Chapter 57 (10/10/16)

“Come on,” Grace cajoled me over the phone.  “Girls night out.  Sounds like you could use a fun night out!  You could bring Erica and Kelly if you wanted!”

Grace had called to invite me out that night with her, Rayne, Sam, and Emma, and I was trying to get out of it.  I was crabby because I hadn’t really heard from Ryan, minus our brief phone call the night he left and a couple random text messages here and there.  Not wanting to be annoying, I’d decided not to try to call him.  He was obviously really busy.  Either way, it bummed me out to not hear from him.  I hadn’t thought I’d miss him this much, and at this point he’d only been gone for two days!

“Well…” I said, out of excuses.  “I mean, I could ask Erica and Kelly.  But I’ll come.”  A fun night out did sound like a good time. 

“Yay!” Grace cheered.  “I’ll even pick you up.  It’s going to be fun.”

After I hung up with Grace, I went upstairs to take a shower and get ready.  I texted Erica and Kelly, but with the short notice both already had plans.  Once I was ready (and looking pretty cute, in my opinion) I broke my “no selfies” rule, snapped a quick picture, and texted it to Ryan.  I actually had no idea what time it was where he was, so I had no idea if I could reasonably expect a response. 

I didn’t hear anything back from Ryan by the time Grace came to pick me up.  I shoved my phone deep into my purse, trying to relax and not worry about hearing from him.  After thinking about it a little more, I realized it was probably very, very early in the morning there, so I relaxed a little. 

Grace already had Sam in the car, so I got in the back seat and cheerfully greeted both of them.  “I’m so glad you decided to come!” Grace said as she backed out of my driveway. 

“Me too,” Sam agreed.

“Me three!” I said, with a laugh. 

We chatted on our way downtown.  It took forever for Grace to find a spot to park, and we ended up walking several blocks to where we were meeting Rayne and Emma.  They had beat us and we found them near the bar.  We grabbed drinks and found a table towards the back, pulling up one more chair to stick on the end.  I surreptitiously checked my phone to see if I had gotten a response from Ryan but I hadn’t. 

“Are you going to be doing that all night?” Grace asked me teasingly.  “You checked it about 7 times in the car!”

“Ryan is in France for work,” I explained.  “So apparently that means I obsessively check my phone.”

“Are you guys official yet?” Emma demanded eagerly.

“Well…” I replied, shrugging.

Emma made a face.  “What’s the hold up?  Is he commitment phobic or something?  You guys have been dating for ages!”

“No,” I said quickly.  “The hold up is me, actually.  And we were kind of casually on and off for a little while so it seems like it’s been longer than it really has been.”

“The hold up is you?” Rayne asked incredulously.  “Have you looked at that man?  He’s gorgeous!  And I saw the way he looked at you at Nate’s party.”

“I know, I know,” I said, holding up my hands in surrender.  “I’m just a little gun shy, I guess.  He’s okay with moving slowly, though.”

“Is he?” Emma asked skeptically.

“Emma!” Grace said, looking surprised.

Emma blushed.  “I’m just saying, I mean, a guy that looks like that…”

I narrowed my eyes a little.  Emma had a history of putting her foot in her mouth but this surprised me.  “We’ve talked about it, I assure you,” I replied curtly.  “And unlike some people, he’s trustworthy.”

Grace was glaring at Emma, Rayne was looking awkwardly around the bar, and Sam just looked surprised.  Emma tried to maintain her composure, but her face crumpled slightly.  “I’m sorry,” she muttered.  Then she said something that I couldn’t make out in the loud bar. 

“No one heard you,” Sam pointed out gently.

“Charlie and I are having some problems,” she said again, loudly.  Loudly enough that someone turned around and looked at her, making her blush and look down.  “I’m feeling a little bitter right now, I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.” 

The conversation quickly turned away from Ryan and I (which was a relief at that point) and onto Emma and Charlie, who had been arguing a lot because Charlie had been spending a lot of time hanging out with Kevin.  Apparently I wasn’t the only one that didn’t trust Kevin further than I could throw him (which was not at all), and Charlie was being a little shady about what they’d been up to.

I frowned sympathetically, because I understood her frustration.  “I have no actual evidence he’s doing anything inappropriate, but why can’t he just be honest then?” she exclaimed.  No one said anything for several seconds, and then Grace jumped in to soothe her with words that we probably all questioned. 

“I need another drink,” Emma said, finally breaking an awkward silence.  She stood up and strode to the bar, and I watched her walk over, feeling the terrible pit in my stomach all over again—this time on her behalf. 

As I let my eyes drift back to the women around me, I caught the gaze of an incredibly good-looking guy who was leaning against the bar.  We locked eyes and I felt a quick jolt of butterflies in my stomach because he was that attractive.  He grinned at me, turned and said something to the guy next to him, then pushed himself away from the bar and strode in my direction.  As he walked over, I gasped as I suddenly realized who he was.

Continue reading →

Well, crap.

Oh, you guys.  I'm so sorry!  I just completely spaced it.  Work has been really kicking my ass for the last several months.

