Who Gets the Friends? Read online

  He found the card she’d given him with her phone number and stared at it. She said I could call and I want to, but what do I say?

  * * * *

  Jessica stood in front of the TV in her living room, dressed in workout clothes and going through her paces along with the exercise video on the screen. She took deep breaths and her heart pounded at the workout. She glanced at the clock when the session was nearly over, then stopped. She took more breaths to get her pulse back to normal, then wiped the sweat from her brow. Forty-five minutes of good cardio workout. Not bad. Now if only I weren’t so sore…

  She took a long swallow of water from her bottle, then answered the telephone in her kitchen.

  “Hi, Jessica, this is Tom. How are you?”

  She smiled. “I’m good. You?”

  “The same. Hope I didn’t catch you in the middle of anything.”

  “No, I just finished my exercises and was about to grab a shower.”

  “What kind of exercises?”

  “Aerobics. I try to do them a few nights a week. What are you up to tonight?”

  “I decided to take your advice. I dug out my photography stuff and began reacquainting myself with the basics.”

  “What kind of stuff?”

  “Some of my old pics and a few how-to books.”

  “Do you have a portfolio?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’d like to see it sometime.”

  Tom laughed. “I guess inviting you to come over and look at my etchings is a little old fashioned, huh?”

  She giggled. “I hadn’t thought of that but yeah, I guess it is. What types of pictures do you prefer taking?”

  “Pretty much anything but I like landscapes, nature and sunsets. I’m really fond of those.”

  “Do you ever photograph people?”

  “Uh-huh. I’ve done portraits, weddings, proms, model shoots, things like that.”

  A sly grin edged across her face. “Hmm, model shoots. Anything centerfold-worthy?”

  There was a short silence followed by uneasy laughter. “When I was younger.”

  “And single without someone demanding to know why you were photographing pretty girls?”

  “You must’ve taken a few psych courses in school.”

  “It helps in my job.” She drank more water. “Maybe you can take my picture someday.”

  “With or without?”

  “With or without what?”

  “Clothes, of course.” There was instant silence. “Uh…I probably shouldn’t have said that. Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I was thinking the same thing.”

  They chatted for a few more minutes about nothing consequential. Jessica found herself getting involved in the conversation the longer they talked. He doesn’t seem to lack for things to talk about.

  “I don’t want to keep you too long,” Tom said “What time shall I pick you up Friday?”

  “How about six?”

  “Perfect. I forgot to ask what types of food you like.”

  “Just about anything.”

  “How about Italian?”

  “Love it.”

  “I know just the place. I’ll see you Friday.”

  She smiled. “Okay. Good night, Tom.”

  She disconnected but held the phone for a moment. There’s something easygoing about him. I like it.

  She went to the bathroom, stripped off her clothes, then stepped into the hot shower. The stinging water felt good on her skin, washing away the results of her workout and the tensions of the day. She lathered up her washcloth, then ran it over her body. Her mind kept going to Tom. I noticed that he’s in pretty good shape. I wonder if he works out or if he’s just one of those people who’s blessed with a good metabolism? Wish I was. Then I wouldn’t have to work out so often.

  Her hand lingered when the washcloth reached her crotch. She closed her eyes and gently rubbed it over her genitals, getting aroused. She stepped closer to the pulsating jets of water, letting them hit her breasts in just the right place while playing with herself with her slippery fingers. It’s been a long time since I was physically attracted to a man, not since…

  She bit her lower lip and massaged her clit, getting more aroused. Not since Brad. He could make love to me like there was no tomorrow. God, I still miss him.

  She rubbed herself with more intensity, then took the showerhead from its bracket, holding it directly over her exposed pussy, using the force of the water along with her fingers to bring herself off. She took in a sharp breath when she climaxed, feeling a wave of satisfaction wash over her.

  When she subsided, she turned off the water, took a few deep breaths, then dried herself with a towel. She looked into the mirror and brushed her wet hair into its usual style. She stared at her reflection. If I’m attracted to Tom, why was I just fantasizing about Brad?

  Chapter Four

  Tom approached the door to Jessica’s apartment at 6:00 Friday evening, but hesitated before knocking. Why is my hand shaking and where did that swarm of butterflies in my stomach come from? It hasn’t been that long since I accompanied a pretty woman to dinner. I didn’t have this much reluctance getting back on the bike I fell off of when I was a kid.

  He knocked and waited. A few moments later Jessica opened the door and smiled warmly at him. As he entered, Tom let his gaze wander briefly from head to toe. Jessica had chosen a pair of stylish black slacks accented by a red sweater that clung to her torso in all the right places. She gave Tom a hug, then took a step back to look him over, taking in his light blue v-neck sweater, open-necked blue shirt and navy Dockers.

  “You clean up well,” she commented with a twinkle in her eye.

  “I was about to tell you the same thing. You look very nice.”

  “Thank you.”

  Tom walked into the living room and scanned the tasteful furnishings, a pleasing mix of contemporary with a few antique pieces thrown in for contrast. “You have a lovely place.”

  “Thank you.” She retrieved her leather coat from the closet. Before she could slip into it, Tom took it, then held it for her.

