Comfortable, Chapters 1-7

Hey, I used to post here a lot but it's been awhile.  I started posting this older story over at AKOG as a way of finishing it.  I thought I would re-post it here as well in case anyone was interested in it.  I am going to be reworking and actually finishing the rest of it.


CHAPTER 1

“I had a really good time.”  She said, shyly keeping her eyes to the ground.  She didn’t want him to see her blushing.  It was embarrassing enough that she almost fell down earlier in the evening when he tried to take her hand.

“I did too, even though you avoided eye contact with me as much as possible.”  He laughed, slouching a bit and trying to catch her eyes.  She finally looked at him, but only at his face, not the eyes.  Smiling slightly she sighed, reached into her purse for her keys and unlocked the door.

“Well, thank you again Peter, for dinner and the movie.”

Peter reached out and took her hand, “Jenny, I was invited to this party tomorrow.  A friend of mine Chad, is throwing it for another friend’s birthday.  It’s at The Paradox over on Sunset.  I’d love it if you came with me.”  

Jenny smiled, “Okay, that sounds fun.”

“Great.  I will pick you up at 8.”  He moved closer to her.  She knew he was going for her lips and she tensed up.  Just as he was about to kiss her she moved in too quickly and her nose collided with his.

“Ow!”  They both called out and laughed.  Jenny’s face turned beat red, she could feel her cheeks burning.

“Sorry!”  She yelped holding her nose, trying to ease the pain away.

“It’s okay,”  He laughed, “But I am going to go before I feel the need to kiss you again and end up with a black-eye.”  He joked.

They both laughed and said their good-byes.  Jenny stood on her doorstep and watched Peter get into his red Aston Martin convertible, give her a wave, and drive off.  She walked into her apartment, took off her shoes, and tossed her stuff to the side.  Thinking about all of the ways she embarrassed herself tonight, she laughed.  She threw herself down on her couch.  Sitting there in silence she realized how stupid she felt, “Oh my god! I am an idiot!”  She yelled at the ceiling.  
CHAPTER 2

Jenny walked into the hair salon that was owned by her friend Jason.  He greeted her at the door with excitement, “So, how was the date with this Peter you keep going on about!”

“It was a disaster.”  She slumped into the chair, “I’m surprised he even wanted to take me out again tonight.  Jason, I almost broke his nose! And at dinner I spilled water all over the place, and when he tried to grab my hand I almost fell off the sidewalk.  This always happens to me.  Whenever I go on a date with someone I act like a complete idiot!”

“Well, if it doesn’t work out, you send him my way.  I don’t think I have ever seen a sexier man in my life.”  Jason said, running his fingers through Jenny’s long brown hair, “I think we should go with an updo.”

“That’s fine, just as long as it stays out of my face for the night.”  She sighed.

“Jenny, I think you just need to chill out when you go out.  You get so uptight about acting a certain way and trying to be something you think that they expect you to be.  You should just relax and be yourself.”  He consoled.  

She let out a sigh, “I know, I just get so nervous.”

“Honey, you have no reason to be nervous.  You’re beautiful, your funny, your successful, talented.  Any guy would be lucky to have someone like you.  Hell, if I was straight I would probably stalk you.”

“Wow Jason.  Thanks.”  She laughed.

By the time Jenny got home she had just enough time to get dressed before Peter showed up at her door.  She took a glance in the mirror and made a few adjustments.  She had on her favorite pale green drop waist dress and flip flops.  Realizing the shoes were probably too casual she slipped into some wedge heels and met Peter at the door.

“Wow, you look amazing.”  He said, holding an arm out for her.  She took it and they got into the car.

“So who is this party for?”  She asked, as he sped down the free-way.  

“My friend Chad is throwing it for this guy that he works for.  John I believe his name is.  He is a musician.  Anyway, it’s his 29th birthday.  Chad was having some trouble booking the club so I made few calls and in return he invited me.  It should be a good time.”  He smiled and placed a hand on Jenny’s leg causing her face to turn red.

When they got to the Paradox there were tons of people outside.  Camera’s were flashing and it was very loud between people yelling and the music coming out of speakers set up outside.  When they got into the club the atmosphere was a lot less hectic.  People were sitting around, sipping drinks, playing video games on huge televisions, or on one of the arcade games.

“Chad!”  Jenny heard Peter call.  She turned to see a man walking toward them and give Peter a brotherly hug.  She realized how out of place Peter looked in a place like this.  He had a business suit and tie on.  Everyone else in the place was dressed casually and laid back.  She supposed that being who he was, vice president of a major production studio, the business outfit was comfortable for him.  

