Page 30 of Forever, Finally

Talk about a surprise, Jake thought. “What brought that on?”

“I was at the other house and thinking about my life. Rachel and Jenna were my friends for years. Suddenly not talking to them seemed incredibly silly so I called.” She smiled at him. “She was happy to hear from me and we talked for a long time. It took her a few more treatments than me, but now she’s pregnant, too.”

“Are you going to get together?”

“Uh-huh. We’re having lunch next week. On Friday. I’m really excited. Once we get things settled between us, we’re going to call Jenna together and try and mend that fence.”

“I’m happy for you. I know you’ve missed her.”

Lily’s expression turned sad. “We haven’t talked in forever. As soon as I heard her voice, I realized I’d been completely stupid avoiding her.” She glanced at him from under her lashes. “Something you’ve been trying to tell me for months.”

“I might have mentioned it a time or two.”

She sighed. “You were great. As always.”

He chewed a mouthful of lasagna and swallowed. “It’s tough being perfect, but I do my best.”

His teasing was rewarded by a smile. “You’re not perfect. Trust me. I know this for a fact.”

“I’m close.”

“You’re okay.”

She leaned toward him and rested her hand on his. The light contact was meant to be friendly, to provide connection. It wasn’t Lily’s fault that it made him instantly want her. Kissing her, touching her, being close to her had only made the problem more intense. Still, as nothing was going to happen for many months, if ever, he had to get his feelings under control.

“So what do you want to do tonight?” she asked.

Sex or a cold shower, he thought grimly. “We could take a walk. Or go bowling.” Anything to get out of the house and away from temptation.

She laughed. “I think the bowling ball would be just enough weight to make me topple over. I vote for the walk.” She picked up her plate.

“I made the mess. I’ll clean it,” he said. “Come on. Let’s take that walk and I’ll deal with this later.”

“Okay.”

They headed out the back door into the still-light evening. The air was warm, the sky clear. The sun had nearly sunk into the horizon. Tall trees that nearly touched in the center of the street provided an early twilight.

Across the street two boys rode their bikes in their driveway. A young girl threw a ball to her baby sister. Windows were open and the sounds of televisions and conversation drifted out into the night. The scent of flowers and freshly cut grass mingled with the smells of charcoal and grilling burgers.

“This is a nice neighborhood,” Lily said as she laced her fingers with his. “Will you miss it?”

“No.”

Not when the alternative was being with her. He didn’t know what was going to happen with Lily—he couldn’t predict the future. All that he knew for sure was that they finally had a chance and he was going to do his damnedest to make it work.

* * *

“This feels really familiar,” Jake grumbled as he carried a box into the house the following week. “Didn’t we just move?”

Lily set down the small suitcase she’d brought and glanced around the newly carpeted living room. “We just moved me. Now we’re moving you.”

“It feels the same.”

“The difference is now I get to have your grandmother’s hutch in my dining room.”

He grunted. “That’s the entire reason you married me, isn’t it?”

She laughed. “It is a great hutch.”

---