  “I don’t get that very often,” she commented.

  “You won’t get all Gloria Steinem on me if I open the car door for you, will you?”

  She laughed. “Of course not. I think chivalry is a dying art. Nice to see someone is keeping it alive.”

  They got into the car, then proceeded toward downtown. Tom turned down the volume on the smooth jazz station he had selected.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “Franco’s in the Oregon District. Have you ever been there?”

  “Not for a long time. It’s been awhile since I was in the Oregon District, too. Do they still have that boutique that sells sexy lingerie?”

  Tom’s eyebrows arched when he glanced at her. Man, that’s moving fast. Am I supposed to answer truthfully or take the safe way out and say I don’t know? Is she doing a personality profile on me? “Yeah, it’s still there.”

  She flashed an impish grin. “That’s an honest answer. I half expected you to fumble a response and change the subject.”

  “Why?”

  “Because most men wouldn’t admit to knowing the location of a place that sells sex toys and videos until they were further along.”

  He cleared his throat. “No point in being dishonest. Just don’t press me about my online surfing habits until the third date.”

  She laughed. It was a pleasant sound, very natural. “I’m just trying to find out more about you. Aren’t you the least bit curious about me?”

  “Totally, but I’m pacing myself.”

  “That’s very practical.”

  They arrived at Franco’s, parked, then went inside. Tom informed the hostess that he had a reservation and they were escorted to a table in a quiet section of the crowded restaurant. Small candles flickered on each table, adding a degree of quiet ambiance. A server took their drink order, then departed.

  Jessica looked over th
e menu. “It’s been eons since I was here last.” She smiled. “This used to be a favorite date night spot.”

  Their server arrived with a carafe of wine and two glasses. She took their order and when she was gone, Tom poured two glasses. He raised his in a toast. “To a wonderful date night.”

  Jessica took a small sip. “Very nice Pinot Grigio. Are you a wine connoisseur?”

  “To a point. I like to visit wineries when I travel and usually manage to hit the Winefest every year. Are you?”

  “Does visiting the Napa Valley count?”

  “I’m impressed. I’ve never been there.”

  “Last year I took a trip to California with a friend. We did one of those day-long bus tours. Really interesting.”

  “I took one of those when I was in San Francisco. At first I wasn’t wild about the idea but I was glad someone talked me into it. I saw more sights that way than I would have on my own.”

  Jessica glanced down and offered a wistful smile. “Funny how little things remind you of other things, isn’t it? There you are, going through your day, totally focused on what you’re doing, when something minor catches your attention and you’re suddenly back in time.”

  Tom took a sip and looked curiously at her. “Does drinking Pinot Grigio have that effect on you?”

  “Not just the wine, but it reminded me of that trip. I hadn’t thought about it in a long time.”

  “I’m guessing you took that trip with someone pretty special.”

  She slowly nodded. “The boyfriend I told you about.” She raised her eyes to meet his. “I wasn’t totally up front with you when I said we broke up.” She hesitated. “He was an Air Force Reservist who was killed in a training flight in Houston earlier this year.”

  Tom sat back and tried not to stare. Doug said she took that pretty hard. It still shows. “I’m very sorry.”

  Jessica gave a slight shrug. “I shouldn’t have brought it up. Sorry.”

  Tom took her hand in his. “Don’t apologize. Since we’re being honest, that trip to San Francisco was with my ex-wife. Probably the last fun thing we did together.”

  She laughed softly. “Aren’t we a pair? Here we are on our first actual date and we’re talking about the past.”

  “Didn’t a wise man once say If you don’t know where you’ve been, how do you know where you’re going?”

  “I’ve heard that, but I don’t recall who said it.”

  “Laurence Olivier to Neil Diamond in The Jazz Singer. Great songs, terrible movie.”

  Jessica laughed. “Thanks for clearing that up.” Her laugh faltered. “Do you ever take anything seriously?”

  “Only the important things.”

  She kneaded his hand while peering into his eyes. “Like what?”

  “Life, family, friends and the Cleveland Indians.”

  “Interesting list.”

  “What do you take seriously?”

  “All of the above, but substitute the Cincinnati Reds.”

  Tom rolled his eyes and groaned. “I can see a fight looming over the remote during playoff season next year.”

  She squeezed his hand again. “Fighting is such a waste of energy.”

  “I agree, but where else do you channel it?”

  Her eyes took on a murky glow. “Passion comes to mind.”

  She’s doing it again. I know I’ve been out of circulation for a long time, but I don’t recall this. “Good point.”

  He was saved when the server brought their food. Jessica took a taste, then hummed her approval. “I’d forgotten how good they make their lasagna.”

  Tom cut off a small piece of veal saltimbocca. “I don’t recall ever getting a bad meal here.”

  Jessica gave him a playful look. “Save room for tiramisu, but don’t overindulge. Wouldn’t want you to fall asleep later because you were too full.”

  “I’ll keep it in mind.” He chased his food with some wine. I don’t know if she’s serious or being a tease, but I like it. “What’s your idea of a perfect date night?”

