Who Gets the Friends? (9 page)

“How did that go?”

Tom tried to hide the grin that crossed his face.

Doug rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me you and Karly did the horizontal mambo!”

“No, she was glued to some guy who looked like he stepped off a horse ranch.”

“Ah, the rugged bad boy type. I know ‘em well. So why the shit-eating grin?”

Tom paused. “I hit it off with a friend of hers.”

Doug chuckled. “Ol’ Tom got back in the saddle in a hurry.”

“That isn’t why I’m here. What I really wanted to tell you was thanks for arranging for Jessica and me to get back together.”

Doug eyed him for a moment. “Is that working out?”

“Seems to be. She came over the other night and tonight we’re going downtown to take in the sights.”

He sat back in his chair and propped one leg on the other. “Good for you. I have to tell you, I wasn’t sure about doing that, but Peg insisted.”

“Why?”

Doug hesitated. “Because after that
faux pas
at her place the first time you went out, Jessica was pretty upset with herself. She told Peg that she really wanted to see you again, at least so she could apologize.”

Tom took another sip.
Guess I misread the signals
. “Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome. Hey, Christmas is next week. Have you two made any plans?”

It’s a little soon to be planning holidays together
. “I don’t know what she’s doing. She said before that she usually works the holidays, but I haven’t asked her yet.”

“If you want someplace to go, our door’s always open.”

Tom stood. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

He proceeded down the corridor to his office.
What Karly said about Rashida made me think of something. We had a great time and she’s a sex machine, but when I made love to Jessica that’s more what it was—making love, not just having sex. Maybe it’s because I really feel something for Jessica, something on a deeper level. She’s an animal in bed but that just made me want to please her even more. Maybe I’m not as shallow as I thought I was.

Tom climbed into the passenger side of Jessica’s car that evening. She leaned over and kissed him, then plotted a course for downtown.

“How was your day?” she asked.

“Tiring. We’re doing year-end account summaries and I think I’m going blind from staring at my computer all day. How was yours?”

“Same as the others—busy.” She grinned at him. “But thinking about seeing you tonight somehow made it tolerable.”

“It did for me, too.” He settled into his seat. “What do you have planned for Christmas?”

“I volunteered to work for one of the other nurses.” She glanced at him. “But that was before we got together and I didn’t think I’d be doing anything else.”

“I wasn’t fishing, just curious.”

“What will you do?”

“Probably visit my folks. They don’t live too far away and there are no more kids at home.”

“That’s nice of you to do that.”

Jessica took a detour down a side street, then slowed in front of a couple of houses with light displays.

“People really put a lot of effort into these, don’t they?” she asked.

“Yeah, and it really puts you in a festive mood.”

They continued on their way until they found space in a public parking lot. They walked a few blocks to join the throng of families looking at the window display depicting Santa’s workshop. Tom glanced at some kids watching the animated figures in awe, their faces pressed against the glass.

He nudged Jessica, then gestured at the kids. “Remember doing that when we were kids?”

She laughed. “Yeah. This was an annual family tradition for us when we were growing up.”

He linked his arm with hers, then they strolled along the street. They crossed to Courthouse Square, where a tall tree was illuminated from top to bottom with white lights.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Tom began, “but I never cared for all white Christmas lights. I like the colors.”

“Me, too. Seems to make it more festive.”

Tom guided her to a spot near the courthouse steps where a brass quintet was playing Christmas carols to a small crowd. The musicians were decked out in seasonal stocking caps of red trimmed with white. They stopped and listened to the music for a few minutes.

Tom wrapped his arm around Jessica’s waist and pulled her close. She snuggled against him, put her arm around his waist and rested her head against his arm. When the song was over they applauded.

“Getting a little chilly out here,” Tom observed. “Would you like some hot chocolate?”

“I’d love it.”

He got them two cups from a vendor, then they moved off to the side, out of the mainstream. They found an empty bench and sat.

Jessica looked at the crowd. “It’s nice to see so many families taking advantage of something like this. Kind of renews your spirit.”

