J
I spent an hour Friday afternoon calling Asahi's references, even though I was pretty decided that I was going to hire him. Asahi was willing to start tonight and that sounded perfect to me. I was wondering if Lisa was going to just show up again; surely we would get slammed with customers if she did that.
I was tempted to call Lisa since she didn't call me back last night like she said she would. I wondered if she was waiting for me to call her - if it was a test. It didn't matter; I still wasn't going to sway from my rule not to chase her.
I had already given up hope hearing from Lisa when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I looked at the time; it was ten thirty.
"Hyunji, I'll be right back," I said as I ran for my stairwell.
"Hi," I answered, very much knowing whose voice was going to respond.
"Hi – how are you?" Lisa asked.
"I'm great! How are you?" I was definitely happy to hear from her.
"I'm good. I just left dinner. I really want to see you tonight."
"I really want to see you too." Damn, another slip.
"Good!" she said happily.
"Are you going to walk through my front door in two minutes?" I chuckled, attempting to cover up my mistake.
"Mike, stop right here. I'll see you tomorrow." It sounded like she had the phone away from her face, and then I heard a car door slam. I could hear her breathing rate pick up.
"Why does it sound like you're running?" I asked.
"Because I'm halfway down your alley," she breathed back.
I ran to the back door.
A few moments later a dark cloaked figure slipped through my back door. The hood of her jacket was pulled way up to hide her face and she had her large messenger bag slung over her shoulder. Her eyes met mine and a huge smile appeared on her face.
"Hey you," Lisa greeted me, slipping her hand through her hair to knock her hood back. The lights in the kitchen made the reddish tinge in her dirty blond hair even more noticeable.
"Hey back," I said, matching her beaming smile with my own as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders to give me a quick hug.
"Brrr, it's cold out there." Lisa shivered slightly and stepped back to release me. "Um... so, how are you?" Her eyebrows narrowed.
"I'm good!" I was smiling so hard my face started to hurt. She gave me a little wink. So much for not letting her hug me.
"You look… great!" she complimented. She ran her eyes down my body; her fingers touched the edge of my shirt.
Her eyes seemed to linger until the music playing in the pub distracted her.
"Sounds like you have another great band tonight." Her head bobbed slightly with the music.
"Thanks! I have 'Far from Human' playing." I gestured. "They're one of the better cover bands in town."
"They're really rocking!" she said. "But I can't deal with a crowd tonight. I'd rather not have anyone know I'm here." I could see the concern in her eyes and I understood what she meant. I knew she didn't have a private life. "Do you mind if I hang out upstairs and wait until you're done?"
She smiled my favorite innocent, smirky-smile, which shattered most of my protective shell. The word "no" no longer seemed to exist in my vocabulary. I motioned with my head for her to follow me.
I squeezed through the kitchen door and opened up the stairwell door, holding my hand out to her. Our eyes met as she gently placed her hand in mine, then I slipped her from one door to another completely unnoticed.
She took her bag off her shoulder and removed her jacket, making a small pile of her stuff on my living room floor.
Instinctively I walked over to my windows and pulled down the shades. I could only imagine the photographers scaling the walls to take pictures.
"How was your day?" I asked, trying to get back to friends mode.
"Busy. We filmed all day. I just got off the set and then a few of us went out for a quick bite to eat."
"No rest for the weary, huh?" I teased.
"No, not usually," she agreed. "But I was actually able to have a meal without fans screaming tonight though!"
"Did you use the Ninja cloaking device?" I kidded.
"I told Jaehyun what you said when we went to dinner tonight. He couldn't stop laughing." Lisa chuckled.
I laughed with her, remembering one of our sillier conversations from yesterday. "Were you on your way back to the hotel?"
"Yeah, but I decided to take a detour!" Lisa snorted. "Would have been nice to freshen up though," she said as she rubbed her face.
"What? No cuts on your lip?" I was looking to see if she was still wearing any special effects makeup.
"No." She grimaced at my comment. "But it's been a long day. Hey, do you mind if I take a shower?"
My mind went straight to Hell with the visions that instantly appeared in my thoughts.
"No, I don't mind." I tried to sound unaffected by her request. "You know your way around, make yourself at home." Friends sometimes take showers at their friend's houses, I justified.
Thinking about her being naked and wet in my apartment was too dangerous, especially with a crowded bar to attend to. I hurried down the hall to the bathroom and set out a fresh towel on the counter for her. My mind wandered as I tried not to envision her all soapy and wet in my shower.