  She thought for a moment while chewing. “I’m pretty comfortable with nights like this, maybe followed by a walk or a stop at a club with live music. I also like staying put, maybe ordering a pizza and watching a movie. What about you?”

  “You may not believe this, but I like the same things. I can dress up and blend in with the concert crowd, but more often I like your second scenario, especially after a busy week.”

  “So are you more of a homebody?”

  “Not all the time. I love to travel.”

  “Where’s the best vacation spot, in your mind?”

  “Florida or the east coast. Anywhere near the water. Great photo ops in places like that. I also like the Smokey Mountains. What about you?”

  “The same. When I go to the mountains I like to hike the trails.”

  “The last time I did that I came face to face with a bear.”

  Her eyebrows arched. “What did you do?”

  “I resisted the urge to run like hell, took his picture, then backed up the trail, very slowly.”

  “At least you kept your wits about you. Most people would’ve panicked.”

  “I didn’t say it was easy not to.”

  After dinner they walked along the cobblestone streets of the historic Oregon District, dodging the Friday night throng of partiers that crowded the bars and nightspots. Tom noticed for the first time that the lampposts were adorned with wreaths and lights.

  The week before Thanksgiving and they’re up already. Whatever happened to getting one holiday over before you started in on the next one?

  “You’re being awfully quiet,” Jessica observed. “Something wrong?”

  “No, just thinking.” He gestured at the decorations. “This early holiday cheer reminded me of something that’s been on my mind lately.”

  “What?”

  He hesitated. “Something I didn’t think much about when I moved out a few months ago. The other day I looked at the calendar and realized that Thanksgiving is next week, then we get into the Christmas rush, then the big panic over where you’ll spend New Year’s Eve and who you’ll spend it with.”

  Jessica stopped, rested her palm on his cheek and peered into his eyes. “Want to hear something funny? I was thinking the same thing the other day.”

  Tom ran his hand along her upper arm. “You were right—what a pair we make.”

  She glanced down. “Tom, you aren’t the only one who’s facing their first holiday season alone for the first time in a long time.”

  He placed his fingertips under her chin and raised her face to look into her soft eyes. “Guess that’s another thing to add to my adjustment list, huh?”

  She giggled. “I guess. What will you do?”

  They resumed walking arm in arm. “Thanksgiving is a no-brainer. My whole family always gets together at my brother’s place. It’s become a tradition. What will you do?”

  “I’m scheduled to work the holiday.”

  “That doesn’t seem right.”

  She shrugged. “Call it my good deed. One of the other nurses had plans with her family and asked if I’d switch with her. It isn’t that big a deal.”

  “Don’t you have family to spend the day with?”

  “Not close. They’re all in Cincinnati. I may run down there after I get off work that afternoon.” She paused. “I’m just not sure I want to be around all that sympathy.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “There’s bound to be some cousin I haven’t seen in a long time who’ll try too hard to make me feel better. You know, they’ll overdo it with the I-know-just-how-you-feel-because-something-like-that-happened-to-me-once routine.”

  “I know what you mean. When I was first separated I got the same thing from my oldest brother, who’s been married to the same woman for twenty-two years.”

  “How did you handle it?”

  “I listened to his well-intentioned but misguided advice, then finally said I didn’t know you�
�d been married more than once, Jay. He shut up about it.”

  She laughed. “Family. They always mean well, but somehow manage to fall short.”

  They stopped walking. Tom gently rubbed her cheek and peered into her eyes. They took on a murky glow in the nightlights. Jessica put her hand on the back of his neck and urged his face closer to hers, her lips parting slightly, invitingly. Tom rested his lips on hers and gave her a warm, lingering kiss. She didn’t resist when he tentatively darted his tongue into her mouth. She kissed him with a little more intensity.

  She pulled back slightly and smiled. “Spontaneous. I like that.”

  “Thank you.”

  She ran her hand along the back of his neck. “I think we should get out of this cold night air and into someplace warmer.”

  “Where would you like to go?”

  Her gaze smoldered. “My place.”

  Tom followed Jessica into her apartment, doffed his coat, then took a closer look at her living room. Her bookshelves reflected an eclectic taste in literature, covering everything from the classics to contemporary fiction. He noticed one shelf that contained numerous snow globes with angels.

  “They’re all around us,” she said.

  He smiled at her. “Snow globes?”

  She laughed. “No, not snow globes. Angels. Don’t you believe that?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  She rested her hand on his arm. “It just so happens I have a terrific chardonnay on ice. Could I interest you in a glass?”

  “Sold.”

  Jessica returned in a moment with two glasses and handed him one. He took a small sip.

  “Very nice. Is this from the Napa Valley?”

  “Yes, it is. I tried this on that trip and fell in love with it.” She curled up next to him on the couch. “I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier, about not having anyone to share the holidays with.”

  “What about it?”

  She looked into her glass. “When my marriage broke up I was faced with the same thing. I hadn’t met anyone and there weren’t any immediate prospects. I was a little hesitant about getting back into the dating pool and I wasn’t looking forward to my first Christmas alone, either.”