Page 24 of Revived

She reaches for my hand, smoothing over the top of it with her thumb, her touch heating up my body but also calming me in a way I didn’t anticipate. “It’s okay. It was an honest mistake and I know you didn’t do it on purpose. Now,” she declares with more confidence, “I think you should finish this episode of Friends with me before we go to bed.” She reaches for the remote and presses play as the re-run of one of the greatest shows of all time starts again.

Chandler walks into Monica and Rachel’s apartment, oblivious to the fact that a naked-from-the-waist-up Rachel is walking out of the bathroom. When they notice each other, she screams, he shouts, and she runs off to her bedroom in a panic.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I laugh, throwing my head back against the cushion as Rachel reciprocates wildly beside me. “Did you know this episode was on?”

Once she catches her breath, she answers me. “I swear, it was purely coincidental. I was channel surfing and saw it and I knew it was kismet. See, it happens, Luke.” She winks at me and fuck if it doesn’t make my smile widen.

“But you know what happens next, right?” She asks. “Rachel demands to see Chandler’s penis since he saw her boobies,” she mewls, and then glances down at my crotch before popping her eyes back up and flashing me a shit-eating grin.

“Nope, no way,” I say, throwing my hands in the air as I stand and head for my bedroom.

“Oh, come on, Luke! It’s only fair!” She yells after me, giggling by herself on the couch.

“Goodnight, Rachel!” I call after her, laughing on my own as I shut the door to my bedroom.

I can’t tell if she’s just trying to lighten our situation or if she’s serious. But the fact that Rachel is making me feel ten times better about the situation than I did this morning just proves what kind of person she is—the type that is more than a pretty face and perfect body. No, she’s the type of woman that digs herself deep in your life until you have no choice but to ask her to stay.

I know I find her beautiful. I know she loves my kid. But I’ve yet to decide if I want more from her, or if I’m willing to even allow myself that option. I guess a few rounds of speed dating will help me figure that out. I hope something will show me the right choice before I mess a good thing up royally. And right now it seems only time will tell.

---