Chapter 11

Janet's chest felt like it was on fire as she continued to cough. Her nose was chaffed from blowing, it hurt to breath.

"What on Earth made you go outside?" Margaret asked Janet as she sat on the end of her bed. She set a small tray with some soup and hot green tea in front of Janet. "That's all it takes, you know that. Now I want you to take this," Margaret pulled out a tablespoon and a brown bottle.

"Noooo!" Janet pulled a pillow over her head.

"Janet you have to! Now open up," Margaret coaxed Janet to pull back the pillow. Janet reluctantly opened her mouth. A bitter taste of grape filled her mouth. Margaret gave her a saltine.

"Why can't they make a favor like pinacolda or something good?" Janet munched on the cracker.

"Janet, I know you're upset, but you have to let go," Margaret placed her hand on her forehead. "I want you to get some sleep."

"Ok," Janet said.

"I am going to check on the flowers and the café. Then I have to run some errands. I'll be back to check on you after then. Get some sleep," Margaret kissed Janet's forehead and left her room. Janet reached for the remote and turned off the TV.

"Let go," she mocked Margaret. Janet immediately felt terrible, like a black hole resided in her chest. I never wanted this to happen. I got hurt for marring that creep. Now it hurts that I didn't tell Jack. The whole reason for the vacation was to escape from life, not have everything waved in front of my face. I would have never gone if I had known.

Janet didn't feel like sleeping. She was so uncomfortable with the feeling she had. Maybe just one phone call. Just to let him know I'm home and alright. Janet smiled to herself. "Just one," she repeated to herself as she walked to the living room. She found herself in front of the phone. What am I doing? She froze, with the phone in her hand. "Just to let him know I'm home."

The dial tone in Janet's ear was deafening. Her pulse quickened and her hands perspired. She took a deep breath as she held the phone to her ear.

"Ello?" Michelle's voice came from the other end of the receiver. Janet's mind went blank. She wasn't excepting Michelle; in fact, that was the last thing on her mind. Janet opened her mouth to say something, anything. However, nothing came. She slammed the phone down and began to cry.

"Come on Janet," She took a deep breath. "Let's get some sleep." Janet walked back to her room and crawled in bed. She took a deep breath, and to her surprise, smelled Jack's aftershave. She immediately opened her eyes. There, on the edge of the bed was a t-shirt, one she had worn on her trip. Janet reached down and hugged it to her chest, smelling it.

Sleep laden, she spoke "I'm sorry," a silent tear ran down her cheek and fell on the shirt, "I love you."

"Janet, hon, come on, you have to take your medicine," Janet was lost somewhere in her subconscious fantasy, too tired to question reality.

"Oh Jack come on," Janet said as she walked through the back yard with him. She began running.

"First one to the swing wins!" She shouted at Jack. Jack laughed and ran after her. Janet was fast, but not as fast as Jack. He soon caught up with her, nearly running into her.

"Hey! Cheater!" she yelled after him, still running as fast as her little legs would carry her. He slowed a bit, allowing Janet to pass him, that's when he saw his chance. He ran up behind her, grabbed her small waist, and flung her over his shoulder.

"Jack! COME ON!" She slapped his butt, then wiggled, making it difficult for Jack to run.

"Hey!" he said in his low sexy voice, now slowing off quite a bit more. Janet managed to throw off his balance, sending both of them tumbling onto the dewy grass. Janet slid on the grass and soon felt Jack land on top of her. She rolled over slightly to look at him.

"Nice landing," He smiled and laughed. Janet punched him in the shoulder. They both continued laughing until they locked eyes. A few drops of sweat traveled down his forehead; his eyes twinkled, his hot breath tickled her face. Her beautiful brown eyes sparkled back up at Jack. A few blades of grass rested in her jet-black hair. Jack couldn't control himself as she laid under him panting. He tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear.

"Jack-," He captured her lips. Janet felt a fire ignite, she couldn't suppress her moan. Jack deepened the kiss, teasing her with his tongue. She moaned again. Jack's hand played with hem of her shirt, the other cupped her face. He slowly caressed her warm abdomen. She ran her hands through hair, pulling him closer. Jack chuckled to himself.

"Can I have anything I want?" His voice was low and raspy, his eyes burning with lust. He moved his hand to the hem of her jeans and began kissing her neck. A soft whimper came from Janet. His warm, muscular hand touched her soft, delicate skin. She gasped as she arched her back in pleasure. The sensation was foreign but welcomed.

