JENNIE
Nayeon pulls up right as I walk out of LAX, as if we've timed it perfectly. She hugs me tightly until a pissed-off driver behind us honks for us to move.
"Asshole," Nayeon yells and pulls into traffic. She leans over and squeezes my knee. "I've missed the shit out of you. How are you? And why aren't you wearing your robe? I was so looking forward to that."
I laugh. "Besides it being weird and that it's one hundred degrees here? I'm wondering why I even bothered with packing a bag. I plan to wear nothing for the next forty-eight hours."
"I'd rather you be clothed when you meet Orlando," she says.
We plan to hang at her place in Santa Monica tonight and drink wine. Tomorrow, we'll have lunch with Orlando, then spend the afternoon and evening in Malibu at the Shutters on the Beach resort.
I need sand and sun. Nayeon loves chilling and pampering as much as I do. "Definitely. I love that it's still hot here and I can wear my summer dresses. I ordered a few nice ones online. You'll love them."
"When do we get to talk about the job?" she asks.
"When I'm sitting in your living room with an open bottle of wine between us."
"When do we get to talk about Lisa?"
"When I'm sitting in your living room and we've finished the open bottle of wine between us."
"Oh, no! I'm sad. Why am I sad?"
"She was doing that thing where she wanted more than I could give." I hear the sadness in my voice and suck it up. "We just wanted different things."
"What would be so wrong about a relationship?"
"I don't do relationships. Can we talk about this later?" I sulk and look out at the scenery that's so different than mine, but I can't even appreciate it. "This week took so much out of me. Listen to this. I had my tire slashed Wednesday."
"What?" Nayeon looks at me. "What the hell's going on?"
"Nothing. It was apparently random. The guy slashed four tires in the parking lot. There's video, but you can't see his face at all."
"Were you stuck in a dark parking lot dealing with police and waiting for a tow? That sounds scary."
"No. I had a lunch, so thankfully, I saw it in the afternoon."
"Look at you being a fancy judge, leaving in the afternoon for lunches," she says.
"Oh, so that's a weird story, too. The mayor asked me to lunch and then told me to take it easy on sentencing with my first case. Said the perp was a childhood friend of his."
"Shut up. He did not! See? The mayor is definitely corrupt. Jennie, you have to be careful. I don't like this."
"Do you really think the mayor's corrupt? I mean he creeps me out, but that doesn't mean he's in the mob." I nod as if I believe my own lie.
"What sentence did you award?" Nayeon pulled into her driveway and parked.
"Fifteen years. Nobody's going to tell me what to do," I say.
She high-fives me. "That's my girl."
"Now let's go inside and open a bottle, snack on fattening foods, and catch up on the rest of our lives. It sounds like we have a lot to discuss."
Even though it's only nine here, my body's on Central Time, and I'm almost ready for sleep. Nayeon has a fluffy robe on my bed, and I strip down and slip into its softness. My feet are sore from walking so much in heels at work and at both airports. I wiggle my toes into the plush carpet and decide it's time to start my weekend fresh with renewed vigor. I join Nayeon in the living room and sink into the couch. She hands me a glass of wine.
"Being a judge hasn't been all that great," I say.
"That's because it's new and it's more political than you thought. We learned that in law school. You were the best lawyer, and you'll be the best judge. You have a passion for truth and justice that only a few people have." Nayeon clinks her glass to mine. "Now let's get to the good stuff. Tell me about Lisa. How many times did you hook up?"
"Let's see. It all started at the museum." I drag out the words and smile at her.
"I'm so jealous. That's superhot. My sex life, although I'm not complaining, is so normal compared to yours."
I wave her off and continue my count. "Then we met at my place for dinner after my first day in court. And the one time at my new place. That's it. Three times." I shrug like it's no big deal, but I already miss Lisa. "Oh, wait. Four. I forgot about the Kauffman Center."
"Do you seriously think you won't see her again? I find that hard to believe. It's hard to find somebody who can handle your appetite."
I sip on my wine and think back to how cold Lisa was toward me when she left. "If we see one another again, it won't be for a long time. I really thought she didn't want a relationship."
Nayeon leans forward as if she wants to get her point across.
"Maybe she doesn't want one. Maybe it's more of a respect thing. Like a fuck acquaintance. Tell me what happened."
I curl my legs underneath me. "She said we did it backward. Most people date first and then have sex. I told her I don't date, and she just up and left." Nayeon shoots me the I-don't-believe-you look.
I hold my hands up. "Seriously. She said I didn't know what she wanted and for me to quit thinking I did and left."
