***A week later***
Jennifer had been by Jonathan's side as they attended Henry's funeral. It was a hard day for him, but having her there made it a little easier.
She definitely didn't want to go back to San Diego Sunday night, but she had to.
She took off an hour early one day from work, and headed to the DMV. She took and passed her driver's license test with flying colors.
She and Jonathan had started emailing during the day, and Jennifer loved it. She felt giddy every time she saw an email from Jonathan in her inbox.
Friday morning, he sent her an email.
"Hey beautiful. Jack is tied up, so tell me what the earliest is you can get away from the office and I'll buy you a commercial ticket."
She thought about it and typed her response.
All taken care of, darling. I'm catching a ride with another journalist from the magazine. We should be there around 6 at the earliest.
A few minutes later, she heard the familiar ding.
Are you sure you want to do that? I'm happy to get you a ticket if you need me to. I just want you to be comfortable.
She smiled at his thoughtfulness.
I'll be fine, honey. I can't wait to see you! Pick one: black/pink, zebra/pink, or red/lace? And before you ask, no hints. You'll find out soon enough. Muah!
A few minutes later came another ding.
In general-probably the black or the red. But I'm happy with anything you decide, whatever it is. See you tonight. Be safe.
She got busy and knocked out her article, and was able to leave earlier than expected.
She hurried home, packed her suitcase and then loaded the car she bought the day before and headed up the coast.
She arrived at Jonathan's just before 6. She was so excited she could hardly stand it.
She climbed out and headed to his front door.
She was just about to ring the bell when he opened the door.
"Hey, when did you get here?"
"Just now".
She leaned up and kissed him for a few minutes.
He looked over her shoulder and noticed the car in the driveway.
"Where are your friends?"
"Surprise! I bought myself a car".
Jennifer had purchased a dark blue Jeep Wrangler.
"You purchased this? Did you have them check it out?"
"Yes, I did".
"How does it drive?"
"Perfectly."
"Pop the hood, and I'll take a look".
She indulged him and popped the hood and he started looking around.
"Jonathan, I had them check it out very thoroughly before I bought it".
"I believe you, I just want to make sure that you didn't get a bum deal".
After about 20 minutes, he was satisfied, and closed her hood back.
"I think you made a great choice, darling".
"Thank you".
"Did it come with a soft top and a hard top, or just the soft top?"
"Both, but they didn't have the hard top in stock, so I had to order it. I test drove one with the hard top on, but I think I like it better with the tops off".
He carried her bag in and put it in his room.
"Where's Max?"
"He went to the track. Said he would be back by 10 tonight".
"I see".
"I was about to grill us some dinner. We have steaks and veggie kebabs, and chicken and veggie kebabs. We can make rice, or a salad, or both for a side dish, if you want".
"Sounds wonderful".
After they had dinner made, he lit them some candles and they had a candlelit dinner for two at the table. He had soft music playing in the background, and she had poured them each some wine.
"How are things at the magazine?"
"Strange. I keep hearing people talking about us getting bought out. Nobody will confirm or deny anything. It's like we are all on this eternal wait and see game."
"That sounds horrible".
"It really is. I mean, if you want to sell a company that you own, fine. Sell it. But as someone who works at the company, to leave us in limbo, and to make us sweat it out as to whether or not we are going to have a job after the dust settles, that's just cruel".
"I have always tried to keep the details of a deal secret until it's done to keep competitors from being able to come in and offer something better than what I offered".
They had just finished dinner and were doing the dishes when the phone rang.
Jonathan dried his hands and went to answer it.
"Hello?...hey…I see….oh, that's great! Yes, we would…Ok, thank you!"
He hung up the phone and returned to the sink.
"That was a friend of mine. As it turns out, Max and I now have suite tickets for tomorrow night's Laker game".
"That's wonderful. I hope you two have fun".
"Why don't you come with us? I'm sure I can get you another ticket".
"No, no. That's ok. You guys go. I'll stay here. I'll be fine".
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, yeah. I can do my toenails, or read a book. I'll be fine, honest".
He kissed her temple.
"You're the greatest".
They headed to the couch and snuggled up under a blanket, and turned on a movie.
As soon as Jonathan put his arms around her, Jennifer relaxed.
He stroked her hair as they watched the movie, and occasionally kissed her head.
They were just about to head to bed when Max came in.
"Hey Max".
"Hey, Mr. H. Hiya Miss Edwards".
"Hey Max".
"How was the track?"
"The horses were generous".
"That's great. Danny called. He's giving you and me suite tickets for tomorrow's night Lakers game".
"Wonderful! Should be a good one. Well, I'm headed to bed. I'll see you two's in the morning".
"Night Max".
"Night Max".
They headed to the bedroom and Jennifer unzipped her suitcase.
Jonathan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Do I get to see this elusive color thing you asked me about?"