I could all too clearly picture her standing in the stream of hot water as the soap lather gathered in the crevices of her muscular frame, washing her clean. Do friends sometimes wash their friends? Naked, wet, hot sex in the shower... could I handle a "friends with benefits" relationship with her? Stop! Bar. Business to run. Focus Jennie.
"I have to run downstairs and make sure Hyunji is okay covering the bar. I have a new bartender working tonight. I'll be right back. Can I get you anything to drink while I'm down there?" Back to business mode.
"Yeah, no problem. Do what you have to do." She nodded at me.
"Ah… if you can bring me back a beer, that would be great," she said as she wheeled around in a bit of a circle.
"Do you have a preference?" I figured I'd ask.
Lisa smiled. "Surprise me!"
After I settled things with Hyunji to cover the bar, I returned to her with a six pack in one hand and a bottle of tequila in the other. She peeked up over some papers in her hand; a very sultry grin cracked on her lips as she shook her head at me in disbelief again.
"So what are you reading?" I handed a cold bottle of beer to her.
"I got a new script that my agent wants me to look over." She briefly held the papers up in the air. "It's called Slipknot."
I had never seen a movie script before and I was surprised to see it was a pretty thick packet.
"What's it about?" I asked, genuinely interested in knowing what types of movies she was being courted for.
"I've been told it's about a guy whose parents and sister are murdered and she has to uncover why it happened and who did it." She took a sip of her beer.
"Hmm, so it's a murder mystery? Is that something you'd be interested in doing?"
"I'm not sure. I have to read this whole thing and let my agent know if I'm interested by Tuesday, although it seems like they've already cast me for the part."
"This Tuesday?" I asked, slightly shocked. "In four days you have to give them an answer? It looks like a lot to read in such a short time."
I didn't realize that some of these movie deals happened so quickly. "Talk about putting pressure on you. No wonder you're stressed."
Her eyes flashed over to look at me. "Well, it's a studio film and they want to fast track it."
I nodded even though I wasn't sure what the heck she was talking about.
Lisa was staring at me. "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" she laughed lightly.
I smirked, surprised she was able to read me like that.
"Okay, here's your lesson for today. Pay attention because there will be a quiz." She held the script up. "You've heard of Paramount, I assume?"
I rolled my eyes.
"Okay… they are the 'studio.' " she gestured. "Without over-complicating it, they've got the money. This film has already received a 'green light.' What do you do at a green light?"
"You go," I answered.
"Script… film has been pitched… money is there to back it… green light – go. With me so far?"
I hoped my look got the message across that I'm not an idiot.
"Now this project is in pre-production. That's when the cast gets hired, budget is determined, and for this film I understand that Jonathan Follweiler is going to be directing. What it means for me are two things." Lisa counted on her fingers. "One, do I want to do it and two, can I meet the production schedule dates. If I can't commit to being there, I can't do the film."
"So you still have the option to turn it down, right?" I asked.
"Yes. I haven't signed anything yet." She waved her hands. "And they need to make me an offer."
"Don't you have to audition first?" I tried to sound like I knew something.
"Not really… not anymore. All those screaming fans are like one huge resume. I may have to screen test with potential actresses to see if the chemistry is there, but that's about it."
"Got it!" I grinned.
"Good! Tomorrow we'll learn all about cinematography."
"Darn! I was hoping that tomorrow would be all about special effects." I pouted.
"Okay. Then as soon as I'm done reading this I'll paint all your walls a lovely bright green and we can play with the CGI on your computer. How does that sound?"
"You better get reading then!" I stood up to excuse myself. She startled me when she stood up too.
"I have to get back to the pub and finish up the night; we're getting slammed down there. I even have Tammy helping out tonight. So are you going to be okay up here by yourself?"
She walked over to me and rubbed my arms up and down softly with her hands. "Don't worry about me."
"I feel really bad leaving you here like this," I uttered sadly, melting like butter under her touch.
"Jen, I know you have a business to run. I'm just glad that… well… I'm here. I'll be fine!" she stressed. "I have excellent music to listen to and a fat script to read. That will definitely keep me out of trouble for a while." she winked at me.
I looked down at her feet. In all honesty I really wanted to stay with her. "I still feel terrible though."