"Can you walk away from that deliciousness? I mean, if she's available, maybe you should give me her name and number."
"Ha-ha. She's too much of a top for you."
"Still sexy as hell. Maybe I can make an exception."
I laugh. "What about Orlando Bloom?"
She waves him off as though he doesn't matter to her. I know she's lying. "Honestly, he's pretty great. I'm excited for you to meet him tomorrow. And his kids are so sweet. I don't mind spending time with them."
"What happened there?" I grab a blanket from under the coffee table and wrap it around my shoulders, even though I have a robe on. It's a comfort thing.
"There are three sides to every story, but it seems as if she was more into money than family. She cheated on him and told him she didn't want kids, so she walked. That's why he has full custody of them."
"Ouch. Good for him. How old are the kids?"
"Six and eight. Still manageable."
I never was around children. I was an only child and never babysat or hung out with friends who had younger siblings. "That sounds like a fun age."
"Their personalities are coming out. Both are very funny and love Orlando so much. They idolize him. I mean, I do, too, but for different reasons." She winks at me.
"I have to say, Orlando looks good on you. He's good for your soul.""He's really good for my pussy."
We both laugh. I miss her. I miss having a bestie. I need to try harder. Nayeon and I hung out with a few lawyers in Kansas City when we were all getting started, but their careers and relationships got in the way. It's just me and Nayeon. Eventually I will have to give her up to Orlando or someone else. Her happiness is far more important than my selfishness.
"Tell me about Orlando. Have you met any famous people through him? And how does one even become a sports agent?"
Nayeon reaches for her phone and pulls up an album marked Celebs. I scroll through about three dozen pictures of her with athletes I recognize but can't name.
"He played football at the University of Alabama, and then a season in the NFL before blowing out his ACL. His degree is in Communications, and he already had a bunch of contacts in the league. Nothing But Sports signed him as an agent, and he's been with them twelve years."
"Wait. So, how old is he?"
"He's thirty-four."
"So, he's younger? You cougar."
"By like a year only."
"Insta-family so you won't have to pop out any kids," I say.
"Hold up. Nobody said anything about marriage or family. I'm not ready for that kind of commitment. Baby steps. I just was introduced to his kids, and while they seem adorable and sweet, that's a massive undertaking." She leans back against the couch.
"If this all works out, maybe you can start a business together. You're familiar with entertainment law. He's an agent with a lot of connections. And if my judgeship fails, you can hire me." I put my empty wineglass on the table and reach for grapes. Dinner was a ten-dollar salad on the flight, and I'm hungry.
"You've lost weight," she says.
"My schedule's off, and I'm scared to order food from restaurants since that one creepy guy showed up."
"Why don't you just pick it up? Or have one of the admins get it? That way you still get decent food and are taking care of yourself. I worry about you."
I worry about myself for entirely different reasons. We chat for another hour before she gently shakes me awake and tells me to go to bed. I don't argue with her, even though I know our time together is short and I miss her.
--
Orlando greets me warmly and kisses my cheek before joining us at the table. I don't mind his kiss because I trust Nayeon, so I trust him. "Jennie, I've heard nothing but great things about you. Congratulations on your new position."
Orlando is, for lack of a better word, dreamy. He has full, flowy, dark hair that brushes his shoulders and is purposely messy. I bet he spends more time styling his hair than Nayeon does. "Thank you. It's been challenging, to say the least."
Our conversation is smooth, and I watch how attentive they are with one another. I know they haven't said I love you yet, but it's obvious they do in the little touches and softer voices when they communicate.
It was Inevitable that one of us would fall in love, but truthfully, I always knew it would be her. I haven't opened my heart up to anyone since college, and that was a tough lesson learned. I'm not going to lose my dream job to change diapers or wipe snotty noses because somebody I love wants me to. Love isn't forever. But a career can be, and it's also rewarding.
By the time Orlando leaves us so we can continue our girls' Weekend, I'm internally worked up about how I won't ever sacrifice myself for love. I'm sure a part of me is jealous that Nayeon has this and a career, but for how long? Will he expect her to sacrifice for him and his family?
"Are you ready to be pampered? Because I am," Nayeon says.
"I'm so ready for a massage, and then I want to head to the beach to hear the waves roll in." I'm still tired from traveling, but once we pull into the hotel's driveway and she hands the keys to the valet, a burst of energy fills me at the sight of such a beautiful place.
"Nayeon, this beats Vegas. I always want to come here."