She smiled at him.
"Maybe…if you're nice to me".
She kissed him and then disappeared into the bathroom.
When she emerged, she was in a black silk short robe, and he was under the covers.
"Ahem".
He turned to look at her, and she untied the sash on her robe, letting it fall open. She was wearing a black lace halter baby doll nightgown, with a pink halter strap and a small pink bow in the center.
His eyes grew big and wide as she climbed on top of him and straddled him.
"This is the secret color I had to pick?"
"One of them. You like it?"
"I love it".
He leaned up and captured her lips in a kiss that was perfect and romantic and passionate. He grabbed her and rolled them so she was on her back. He reached up and turned out the light as he moved his kisses to her neck.
For the next 2 hours, their lovemaking was frenzied, passionate, intense, romantic, erotic and wild. It was like both of them had never been touched before in their lives and neither of them could wait one more second before being touched again.
Even in the pitch black darkness, they were able to fit themselves together perfectly, like they had always been together.
After it was over, and they were both sated and worn out, they held each other and fell asleep together.
***The next morning***
Jonathan and Jennifer slept in, and made love again as soon as they woke up, before joining Max in the kitchen for brunch in their pajamas.
They spent a lazy day lying around the house and just being together, before Jonathan and Max headed to the Lakers' game.
"Have fun. I'll see you when you get back".
She leaned up and kissed him.
"We'll be home as soon as the game is over".
"Miss Edwards, there's a fresh lasagna in the fridge for you. 425 degrees, 40 minutes."
"Thanks, Max".
Jonathan and Max headed out to the game, and Jennifer headed to the living room.
She spent the evening watching tv, eating lasagna, and taking a bubble bath.
She had just gotten out of the bath and into her nightgown and robe when the doorbell rang.
She cautiously went and answered it. On the other side was a curvaceous blonde, with ample cleavage, perfectly flat-ironed bleach-blonde hair, in an outfit of tight black pants, a white crop top, and black stilettos.
"Hi, can I help you?"
"Hi. I'm Fallon. Is my boyfriend home?"
"Who is your boyfriend?"
"Jonathan Hart. This is his house, yes?"
"This is his house. But he and I are seeing each other exclusively, so I'm afraid he's not your boyfriend".
"Well, I'm afraid you're mistaken. He and I went to lunch a few months ago, and it was love at first sight."
"I see. Well, at any rate, he's not home right now".
"Mind if I wait?"
"Yes, actually, I do".
"Well, too bad".
Fallon pushed past Jennifer and walked inside.
Jennifer's mouth dropped open and she stared at her incredulously.
"I beg your pardon, this isn't your home and you aren't welcome here".
"I'll let my boyfriend be the one to throw me out".
Jennifer closed the door and walked over to the couch.
"How exactly did you meet Jonathan?"
"We were set up by some friends."
Jennifer went to the bar and poured herself a cocktail and then sat back down on the couch.
Fallon snarked at Jennifer. "Thanks, I'd love one".
"Help yourself", Jennifer snarked back.
She found the channel that the game was on, and was happy to see that it was almost over.
They sat in silence till Jennifer heard the most glorious sound she'd ever heard-the garage door opening.
She stood up as Jonathan and Max were coming in the house.
"What are you doing home so early?"
"The game was over before halftime, really. Since it was a blowout, we decided to come home".
"You have company. I'll be in the bedroom".
Jennifer headed to the bedroom before Jonathan could stop her.
Jonathan turned and saw Fallon sitting in the living room.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to claim what's mine. Enough of the games, enough of us denying our feelings. I want you, and only you".
"How did you get in here?"
"I rang the doorbell and pushed past her. it was beyond easy".
"Well, I'm going to need you to move your car before we talk".
"Why?"
"Because you're leaving. There is nothing between us, there never has been anything between us, and there never will be anything between us. Now, I don't want things to get ugly. But here's the deal-Jennifer is my girlfriend, and I don't see that changing at all. In fact, I will do anything in my power to keep it from changing. Mark my words, if you come here again, I will get a restraining order against you and I will go to whatever lengths I have to in order to enforce it. Now, you have two options. You can leave voluntarily, or I can have you escorted out, by the LAPD."
"Fine. But when she breaks your heart, call me. I'll be happy to mend it".
Fallon headed out the front door, and Jonathan made sure it was locked behind her.
He headed to the bedroom to check on Jennifer. She was laying on the bed, watching tv.
"Hey, you didn't have to leave the room".
He climbed on the bed and scooted towards her.
"Yes, I did. One more second and I was going to claw her eyes out".
"I don't know what she told you, but there wasn't ever anything between us and there never will be".
"She said that your friends set her up with you and that it was love at first sight, and that you and her were exclusive. And for the record, I didn't let her in, she shoved me to the side and barged in".
"I don't think there will be a next time, but if there is, call the police".