Lisa's hand slid down my arm and she brushed her fingers on mine; her other hand lifted my chin until our eyes met.
"Don't. I'm looking forward to some peace and rest, actually. I'll see you when you get back."
I felt the jolt of electricity surge through my body when she touched me; I had to fight the new desires rapidly building in my heart.
"All right. I'll see you in three hours," I sighed.
"Before you go, I'd like your cell phone please," she requested, holding out her hand. "I'm not going to check up on you. I just want to program it a little."
"I don't care. I have nothing to hide," I said. I pulled my cell out of my pocket and handed it to her. "Just don't give me an obnoxious ringtone."
"Don't worry. I'll take care if it. Now off you go! Back to work!" she took a hold of my shoulders and spun me towards the door.
I was glad we were busy tonight; it made the three hours go by fairly quickly, although I wished the band would have hurried more when they packed their instruments up.
I was so excited to finally lock the doors and get back upstairs to my very incredible guest that I ran up the steps to my apartment.
Lisa was lying on the couch, peacefully asleep. Her long legs were stretched out and her bare feet hung off the edge. I was surprised to see she was wearing wire rimmed glasses. She looked very studious and perfect.
I slowly removed the thick script that rested on her chest from underneath her folded hands and set it on the coffee table. She was so sound asleep that the motion didn't even make her stir. I grabbed the quilt that my grandmother made off the back of the loveseat and covered her up.
I noticed her tawny hair was still damp and unkempt from sleeping. I sat down on the wooden coffee table and took the sight of her into my memory. Her lips were slightly parted as she breathed in her slumber and I hoped she was having peaceful dreams.
Goodnight Sweet Beauty, I thought to myself, taking one last look at her before I turned out the lights and headed for bed.
It was still dark in my bedroom when I woke, suddenly startled. I felt my bed jostle as Lisa carefully slid her body underneath my blankets.
Without saying a word, she snuggled up behind me and made herself comfortable on the spare pillow. I leaned back slightly to acknowledge her, resting my body on her chest. She curled up tighter behind me; I could feel that she was still fully dressed.
Lisa's hand skimmed down my arm. Very slowly, she slid her open hand on top of mine, lacing our fingers together. She let out a soft sigh when I closed my fingers around her.
For how hard I tried to protect myself from getting hurt, it felt so right to lie here with her. Our bodies nested together perfectly - like we were made for each other. It was apparent that she was just as affected by me as I was by her.
The sun started to rise and soft light filled my bedroom. I felt her arm pull me closer to her chest; her warm breath caressed my shoulder as she snuggled with me. Her breathing returned to the sound of sleep, so I let myself drift back to my incredible dream.
I woke again when I felt her stir. Her fingers flexed, gripping my hip. Her fingertips circled to feel what I was wearing. Her legs stretched and she lightly pressed herself into me when her brain received the message that I was only wearing panties and a T-shirt.
Dizzying arousal shot through my body from her touch. My mind quickly wandered with other visions of how her steely hands could grip my hips. New cravings for her were growing rapidly in my thoughts.
"Good morning," she whispered in my ear, sliding her hand across my stomach.
"Mmm, hi!" was all I could say as our eyes met. She grinned at me and gently swept my hair off my forehead with her fingertips.
"Sorry I fell asleep on you last night. Why didn't you wake me when you got back?" she yawned.
"You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to wake you."
She smiled that sexy grin at me – the one that makes my pulse race – while her fingers drifted over my skin and caressed my face.
The desire to lean into her and press my lips to her was so strong, and I didn't have the internal strength to fight it anymore. She appeared to be fighting the same urges, but that was a threshold of intimacy that she didn't cross.
I rolled over to face her and nestled my cheek on her shoulder; my hands palmed her chest. I just wanted to touch her somehow, some way. She wrapped her arm over my shoulder so her hand could hold my head to her chest. My life would be perfect if I could wake up every day to this feeling.
After I was showered and dressed, I joined her in the kitchen. She was leaning against the counter with a coffee cup in her hand - another mental picture I committed to memory. Her face lit up when I walked into the room; her reaction caught me off-guard. Why is she so happy to see me? Me?
Lisa looked so casual, standing there in a very familiar dark blue T-shirt, her jeans with the worn pockets hanging a bit on her hips. She hadn't put on any socks or shoes yet; her bare feet were holding her confidently in place. I never realized that seeing someone drinking a cup of coffee in my kitchen could be such a turn-on.