"Except there aren't as many people, and we can't gamble here. But yes, if you want to be treated like royalty, this is the place," she says. A bellhop disappears inside with our luggage, and we slowly follow him, looking at the décor. It has a very Cape Cod vibe. It's a crowded weekend, but we get our room key quickly.
"We have a suite with separate bedrooms. Not that I'm expecting anything to happen here, but you'll have privacy just in case."
"You're too much. We could have just hung out at your place."
She stops me. "Absolutely not. My bestie wants the beach, my bestie gets the beach. Come on. We have massages in fifteen minutes."
I'm instructed to remove my robe and lie facedown on the table. I slip under the sheet and wait for my masseuse. Low, gentle light and the smell of lavender and eucalyptus put me immediately at ease. I hear a gentle knock at the door and mumble, "Come in."
A woman about my age enters and introduces herself as Emma.
She's gorgeous. Her hair is pulled up and out of her face. Soft curls spring out from the bun and rest against her neck.
"Is there anything you don't want me to touch, or are you sensitive anywhere?"
I look her in the eye. "Nothing is off-limits."
She nods, and even in the low light I see her blush. I moan the second she touches me.
"You're very tense." She adds warm massage oil to her hands and starts at my shoulders, working her way down both arms and to my lower back. I don't even try to stifle my moans. This feels too good. I'm just thankful we're in a private room.
"That feels wonderful," I say.
She lowers the sheet to right above the swell of my ass. She slides her hands beneath the sheet, continuing her massage over my ass. "Tell me if you're uncomfortable with anything I do."
"Mmm-hmm." I can't help but roll my hips slowly. This is wonderfully torturous, and I wonder how far she'll go.
Her hands move to my inner thighs. I almost pant every time her thumbs get close to my pussy. I spread my legs apart, so there is no doubt as to what I want. She excuses herself for a moment, and I think I'm going to be in trouble, but she returns with a wedged pillow.
"Put this underneath your waist."
I tuck it under me so it lifts my ass and thighs in the air. She runs her hands down my thighs and then back up again. I'm squirming for release. More oil. She spreads me and massages everywhere but where I want her to. I know she's being professional, but I feel like she's toying with me, too. She knows I want her to fuck me. I take a deep breath and wait. I'm used to waiting, but I'm not patient. We're only twenty minutes into the massage, and I'm already thinking of different ways I want her to touch me. Her fingers are long, slender, and strong. Visions of her fisting me have me biting my lip and praying for either release or for the massage to end so I can run upstairs to my room and have a proper and loud orgasm.
"You're tensing up again." Emma's voice is raspy and low.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. How can I help you relax?" she asks as her thumbs barely graze my pussy.
I moan and roll my hips again. "Please don't stop."
She finally cups my pussy and runs her fingers between my folds. I moan. The oil is warm, but her fingers are warmer. I squeeze the thick padding of the table when she slowly presses two fingers inside me. I push my hips back into her hand. God, I need this. I tamp down unfamiliar guilty feelings as she increases her speed.
She runs her thumb along my clit, and I jerk with pleasure until I come quietly.
"Time to flip," she says. She gently pulls the wedge from under my stomach and holds the towel up so I can turn. She takes her time lowering the sheet and smiles smugly at me. I'm still sensitive and shaky. She stands where my head is and leans over to massage my shoulders. I pull the sheet down. My nipples are hard, and a thin sheen of sweat rests between my breasts. She stretches to massage them. I'm too weak to do anything but enjoy it. She makes appreciative noises as she rubs my body. She strokes my arms and legs until I'm completely limp. My eyes fly open when she touches my pussy again. She holds her hands still until I nod. I'm ready for another orgasm. She runs her hands continuously over my lips and my clit and, without any additional pressure, builds me up until I come a second time.
"That was incredible." I breathe deeply.
She smiles and rubs my legs until we hear the ding signaling the end of the massage.
"Thank you, Emma, for the best massage I've ever received," I say. She helps me into my robe.
"Thank you for letting me touch your beautiful body. I hope we can do this again soon. Here or somewhere else," she says.
"I'll let you know."
She winks as I leave the room. I sign off on a massive tip and have it billed to our room. I'll give Nayeon a heads-up, so she doesn't question the charge. I meet her in the dressing room and raise my eyebrow at her.
"You're not going to believe what just happened," I whisper so nobody can hear me.
She shakes her head. "Shut up. I don't believe you." It's as if she already knows.
"You should."
"I really do," she said.
I sit on the bench next to her and sigh. "But I feel guilty. Why is that?"
She stops and stares at me. "Oh, my God. I know."
"What?"
"You feel guilty because of Lisa."
