Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Jenna
“So that’s it? You ended it after a few dates ‘cause of his family? Did you even get to ride him first?” Kelly pours me a large glass of wine after our shift and plops down on my couch with me.
“Sex is not everything.” I roll my eyes at her as I take a sip.
“Spoken as a woman not getting any.” She chuckles at my sour look.
“I know what good sex is like, and the mediocre shit these men have been trying to dish out is not fucking worth my time.” Kelly tilts her wine glass at me.
“Amen, sister, but Troy looked like he had the skills needed to end your dry spell. I’m just saying the dick might have been worth the crazy family.” I shake my head at her logic.
“Nothing is worth compromising my self-worth. I was never going to belong in that family, and I’m not interested in another long-term dead-end relationship.
I’m almost thirty. I should have two kids, a dog, and a house in Jersey, halfway to retirement, with a doting husband who loves me.
Instead, I’m a practicing born-again virgin who can’t keep a fucking fish alive. ” I glance at yet another empty bowl.
“Babe, that might be a sign from God that kids ain’t right for you.” I slap her with one of my throw pillows.
“I wouldn’t neglect a child. I’m a nurse, for Christ’s sake. It’s the aquatic species I have trouble with.” Kelly points at the three plants hanging in my window that are more brown than green.
“Mmhmm, anyway. All I’m saying is not to overreact to the family. He didn’t pick them, and it’s wrong to hold him responsible for their actions.” I sigh, knowing she’s right.
“I was kind of a bitch to him.” Kelly reaches over and pats my thigh.
“Babe, from what you told me of his mother, he’s used to it.” My eyes bug out.
“Oh God, do you think that’s why he’s attracted to me? I remind him of his mother?” Kelly laughs and pushes my wine glass towards my mouth.
“Nope, I’m not touching that one. That is between you and your therapist.” Fucking hell.
“That reminds me. I need to reschedule my doctor’s appointment.” I lift my phone and curse, seeing I’m three weeks past my birth control injection appointment.
Not that I need it now.
My doorbell rings, and I arch an eyebrow. Setting my glass down, I walk over to the intercom to find out who it is.
“Hello?” I let go of the button and promptly hear a response.
“Delivery!” Buzzing them in, I unlock the door and glance down the hall at a man struggling with a bouquet of white roses so large I’m not sure how he got them through the main doors.
“Jenna Graham?” I glance at Kelly before answering.
“Yup, that’s her!” she says cheerfully, standing to help get them inside my apartment.
After several minutes of huffing, stretching, and body contortions, my yoga instructor would be proud of us, we got the flowers inside with only a handful of casualties.
“Sign here.” I grab the pen and sign my name as Kelly digs around the flowers for a card.
“You know who they’re from.” I close my front door and grab my broom to sweep up the petals that have fallen all over the floor.
“Troy, of course, but what is he trying to say. Ah-ha!” She lifts her hand up in the air so I can see it holding the card with my name written on it.
She pushes me back to the couch, leaving the mess of flowers on my kitchen counter to deal with later. Handing me my glass of wine, she gives me the note with a little wave to open it. I rip it open as she bounces on the heels of her feet in giddy anticipation.
One rose for every moment I’ve thought about you this week. I miss you.
- T
“Damn girl. If you don’t call him, I will.” She lifts my phone and shakes it midair.
“Fine,” I snatch the thing from her and drain my glass of wine for liquid courage.
Blowing out a long breath, I scroll through my contacts, find his name, and hesitate with my finger over it.
“What do I say?” I look up at my friend who’s grinning like a fucking fool.
“Try something like, I miss you too. Or better yet, ask him to come over and prove it with his tongue—” SMACK!
I hit her three more times with the pillow.
“STOP IT!” She giggles under my assault, and I sit back down in a huff.
“Hello?”
No, oh shit. I must have clicked the call button when I swung on Kelly.
“Hi.” I glare at her as I raise the phone to my ear.
“The flowers are beautiful. Not sure where to put them, though. Did you buy the whole store out of white roses?” He chuckles softly in my ear, and the sound makes me melt.
“I might have, but you are worth it.” The line goes quiet, and I struggle to find the words to fill the silence.
“I missed you, too.” He sighs in relief, and I grin like a fucking schoolgirl.
Kelly starts making kissy sounds behind me, and I flip her the finger without turning around.
“Would you take a ride with me?” We’d been talking about it, but our schedules hadn’t aligned.
“When?” I bit my lip as I bent down to smell the bouquet.
“Does now work?” Oh, shit.
“I can’t drive. I’ve been drinking.” I frown in disappointment.
“No worries. Ride with me. If you trust me?” I look at Kelly, and she glares at me.
“Hang on a second.” I mute the phone and sit back down next to her.
“He wants to take me for a ride.” Kelly starts clapping.
“About fucking time. GO!” I roll my eyes, knowing damn well we aren’t talking about the same fucking ride.
Lifting the phone back to my ear, I cover her mouth so she doesn’t say anything inappropriate.
“I can be ready in ten minutes.” Kelly starts grinding my couch, and I shove her face away.
“I’m already outside. Grab your helmet and come down when you’re ready.” The line goes dead.
“What did he say?” I stand, walk to my window, and see the shadow of his Harley parked across the street.
“That he’s waiting outside.” Kelly gasps and comes over to push me out of the way.
“Oh my God, that is so fucking romantic. Is he out there with a boombox?” I laugh at her ridiculous imagination and go to change into jeans and a long-sleeved shirt.
I’m putting my boots on when Kelly grabs her purse and leans in my bedroom door jamb.
“I’m taking the bottle to my place since you’re ditching me for dick.” I snort and finish lacing my boots.
“There will be no dick tonight.” I push her out my front door and lock it.
She walks ten feet down the hallway to her apartment and waves as I take the steps to the first floor.
“MAKE BAD CHOICES!” she yells at me, making me smile.
I push open the main door, and the night air chills my exposed skin. I lift my nose to the sky and inhale the smell of autumn in the city.
“Hey, beautiful,” Troy’s voice comes from behind me a second before his arms wrap around my waist.
I resist the urge to flip him over my shoulder and grab his arms to steady myself.
“I thought I warned you about sneaking up on me.” I glance over my shoulder and look up at him.
“Sorry,” he tries to let go, but I shake my head.
“GET A ROOM!” Kelly’s voice breaks our moment, and Troy looks up at her hanging out of her window.
“I want her home before dawn and thoroughly ravished. I’m talking three orgasms minimum.” I’m going to fucking kill her.
“I’ll do my best,” Troy says, his words full of mirth.
“NO, you get the job done or next time you fuck up I won’t talk her into giving you another chance.” Kelly slowly backs into the safety of her apartment and closes the window, leaving us standing on the sidewalk in stunned silence.
“That is one good fucking friend.” I laugh and nod.
“The bitch is lucky I love her. Ready?” I ask, trying to sidestep the whole orgasm comment.
“To get you off? Since the moment I met you, but I’ll let the Harley warm you up first.” He winks and takes my hand.
I’m in trouble.