Peter introduced Chad and Jenny.  Chad shook her hand and smiled.  He had kind eyes but he looked as though he wanted to say something and held back.  They all talked for a few minutes when Jenny realized she was out of the conversation.  She looked around at the party and realized that a lot more people had showed up.

“Can you tell me where the bathroom is?”  Jenny interrupted.

“Yeah, it’s just over there through that hall,” Chad pointed.

Her gaze followed his finger and she looked at Peter, “I’ll be right back.”

He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, causing her to almost fall over but she caught herself.  She sighed and walked away.  On her way to the bathroom she was scolding herself in her head for being such a fool  around men, especially ones that she liked.  

When she got to the bathroom there was someone already inside and she waited outside the door.  She looked back out at Peter.  She began thinking about how perfect he was.  He was successful and funny.  Although a bit clueless about fashion he was charming.  She knew she was thinking too far ahead, but he was perfect so far and knew he was someone she could take home to her father.

Peter looked up at her and saw that she was looking at him.  He gave a short wave and smile.  Just then the door to the bathroom opened and a very tall woman pushed past her.  Jenny tried to catch herself but she was caught off guard and her wedge heel slipped out from under her.  Before she could hit the ground, she felt someone catch her as she fell backward.

“Woah, you okay there?”  A man’s voice said from behind her.

She stood up and adjusted herself, “Yeah, I am.  Thank you.  I am extremely clumsy sometimes…well…all the time really.”  She laughed it off.  It seemed like she would get used to constantly making a fool of herself but it just seemed to feel worse each time.  

“Thank you again.”  She smiled, looking at a tall man with dark hair.  He looked familiar but she couldn’t place him.

“No problem.  I think Amazon woman over there probably owes you an apology, but it’s hard to find one of those in this city.”  He chuckled.

“That’s for damn sure.”  She nodded, “well, I am going to use the bathroom.”  

She reached for the door handle and he gave her smile, “Well, I will see you around the party then.”

She walked into the bathroom and locked the door.  She splashed her face with water and dried off.  Luckily Peter had looked away before he seen her almost fall on her ass.

“Chill out Jenny.  Just… Chill.”  She spoke softly to herself, “okay.”  She said with a sigh and walked out of the bathroom.  She realized the man that had caught her was still standing where she left.  

“So I walked away, after I said that I would see you around the party and realized that not only did I not get your name but that what I meant to say was, “I hope that I see you around the party.” And adding that word, “hope” I figured would help you understand that I wasn’t just saying it to say it, but that I really do want to see you around.”  He said, a smirk on his face, “Does that make any sense?”

“Surprisingly, yes…”  Jenny said skeptically, “But, I am actually here with someone… so I should probably be getting back…”

“Well, you could at least tell me your name.”  He said, his head cocked to the side and a charmers look on his face.

“How about you tell me yours and then I will give you mine.”

“Fair enough.”  He said, pulling his hands out of his pockets, “John.”

“Emily.”  She lied.  She wasn’t sure why she lied, it just popped out.  

“I think that you are lying to me.”  He challenged.

“What?  How would you know that?”  She laughed nervously.

“Because you don’t look like an Emily.”

“Fine.  Jenny.”  She gave in.

“See that’s more like it.  I am good at reading people.”

“Well, John.  It was nice to meet you, but I really should be-“

“Getting back to your date.  Yes.  Well.  Hopefully, I will see you around tonight.”  He said, looking her straight in the eyes.  

Surprised with herself, she looked back and smiled.  She walked off leaving him standing in front of the women’s bathroom door.  She could feel him watching her but she managed somehow to gracefully walk back to Peter.

The party wore on and after a few drinks Jenny began to feel much more comfortable.  She played a few arcade games while Peter busied himself with people.  The party became quiet and Jenny realized that people were watching the stage.  She found a place next Peter and they watched as Chad gave a speech to the person who’s birthday it was.  She couldn’t see where this person was sitting and assumed it was somewhere near the front.

“…. So John…”  Chad said holding up a drink, “Me and everyone else would like to wish you a happy birthday.”  Everyone toasted and drank, “Now get your silly ass up here and give a speech.”

Everyone began cheering and looking around.  She felt someone brush past her and quickly whisper, “I can’t believe you lied to the birthday boy.”.  She realized it was John and then realized he was walking to the stage.  She looked at Peter, “That’s who’s birthday it is?”  She asked feeling shocked.

“Yeah, John… uh…. “  He tried thinking of his last name. “Mayer! John Mayer.”  

“Huh…”  She said, a small smirk on her face.  

“What?  Why?”  Peter asked.

“Oh.  Uh.  Nothing.  I just didn’t realize it was for him.  That’s all.”  Peter pulled her closer to him and they applauded when John finished his speech.  He walked off the stage and there were a lot of people crowding the area that Jenny and Peter were standing in but she saw John push his way through all the pat’s on his back and hugs.  He walked toward Jenny, smiling.  She looked up at Peter, realizing he wasn’t seeing it.  Her face turned red and she looked down at the floor rather than at John.

