Jane sat back in the chair and resisted the urge to tell Maura to make a move.
The chessboard lay between them on the table and Jane had been waiting for what felt like 20 minutes (although it was probably closer to five) for Maura to move one of her pieces.
She didn't know why they went through this monthly torture.
Ever since Maura had discovered that Jane could play chess, this is what one night of every month had turned into for the past 14 months and Jane wasn't exactly sure why. Maura said she enjoyed the challenge, yet Jane wasn't convinced of that when moments like this happened. Maura put way too much energy into beating her.
Of course, Jane currently held a 9-4 edge over Maura in these contests with the hopes of hitting double digits tonight and the way the board looked that was going to be the outcome. She was sure Maura could see it too which is why she was taking so much time to come up with a countermove to stop it.
Jane was pretty much up for anything Maura wanted to do – hell, she had been suckered into some things she would not normally do but saying no to Maura was near impossible for her. All it took was a smile or a certain look from Maura and Jane would melt.
I am so whipped, Jane thought.
But this chess playing didn't seem like a really good time for either of them.
Maura finally sighed and sat back in her chair looking at Jane. "I can't win can I?"
"No," Jane said. "Checkmate in three."
Maura knocked over her king. "You win."
"Do you even enjoy this?" Jane asked as she began to reset the board even though they wouldn't be playing another game. Jane could handle only one game a night.
"Of course I do, don't you?"
"I mean I could think of better things to do."
"You don't want to spend time with me?" Maura asked.
"What? No. Of course, I do," Jane said. "It's just …"
"Just what?"
Jane bit her bottom lip and looked at Maura. "You know I want you to be happy, right?"
"Yes?" Maura said hesitantly.
"Well, you don't seem like you are happy when we do this each month."
Maura smiled at her and Jane knew that whatever came out of Maura's mouth next would end this conversation as Jane would go along with whatever Maura wanted.
"Firstly, I appreciate that my happiness means so much to you. Secondly, I enjoy these monthly matches because you challenge me, Jane. Not just in chess, but in life. You've opened up my world in ways I could never have expected. Only Jane Rizzoli could ever get me to drink a beer. So if you are concerned that I'm not happy, put those thoughts aside because I am. I am always happy when I get to spend time with you."
And there was that smile again.
"God, I want to kiss you right now."
The words were out before Jane could stop herself. When she realized she had said it out loud, she practically leaped from her chair with a horrified look on her face.
"I'm sorry, I don't know why I said that," Jane said backing up.
"Jane," Maura said, getting up from her chair as well. "Jane, it's ok."
"No it's not," Jane said. "I can't … I can't have feelings like this for my best friend. I'm … I'm just going to go now."
She headed for the door and reached for her jacket, but Maura was there grabbing a hold of her
arm to stop her.
"Wait," Maura said.
"I'm sorry," Jane said again.
"There is nothing for you to be sorry for," Maura smiled, leaning in and kissing her. "Like I said you challenge me. And like in chess, I'm always waiting for you to make the first move."
