Page 25 of Your Love is Enough

“Damn, Brady! What do you not understand about not saying the three-oh number? Elizabeth, do something about him. Quick.” Kristen’s eyes bulged and her hands gestured.

Elizabeth made eye contact with Jacob and placed her arm around Brady’s shoulder. “It’s a good thing we’re still young guys. We have plenty of time until we’re holding.”

Jacob wrapped his arms around Kristen. “Elizabeth’s right. The only thing I need to worry about holding on to is you, babe.” They started kissing.

Stacey looked up. “Blah. Come on. All of you. Stop being mushy all the time. It’s gross.”

Kristen pulled away from Jacob. “Really? This from the one who we almost walked in on doing it right on the couch.”

“What?” Elizabeth’s eyes went wide. “With Tristan? She finally invited him in?” She asked Kristen.

“Yeah, and I’m surprised he actually left with how their hands were all over each other.”

Elizabeth squealed.

Stacey reached for a piece of pizza. “You know, I liked you two better when you didn’t talk. Our lunches were much quieter.”

“Yeah, well you worked hard to get us to be friends. Now look at us. Almost besties.” Elizabeth said across the table. Kristen rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t take it that far, but you’re not as bad as you once were.”

“Kristen,” Jacob said.

Kristen rubbed her hand on his cheek. “Just kidding. She knows we’re buds.”

Jacob took the conversation back. “Anyway. Everyone be at the house by six Friday night and prepare to get hammered. My sister only turns thir—”

Stacey shot him daggers.

“Holds at twenty-nine-for-the-first-time, once.”

Once Stacey got home, she changed into her cutoff sweat shorts and laid on the couch with a bottle of water set to watch a bunch of chick-flicks all day. Jacob and Kristen were out and promised to bring her back dinner. Tristan would be here soon. She yawned. Man she was exhausted. Forget the TV. Hopefully, she could get a little bit of a nap in before he showed up. She closed her eyes.

She was on the corner of Main Street by the deli and the coffee shop. It was raining, and she was sipping a coffee, though it smelled oddly like pizza. Warmth spread all over her face until something covered her mouth. It was light… warm…Her eyes fluttered open, and she jumped. Tristan backed away and sat on the edge of the couch.

“What, the….” Her vision finally focused.

“It’s just me.” His arms raised in surrender as a smirk crossed his lips. Jacob and Kristen were folded in half in laughter.

“Shit.” She spat and sat up catching her breath, glaring at Tristan. “You scared the hell out of me. What the hell?” She pressed her hand against her chest in an attempt to calm her galloping heart. “You almost gave me a heart attack. Feel.” She grabbed Tristan’s hand and pulled it to her chest.

The heat that radiated from his palm through her shirt was like electricity, and her mouth went dry.

Tristan calmed his laughter. “I’m sorry.” He leaned in close. “You looked so peaceful sleeping. I couldn’t help it.” Their lips were almost touching, but he didn’t kiss her. “I’m sorry.” The crease in his cheek appeared.

Stacey studied his features, and her hand touched his cheek. Heat radiated through her palm causing her to melt like chocolate on a hot day. Her heart returned to a relaxed tempo. Waking up to him was something she could get used to. “Okay,” she whispered and closed her lips on his. Mmm. His kiss was amazing. It was like a birthday and Christmas present all wrapped up in a small, gentle package. Perfection.

“Stop all that mushy stuff. It’s gross.” Kristen mocked as she and Jacob sat on the opposite side of the couch.

Stacey threw the pillow she was laying on at her friend and rubbed the sleep from her face. “What time is it? I just laid down. And didn’t we have pizza for lunch?”

Jacob opened the box, and the tomato and garlic smell of deliciousness filled the room.

The fact that she just had pizza no longer bothered her. It smelled amazing. Her stomach growled.

“It’s seven-thirty,” Jacob said.

Stacey’s eyes popped. “What? No way.” She turned to Tristan.

Tristan nodded as he grabbed a slice of pizza and took a big bite. “Wow. This is amazing. Good call, Jacob.”

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