“Jenny.  Such a beautiful name.”  He mumbled as he walked past her.
 
Chapter 3

The morning after the party, Jenny woke up to hearing her front door open and close.  She glanced at the clock, groaning when she realized it was only 8 am.  Knowing perfectly well who had just come in, she got up and wrapped herself in her robe and walked out into the kitchen to see Jason putting bagels into the toaster.

“Well good morning!”  He said optimistically.

“It’s much too early to deal with all of your excitement.”  She groaned and began fumbling with the coffee maker.

“Let me…”  He said, pushing her to the side and began working the very old coffee maker, “Since I am making you coffee you have to tell me all about your night with Peter.”

She let out a huff and sat down at the table, “It was fun.  We had drinks, played games.  I met some interesting people.”

“Interesting people?”

The first person she thought of was John but she was not going to mention it.  Jason would never lay off the subject if she brought it up, “Yeah, Peter’s friend Chad.  He was a nice guy.”

Jason turned and looked at her, “So did Peter finally lay his lips on you or did you give him a concussion before he could.”

Jenny rolled her eyes, “Yes he kissed me.  I still managed to act like my clumsy self though.  I think that I just have really bad luck.”

He set a mug coffee in front her.  She sipped it and he sat down, “How is it that you can make better coffee than me with my own coffee maker?”

“It’s a gift.”  He smiled, “So did Peter ask you out again?”

“He wants to introduce me to his parents.”  

“Are you kidding?  Oh.  He totally likes you!”

“You do realize you sound like a high school girl…?”

“Shut up, I am just happy for you.  I am so glad that you are dating someone you can be serious about.”  He touched her hand lovingly, “You deserve a good man.”

“Thank you Jason.”  She smiled, “He is a good man, I think.  I just don’t want to fall too fast for him like I usually do.”

“Not every guy sets out to break your heart, Jenny.”

“Of course not, just the ones that I meet.”  She rolled her eyes.

“Well I have a feeling about this one…”  He smiled and sipped his coffee.

Jenny walked Jason to the door after they talked for awhile, “Do you have any gum?  I’m doing a house call for Jennifer Beals and I don’t want coffee breath.”

“Yeah,” She said, searching for her bag, “It’s where ever my purse is…”

Jason saw it peaking out from the couch and grabbed it, “Here it is.”

“There is a pack of gum in the front pocket.  I am going to grab my shoes and I will walk you out.  I need to grab the mail anyway.”

She left the room and came back out to Jason holding up a slip of paper, “Who’s John?”

“What?  What do you mean?  What is that?”  She began walking toward him.  He backed away, keeping her from snatching the paper out of his hand.  He looked at it again and read it out loud.

“I am taking a chance by giving you this, the least you could do is call me.  I really hope you call me.  John.  555-2573.” Jason read in a much deeper voice then he actually had.

“Give me that!”  She grabbed it out of his hand and re-read it in her head.  

“He must have slipped it…”  She mumbled, mostly to herself remembering him brushing past her.

“Now you have to tell me who this… John is.”  

“He’s just… some guy.”  She rolled her eyes.

“You are totally lying to me.  I can see it in your eyes you little liar.”  

“Do I have a flashing light that blinks every time I tell a lie!?”  She said in frustration.

“No, you’re just really bad at it.”  

Jenny told Jason about the incident of almost falling and how she had met John, leaving out the part that had occurred after she left the bathroom.

“Well that doesn’t sound very exciting.  I wonder why he gave you his number.  Does he have a last name?”

She was reluctant to mention it but she did anyway, “Mayer.  John Mayer.”

Jason’s face became immediately serious, “You have to call him.”

“Why? I have no reason too.”  

“John Mayer gave you his number and asked you to call him and you are asking me why you would call him…Something else happened didn’t it?”  He took a step toward her.

“No.” She stepped back, avoiding eye contact.

“Tell me.”

When she hit the wall behind her she gave in, “Okay, so we talked a little bit after I left the bathroom.  It was clear he was flirting with me, but come on!  I was with Peter.  You know, Peter, the guy you think is perfect for me!”  She reminded.  

“Well you know I think Peter is great for you, but you should keep your options open.  Your young, talented, and probably even sexy if you tried.  Honey, you are a catch whether you like to admit it or not.”

The only way that Jenny could get Jason to leave was to promise that she would call John.  Once he walked out the door she threw the number in the trash can and took a shower.  When she finished she walked back to the living room where the trash can was.  She stared at the note sitting on the top.  It felt like the note was staring her back at her.  Looking her in the eyes the way that John had the night before.  

