Chapter 13

Over the next few days Destiny got closer and closer to the group. She found a job working for a communications company. They did cell phones, pagers, internet access etc. She was scheduled to start on January 2.

Amy was a little worried about how close Jeff and Destiny were becoming. Not because she didn't like Destiny, in fact if it hadn't been for Shane she couldn't have picked a more perfect girl for Jeff. They had a lot in common, they were both sensitive, creative, and emotional. They seemed to share a bond, maybe stemming from the loss of their parents. But Amy had also noticed that whenever Shane was around Destiny was with him. She had a bad feeling about the whole situation, and it was no one's fault. Just a bad set of circumstances.

Late one night, a couple of days before Christmas, Destiny couldn't sleep. She was torn over her feelings for Shane and Jeff. Jeff was like her kindred spirit, she felt a deep connection with him. Shane on the other hand, made her pulse race and her palms sweat. Destiny made her way down the stairs to sit by the lighted Christmas tree. As she stared at the tree, she could feel the tears falling from her eyes. The memories of past Christmases running through her mind. She heard a voice behind her, felt a hand on her shoulder.

"You miss them don't you?" Destiny nodded.

"I know how you feel... Christmas just hasn't been the same for me since my mom died."

"I'm sorry Jeff..." She looked up at him and she could see the tears in his eyes. She held her arms out to him and they wrapped themselves in each other's embrace.

Jeff looked at Destiny. "Destiny, I..." he leaned down and kissed her.

Destiny was caught by surprise. She hadn't expected Jeff to kiss her. She didn't protest. It was a sweet kiss, but she felt none of the heat that was generated when Shane kissed her.

Shane stood at the top of the stairs watching Destiny and Jeff. He had done it again; lost another girl to the Hardy brothers. This time it was his fault. He had told her he just wanted to be friends with her. He should have known what she would think he meant by that. Would he ever get this right? Shane turned and went back to his room.

Destiny pulled away. "Jeff, I..."

"I know Destiny."

"I really like you Jeff, maybe if I had met you first..."

"But..."

"I think you already know..."

"Shane huh?" Destiny nodded her head.

"I noticed." Jeff said

"I'm sorry Jeff. The part that sucks is he already told me he only wants to be friends."

Jeff cocked an eyebrow, "Did he actually say that?"

"Yeah, when we were stranded..."

"Destiny, I wouldn't count him out just yet. I'd just about bet he'll change his mind." Jeff said, thinking to himself that Shane already had.

"Maybe..."