"What did you tell her?"
"That my heart lies with you, and it always will, and that I didn't want things to get ugly, but that I would have no problem getting a restraining order against her and having it enforced, if I had to".
"Thank you".
"I'm sorry. I would have warned you, but I had no idea she was coming over, I swear".
"What would you have warned me about?"
"Well, she's been calling and leaving messages at the office for me to call her, and she sent flowers to the office one day, and when I was at a restaurant for a business dinner, she kept sending me beers and desserts".
"When was all this?"
"Various times, in the last several weeks".
"And you didn't think to tell me?"
"What's to tell you? It's not like I returned her phone calls or anything. If I had told you, you would have told me to handle it, and that's what I did".
"Yep, you're right. You handled it so well, that she got the hint and didn't even bother to come over to your house tonight and barge in. Oh, wait. My mistake".
"Baby, I don't want to fight with you. When she calls, I don't return the call. I have instructed Deanne to not even tell me that she called. When she sent the flowers, I donated them to the nursing home down the street. I've also instructed Deanne to intercept future flowers from her as well. When she and I were at the restaurant, I asked the waitress to not indulge her on sending me beers and desserts anymore, after the first one. And I haven't spoken with her till tonight".
"Good".
"What did she say to you?"
"It wasn't so much what she said, as it was how she said it. She was so snarky. Like for instance, when I answered the door, she said "Is my boyfriend home?" and then she told me that you were her boyfriend. And then I told her that you and I were seeing each other exclusively, and that you weren't home. She asked if I minded if she waited for you, and I said yes and then she pushed past me and said she was coming in anyways. I told her she wasn't welcome and she said "I'll let my boyfriend be the one to throw me out". I made myself a cocktail, without offering her one, and she snarked at me and said "I'd love one, thanks", and then I told her to help herself. We sat in silence till you got home".
"I promise you, I'm not her boyfriend. I never was."
"I believe you".
"So, why are you acting like you're still angry at me?"
"I'm not angry at you. I just don't want anyone to think you're available".
"And I don't want anyone to think you're available. So, we're on the same page here".
"Good".
She scooted closer to him and he put his arm around her.
"So, what did you do while we were gone?"
"Well, I made the lasagna, and watched a movie, and then I took a bubble bath, and I dealt with Atilla the Hun".
He chuckled.
"How about a midnight snack before midnight?"
She nodded.
He took her hand and led her to the kitchen.
They stood in front of the fridge, and she leaned up against his back and scratched his shoulders.
"There's some lasagna left, and I made a salad and there's some of that left".
They heated up the lasagna, and took turns feeding each other bites.
"Darling…think back to when you and I first had that meeting in your office where you were telling me I had to go to Washington and testify before the Senate."
"I remember it well".
"What did you think when you first met me?"
"Well, I quickly realized that I was going to have an uphill battle on my hands to get you to agree to go testify. And when you left, I just hoped that I would see you again. What did you think when you first saw me?"
"I remember thinking you were the most handsome man I'd ever seen. And I was also a little bit frustrated that you were making me go to the hearing, and I hoped it wasn't obvious".
"It was, and it was so adorable".
She fed him a cheesy bite of the lasagna.
"So, what was your first thought when you met Fallon?"
"Darling, I was having dinner with Susan and Drew, some friends of mine. And I was under the impression that I was only having dinner with them. And then they showed up with her in tow, and I immediately felt sick to my stomach, kind of, because I hate blind dates. I have always hated blind dates. And this was during those months that you and I weren't in communication, and I was desperately trying to find you and also sort out my feelings for you. And then, Susan had an emergency, and she and Drew left, and Fallon just sort of attached herself to me, and wouldn't stop touching me, and I told her flat out that she and I weren't going to work out and I left. Aside from realizing for sure that I wanted to be with you more than anything, my only thoughts revolved around getting out of there".
"I see".
He set the lasagna fork down, and took her hands in his.
"I promise you, that you are the only woman for me. Now, and going forward. There is nobody else, and there will never be anybody else".
He leaned forward and kissed her.
"Now if we could just get you to move here so we could be in the same city".
"Me? What if you moved to be with me?"
"If I didn't have the company, I would do it in a heartbeat".
He pressed his lips against hers, and dropped her hands and grabbed her face. He let his fingers run through her hair as he kissed her.
She finally broke the kiss and just hugged him for a little bit.
"I wish it was yesterday and not today so that tomorrow won't be tomorrow".
He chuckled.
"Why is that?"
"Because. I hate leaving you, and I hate how close Friday is to Sunday but how far Sunday is from Friday".
"I see".
"And I hate how we have so little time together, and we always seem to have an argument that ruins it".
"We don't always argue. We are just working out the kinks in our love story".
She smiled at him.
"I love that".
"And I love you".
She stared at him in surprise.