February Again #2
We spent the rest of the day drying off, because it’s the middle of fucking February. But you know me. The best way to dry off is to let the G-force and wind do their job. None of this heated air bullshit. Get on the rollercoasters and let the rest take care of itself.
So, by the time we’d finished we were fucking freezing, and yet we couldn’t keep the smiles of our faces. We tried our luck at some sideshows and despite both of us trying to show off, we came away empty handed. But then, with one last determined attempt, Brian won me the ugliest little teddy bear.
I’ve called him Jack and shoved him to the bottom of my suitcase because frankly he’s terrifying. But still.
He won me a teddy.
And now we’re back at the hotel. Brian insisted we needed to warm up before we go for a walk along the promenade with a hot chocolate and some cinnamon donuts.
In February.
Don’t be surprised if I come back with a cold.
7 Feb | From: Penny Robinson | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: In case I’m found dead in my hotel room
I’m. So. Jealous!!
I wanna be at the Pleasure Beach, riding Valhalla four times in a row and pretending the rollercoasters help me dry off.
I hope your hot chocolate is cold.
7 Feb | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Penny Robinson
Subject: RE: In case I’m found dead in my hotel room
Now, now.
Let’s not get nasty. I’ll check in with you tomorrow and send you pics of the dress!
You have received an instant message from:
JESY
Jesy: Girls.
Jesy: I don’t mean to be dramatic.
Jesy: But I think I might be the lead star in a Rom-Com. But… without the Rom part.
Isla: Explain.
Jesy: The dress... I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Or Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. Or when Sandra Bullocks steps out of the hangar and looks hot as fuck.
Penny: It fits then?
Jesy sent an attachment: dress.jpeg
Isla: Woah.
Penny: Fuck me.
Jesy: I. KNOW!
Isla: Good luck to Brian keeping his hands off you. I want to fuck you and I’m happily engaged.
Penny: And straight.
Isla: Apparently fucking not.
Penny: You look incredible, hen. 10/10. Well done, Brian. The man has got taste.
Penny: How were the cinnamon donuts? I was thinking about them all night. I nearly broke my diet because of you.
Jesy: Oh. In that case they were disgusting. You didn’t miss out.
Penny: Liar.
Penny: How was the walk?
Jesy: So much fun. My feet started to hurt, so he swept me up into his arms and carried me bridal style.
Then he complained his back was hurting so I attempted (and failed) to give him a piggyback.
We both ended up on the deck, narrowly missing a puddle.
A sweet old couple tried to come and help us, but we were laughing so much they just walked away with a tut.
Isla: And nothing has happened between you? Seriously?!
Jesy: Unless you count me kissing him when we first met.
Penny: UM! Yes, we count that! Why didn’t you tell us?
Jesy: Because it was such a non-kiss. It lasted all but half a second.
Isla: Still counts.
Jesy: I really don’t think it does. And other than that, nothing.
Penny: Just friends then?
Jesy: Just friends.
Penny: And how did you friends spend your day?
Jesy: Aquarium. There were fish. Dungeons. There were guts and blood.
Isla: Charming.
Isla: Let me guess, you were laughing a lot.
Jesy: So much. We got shushed more than a few times.
Penny: And now you’re going for your birthday dinner?
Jesy: Yup. He found this really nice sea-front restaurant, and we’re just waiting for a taxi.
Penny: Has he seen you in the dress yet?
Jesy: No.
Isla: I wouldn’t be so confident about the just friends thing yet, Jes. You’re about to blow his mind.
Jesy: Sure.
Jesy: I think that’s him at the door. See you ladies later.
Isla: Have fun.
Penny: Wear protection.
JESY has left the conversation
Penny: Bet you a tenner she comes home pregnant.
Isla: You’re awful! But you’re on.
Brian
I can’t stop staring at her.
There’s at least fifty other diners, waiters weaving between tables, a violinist in the corner, and a steady thrum of voices.
And I can’t look away from her.
I knew she’d look spectacular in this dress, and she does. It looks like it was made for her. Perfectly fitted, as though she were sewn into it.
What I wasn’t prepared for, was the rush I felt seeing her wear something I bought her.
My dress. My jewellery.
Mine.
I’m not a possessive man by nature, but now I realise it’s because I didn’t have her. Now, I’m jealous of every person in this room that gets to look upon her, because it’s a sight that should only be for me.
And knowing that this isn’t permanent, that in too short a time she will be driving away from me to go back to her husband, is already driving me insane.