“I really hope you call me…”  She read in her head.  ‘Hope’ was underlined twice.

She reached and grabbed the note and set it on the side table by the door.  She wasn’t going to call him, but she reasoned in her head that throwing the note away would be rude.  


Chapter 4

A couple of weeks had past since the party.  Things were going great with Peter.  So great in fact that she was starting to get nervous that it would all come crashing down at any moment.  That just seemed to be how her relationships went.  She hoped though that this time would be it.  Peter would be the one.  He certainly made her feel like the one for him.

Every time she thought about her encounter with John Mayer the more angered she got.  “I mean, how dare he make a move when he clearly knew I was with someone!”  She would think to herself.  Eventually she just rubbed him off as another arrogant rockstar.

    Jenny sat down at the coffee shop near her apartment and looked at her watch.  Peter walked in just as she glanced at the door.  He smiled, kissed her on the cheek and sat down across from her, “I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news.  What’ll it be first?”

Jenny thought for a second, “Good then bad.”  She said, blowing at her coffee before sipping it.

“My parents are coming to your concert tonight.  I want to introduce you to them afterwards.”  He sounded excited.

Being caught by surprise, the coffee went down the wrong pipe, causing her start coughing heavily, “Excuse me, sorry.” She managed to choke out.

“Are you okay?  Let me get you some water.”  He left the table and went up to the counter, coming back with water.

Jenny sipped it and cleared her throat, “Thank you, it just surprised me I think.”

“I had a feeling it would.  I know it’s probably too soon to do the whole, meet the parents bit, but… I’ve got to be honest, I just can’t get enough of you.”  His voice was sincere and it made Jenny’s heart pound hard, “And when I told them I was dating the associate concert master of the Philharmonic Orchestra… well… they were certainly impressed.”

Jenny’s heart swelled at the thought of someone like Peter bragging about being with someone like herself.  

“Well, I am glad that they are coming, really.”  She smiled, but the thought of him and his parents being there made her incredibly nervous.  Especially since the concertmaster wouldn’t be performing tonight, it would be her that goes out on stage in front of everyone.

“So the bad news…”  Peter began and Jenny sighed and cleared her throat, “After your concert I have an overnight flight to Tokyo.”

“Well that should be fun.  I have been there a couple of times.  It’s a great place.”  She leaned forward and placed her chin in her hand, a smile on her face.

“I’m going to be there for about a month.  I am overseeing this project that we are funding.”  He looked grim.

“A month?  Wow.”  The smile drifted from her face.

“I think I said the same thing when they told me.  I am just hoping that you don’t forget about me.”  He smiled with a wink.

Her first thought was, “Yeah right… How could I forget about someone who is actually charmed by my major flaws.” But instead of saying it out-loud she just smiled, “It’s only a month.”

Jenny left the coffee shop and glanced at Peter from her rear-view mirror as he waved goodbye to her.  She was going to miss him while he away, but she tried not let Peter in on that so much.  She didn’t want to seem too needy.  Not that she was, but it seemed that whenever she showed a man how much she really cared for them…. That’s when they kicked her to the curb.  She was being cautious this time.
 
Chapter 5

After her performance at the concert that night, Jenny became nervous having to meet Peter’s parents.  The only thing that she knew about them was that they were incredibly wealthy.  The whole concert went surprisingly well.  She was sure she would screw up her solo or fall as she exited the stage but the gods must have spared her tonight.  She saw Jason first and he hugged her and praised her performance.  When she saw Peter with his parents she excused herself.  Peter beamed as he introduced her and it made Jenny feel very welcome.  Just before she was about to thank the elderly couple for attending the show that night she felt a tug at her arm.  Jason stood there, his back to her.  He was whispering something to her and trying to go unnoticed.  

“Excuse me.”  She smiled politely to Peter and his parents.  She grabbed Jason by the arm and dragged him out of earshot.  

“What are you doing?”  She asked through clenched teeth, “Can’t you see I am busy?”

“Well excuse me Ms. Attitude, but I thought you might like to know that there is a certain someone giving you the eye over by the bar.”

“What are you talking about?”  She asked looking toward the bar.  Her eyes fell on John, leaning against the wall holding a glass half full of red wine.  He was standing with a group of elderly men conversing, but he wasn’t paying much attention to them.

“Shit.”  She said, quickly looking back at Jason and trying to hide her face.

“Oh it’s too late for that.”  He rolled his eyes.

“I am going to go back over here now, please refrain from embarrassing me again, love.” She said in a sarcastically happy tone.  She strolled back over to Peter and his parents.  His mother seemed interested in Jenny’s career as a violinist, but his father was clearly bored.  When they said their goodbyes, Maria, Peter’s mother told Jenny that she should join them for dinner when Peter is back in town.  