"Hey there," she greeted me. Her face flashed a big grin; her eyes looked me over. "I hope you don't mind but I made some coffee. Can I pour you a cup?"
"Yes, that would be very nice." I opened up the refrigerator to get the milk.
"Here, let me get that," she said as she took the container from my hand.
I reached back into the refrigerator for the carton of eggs. I was hungry; I figured she must be hungry too.
"Can I make you some breakfast?" I asked.
She smiled and nodded. "Breakfast sounds great."
The way we flowed together in the room was bizarre. I've never felt so at peace with someone before in my life. Though we had only known each other for a short time it felt like we had known each other all our lives. There was no stress or awkwardness between us. I think she felt it too.
"What's on your schedule today?" I asked while buttering a piece of toast for her. Her life seemed to be segmented by one appointment after another and I highly doubted that she had much free time left today.
"I have to be back on set at ten." Her eyes flickered up to meet mine.
I gave her a brief smile. I didn't want her to think that her schedule would upset me.
We discussed how to transfer her from my apartment to the set, as it wasn't simple or easy to get her from one place to another secretly. The plan was that I would drive her halfway to someplace obscure where she could transfer to a waiting car that would drive her to the set. Her safety and my anonymity were the top priorities.
Since our time was limited, we hung out in my living room.
I saw her face brighten when she picked up my acoustic guitar that was propped up on a stand in the corner. She placed the guitar on her knee and gave it a quick strum. She surprised me by playing pretty well.
"I saw this on Monday when I was here but I didn't get a chance to ask you. Do you play or is this just a decoration?" she wondered, looking at me over her shoulder.
"No, I play," I answered confidently, although I was far from a master at it. "I know a few songs. Sometimes I try to write my own music when the mood hits, but I'm not that good of a songwriter," I admitted.
She handed the guitar to me and gave me an encouraging nod. "Play something for me."
My heart rate picked up instantly as my nerves got the better of me. I felt the pang of horror hit as I imagined making a total fool out of myself.
"Okay, no laughing! Promise!"
"I'd never laugh at you." She crossed her heart with her fingers. "I promise."
"All right, let's see if you can name this tune." I played the first few notes.
"Easy! Pink Floyd," she said with a smile. "Wish You Were Here."
I laughed when she made up her own lyrics. "No, that's not what he says!" I gave her a teasing tap in the foot. I started the song over. Soon we were both singing together. "We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl…"
When I finished, she slipped the guitar out of my hand and waved her fingers for my guitar pick. She gave me a quick wink and a grin and played a few chords.
"This is something I wrote," she said nonchalantly, adjusting the guitar on her leg. She started to play a beautiful melody. Her song was intense; the lyrics resonated in my heart. While she sang her song to me I felt myself falling deeper and deeper for her.
I stared at her in awe as she let herself slip into her music. My mind wandered into forbidden territory as I entertained illicit thoughts of tearing the guitar from her hands and climbing onto her to kiss her passionately. How her strong hands could hold my hips in place on her lap. How her tongue might feel on mine. I felt myself becoming extremely aroused just by thinking about it.
"What did you think?" she asked when she finished her song. The truth was that I was tingling in places where I hadn't tingled in a long time.
"It was… mesmerizing. I loved it!"
A wide grin broke on her face.
While she returned my guitar to its stand, I took off for the solace of my bathroom. I locked the door behind me and leaned hard on the counter.
I had to get a grip on my emotions. She was too unreal. It would be so easy to fall madly, insanely, deeply in love with this person, and every second I spent with her was dragging me towards that point of no return. My heart was racing, the blood throbbed in my veins, and I felt slightly dizzy. Breathe Jennie. Don't do this to yourself! Stop it! When she leaves Seaport, you'll never hear from her again.
I fought the internal war that was battling in my mind – do I allow myself to be carried away - to surrender completely and allow whatever happens to happen or do I end it all now and avoid the devastating heartbreak that was likely and inevitable? I knew that I would be completely incapable of having a casual fling with her, so that option was out. Even though I could not resolve my dilemma now, I knew that sooner or later I'd have to make a choice.
When I returned to her, she was gathering her things together and it was time for us to go. I didn't want her to leave. I wanted to grab her hand and drag her back to my bedroom. My desire for her was leading the war.
But she had to go. She had obligations. Reluctantly, I grabbed my car keys and we headed for the door.
