Jenkins took another sip of his soda. “I live across the city. I can come for a little while, but I have that important client meeting early tomorrow, and I don’t want to get to bed too late.”
“You could just stay the night atthehouse. I have plenty of rooms, as you know,” she added quickly at the end and blushed, looking down. “We can run over to your place now, and you can pack a bag.”
“That’s not a bad idea since the client meeting is only fifteen minutes fromyour house.I can stay in one ofyourthousand empty rooms.” Jenkins enunciated the wordyourto emphasize that this was her life now, and everything that had once belonged to Darla, now belonged to her.
Even after all this time, she still struggles with taking what she doesn’t feel is hers.His heart swelled again at her selfless nature.
“Speaking ofthehouse, I should sell it and find something smaller. More reasonable. Maybe even closer to where you live.”
“Why?” Jenkins jerked his head back to reality at the sudden turn in the conversation.
“I don’t know what to do with all that space. I want something that feels like a home, not a castle. Plus, the area you live in is so much more modest, and there are so many cute little houses with shutters and white picket fences. I even saw the house on the corner with the ivy trellis for sale.” She leaned forward, her face eager to share.
Her eyes sparkled as she continued. “Every time I pass it, I imagine sipping tea out on the front porch waving at the neighborhood kids.”
Jenkins caught Pamela’s attention with his gaze. They held eye contact for a few moments, and he watched a pink hue fill her cheeks.How can I tell her that she is amazing and deserves anything she wants?
“I think that if you want to get a different house, then you should. It would be cool to live near each other so we could see each other more.”
She awkwardly looked away to get the server’s attention for the check.
Jenkins realized he needed to give her space. In a previous trust-tree session, she had confided in him that she still felt married and needed more time to get past the feelings of cheating. That conversation was several months ago, though.
I just need to be her friend, someone she can trust. I will do everything I can to help her be successful and happy.
The server appeared, and they both reached for the check, his hand resting gently on hers.
“Allow me, please.” He smiled kindly at her, and she withdrew her hand to her lap.
She smiled in response. “Thank you.”
Jenkins watched as she flexed her hand before resting it on her lap.I wonder if her feelings have changed,Jenkins hoped, as he pulled cash out of his wallet to settle the bill, and he texted their driver to meet them at the front door.
“Ready?” he asked, moving to stand when she smiled and nodded in response. Outside, paparazzi waited to snap pictures of them as they made a mad dash with their security detail to the waiting car.
The drive to his house was quiet, and Jenkins’s mind panicked that he pushed her too far romantically.I need to keep it cool. I need to find a way to tell her I’m totally okay with just being her friend. Or whatever she needs right now.
The car rolled to a stop on the street in front of his house. “I’ll be right back.” Lightning bugs flitted about his front yard, and he was in and out in a few minutes. A suit bag was slung over one shoulder, and the other held a duffle bag with his overnight essentials.
Back inside the dark car, they sat shoulder to shoulder. Their hands rested on the seat in between their legs, their fingers centimeters apart. The electricity was palpable as they drove silently along. Jenkins turned to face her.
Now is my chance to tell her I just want to be her friend, that above all I just want her to be safe and happy.
“Pamela—” Before he could finish, she kissed him. As she pulled away, he reached his hand up and gently cupped her face to kiss her longer and deeper. She leaned her body into his, and Jenkins’s arms wrapped around her. In the safety of the dark car, they gave in to the feelings he thought were one sided.
Jenkins would have waited years for Pamela to be ready, but the moment felt so right, so perfect. He still wanted to be careful not to push her too far, and he slowed his kiss down into small pecks against her perfect pout.
Breathless, they separated, locked eyes, and broke into laughter. Pamela leaned back into her seat and Jenkins grabbed her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. He was worried the smile on his face would never leave, and he would be the raving lunatic who smiled every second for the rest of his life.
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.” Jenkins leaned his head back, sure that in the small space she could hear the thunder of his heart pounding in his chest.
“I’m sorry I kept you waiting.” She smiled at him in the dark, and immediately his lips met hers.
“Never apologize for doing what you need to feel safe.” He brushed her cheek. How is it he had found the person he was looking for, and it was the crazy circumstance of Darla’s behavior that brought them together?
Pamela sat back in her seat; her demeanor shifted as she sulked away from him. “So, you were in love with the original Pamela?” Her voice sounded sad, defeated.
“What? No! I always thought she was somewhat attractive, but not who she was as a person. He felt a shiver go down his spine. “Let’s just say, even though I tried to stop Darla from switching with her and forcing her to live out the rest of her life in an old sick body, it wasn’t because I was in love with her. It was just the right thing to do.”