"Yes," Her voice came in small pants, "Anything," He continued pleasuring her.

"Oh, Jack," It was exactly what Janet wanted. After seven years living together, they knew everything about each other, what the other wanted and when they wanted it. Jack muffled her loud moans with his lips. His soft kisses on her neck kept adding fuel to the fire. The sound of the back door slamming and laughter caused both Jack and Janet to separate. Janet was flushed with pleasure and embarrassment. She began to scoot out of his reach.

"Janet, wait," Janet ignored him. She couldn't face him, or what she had allowed to transpire. She stood and ran to the house.

"What..?" Janet stirred in her bed as another entity touched her shoulder.

"Med time," Margaret held up some Tylenol and a spoon.

"Ugh," Janet threw herself back into bed and just wanted to be with Jack. She never wanted him more.

A few days later, Janet returned to work.

"Kathryn, thank you so much for watching after the shop. It means a lot," Janet carried a pot of flowers to the counter. She began arranging them as Kathryn came around to the register.

"It was nothing. I enjoyed doing it," Kathryn opened the register and placed more quarters in the drawer. The front door bell rang. Margaret entered, holding coffees in one hand and the mail in the other. Janet smiled as she ran over and took the coffees from Margaret, handing one to Kathryn. Margaret slid her sunglasses to the top of her head.

"Thanks," Both women said. Margaret chuckled.

"No problem. I figured you two would need a pick-me-up," Margaret placed the handful of mail on the counter. "As for this…Not so much," She made a face and walked over to a chair in the corner.

"So tell me about the trip," Kathryn said as she leaned on the counter.

"Well," Janet took a slip of coffee, "There isn't much to tell."

"Bologna! I know there is," Kathryn took a sip of coffee, "There is something to tell."

"I just don't feel like telling," Janet walked to the register.

"I'll get it out of you sooner or later," Kathryn walked to the backroom. "And I plan on sooner!" she yelled. Margaret laughed.

"You two-" Janet lost her train of thought as she glanced across the street at the new restaurant under construction.

"Pressli & Ramón…" She said quietly to herself. "Why does that sound so familiar?"

"What?" Margaret piped up from the corner.

"Nothing. I was just thinking. I'm going to go take inventory," Janet headed to the backroom. As she did, Margaret got up from her chair and walked over to the window. She stared at the construction across the street.

"What did this trip do to you?" Margaret asked herself quietly as she walked back to the counter. That, Jack… I knew he was trouble.

"Let's see… twelve roses to the Mickels', the wreath for the Rowmela's, and the house plant for the Stevens'," Janet marked the names off on her clipboard. "Now, for the new shipment." Sitting at her desk, Janet busied herself with paperwork. She sighed, scratching her head. Her mind was busy with thoughts, none pertaining to work.

"Ughh, Janet come on, you gotta this done," she scolded herself. She couldn't stop thinking about Jack, his wonderful hair and liquid blue eyes, the sound of his voice, his laughter. She smiled and leaned back in the chair. She closed her eyes for a moment. She thought about the past month. The vacation was so amazing. It felt like a dream; a perfect dream. Before Janet knew it, it was already five o'clock.

"Really?" She looked at her watch for reinsurance.

"My God. I did sleep all this time." Janet sat there, thinking as she read the papers.

"There is no way."

"Janet…are you still here?" Kathryn walked through the backdoor and looked at her friend. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah…I'm just a little tired," Janet yawned. "I guess I fell asleep." Janet stretched.

"Why don't you go home and get some rest," Kathryn said as she walked over to the desk.

"Ok," Janet grabbed her purse. "You sure you can handle this?"

"Yes. Now Janet go home and get some rest." Kathryn walked over to the desk and sat on the edge. Janet stood and stretched again, yawing as her arms lifted over her head.

Janet soon found herself curled up in her bed, hugging on her over sized pillow. Several days had passed and it still seemed like yesterday that she was in his arms, laughing. She hugged her pillow tighter at the thought of his face. I miss him so much. She soon drifted off to sleep. She awoke the next morning as the morning sun peaked through her curtains. There was no way she was going to work. Looking out the window, she made up her mind, and picked up the phone.

"Hello," a groggy voice answered.

"Margaret, I'm not gonna come into day…I'm in the mood to go to the beach."