Lisa managed to hop from the back door into my waiting car unnoticed. We didn't talk very much on the way to meet her driver. I think she was too intrigued with how our secret exchange would turn out to hold any conversations. And my internal skirmish was still battling in my brain.
We met her driver in the empty rear parking lot belonging to one of the local textile manufacturers, where it would be difficult for anyone to see or hide to take photos. From there her driver would take her to the location where they would be filming today.
She turned to me to say her departing words. Her fingers reached out to touch my face and she thanked me for a wonderful morning.
"I'll call you later, okay?" she said as she pulled her hand away.
I smiled and nodded. It was the only response my confused brain was capable of.
She slipped out of my car and quickly hopped into the open door of the car that waited. All I could do was wave goodbye.
By the time I returned home, Fred was already there, busy unloading boxes from the van.
"I put all the steaks in the refrigerator and the liquor delivery is in the back," Fred informed.
I stepped behind the bar to put the cash drawer in the register.
"Oh and Tammy's got the rest of the catering under control. We got everything on the list, so we're good to go for the party tomorrow."
"Thanks Fred. You and Tammy are the best! Did I give you enough money or do I still owe you?"
"The shrimp cost more than we figured but we still came in under budget. I think there was about $40 left."
"Just keep it. Gas costs money too. I'm just thankful I have friends like you two." I flashed him a big smile.
"So, what's up with you?" Fred asked.
I didn't know what to say or how to explain my mood.
"Hey, what's going on?" He came around to the back of the bar when I looked away. "I know you've been… in a different situation lately. You want to talk about it?"
When I looked him in the eye, I couldn't lie - completely. Fred was the closest thing I had to a brother in this world, and he knew me well enough to know something was wrong.
"I'm falling for her, Fred. I can't help it anymore. I tried to just be friends," I said. "But I want her. I've never wanted anyone more, and now I'm worried that I'm just setting myself up for the biggest heartbreak of my life."
Fred wrapped me in his big bear hug. "You know, when Mingyu pulled that crap on you, I wanted to kill him. You're too good of a person to accept anything less than the best in life. You deserve to be happy, Jennie! Not every guy is like Mingyu. Granted, Lisa is, well... still she seems like a hell of a nice guy."
I knew Fred didn't want to say the words "famous" or "celebrity." I took a step back from him. Words like "celebrity" equaled "unobtainable" in my mind.
"You just have to give the poor guy a chance first. But sometimes you can also be your own worst enemy," Fred scolded. "If you never take chances, then of course you won't get hurt. But that's what life is all about, kiddo. Living through the good and bad, and – with any luck – having battle scars that heal."
"Fred, she's leaving in a couple of weeks. She is not going to stick around here." I sighed heavily from the one thought that brought me the most pain. "What am I supposed to do? Put my heart out there on the silver platter again and give it all away? How convenient that all the guys I seem to fall for own sharp knives."
Just then my phone vibrated in my pocket, startling me.
"Speaking of sharp knives."
'1 new message' flashed on the screen. I read Lisa's text message and laughed to myself.
"I need duct tape"
"For what?" I texted back.
"Bb is throwing hissy fit again she hates her costume today"
I frowned and quickly typed: "can't u lock her in a trailer?"
"I wish"
"Is she coming tomorrow?" I asked.
"Yes sorry btw I slept great last night best night sleep in a long time"
My fingers quickly typed: "Liar"
"Truth!" popped up on my display. I smiled at her reply.
"Cu tomorrow at 5?" I replied.
"U can c me tonight if u want?"
I couldn't text her back. I wanted to see her so bad but the self-preservation portions of my heart and brain were screaming NO at me.
If I say, "sure, come on over and hop in my bed again" – would she deem me easy?
If I say, "no, because I really want a relationship and not a one-night stand" – would she move on?
Why am I mentally torturing myself? Remember Jennie, she's going to be swirling out of your town and out of your life in a few weeks.
Just because she is popular and well known, does that make her exempt from having to win my heart? Well, that's silly. She cracks my will every time she is in the same room with me, so she really doesn't have to try too hard to win my affection.
Maybe one day when I'm old and gray I can tell my story of how I had unbelievably insane sex with a movie star once? That would be something to tell the grandkids.
Maybe my name could be a sub-text blurb under her name on some Lisa Manoban website. October – slept with foolish girl in Rhode Island before she met her movie star wife and went on to have dark brown babies with her.