“Brian, I’m going to need you to stop looking at me like that.”
Her voice is low. Husky. Her knee brushes against mine under the table and I feel myself tense once again in her company.
It’s been two whole days of restraint and ignoring the growing tension between us.
Two days of pretending that every touch didn’t feel like an electric shock, or that every glance wasn’t loaded with promise.
And now she’s looking at me like I am sure I am looking at her, eyes dark and beckoning.
“How am I looking at you?” I challenge.
So far, we’ve navigated this well. Safe topics. Using our various activities to keep us motivated and moving forward. Ignoring every instinct that told us to give in.
But now it’s just me and her in a restaurant, and she’s wearing the dress and looking at me like that, and I’m not sure how much longer being gentlemanly is feasible.
“Like you want to devour me,” she whispers, leaning towards me.
Well. That time window just got a hell of a lot shorter.
“Perceptive,” I murmur, running my gaze over her, lingering on her curves.
I’ve seen those tits bare before. I know they’re perfectly round, and just a little more than a handful.
The grainy image of them through the webcam all those months ago is burned into my memory, and I would give anything to just…
Fuck.
She squirms in her chair, her eyes making their own path over my body. I wonder if she’s thinking the same things I am. Struggling with propriety and an overactive imagination.
Neither of us look up as a waiter brings our food, and I wonder if he can feel what’s happening at this table. He certainly escapes fast enough after a muttered thanks from us both.
“This smells wonderful,” she says, though her eyes never leave mine. “Thank you so much for this, Brian. You’ve really spoiled me this weekend.”
“Anytime,” I reply, and my tone is much more intense than I mean it to be. “I’d spend forever spoiling you given half the chance.”
Her gaze drops to her plate as she brushes her hair behind her ear. I know this look. It’s the don’t say things that could get me into trouble look. She wants what I’m offering her, I know she does.
But she’s thinking about Jerry. About Rachel.
I almost tell her that there’s no Rachel to worry about, and that ship has sailed. Only, she thinks we’ve come here as equals. Both with partners. Both with something to lose. I don’t want to leave her feeling like she’s the only one with something to feel guilty about.
So I keep my mouth shut, even though it could cost me my chance with her.
I force myself to ask about her food, bringing the conversation back to something more manageable and soon enough we’re talking a mile a minute, laughing at nothing and ignoring the ever-present tension that threatens to snap at a moment’s notice.
I don’t think I’ll ever remember what I ate tonight, or the colour of the flowers on the table.
What I will remember is the crinkle in her nose when she finds something particularly funny, or the different shades of red in her hair under the candlelight. I’ll remember how her eyes brightened with her smile and how she spoke with her hands.
Most of all I’ll remember how I felt in her presence and how much I wish I could take her home with me.
Instead, I reach for her hand. “Ready to dance, love?”
“Yes,” she murmurs. “I’m definitely ready to feel your body close to mine.”
And just like that, it’s time for the bill.
You have received an instant message from:
JESY
Jesy: Do just friends fuck?
Isla: Not usually.
Penny: DID YOU FUCK?
Jesy: No. We’re in a taxi.
Jesy: But…
Isla: But??
Penny: But??
Jesy: He looks so good, smells so good. He’s looking at me like I’m irresistible. And I swear the taxi driver keeps looking between us cos he can feel the fucking tension.
Penny: Give him a show and get a free ride.
Jesy: Funny.
Jesy: What do I do, girls? I’m so turned on. He keeps smiling this really great smile and soon we’re gonna be dancing super close and if I had a dick there’d be no hiding it.
Isla: That’s literally for the two of you to work out.
Penny: For the love of God just fuck.
Jesy: You’ve been spectacularly helpful. I gotta go, we’re almost there.
JESY has left the chat.
Isla: Living vicariously through Jes, hen?
Penny: Well. One of us should get the man we want.
Jesy
“Are your friends convinced you’re still alive?” Brian asks with a twinkle in his eye. I giggle nervously and shove my phone in my bag.
There’s every chance he saw everything. It’s not like there’s a lot of room in this cab for privacy. But if he did, he’s saying nothing.
“That, or they think you do a very good Jesy impersonation.”
“Ah, there’s only one Jesy.”
My stomach flips the way it often seems to around him, and I reach for his hand automatically, playing with his fingers.
I’m not usually a tactile person. Even at our best, Jerry and I were never hand holders, and cuddles were reserved for after sex while he smoked a joint.
Even with my family, it’s a dutiful kiss on the cheek and then avoid all physical contact.