Margaret chuckled lightly. "Go on. But remember we need you back sometime."

"Don't worry; it's just for today."

"Ok, but no picking up guys," Margaret teased. Janet laughed.

"I won't."

"Okay, be safe. Love ya."

"Bye."

"Bye." Janet hung up the receiver. "I already have someone I want," She bit her lip and smiled.

The waves lapped gently at her feet as she walked along the sand. The cool water was refreshing. The breezes danced through her hair. She would give anything to be back in his arms. She wanted to hear his voice, to feel his warm breath on her neck. She sat on the cold sand and let her mind wander. Her past life seemed like it was catching up with her. A misty breeze brushed across her cheek. Sitting there in the morning sun, she let him go, knowing it was for the best.

Months later, Janet was better than ever. Her two shops were doing great and she felt refreshed, free from the past.

"What's up with Janet?" Margaret asked Kathryn one day.

"I think she finally let go." Margaret looked at Kathryn, Kathryn looked at her. They both turned and watched Janet helping a costumer.

"She seems happier. Like, she can breathe," Kathryn took a bite of her apple.

"Ya, I know what you mean. You know, she hasn't mentioned his name once for a couple of weeks." Margaret sipped some of her water.

"Thanks for coming in," Janet walked over to the counter. "That restaurant across the street is really coming along."

"Yeaahh," Both women answered in unison as they watched their friend walk to the window. Kathryn walked over to Janet.

"How are you doing this week?"

"Great, I've never felt better. Why?" She turned to face Kathryn.

"Well, I'm just worried, I, I'm glad you're better." She hesitated and looked down at the floor.

"Kathryn, don't worry I'm fine. Trust me, I'm doing great. Besides what happened almost 10 years ago isn't apart of my life today. I'm not going to cry my life away for what happened or what didn't happen. I'm focusing on my life now. My two best friends and my businesses." She put her arm around Margaret and Kathryn's shoulder. "Girls, I'm fine, everything is. You two shouldn't worry yourselves."

Janet walked to the back room and began going over some paper work. Margaret went to see if she needed help. The front bell rang as a sandy blonde, well-dressed executive walked in and to the counter.

"Good afternoon sir, may I help you?" Kathryn wiped off the counter and looked at the man.

"Yes, I'm opening a restaurant soon and I would love some beautiful flowers. Could you help me?"

"Why yes. What did you have in mind?"

"I would prefer something subtle yet vibrant," Kathryn smiled at his comment.

"How about some Snapdragons or Peonies?"

"Perfect!"

Margaret rolled her eyes at Janet.

"Fine, if you don't want my help then do it all,"

"Well, I only have one more to fill out, so Hm. And after this, I'm out of here. There's a glass of wine with my name on it."

"Ok, suit yourself."

Janet filled out the last order form and got her purse. Margaret walked a head of her, only to find Kathryn talking to a customer. She stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes grew wide and turned to Janet.

"Why don't you go out the backdoor, uh- Kathryn might get jealous you she knew you were leaving early."

"Ok," Janet laughed a little as Margaret pushed her away from the door. "You know you two are the silliest people I know." Margaret chuckled nervously as she rushed Janet out the door.

"Go enjoy your wine, I'll see ya Monday."

"Bye Margaret! See ya."

Margaret quickly closed the backdoor and rested a second. "Good Lord." She walked to the front to find the man no longer there.

"Who was that man?"

"Oh him, He owns that restaurant over there. He wanted some flowers. Man were gonna make money," Kathryn said in a singsong voice. "He asked about the shop, wondered if Janet Wood still owned the place." Margaret's eyes grew wide once again.

"What?"

The thunderheads grew larger in the evening sky.

"Phew," Janet threw her purse on the table and walked over to her oversized couch. After plopping into a pile of pillows, she looked through the mail. She hummed to herself as she heard a car in the driveway. I wonder why one of the girls is here. I hope everything is alright. Sitting up, she looked out the window. She had never seen that car before. The doorbell rang. Perplexed, she proceeded to the door and opened it. She dropped the mail as her body went numb, her mouth agape. All she could do was stare.

"Hey beautiful," Jack's silky voice rang in her ears. She had to be dreaming. His beautiful blue eyes stared warming, piercing her soul.

"How's my favorite brunette?" He brushed a few strands oh her hair out of her face. "You know, I've missed you."