think about having a spa night at my house, one night next week? Face masks, nails, deep conditioning our hair, the whole works. Plus, dinner and drinks of course".
"Yes, please. That sounds great".
"I'd love to".
"Great. Then let's say Tuesday at 7".
"Perfect".
"Now wait a minute. What are the guys supposed to do?"
"How about we take in a Laker's game? I have a suite so the tickets will be free."
"Yeah, let's do that. They are on a winning streak right now, so it should be a good game".
They all started discussing local politics and the upcoming Mayor's race. Jennifer was impressed by Jonathan's political knowledge.
After the plans for the following week were finalized, everyone left.
"Thanks for coming. Drive safely".
Jennifer kicked her heels off and tossed them into Jonathan's room and then came and joined him on the couch.
He wrapped an arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder.
"Well that was a fun party".
"Yeah, it was, wasn't it?"
"You were right. I should have listened to you a long time ago".
"Well, that's lovely to hear, but I don't know what you're referring to".
"I mean, you were right about us being public and not secretive. It's so much better this way".
"Oh. Yes, it is. It was fun to be secretive for a little bit, but public is definitely better".
"Want to stay the night?"
"Yes, I do. And right now, I want to go help Max clean up".
He followed her to the kitchen, and they helped Max with the cleanup.
"Mr. H., I'll be heading to a poker game in a few minutes, so I'll be out of your hair".
"Max, you don't bother us. This is your house too".
"Thanks, Miss Edwards. I just don't want to intrude on you two's space".
"You won't Max. And if you think I'm intruding on your space, then please, just say so".
"No complaints here, Miss Edwards".
She kissed his cheek and they told him goodnight and headed to the bedroom.
"I think your appetizers were a hit. I personally saw Drew and Bill each put away about 40 of those cheddar pecan things".
"I think your chicken was a hit too. There wasn't any left".
She slipped into a nightgown and then joined him in bed.
"I'm glad that's behind us".
She settled onto his chest.
"Yeah, me too. And now we can get to the real reason you came over".
"What's that?"
"Waiting on me hand and foot".
"Ha ha".
They both smiled when they heard the garage door close.
"Darling, I love Max, and I have no problems with him, but how long is he usually at a poker game?"
"This time of night, he won't be back till the morning".
"So, we have the house to ourselves?"
"Yes, I do believe we do".
"Kind of like a lover's retreat".
She started kissing his neck and just hugging on him some.
"A lover's retreat. That sounds like something that takes place in a tent in the desert".
Jennifer tried to control her laughter as she agreed with him.
She wrapped her arms around him and stretched out beside him.
"You know, I could get used to sleeping next to you every night".
"Same here".
He rolled on top of her and kissed her.
They spent a few hours making love before they fell asleep in each other's arms.
***A couple days later***
Jennifer and Jonathan had ended up spending the whole weekend together, either at his house or her apartment. She had enjoyed every minute of it, and dreaded the moment when he had to go back to work Monday morning.
She walked him to the car and kissed him goodbye.
"I'll call you later".
"Have a good day honey".
A few kisses later, she was heading through her gate and he was heading to the office.
About 2 hours later, she was working on an article when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey gorgeous".
"Hi handsome."
"I just got invited to a wedding this weekend, for one of my employees. Want to be my date?"
"Sure, that sounds lovely".
"Great. It's Saturday night, here in Los Angeles".
"Wonderful. That sounds like fun".
"I'll be home just after 5 most likely. Want to go for a sunset walk on the beach with me tonight?"
"I'd love it".
"Great. My meeting's here so I have to go".
"Ok, hope it goes well".
She blew him a kiss as they hung up the phone and then got back to work.
She got into the zone and really focused and got her article written and had just finished when Jonathan knocked on the door.
She let him in and gave him a quick kiss.
"Let me change and we can go".
She quickly threw on some running shorts and a racerback tank top and threw her hair up into a ponytail.
After grabbing her water sandals, they headed out.
She laced her fingers through his as they walked down the street and crossed over to the beach.
They walked about 3 miles, and just admired the sunset and chatted about different things.
"Honey, if I was to go look at a car, would you mind coming with me? I can probably handle it, but I don't want them to hassle me just because they think I'm not knowledgeable."
"I would love to. What kind of car are you thinking of getting?"
"I'm not sure. My dad is pushing me towards Mercedes, that's his favorite brand. I used to have a T-top in college, and I loved that too, but it wasn't a Mercedes. I guess I just need to go looking".
They walked down to a pier, and found some swings that let you swing out over the water.
They swung together for a few minutes and then they started walking again.
"So, I brought you out here on the beach to tell you something".
"What's that?"
"When I left for the office this morning, I didn't want to. I mean, I wanted to, and I know I needed to, but I wanted to and I needed to and I didn't want to all at the same time. And all I could think about the whole way to the office was how I could rearrange my calendar so that I could come home and see you again".
"How sweet".
"You have the prettiest sparkle in your eyes, and you have the sweetest laugh. And you bring this sense of peace and calming into my life and my house and you seriously brighten every room just by entering it. And I realized that I love you so much it takes my breath away".
Jennifer teared up.
"You love me?"
"Yeah, I do".
She leaned up and threw her arms around his neck.
"You are the most wonderful man I've ever known".
They shared a few kisses as the waves washed over their feet.
"You don't have to say it back if you don't feel the same, I just wanted you to know how I felt".
"It's not that I don't feel the same, I mean, I might. I haven't really thought about it. It's just that, well, I don't want to rush into anything, and I want to be sure. I promise you, when I know how I feel, you will too".
She leaned up and kissed him and they headed back towards her apartment.
"Want to stay for dinner?"
"Sure".
She squeezed his hand and smiled at him and they headed through her gate.
They worked together and made chicken soft tacos and cilantro lime rice for dinner, and then had a romantic dinner in her dining room.
"Baby…you are my favorite Mexican cook".
She chuckled.
"Well considering I am not a Mexican nor a cook, I'll take that as a compliment".
He helped her with the dishes, and then they headed to the bedroom.
She slipped into a short nightgown, and he stripped down to his boxer briefs, and they climbed into bed.
"Baby, there was something I meant to give you earlier".
"What's that?"
He pulled an envelope out of his wallet.
"So, as it turns out, one of my old fraternity brothers is the CEO of a pretty well-known company. And I called him with an issue that I was made aware of, and he promised to make it right. And today, this arrived at the office, addressed to me. It's a refund check, for you for your plane ticket. My fraternity brother is the CEO of Delta".
"What?"
Her face lit up and she couldn't keep from smiling.
"I explained everything to him and he agreed that you should have been refunded for both parts of the ticket".
"You did that for me?"
"Baby, I would do anything for you".
"And I would do anything for you".
She leaned over and kissed him several times.
"I'm so touched that you did this for me. Thank you, darling".
She leaned back against his chest, and he kissed her temple.
"How much longer is your lease?"
"2 months, I think".
"Have you thought about whether or not you will re-sign?"
"I'm not opposed to it. I love living here. I just wish my space was a little bit bigger".
"Darling, do you have plans for Thursday night?"
"No, I don't".
"Now you do. You and I have special plans for Thursday".
"What are they?"
"It's a surprise".
"Can I get a hint?"
"It's a dressy affair, dinner and music will be involved".
"Hmmm…."
"I promise, you'll love it".
"I'm sure I will. I just wish I could figure out what it is. I love surprises though".
"Baby, I promise you, life with me will be one surprise after another".
"That's what I'm counting on".