“Yeah, it does.” Tom took a sip, then reached into his coat pocket. “That reminds me. I have something for you.”

He handed her an envelope. She opened it, withdrew the Christmas card it contained and smiled. When she opened it her eyes widened. There she was, under Tom’s Christmas tree in her red teddy, exposing her breasts. She gasped and clutched the card to her chest.

“You said those pictures were private stock!” she said in a low, shocked voice.

Tom grinned and shrugged his shoulders. “I didn’t show that to anyone else and I thought you’d be flattered.”

“Flattered? Why?”

“Because how many other women do you know that were chosen for their very own Christmas card?”

She smiled slightly. “Okay, you got me. Just don’t pass this around.”

He placed his hand over his heart. “You have my word.”

She tucked the card into her purse, then leaned against him. “This is really nice. I’m glad you thought of this.”

“I didn’t—you did.”

“Yeah, but you gave me the idea.” She sipped her hot chocolate. “I was really dreading this whole season, but now it doesn’t look so bleak.”

He turned her face to his, then kissed her. “It’s looking brighter for me, too.” They settled back on the bench and Tom placed his arm around Jessica’s shoulder.
I hope it isn’t too
soon to be asking this next question
. “You said you were working on Christmas, but which shift?”

“First. I’ll get off around three. Why?”

“Just wondering. Any plans after you get off work?”

“Not really. At some point over the holidays I need to go to Cincinnati to visit my folks. What did you have in mind?”

He was silent for a moment. “I thought you might like to come over to my place that evening so we could spend part of the holiday together.”

She turned to look into his eyes. “I’d love to. I might even bring my own mistletoe.”

Tom pulled her close. “Who needs it?”

They locked in a lingering kiss, oblivious to the people milling about.

Jessica caressed his cheek. “Have I told you how well you do that?”

“Not lately.”

They walked around the square, looking at the decorations and vendors. Tom guided them to a booth where a photographer was taking pictures of kids and families against a seasonal backdrop.

“It’s a bit cheesy, but it’ll do,” Tom remarked.

They took their place behind a fake sleigh against a background of snow and fir trees. Tom hugged Jessica and they smiled. He paid the photographer, then gave Jessica the picture.

“A little keepsake.”

She smiled at the picture. “Very nice, but I think you could’ve done better.”

“I think so, too.”

* * * *

Jessica hurried to answer her ringing phone with an anticipatory smile. “Hello?” she happily answered.

“Jessica? This is Brenda Slater.”

Jessica’s face fell at hearing the voice of her late boyfriend’s mother.
Shit! I should’ve
checked the caller ID
. “Uh—hi, Brenda. How are you?”

“All right. I wondered how you were getting along and I really wanted to hear your voice. How are you holding up this holiday season?”

I was doing fine until you called
. “I’m okay. How are you and Jack doing?”

Brenda sighed. “Not very well. We miss Bradley terribly.”

“Yes, I know.” She paused. “So do I. Thank you for the Christmas card.”

“You’re welcome. We always thought of you as part of the family.”

Jessica cradled the phone while pacing. “That’s very nice to hear. I was always fond of both of you, too.”

“I know you’re busy, but this will be our first Christmas without Bradley and we wanted to invite you to spend the holiday with us. Everyone will be here, his brothers, sisters and nieces. They’d all love to see you.”

“I appreciate that, but I’m working the holiday for one of the other nurses who wanted the day off.”

“Oh, I see. What about after work?”

Jessica paused. “I’m sorry, Brenda, but I’ve already made plans.”

“Of course, you’ll probably be going to see your family.”

Jessica glanced at the photo she and Tom had taken when they saw the Christmas display downtown. “Actually, I’m spending the evening with a friend.”

There was a pause. “A male friend?”

Jessica’s face blossomed into a smile. “Yeah. He’s a pretty neat guy.”

Tom dodged the seemingly endless stream of shoppers, mostly kids, that clogged the Fairfield Commons Mall.
Damn, man, it’s Wednesday. A school night. What are all these kids doing here?