“Our chef makes the most divine eggplant gratin, I know you will love it.”  Maria beamed, “I hope to you see you again soon dear.”

Things couldn’t have gone better on a first meeting with Peter’s parents.  Jenny was pleased with herself.

 She managed to avoid looking John’s way and by the time she left the lobby to go backstage for her things, John was gone.  

After packing up her violin she strolled on to the stage and said some last goodnights to fellow members of the orchestra and to stage crew.  She took the stage steps down and began walking up on the aisles when a voice startled her.

“You never called.”  John said, standing just before the door that led into the lobby.

“Slipping a note in my purse without my knowledge does not guarantee a call.”  She stopped just to the side of him.  It was dark in the corner and she could barely see his face.

“No, I suppose it doesn’t, I guess I just had high hopes.”

“I guess so.”  She said moving toward the door, clearly annoyed with his being there.

“I want to take you out for pie.  My dad used to take me out for pie after… school recitals and all that jazz.  I would like to do that for you tonight.  You deserve it, considering you didn’t let that clumsy gift of yours get the best of you and you played that amazing solo…I am pretty sure you deserve it.”  He took a step toward her and she managed to stay put even though his closeness made her nervous.

“Well, I honestly would love to, but I have plans.”  She lied.

“Well, call me if you change your mind.  I know this great place with the best pecan pie…”

“Can I ask you something?”  She interrupted.

“Anything...”

“Why are you asking me out when you know that I am seeing someone not to mention the fact that we don’t know each other at all?”  This time she took a step forward and he stayed put.

“I didn’t ask you to marry me, I just asked if you wanted pie…”  He smiled.

“Fine.  I will go out for pie then.”  She said, narrowing his eyes.

“Ahh.  Nobody can resist pecan pie…”  He said, pushing the door open for her.  

“…and this will make you leave me alone?”  She asked, stopping in the doorway.

“You’ll never see me again, promise.  Well unless you want to see me again.”  He grinned.

“Don’t count on it.”

The first thing she noticed when the light from the lobby fell onto John was the way he was dressed.  He wore a nice suit, but his shirt was un-tucked and the first few buttons were undone.  His hair was disheveled but in a charismatic way.  Everything about him, although undeniably sexy, seemed arrogant.  Like he knew that he was cool and didn’t have to try.  Her irritation for him increased.


“So, I can no longer see LA in the rear view mirror.  Do you mind telling me where we are going?” Jenny asked turning to John and watched an amused smile creep across his face.

“We are going out for pie, silly.”  

“And where is this pie that you speak of…. Sacramento?” She joked.

“Santa Barbara actually.”  He said it like it wasn’t a big deal.

“We are driving an hour and a half just to eat pie?”  

“Well, to be fair…. It’s really good pie.  And I am the one driving, you’re enjoying the scenery.”  He turned to her and smiled.

“You are irritating.”  She huffed.

“And you need to relax.” He said returning his eyes to the road.

Just as she was about to retort her cell phone began blaring the theme to Indiana Jones.  She quickly reached in her bag and pulled out her phone.  When Peter’s name flashed on the screen she quickly turned her phone off.

John, just about to comment on her ringtone was cut short when Jenny gave him a, “Shut up” but keeping her eyes ahead of her.

After a moment, John busted out in laughter while trying to maintain his place on the road.  Turning to him in confusion, Jenny couldn’t help but let out a giggle, “What?”

“You just don’t seem like the type to have an Indiana Jones ringtone… that’s all.”  He continued, “You seem more like a Four Seasons kind of a girl… or Pachelbel’s Cannon.”

“That’s quite the assumption considering you don’t even know me.”  

“Well, I didn’t mean it in a bad way.  Maybe you should let me get to know you.”  He smiled at her and it made her blush and move anxiously in her seat.

“So what’s your favorite Indiana Jones?”  He asked, noticing her unease.

“Temple of Doom.”

“Really?  I think you are the first person I have heard say that.  Most go for Raiders of the Lost Ark.  I just don’t think Indiana Jones is very good without Nazi’s being involved.”

“And you aren’t the first to tell me that.  I always liked Short Round.  He was fun.”  She reminisced.  

He just smiled with the same amused look on his face.  When they arrived to their destination John turned the engine off and looked at Jenny, “We’re here.”

“You brought me to an iHop?  We drove an hour and a half to go to iHop.”  She stared in awe at the building hoping it was a joke, “isn’t there like 20 of these in LA?”

“Yes, but this one….” He got out of the car and began walking around to her side.  She opened the door before he had a chance to and stepped out, “Has outdoor seating by the beach and in case you haven’t noticed….there is a full moon tonight.”  He pointed up to the sky with a grin and Jenny followed to where his finger pointed.