I used to see everything so black or white. Once I made a decision, I stuck by it. But since this person entered my life, my whole being has been disrupted and blurred in shades of gray-tinted what-if's.
One thing was for sure: if I give in to her, I would want her again and again. There would not be a way to survive a one-time encounter with her. Lisa's foot touching my foot was enough of a gesture to make me want her. And when she held me this morning, her fingers twined with mine, her body pressed against me, making love to her was all I could think of.
"Jennie, are you okay?" Hyunji's voice snapped me back into the room. "Why are you sitting in the corner? Are you sick?"
"Just mentally torturing myself," I muttered.
"Oh, I see. And how's that going for ya?" she asked, cracking a grin at me.
"Not good. The angel and the devil are debating on whether I should cave or stand my ground."
"Finally! It took you long enough!" she said excitedly. "And?"
I shrugged.
"You know what I think? I think you should stop all this nonsense and screw the shit out of her until she passes out from exhaustion. And when she wakes up, wash her and then screw the daylights out of her again!" She was beaming at me.
"You'll have to feed her, of course, to keep her energy level up, but make sure you hide her clothes so she can't get dressed. They can't run when they're naked."
I couldn't stop laughing. "Thanks! I needed that."
"Come on," she said while pulling me off the box in the corner. "Let's get you focused. It will be like training an athlete."
Our Saturday night crowd was unusually light. I didn't have a band scheduled, so I presumed that we wouldn't have as many customers, but since Lisa had been to my place twice, every night seemed to be busy. I wondered why tonight was different. I noticed that the influx of extra women was missing. A few guys came in, but when they saw that the place was devoid of a hearty selection of women, they packed up and left.
"I thought we would be getting hammered by now," Hyunji huffed. "Where is the second wave of customers?"
One of the ladies sitting at the bar chimed in. "Lisa Manoban's whereabouts were posted on the Internet. My girlfriend called to tell me that the cast is eating at The Synful Grill. It has a new nightclub attached called Synergy. She said the bar is so packed that you can't even walk through the place."
"I've been there once," Asahi said. "There's a ten dollar cover charge just to get in. Drinks were really expensive too. I'm sure there are lots of women there tonight."
Great! Apparently Lisa was occupying her time with other activities. I wondered if it was because I didn't reply to her last text about seeing her tonight. Would she move on that quickly? Apparently…
It was almost eleven o'clock when my phone rang instead of vibrating. I listened to my new ringtone, letting the song play out so I could hear the lyrics. My smile was huge.
"Hey you," Lisa breathed out. "Are you working hard?"
"No, not really. We're kind of dead, actually. What are you up to?" It was hard to hide my enthusiasm.
"I'm at some restaurant. We just finished eating."
"Wow. This late?" I looked at my watch. "It's almost eleven."
"Sorry I didn't call you earlier, but we had a director's meeting at eight and then it took a while for all our food to come out. The food pretty much sucked. It was disappointing," she snickered.
"I promise I'll feed you better tomorrow."
"Hmm, I'm looking forward to it!" she stated.
I thought about the song that she chose to put on my phone, wondering if her feelings were that genuine. I'm yours, the lyrics informed.
"I really like my new ringtone!" I smiled. Despite her motives, she managed to somehow find my favorite song.
"Good! I'm glad," she sighed, sounding relieved.
"Pretty deep though, don't you think?" I asked, prompting her to explain the reason why she chose that song.
"Maybe that was the intention," she retorted. "I wanted to get a message across so there's no confusion."
I swallowed hard, my subconscious fighting to protect me from getting crushed again.
"I love Jason Mraz," I continued, trying to stay on the lighter side. "He's one of my all-time favorites."
"I know. You have all of her CDs - minus the one that's in my possession," she said, laughing quickly.
I thought about how she held me this morning and how desperately I wanted her to hold me again…in her warm arms.
Could she be mine forever?
"So… am I to understand that you're mine?" I asked teasingly.
"I can be yours if you want me to be, Jennie," she whispered.
My breath hitched from her words. My pulse quickened and my fingers started to tremble.
"Is that your intention?" I asked, still skeptical.
Lisa cleared her throat. "My intention is to let you know where my heart is. The rest… the rest is up to you," she said softly.
I took another deep breath. My own heart was thumping in my chest now. "So… now what? Where do we go from here?"
"We give it a chance," Lisa declared quite convincingly.