***The next day***
Jennifer came into the office and found a couple bouquets of flowers on her desk.
The first one was different colored gerber daisies and white carnations.
"Congratulations on an excellent article. I love you, Pa".
The second one was purple morning glories, white hydrangeas, and pink stargazer lilies. She dug for the card.
"I'm sorry I hurt you, I wish I was there in person so we could talk about it. I miss you, and I will always value our time together. Please don't give up on us, whatever it looks like -Jonathan".
The receptionist came and dropped off several messages. As expected, Jennifer had gotten several calls about her article on the FAA and Regent airlines.
She returned a few of them, and then got to work.
She and Ava had lunch together, although she wasn't the best company.
She and Ava were walking back into the office when the receptionist flagged her down.
"Jennifer-Michael, the editor wants to see you in his office".
"Ok".
She headed to his office.
"Hi, you wanted to see me?"
"Yeah, come on in. So, we are getting lots of buzz about the article that you published on the airlines. And you've been offered the opportunity to write overseas, if you want. It doesn't start for 2 months though. But if you want it, it's yours. You have two weeks to decide. You will still be writing for and publishing in the Times, but you will be doing it overseas".
"Ok, thank you".
She got back to work and left right on time.
She planned on only sleeping and eating till the community business dinner this weekend.
***Friday***
Jennifer left at 4, and went home and got ready. She selected a silver metallic gown, and some black strappy stilettos.
She took a cab to the Met and walked inside.
Morgan was there also, so they mingled and got a drink together.
"Look around this room, Jennifer. Nothing but prospects. A fresh slate, if you will".
"What? You're crazy".
"I'm serious. The love of your life could be in this very room right now".
"I highly doubt that".
As she said that, she looked towards the door and saw him coming in.
"Oh my gosh, I have to get out of here, right now!"
"Why?"
"Jonathan is here. I can't let him see me".
"Jennifer, think this through. This is your chance to show him what he's missing. Make him regret moving to Tokyo".
She tried to hide behind Morgan, but it was no use. Jonathan spotted her and headed over.
"Hey."
"Hi".
"Morgan, this is Jonathan Hart. Jonathan, this is Morgan Nichols".
"Nice to meet you".
"Likewise".
He turned back to Jennifer.
"Dance with me?"
She hesitated and then finally agreed.
They walked to the dance floor and he took her in his arms and they started to dance.
"Can we talk about our phone conversation from the other night?"
"Not here. Maybe later".
"You look gorgeous, tonight".
"Thank you".
She looked at him quizzically.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, I told myself I needed to come and make sure you were ok, and then I found out that I was going to be getting an award tonight, so I decided to come now".
"I see".
Their dance ended, so they left the dance floor.
"Well, you are welcome to join me at the Hart Industries table".
"Thanks, but Morgan and I have a seat the Times table. Thank you for the dance".
He grabbed her hand before she could walk away.
"Please wait for me after the awards are over? I think we need to talk".
She nodded.
She went and found her seat next to Morgan.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a dance. He wants to talk later, so I agreed that I would wait for him after this is over".
The awards ceremony was slow. Jennifer won for favorite print journalist. Jonathan's company was recognized for their commitment to recycling.
"Well, I guess that's it. I'll see you at Breakfast in the morning".
"Sounds good. Hope your talk goes well".
"Thank you".
Jennifer went and found Jonathan, and they walked out together.
"Why don't we go to your place, and you can change clothes and then we can go to the penthouse?"
She nodded.
She was quiet on the way to her apartment.
He waited in the living room while she changed clothes.
She emerged in a pair of black lounging pants and a green long-sleeved t-shirt, and her Ugg boots.
She put her coat on, and then they headed out.
They arrived at his penthouse about 20 minutes later.
He let them inside and locked the door behind them.
"Make yourself comfortable, I'll be out in a minute".
She took her coat off and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
She was sitting on the couch when he came out of the bedroom in a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants.
He came and sat by her on the couch.
"Jennifer, I didn't move to Tokyo because I wanted to hurt you. I hope you know that".
"I've never thought you did".
"And I would love nothing more than for you to move to Tokyo with me, that was what I had planned on in the beginning."
"I know that".
"And I'm sorry that this other guy broke up with you, but it's not my fault".
"I know. I'm sorry I yelled at you the other night on the phone. Everything is just so messed up. I know that you and I had never talked about it, but I had all these thoughts….you, me, when we're 90. And I went to the rooftop that night expecting something else to happen, and instead, my life was ripped out from under me."
"Jennifer, I never implied that I was going to propose to you".
"I'm not saying you did. But Jonathan, you aren't a woman- and when a woman walks onto a rooftop and there's a string quartet and a table set for two, and the man of her dreams is holding a dozen roses…and she was told to expect a surprise…..what else is she supposed to think?"
"You're right. I'm sorry".
She leaned over and hugged him.
"I miss you….so much".
He hugged her back for several minutes.
"I miss you too. Tokyo is so lonely. I'll be walking down the street and think I see you. So many times I find myself wishing you were home when I get there".
"I do the same".
"I really do miss you. And I really do love you".
"How many more months do you have in Tokyo?"
"Well, I've put Tashi, this guy we hired in charge for the next month. If all goes well, he will permanently take over and I'll move back here full time".
"Here as in New York?"
"Here as in America".
"So what are we going to do?"
"We could give things another shot, if you're willing".
She hesitated.
"What is it?"
"I don't want to do the long distance thing".
"So we won't. How about we do the real thing, with both of us here in town?"
"Darling…."
He pulled her close to him.
"I'm going to be here for the next month, Jennifer. Live and in person".
He leaned over and tenderly kissed her.
"You are?"
"I promise".