She was amazed to see how big it was, “Wow,” was all she could manage.  It had been a long time since she had appreciated the sight of a full moon.  She shook herself out of her daze and grabbed her bag.  She looked at John, who was still staring at the sky.

“Pretty good for a first date, huh?” John said, shifting his gaze to Jenny.  

“This isn’t a date.” She sternly reminded.

“Oh. Right.” He appeased.  

They took seats outside and had a view of the ocean.  After an apathetic waitress took their order of pecan pie John leaned back in his seat with a grin on his face, “I’m glad you are letting me buy you pie, Jenny.”

“You are really very good at this…” She nodded.  She was definitely charmed by his attempt to woo her, but she knew better.  Besides, she was already seeing someone and he was just as charming, if not more so.  

“What do you mean?”  He sat up and moved slightly closer to her.

“Being charming.  You clearly have had practice.”

“Is that your way of calling me a man whore?”  He laughed, “Because if I remember correctly, we don’t know each other well enough to make assumptions.”

She smiled and let out a small laugh just as the waitress set down pie in front of them.  John looked at her, marveling in her smile and the way she tried to out smart him.  He liked a challenge and she was one.

“So how long have you been playing violin?”  He asked, shoveling a piece of pie into his mouth.

“Since I was 8, so…. 18 years?”  She had to think about it.  She hated being reminded of how old she was.  Sometimes she still felt like she was 10.

“Wow, that’s a long time.  You must have been a very patient little girl.”

“Not really.  It was more forced upon me, but I began to appreciate it the older I got.”  She sipped her iced tea and watched as John finished off his soda, “You must have started playing the guitar fairly young…”

He wiped his mouth off with his napkin and appeared to be thinking about what she had just said, “Okay, thinking about it just makes me feel old.”  He laughed.

She followed in laughter, “I totally understand…”

By the time they got back to LA it was almost 3am.  John pulled up to the spot where Jenny’s car was parked and turned off the car.  He turned to her just as she was grabbing her bag.

“I know it’s a long shot, but I really want to take you out to dinner.”  

“Where to? Burger King?”  She teased.

“Oh look at you, smarty-pants.”  He laughed, “I was thinking pizza hut.”

“Nice.”  She nodded.

“No really though.  I know this really great sushi place.  I think you’d like it.”  His confidence was getting ahead of him.

“John, I had a really great time, but… I am seeing someone and I just-“

“No, I get it.  Don’t worry about it.  I had a great time too.”  He forced a smile, “You have my number, just give me a call if you change your mind.”

She wasn’t sure how to respond so she sufficed for a “thanks,” before stepping out of the car.  

John knew she wouldn’t call, knew it would take more than a phone call to be able to see her again.  What mattered though, was that he really wanted to see her again.
 

Chapter 6

It was 4am when John finally made it home.  The whole way, he relived the last moments of his night with Jenny over and over in his head.  He thought he had played out the hours before it quite well.  She had even seemed interested in him at points.  Clearly he had read her wrong though.  He wasn’t used to rejection.  He headed off to his room, replaying the scene again.  Him laying his vulnerability out there by asking her to dinner and her mentioning this other guy that she is seeing and shutting the door behind her.  With a cringe and a sigh he climbed into bed and quickly fell asleep.



“You can’t look at it as rejection, man,” Chad reasoned as he slipped his sneakers on, “I mean, just because she won’t go out to dinner with you, doesn’t mean you can’t still be her friend.”

John looked at Chad’s grinning face before letting out a short laugh, “Yeah, you’re right.  Friends.  I can do that.”  He began nodding.

“How did you meet this girl anyway?”  Chad asked, searching for his jacket.

“She was at my birthday party last week.”  John reached behind the couch and picked up Chad’s jacket and handed it to him.

He gave John a, “How did you know that was there?” look and slipped it on, “And you didn’t know who she was?  I didn’t invite anyone you wouldn’t know…”

John shrugged, “She was with some guy, dressed in a navy business suit, hair slicked-“

“Oh shit,”  Chad interrupted, making the connection, “You mean Peter?”  His voice had become suddenly quieter, as if someone might hear.

“I don’t know the guys name.” John shrugged.

“Oh that was Peter,” Chad laughed, “That guy is a total ass.  He is this big deal in the film industry, VP or something at Lions Gate.  I try to be nice to the guy because he has a lot of pull, but it’s really hard when all he ever talks about is women.  You wouldn’t believe the things he was saying about his date that night at your party.  He’s a dog.”

John looked down at the ground for a moment, his arms crossed.  He cleared his throat and looked at Chad, “I told her I would leave her alone.”

