"Ape, it was…" Jami trailed off, a dreamy gaze covering her face. A small smile played on the corner of her lips before she shook her head and stared back at her friend.
"Well, by the look on that face, it was…" April said, dreamily. "…incredible." she finished, nudging her friend on the shoulder and giving off a small laugh.
"What the hell am I doing?" Jami asked, covering her face with her hands, the moment completely gone as her mind came crashing back to reality.
"You're being human." April offered. "You and Joe did nothing wrong. All you did was act on emotion and there is nothing wrong with that. For once, you followed through with how you felt."
"Yeah, I guess I did." Jami scoffed.
"So, when are we seeing Mr. Samoan God again?" April asked, trying to relief the heaviness that was building.
"I don't know that I am." Jami answered.
April stared at her friend, before shaking her head. She knew where Jami was going with this. She was backing up from the progress she had made. Sex wasn't the main thing and April saw that. The fact that Jami had followed through and broke free of her shell, that was the amazing part. And if it took her and AJ to push her a little bit, that was exactly what she was going to do.
Before either one could say anything more, a knock came at the kitchen door. Jami jumped from her thoughts, startled at the sound as April smiled slyly before sauntering towards the door, never taking her eyes off Jami.
"What did you do?" Jami asked.
"Nothing." April answered, her smile only growing, before she pulled the door open and stepped aside, allowing Joe's frame to come into view.
"What are you doing here?" Jami found herself asking, as she jumped from the bar stool, staring at the man who was now making his way into April's kitchen.
"Well, I was invited, for one." Joe answered, looking at April. "Thanks for the invite." he said, giving her a small hug before closing the distance between him and Jami.
"No problem, bro." April said, before shutting the door and inching down the hallway. "I'll just leave you two alone for a bit."
"April!" Jami called after her, knowing she was set up, yet face to face with the man she had been longing to see.
"How are you?" he asked, closing the distance between them, as he grabbed her hand.
Suddenly, the air was caught in her throat. She couldn't speak, or barely react for that matter. The only feeling she felt was the electricity that coursed through her body the moment he touched her. She cleared her throat in an attempt to mutter some response, but still no words could be spoken. And they didn't need to be.
Joe leaned forwards and brushed his lips gently against her cheek. His hands left hers as he cupped her face gently, pressing his forehead against hers and closing his eyes, a small sigh escaping his lips. She allowed herself to let go some, as she found her fingers inching around his waist, before wrapping her arms around him as Joe brought her against his chest.
"I've missed you." he whispered.
"I've missed you." she found herself agreeing with him.
"I don't know what this is…" he began, pulling away slightly, only to return that all familiar, intent gaze that made her knees weak.
"Joe…" she muttered, closing her eyes.
"Jami, let me speak, please. I have a feeling that if I don't make the first move, we'll never know what this is." he said, a serious tone taking hold of his voice.
He pulled back some more, grabbing her hands as not to lose complete contact. She searched his face for answers as to what he may be thinking or was about to say. He offered a small smile, as he cleared his throat, trying to collect his thoughts and praying he didn't say anything wrong or offending in anyway.
"Jami, like I said, I don't know what this is, but I do know I can't just end it the way we did. Maybe we jumped the gun, maybe we didn't. Hell, I don't know, but I do know I don't regret it. I just hope and pray like hell that you'll give me a chance." Joe said, his words coming out quick, his voice breathless.
Jami looked over his features; the way his hair fell on his shoulders, the way the curls were so perfect. His eyes that gave that intense look, as if to read her soul. The way his lips parted slightly before he spoke. His chiseled jaw, his perfect skin. If she continued this line of thinking, April would not be happy about the eventual outcome.
"Joe, for the first time in my life, I'm just…" Jami trailed off, shaking her head.
"You're just what, darling?" Joe asked, his eyes searching for whatever train of thought Jami was thinking.
"I'm just… just…" she stuttered, scared and not able to make a thought.
"All I'm asking for is a chance. I'm not forcing you, but there's no way this is one-sided. There's no way you can deny this. Please, sweet girl." Joe said, almost pleading.
"No, I can't deny it. I'm scared to admit it, but I can't deny it, Joe." Jami said, finally bringing her eyes to meet his.
In that moment, that was all she needed. The look he was offering and giving back spoke of words that didn't need to be uttered. It was there. In his eyes, the way he looked at her, the way his every emotion poured from his soul with just a simple gesture. She found herself leaning forward and cupping his face gently. Before anything could be said or before she could talk herself out of what her heart really yearned for, she brought her lips to meet hers, her tongue slowly claiming his. He released a moan deep within before bringing her closer to him.
"What have you done to me, sweet girl?" Joe said, smiling down at her.