Setting the timer for the rice she turned to face him. “We have to stay away from each other,” she said but did not move.
“Okay that’s fine when this job is done and I leave here, but right now I want you. Are you going to get out of here or should I?” he asked her directly.
“I will leave. I have to find somewhere else to live. I have to get away from you two.” She spoke softly and got right in his face, her lips grazing his. “Until then I will try to keep my hands off you.”
When she didn’t move he put his hands on her and kissed her again. “The problem is,” he said, breathing deeply. “I want your hands on me. And if I tell Jared, then I get what I want.”
“YOU will NOT tell him or I will never speak to you again.” She shuddered at the thought and punched his chest.
“That is not fair,” Jeff said and he quietly backed away and went back to his cooking. She could tell he was angry and she didn’t know what to do.
“Sorry” she said. And he looked at her for a long while. She stood there for another minute before leaving the room, retreating to regroup.
When the knock came on the door a few minutes later, Suzie was oddly relieved it was Laura alone.
“I thought you were coming with Jared,” Suzie said.
“Change of plan. Jared got held up with something
and I was ready to go. So I figured I would keep you company. I haven’t seen much of you lately so we can have some girl time, though I guess Jeff will be home soon.” Laura winked.
“He is already here. He is making supper actually,” Suzie said, trying to keep her face neutral.
It did not matter though because Laura was out of her seat mumbling something about getting those drinks and headed into the kitchen. Suzie took a moment to compose herself. What the heck was she doing here? She could hear Laura flirt with Jeff in the kitchen and she seethed with anger, forcing herself to stay in the living room and do nothing. While she sat frozen with uncertainty, Jared arrived home. Mechanically she got up and kissed him on the cheek. He asked her to take the food to the kitchen so she did. She had to step between Laura and Jeff to put the food in the fridge. As she closed the door Jeff squeezed her bum, she whirled around to give him a look but his eyes were on her chest. Then just as quickly he was back to serving up supper, he was not going to make this easy on her.
“Why don’t you girls go set the table and open the wine and I will bring everything in when it’s ready.” Jeff smiled at them.
Jared walked into the kitchen and slapped Jeff on the back. “This smells awesome Jeff, I have missed your cooking. And now we can bring take out for lunch tomorrow. Score!”
“I know right. Now let’s go dine with those gorgeous women,” Jeff said.
“We’re ready,” both girls said in unison.
Jeff and Jared brought the food in and it was delicious. They all talked and ate and after the second glass of wine Suzie began to forget the weirdness. Then Jared kissed her neck. She looked at Jeff and he locked eyes with her. Laura was talking to him and put her hand on his thigh to get his attention. Suzie got frustrated and brushed Jared off standing up suddenly.
“Excuse me,” she said and walked away from the table. She went to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face and get a grip. When she returned, they were done eating and she cleared the table off leaving them in their happy conversation. Jared came in and kissed her asking if she needed a hand. She declined and he commented that Laura and Jeff seem to be getting along well. Suzie snapped at Jared and then apologized. She told him she was just tired and not in a people mood.
“You can go to my room if you need some time to yourself,” Jared said backing away and giving her some space.
“No, it’s not just that. I can’t live here. I need my own space,” Suzie said more forcefully than she intended. Jared looked hurt.
“You mean you don’t want to live with me?” Jared asked.
Suzie didn’t answer right away and then said quietly, “No, I am sorry.”
“Sorry, you do not have to be sorry. With the fire and everything you might feel pushed. It just felt right to me. I love you and want you near me,” Jared said with big round eyes.
“I know,” Suzie said and then considered her words. “I just need some space.”
“Well, what is that supposed to mean?” Jared asked, his voice rising.
“Shh,” Suzie said.
“You picked a hell of a time to talk about it with Laura and my brother in the other room.”
“Well you don’t talk about anything; you just decide what is best for me without talking to me about it. We never discussed moving in together. Why are we rushing this?” Suzie said.
Jared opened his mouth to speak when Laura entered and interrupted.