"I can see you every day? No more late night phone calls where I'm missing you and you are halfway around the world?"
"I promise".
"Anything else you want to promise me? I mean, you're on a roll".
"I promise that I love you with all my heart and soul."
"Oh, that's a good one".
"I promise to hold you every night, and kiss you every morning".
"I love that one".
"I promise to let you hog the covers and give me back scratches whenever you want".
"How kind of you".
She kissed him a few times.
"And I don't hog the covers".
She kissed him again.
"I missed your kisses".
"I missed your hugs". She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Come to bed with me and I'll show you what else I missed".
He took her hand and led her to the bedroom, and she went to one side of the bed while he went to the other.
They quickly undressed, and climbed into bed.
He took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately.
She put her hand on his chest.
"Honey…are we…prepared?"
"Yes, we are".
"Good".
He kissed her again, and wound his fingers through her hair as he laid her back against the pillows.
He reached down and squeezed her perfect breasts, eliciting a sensual moan from Jennifer.
He left a trail of kisses from her mouth to her nipples and back up to her earlobe.
She rubbed her hands up and down his back.
He focused his attention on her nipples, and suckled them for a moment.
He moved his kisses back to her neck and she could feel him pressing against her.
He kissed her long and slow, and she framed his face with her hands.
He stared into her eyes and she nodded.
He climbed off her and took care of protecting them, and then returned to her.
He kissed her as he joined them together in passion, and they quickly found a mutual rhythm.
They laced their hands together, and he pressed hers against the pillow on either side of her head.
He leaned down and kissed her and she nibbled on his lower lip some.
A few minutes later, he took them over the edge together, and then her once more, before they calmed down.
"You are the only one who can ever make me feel like that".
"I'm so glad".
They kissed and cuddled for a bit and she gave him a back scratch.
By the time she was finished, he was fast asleep.
She snuggled up to him and covered them up and fell asleep right along side him.
***The next morning***
Jennifer woke up when the alarm went off and showered and then left Jonathan a note that she was having brunch with the girls and shopping with Ava and that she would be back around 5.
She put some lipstick on, and then kissed the bottom of the note.
She walked into the restaurant and found that she was the last one to arrive.
"So, Morgan says you saw Jonathan last night. How did the talk go?"
"Good. I think we resolved some things. And the feelings are still there, and I think for the first time, he really and truly understands how hurt and broken I was by him moving to Tokyo".
"How did you leave things with him?"
"Well, he flew from Tokyo and got here yesterday just before the awards dinner, so he's sleeping today. I probably won't talk to him again before dinner".
"Well, it's good to see you happy again. You deserve to be happy and it's been too long since you have been".
"Thank you".
"I gotta say, seeing you two dance last night, you looked like you were made for each other".
They had a leisurely brunch and then said their goodbyes.
Cassie and Morgan headed to some estate sales while Ava and Jennifer went to Barney's and Bloomingdale's.
They had just checked out and were about to head to a boutique Ava wanted to check out when she turned to Jennifer.
"So, how did the talk really go?"
"Good. Really good. He's actually going to stay here in New York for a month, because he hired someone to run the Tokyo office. So, this is like a trial run".
"So, are you two friends again?"
"More than that".
Ava stared at Jennifer.
"What?"
"Have you thought this through?"
"What's there to think about? We love each other".
"Yeah, but you loved each other last time and he still moved half way around the world, Jennifer".
"I know that".
"So what's to keep him from doing it again?"
"We will cross that bridge when we come to it, and what difference does it make to you?"
Jennifer gave her a pointed look.
"I cannot pick up the pieces for you after he breaks your heart again. I won't".
"As I recall, nobody's asking you to."
"So you expect me to stand by and watch this guy just destroy you all over again?"
"Why don't you just admit that you don't think this is a good idea? Or maybe you don't think he's good enough?"
"Fine. I don't".
"Fine. Then you shouldn't date him".
"Jennifer, come on."
"I cannot stay single in this city for you! Just because you don't have a guy in your life doesn't mean the rest of us can't, Ava."
"Nobody is saying that."
"And also, you haven't even met him. So, you are dismissing him before you ever gave him a chance".
"I don't have to give him a chance. I know his type all too well, thank you very much".
Jennifer stared at her.
"Why can't you just be happy for me?"
Ava just sighed and shook her head.
Jennifer turned and headed down the sidewalk away from Ava.
She turned 3 corners and then hailed a cab.
She went to her apartment and packed a bag and then headed to Jonathan's.
He was still sleeping, so she climbed in bed next to him and read for a while.
He slept till almost dinner time.
When he woke up, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the back of her shoulder.
"Hey".
"Hi."
"What time is it?"
"5:10. You've slept all day".
"You've been here all day?"
"No, I went to breakfast with the girls and then did some shopping and then I came back".
"How was breakfast?"
"Fun. Plus the food was excellent".
She marked her page and put it over on the nightstand, and then snuggled up to him.
"What do you say we get all dressed up and I take you out on the town for a romantic dinner?"
Just then, there was a large thunderclap. A few seconds later, they heard raindrops pounding against the windows.
"What do you say we don't get dressed up, and I order us dinner and we have our romantic dinner here?"
"It's a deal".
He kissed her a few times and then got up and took a shower.
While he was in the shower, she called her apartment to check her messages.
Nothing from Ava. Nothing from Cassie or Morgan either. Jennifer was sure Ava had told them about it by now.
Jennifer made a conscious decision to only focus on Jonathan the rest of the night.
She hung up and turned on the TV and found a movie.
Jonathan was out of the shower a few minutes later, and he came and cuddled up with her.
They ordered from Jennifer's favorite salad place, and just relaxed together all night.