I think I'm going to go back to posting once a week for now.  Usually things slow down into the fall, and we're working on a plan to decrease my workload significantly, so I hope I can pick back up soon.  As always, I will post bonus posts when I can.

I'll get something up this week, and then plan to post on Mondays, since the weekends are usually kind for writing time for me.

Continue reading →

Chapter 56 (10/3/16)

I saw Ryan twice more before he left on his next trip.  I spent the night before his trip with him, and I pouted that morning about him leaving.  This trip was nearly two weeks.  “You’d better miss me,” I teased him. 

“I will for sure,” he assured me.  “How could I not?  I mean, after last night…and this morning too...” he winked at me and smirked and I glared at him.  “I’m kidding!  Well, no, I’m not kidding, but I’ll miss more than that, I promise.”

“Good,” I said.  I couldn’t figure out when I had gone from being ready to just be done with him to demanding that he miss me, but I was definitely sad that he was going to be gone for almost two weeks.  I frowned again.  “Will you call me when you get back?”

“Jenna, I’ll call you while I’m there.  Stop being weird.”

“Sorry,” I said, blushing a little.

“Don’t be sorry, just don’t be weird,” Ryan replied, smirking.  “And I hate to interrupt this fond farewell, but you’re going to be late for work.”

“Shit!” I yelped, grabbing his wrist to look at his watch. “Damn it.  Okay, well, I’ll miss you, please have a safe trip, at least let me know you made it okay, alright?”

“I will,” he said.  He pulled me in for a hug and then kissed me.  I reluctantly untangled myself, kissed him one more time, and then hurried out the door.  As it was, I had failed to do my makeup or hair because I had lingered in bed with Ryan too long this morning.  Now I was going to be late too.

I took a deep breath before I started my car, because the last thing I needed was a speeding ticket or something in my rush.  I managed to get to work right on time, and I skidded breathlessly into the office just as my phone started ringing.  “Smithson Staffing Solutions, this is Jenna, how can I help you?” I asked, answering the phone while still standing.  From her office, Rachael smirked at me.  I rolled my eyes at her as I transferred the call to my boss. 

The day passed slowly and I was relieved to leave at the end of the day.  I got a text fairly late that night letting me know Ryan had made it safely to his destination.  He said he was going to call but wasn’t sure if I’d still be up.  I hit the phone icon next to his name and waited.  It rang 3 times and then he answered.  “Hey babe,” he said, right before he yawned.

“Hi,” I replied.  I suddenly felt really sad.  “I just wanted to say goodnight.”

“I’m glad you called,” he replied.  “I wasn’t sure if you were up or not.”

“I’m up,” I said.

He chuckled.  “I can tell.”

“Sorry, apparently I’m suddenly awkward as hell.”

“There’s no ‘suddenly’ about it, Jenna.  You're always awkward as hell.  Luckily you’re pretty enough that it’s adorable and not weird.”

I snorted.  “Thanks, I guess.” 

“You know I love your awkwardness.  And your adorableness,” he replied.

At the word “love” referring to anything about me, I froze.  Long enough for Ryan to ask, “Jenna?  Are you there?”

“Yes,” I replied.  “I am.  I’m so sleepy though, I’ll let you go.”

Ryan hesitated and I could tell he didn’t believe me.  But he didn’t push it, and just said, “Alright.  Sleep well Jenna.”

“Thanks, you too.  Though I guess it’s probably not bedtime there, huh?”

“It’s not, but I’m going to take a nap,” he replied. 

“Okay, well have a good nap,” I said.  I felt so awkward still and wished desperately for the easy comfortable feeling I used to have around Ryan. 

“Goodnight, Jenna,” he said.

“Goodnight,” I replied. 

I stared at my phone for several seconds after hanging up, before shaking my head, plugging it in, and turning off the light.  These next couple weeks were going to be interesting.

Continue reading →

Chapter 55 (9/27/16)

When I woke up in the morning, Ryan was still fast asleep next to me.  It was chilly in his room, and I wasn’t quite ready to get out of bed.  I snuggled up to him, and he shifted in his sleep, wrapping his arm tighter around me.  I dozed off again, sleeping for another 30 minutes or so.  This time when I woke up, I was too hot.  I laid in bed for a few more minutes, but knew I wouldn’t be falling back asleep.  Ryan didn’t look like he was anywhere near getting up.

I carefully extricated myself from Ryan’s arms and slipped out of bed.  Half of my clothes were downstairs, and I didn’t want to put any of them back on.  Instead, I picked up a hooded sweatshirt from the floor, sniffed it suspiciously, and then pulled it over my head.  It smelled like Ryan, but was passably clean.  I spotted a pair of gym shorts, folded neatly, on top of a pile that looked like clean laundry that needed to be put away and pulled those on.  I had to pull the drawstring as tight as it went to keep them from slipping down my hips, but they worked. 