He had selected another Christmas card for Jessica, one that was humorous without being too mushy.
I’m not sure we’re ready for sincerity yet, but I think she’ll like it. Now the real question—what do I get her? We didn’t say anything about exchanging gifts but I’d really like to get her something.

He paused in front of a store that sold a variety of fragrances but stopped himself from going in.
Not cologne. Too early in the relationship for something so personal and I don’t
know her favorite fragrance
. He continued window-shopping but stopped at the display window at Frederick’s of Hollywood. His eyes scanned the mannequins decked out on sexy lingerie.
Definitely too soon for anything like that, although the black lace teddy is cute. I wonder how Jessica would look in that?

Tom found himself wandering into a seasonal store selling holiday keepsake ornaments. He scanned a shelf filled with snow globes, then smiled when he saw one that contained a gold angel holding a harp. He took it from the shelf, shook it, then watched the faux snow settle.
Perfect. I didn’t see one like this in her collection.

He paid for it, then rejoined the traffic. He slowed when he saw Rashida approaching with a large bag draped over her arm. She smiled when she saw him.

“Hey, stranger,” she said before hugging him. “Didn’t expect to find you here. How’ve you been?”

“Good. Yourself?”

“Pretty good. Doing your last minute shopping?”

“Uh-huh. I’m guessing you are, too.”

She groaned. “Thought I had it all done, then someone decided to do Secret Santa at work, so here I am.” She paused. “How come I haven’t seen you around the gym lately?”

“No excuses besides being busy. Would you like to get some coffee?”

“Love to. I could use a break.”

He escorted her to the food court. They found an empty table and took seats.

“How’s the massage business?” he asked.

“Not bad. I’ve been selling a ton of gift cards so I know I’ll be busy after the holidays.” She took a sip. “Aren’t you about due for your monthly tune-up?”

Tom laughed. “I could always use it.”

She gave him a sly look. “Then why haven’t you called for an appointment?”

He drank some coffee.
How far do I want to go with this?
“Again, no excuses.”

Rashida gave him a curious look, then rested her hand on his. “Hey, baby, I’m not talkin’ about anything serious, just a little fun between friends.”

He squeezed her hand. “I know.” He hesitated. “But maybe I am talking about something more serious.”

She slowly nodded. “I understand. You found someone and you’d like to see where it goes.”

“Looks like you got me. Upset with me?”

She chuckled. “No, I’m not upset. I told you I didn’t want anything like that right now.” She brought his hand to her full lips, then kissed it. “But I wouldn’t mind bein’ your little secret on the side.”

Tom smiled. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

* * * *

Jessica stood in the long line at the bookstore, patiently waiting her turn. She looked again at the books she had chosen and smiled when she got to the one she had picked out for Tom.
I hope he likes this. It’s tough figuring out what to get someone you don’t know real well, and I don’t like gift cards. Too impersonal.

She was surprised by a woman’s voice. “Hi, Jessica.”

She turned and came eye to eye with Susan Walters, her late boyfriend’s sister. Jessica suddenly felt awkward and dreaded what was about to come next.

“Hello, Susan.”

“This is a pleasant surprise. I haven’t seen you since the funeral. How have you been?”

“Good. Yourself?”

“Doing all right. Mom said she invited you to stop by for Christmas.”

“She did but I’ve already made plans. Sorry.”

“I understand. So how are things going?”

Jessica paused. “Pretty good. I don’t want this to come as a shock, but I recently met a guy.”

Her eyebrows arched. “Wow, that’s pretty sudden.”

“Susan, it’s been a long time. I needed to move on.”

Susan gave her a curious look. “I would’ve thought that Brad meant more to you than that.”

Jessica slowly exhaled in an effort to keep your tongue in check. “What do you want me to say? Yes, Brad meant the world to me, but I couldn’t barricade myself forever.” She paused. “I know the holidays are going to be tough for you and the family, but they aren’t going to be easy for me, either. I just hope you can understand that.”

Susan nodded. “I suppose you’re right. Do you like this new guy you met?”

Jessica felt a smile overtake her face. “Yeah, I do. He’s pretty nice. We’re still friends?”