“You do realize you always want what you can’t have, right?”  Chad said, walking for the front door.

“You’re supposed to tell me what to do, not tell me what I already know.”  John sighed, following Chad.

“Fine.  I don’t think that you should mess with the girlfriend of a guy who has some major pull in this city.  But, I could say that all day and you still wouldn’t listen to me, would you?”

“No.”  John laughed, realizing that he wasn’t going to take Chad’s advice.

Chad rolled his eyes and gave John a pat on the back, “You’re hopeless.  But, I love you.  Do what you gotta do, buddy.”

Chad walked out the front door, leaving John to his thoughts.  He reached for his phone and walked into the kitchen.


“Apollo Salon this Mandy, how can I help you today?”

“Hello Mandy, is Jason in today?”  John asked, hoisting himself up on to the counter top.

“One moment please.”

“Apollo Salon this is Jason.”

“Hey, Jason.  This John.  John May-“

“Yes I know, how are you?”  Jason giggled slightly.

“Well, I wanted to call and thank you for letting me know about the Philharmonic Orchestra concert last night.”

“Oh it’s no problem at all, although if Jenny found out I told you about it she would probably castrate me.”

John let out a laugh, “Yeah, I bet she would.”

“And how did things go last night?”

“Good, she let me take her out for something to eat afterwards, but-“

“She pretty much rejected you?”

John huffed at the reminder, “That she did.”

“This guy that she is seeing, Peter.  He is really great for her.  I do believe Jenny needs to keep her options open, but if things start to get serious with her and Peter-“

“You want me to back off.”  John said.

“Yeah.”

“Well, I honestly just want to be her friend.”

There was a moment of silence on the phone as Jason considered what John was saying and finally said, “We’ll be Rockwell’s this Friday with some friends.  But I can’t help you out after this.”

When John finally hung up the phone his smile faded as he tried to figure out how he could possibly be just friends with someone he was so attracted to.



“I know I told you a few weeks ago that I would go out with you and your co-workers tonight, but I am beat.”  Jenny said as Jason entered her apartment.

“You have to go tonight.  In fact, I won’t let you say no.”  Jason said, walking past Jenny and into her room.  She reluctantly followed and watched as Jason sorted through her closet, pulling out an outfit.

“Seriously, I am not going.”

Jason searched his head for anything he could say to get her to come out with him, “You owe me.”

“I owe you?”

“Remember that night you ditched me for that god awful waiter ex-boyfriend guy… what was his name?”

“Oh my god, are you really going to bring up Caleb?  That was…. 5 years ago.”

“Hey, it was my birthday and you ditched me to go to some football-“

“Fine.”  Jenny said, grabbing the outfit and walking into her bathroom.

“Love you!”  Jason called out victoriously.



The pub was surprisingly quiet, considering it was a Friday night.  This was a relief to Jenny, who couldn’t seem to stop thinking about how comfortable her bed would be when she got home.

The group of people Jenny and Jason were with all found a table in the back of the bar near some pool tables.

After ordering drinks, Jenny sat quietly, not really paying attention to any conversation.  She didn’t know any of the people that Jason worked with so she just kept to herself, which was okay with her.  She was too tired to make small talk, but surprisingly all of Jason’s friends left after an hour of drinking.  Most of them wanted a more upbeat atmosphere.  Jenny was glad for this, because once everyone left, she felt much more relaxed.

"These are from the guys over at the bar."  The server said, setting two cocktails in front of Jenny and Jason. 

Jenny glanced over at the bar at first only seeing a middle aged man sipping on a beer. 

"Uh, I believe he means the guys at the end of the bar."  Jason smiled, grabbing his drink.

Jenny moved her gaze further down and saw John smiling back at her, "What is he doing here?"
 
Chapter 7

“My friend Jason is making me come over here and thank you for the drinks.”  Jenny said forcing a smile toward John.

“Jenny, I am sure you remember Chad.”  John smiled, ignoring her comment.

“Hey, it’s good to see you again.”  Chad waved.

Jenny replied kindly, in a more polite tone that it was also good to see him again, but when she brought her gaze back to John it all went away, “What are you doing here?”

“I believe that’s my cue to go and introduce myself to your friend Jason over there.”  Chad said, getting up and walking away.

“Meeting you for drinks.”  John smiled, grabbing the beer in front of him and following Chad to the table where Jason sat.

Jenny stood there for a moment, trying to comprehend what had happened.  She finally put the pieces together and glared at Jason at the realization of his involvement.  She finally joined the others at the table just as Chad ordered another round.