Quietly, I left his room and wandered downstairs.  I was starving, and I wasn’t disappointed by the contents of his fridge.  I started pulling things out and wandering around his kitchen, finding the pans that I needed.  I tried to do everything as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake Ryan.
            I was about halfway through making some eggs, French toast, and bacon for both of us when Ryan wandered downstairs.  He yawned as he walked into the kitchen, then rubbed his eyes sleepily.  He was adorable first thing in the morning, with sleepy eyes and mussed hair.  It was so contrary to his typical well-put-together persona.  “Good morning,” I said, grinning at him.

“Coffee first,” he replied.  I’d already turned on his single cup coffeemaker and it was ready for him.  He paused to kiss me on the cheek as he pulled a mug out. 

“And I thought I wasn’t a morning person,” I said, chuckling.

He swore softly as he struggled with something on the coffee maker, then he said, “My sleep is so messed up from all my traveling.  I actually got up for a little while after you fell asleep last night.  I couldn’t sleep and I didn’t want to wake you up.”

“Really?  I didn’t even notice.”

He laughed.  “You were out cold.  And good morning, by the way.  I can’t wait to eat that bacon.”  He grinned at me, looking more awake already.

“Just the bacon?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.  “I’m making us an entire breakfast feast, and all you care about is the bacon?”

“Well, considering the bacon smell is what lured me out of bed, yes,” he replied.  “I could have stayed there another hour.”

“Plates?” I asked, opening and closing a random cabinet.  Ryan opened the cabinet behind his head and grabbed two plates.  “There’s no reason we can’t go back to bed after we eat,” I pointed out.  “I just happened to be starving.” 

“I will happily accept the by-product of your hunger,” he replied, wrapping an arm around my waist from behind.  “Is there supposed to be a point where I’ll be able to keep my hands off of you?” he asked, pausing to kiss along my neck.  “Because at the rate I’m going, I won’t ever get anything done if you’re around.”

“We went from food to sex in less than a second,” I said, laughing.  “Impressive.  Let me eat, and then you can do whatever you want with those hands.” 

Ryan managed to keep his hands off me long enough for us both to eat breakfast.  His kitchen had been sparkling clean before I’d started cooking, so I insisted on cleaning up as well.  He helped me, protesting the entire time that he would just do it later.  I ignored him, washing all the dishes and wiping down the counters.  As I was finishing up, Ryan started massaging my shoulders.  “Thank you for making breakfast, and for cleaning up,” he said, leaning forward to kiss my cheek.  I leaned back into him, sighing happily as his fingers gently worked at the tight muscles in my neck.  “Can I interest you in a nap?”

I laughed, then yawned, as if just the thought of sleep had made me tired again.  “Yes, actually,” I replied.

We went back upstairs and Ryan cocked an eyebrow at me as I shed the clothes I’d stolen from him before getting back in his bed.  “You’re kind of cute in my stuff,” he said, smirking. 

“Kind of?” I asked, with mock irritation.

“Yeah, you also look kind of ridiculous,” he replied, grinning. 

I snorted.  “I’ll remember that the next time you try to lure me to your house after I’m out and I don’t have anything with me.”

“Mmm, I’d prefer you remembered the amazing sex we had when you got here instead,” he murmured, wrapping himself around me.  He was easily the most cuddly man I’d ever met in my life. 

“Are we going to have some more amazing sex right now to refresh my memory?” I asked, trailing my hands down his back.

“Um, well,” he said, shifting a little, “I’m actually really tired and kind of just want to sleep for a little bit.” 

I laughed.  “Works for me.”

I was nearly asleep when suddenly Ryan sat bolt upright.  I sat straight up as well, looking at him with concern.  “What?” I asked, slightly freaked out.

“I just forgot I’m having lunch with my mom at 1,” he said, reaching for his phone.  “What time is it?”  He was the one with the phone in his hand, so I didn’t answer.  “Okay, it’s only 9:30,” he said, clearly relieved. 

I flopped back against the pillow and let out a deep breath.  “I thought someone was dying,” I said.  “I’ve never seen someone move that fast.  Your mom must be terrifying.”

Ryan chuckled.  “My mom is great.  I just don’t like disappointing her.  And since I’m nearly 33 and not even close to being married and giving her grandchildren, I’m a big enough disappointment as it is.  No need to make it worse by missing our lunch date.”  He glanced and me and gave me a sly smile.  “Wanna come?”

“Um,” I sputtered, panicking a little.  “Well, I…”

Ryan laughed.  “Relax, Jenna.  I’m mostly kidding.  Though if you wanted to come, you certainly could.  It would probably delight my mother to know that there’s a pretty girl in my life.”

“You can just tell her.  I’m good with that,” I replied.

He snorted.  “She won’t believe me without proof.  Another time.”

I tried to get comfortable again but now I was definitely awake.  Next to me, Ryan shifted and moved too.  “I’m not tired anymore,” Ryan admitted. 

“Me neither,” I agreed. 

Ryan rolled onto his side to face me and grinned.  “Well, if neither of us are tired, I have a few ideas about what we could do until I need to get ready for lunch…”

I returned his grin and reached for him, pretty sure I had the same ideas.

Continue reading →

Posts this week

This week is insane for me.  I'm going to do my best to get one post up, but I can't make any promises on when or if it will actually happen.  I'll try though!  Have a good week, all!

Continue reading →