As the night went on, Jenny forgot her anger toward Jason and her irritation toward John’s seemingly arrogant attitude.  This allowed her to have a good time and enjoy the company of all three of the men she was with.  When 1 am rolled around, Chad offered that they all head back to the home that him and John shared, open a bottle of wine, and enjoy the night air.

“I really should go home.”  Jenny spoke up first.

“We would love to go.”  Jason insisted, ruling out Jenny’s decision.

“You guys can follow us.”  John said, standing up from the table and laying down a large bill.

When Jenny got into Jason’s car she turned to him and glared, “You are a sneaky little trixter Jason Smith!”

“That may be true, but I do it for you.”  He laughed, pulling out of the lot and following John and Chad.




When they arrived to John’s, he was just stepping out of his car as Chad was walking up to the house.  Jenny stepped out of the car and shut the door before she realized that Jason had yet to turn off the engine.  

“Come on..”  She waved to him.

“Oh, sorry.  I just realized I can’t stay.  Work in the morning.”  He smiled innocently, “John can give you a lift home.  Bye Love.”

She looked up at John standing by his car.  He wore khaki cargo shorts and a gray t-shirt.  She shook her head at him as he grinned and waved for her to come his way.

“You can not leave me here!”  She said in a hushed voice.

“Let yourself have some fun for once!”  Jason insisted.

“You owe me for this.” She whispered, just before he backed out of the driveway.



“This is quite the house you have.”  She said as they walked into the foyer.

“It’s okay.”  He smirked.

They walked into the kitchen where Chad was pouring glasses of a red wine.  Jenny felt awkward having Chad there, considering he knew Peter.  She accepted the wine, avoiding his eye contact.

“I am going to see if I can get some music going.”  John said, leaving the room.

“So how’s Peter?”  Chad asked, simply trying to make conversation.

To Jenny it seemed it was more of an accusation and at the mention of Peter’s name spilled the wine down the front of her shirt, “Shit!” She sighed setting her glass down.  

“Wow, red wine and white shirts don’t mix well,” Chad joked, “Let me grab you a towel.”

John walked into the room to Chad patting Jenny’s stained shirt down.  Chad hadn’t realized how close he was to her chest.

“I can set in for the night if you two want some alone time…”  He laughed.

“Nice.”  Jenny rolled her eyes, taking the towel from Chad’s hands.

“I can grab you a clean shirt if you want.”  John said, pointing his thumb behind him.

“Actually, I think I would just rather go home…”  

“Oh.  Okay, that’s fine.”  John said and Jenny could sense his disappointment, but she felt the need to get out of there.

“I’ll be out in the car.”  She said, leaving the room.

Once he heard the door shut, John looked at Chad with a confused look.  

“All I did was ask her how Peter was…”  He shrugged.  He hadn’t meant to fluster her, but realized she might have had every reason to feel that way.

John climbed into his car to the smell of alcohol that stained Jenny’s shirt.  He didn’t say anything at first and it made Jenny nervous.  When he finally turned the engine on and back down the driveway he turned to her, “Chad didn’t mean anything by asking you about Peter.  He was just trying to make conversation.”

“I know, I realize that now, it’s just kind of strange.  Peter is in Tokyo and here I am with you.  I am not going to lie, I am flattered that you have paid the attention that you have but Peter is a really great guy.  I would like to see where it goes with him.”

John thought for a moment about what to say next.  He knew he had to choose his words carefully, “What if Peter wasn’t as great of a guy as you think he is?”

“What do you mean?”  She asked.

“Well, it’s just something Chad had told me about him, how he’s not the type to stick to one woman-“

“Okay.  Stop right there.  You don’t know me and you don’t know Peter.”

“I know, I just want to make sure you know what you’re-“

“John.  You aren’t my boyfriend.  You took me out for pie and coerced my friend to bring me out with you.  That doesn’t make us anything… at all.”  She spoke with a kind of confidence that surprised even herself.


The rest of the ride home was in silence.  John knew she was right.  He didn’t have the right to tell her who to date and who to allow in her company.  He just hoped that in the end it wouldn’t break her too much.

When he dropped her off she meekly said thank you and got out of the car and walked up to her building.  She was surprised to see John follow her but tried not to draw attention to it.  

“Jenny…”  He said walking up to where she stood., “Can we start over? Be friends?  I really like being with you.  The trip to iHop, hanging out tonight… it was a lot of fun.  You are a lot of fun…. If you let your guard down.”  He smiled and it made Jenny smile, “What do you say?”

The smile that crept across Jenny’s face made John notice his heart pound.  Maybe it was the gloss on her lips or the way her cheeks turned pink when she smiled, but it took all of the will-power John hand not to attempt to kiss her or even just reach out and lightly touch the smooth skin on her bare arm.

“Friends huh?”  She thought out loud, looking down at her feet, “I suppose I could do that.”