~ Cherish ~
by Ambrosia
Disclaimers can be found in Chapter One.
Feedback: You wanna send me some? Ah gee, thanks! Please send your comments to SumrBrezze@aol.com.
CHAPTER FIVE
Late March of 1990
Side by side, the quartet walked toward their dressing room, bright smiles on their sweat gleamed faces as they performed their own private encore of the song Take Me Over. The fast tempo rock song written by Lucky was their most popular to date, mostly thanks to the sonorous vocals of their new lead singer. Pirate, Diego, and J.T. weren't too proud to admit that the 18-year-old was taking the Beat Brigade to a place its original members had only dreamed of going before. They had twice as many gigs as they had before Jaden joined them and they were beginning to get recognized on the street. A couple days before, the group along with their manager Lucky thought J.T. would have on a permanent smile after two excited college girls asked for his autograph. His smile seemed to last the entire day.
Entering the dressing room, J.T. and Pirate took possession of the only couch while Diego sat backwards on a chair and Jaden plopped onto the long padded bench in front of the vanity. They spent the next few minutes discussing the mini concert that they just finished at the downtown Los Angeles nightclub. It was their third performance at the nightclub and the group agreed that it was the best.
"Where's Lucky?" J.T. asked as he searched his pockets for the pack of cigarettes he had. As if she heard him asking about her, the New Yorker pushed the door open and stormed inside. When she slammed it more than one person winced. A cigarette carelessly dangling from her lips, her gray eyes cold and hard, she didn't look happy, which she should have considering that her group had just put on a terrific show.
"Could I have a cigarette Lucky?" J.T. quietly asked. He wished that he had just kept his mouth shut when she glared. "Um, never mind. Mine are around here somewhere."
"What's wrong?" Jaden spoke up. Ignoring her, Lucky walked toward the vanity and stubbed her cigarette into an ashtray, crushing it more than was needed to douse the tiny flame. Her girlfriend was about to repeat her inquiry when Lucky backhanded her across the face. Swearing that she could see stars floating around her head, Jaden pressed her palm against her throbbing cheek. It hurt so badly that she figured she would have a bruise by morning.
Jumping up from the couch, Pirate hurried to the teenager's side as Diego frowned from his chair. J.T. just tried to pretend that he was invisible. The boss was pissed and he wasn't going to make her mood any worse. "What the hell Lucky? What did you do that for?"
"Mind your own goddamned business Pirate! In fact, all three of you can get outta here. I need to speak with Jaden." Her eyes remained on the anxious person that she was referring to. As she danced from her right to left foot, Lucky's hands clenched.
Pirate wasn't to be deterred. "You call slapping her in the face speaking? Last time I checked, speaking involved words not fists."
"Fuck off Pirate. This is between Jaden and me." There was a dangerous edge to her voice that might have caused most people to take her advice and leave the room. Being one of those people, J.T. gathered his few belongings and left the dressing room without another word. He cared about the teenager, but he didn't want any part of this.
Glancing at Jaden, Pirate noticed that her blue eyes were filled with tears and shock. Something told him that this was the first time that Lucky had raised a violent hand to her. Grabbing a tissue from the box on the vanity table, he handed it to her. Despite what had just occurred, she offered him a smile. It was tremulous, but still a smile.
"What's your problem Lucky? Why would you hit Jae? You claimed to love her so much. I love Sheila and I would never even think of doing something like that."
"What did you take?" The manager asked her girlfriend, acting as though Pirate wasn't there any longer.
Jaden opened her mouth to reply only to discover that she didn't know what to reply with. She didn't understand the question. "What?" Her voice was so soft that Diego was too far away to hear. However, both he and Pirate heard various items crashing around the table and onto the floor when Lucky tightly grasped the teenager by her upper arms and slammed her into the vanity. As Jaden yelped in fear and pain, Pirate and Diego pulled the seething woman away from her. Twisting in their arms, Lucky glared at the crying girl.
"Don't you ever come to a gig high again Jaden! You forgot the fucking words! This was a great opportunity and do you realize that your fuck up could have cost us?" Once it was obvious to them that she most likely wouldn't attack Jaden again, the band members released her. Just in case they watched her carefully though. "Mistakes are one thing, but when you go out there and screw up because you took something beforehand, that's what pisses me off!"
"Lucky, Diego helped her out and I doubt that anyone noticed," Pirate began, trying to reason with her. During the first song they performed Jaden had trouble recalling a few of the lyrics. Thankfully, Diego who had the best male voice of the group smoothly stepped in. He and Jaden performed the rest of the song together and it actually turned out well as a duet. The audience seemed to love it. "Look at the bright side. The song sounds good with them singing it together. We should keep it that way." He shrugged. "Maybe they should have more duets."
"Oh, you think so do you?" A person didn't have to have perfect hearing to detect the sarcasm in that retort. "Thank you for your input that I don't give a damn about." Looking back at Jaden who was still sprawled on top of the table, she said, "When you're on stage, you're sober. Got that?" After the teenager nodded along with a quietly spoken affirmative answer, Lucky walked out.
##########
It was the wee hours of the morning when Lucky entered the apartment that she now shared with Jaden since the young girl moved in with her last month. First stopping in the kitchen for a drink of water she then located her in their bedroom. Throwing her jacket on the cluttered desk, she walked toward the bed and sat down on the edge as she watched Jaden sleep. The lamp already on, now pitiful gray eyes observed the discolored area on the teenager's right cheek. When she brushed her fingers against it, Jaden roused. Her sleepy eyes trailed to Lucky's face just in time to see a tear fall. She said nothing.
"Baby I'm so sorry. I'll never do it again…I'm so fucking sorry that I hurt you," her voice broke as she started to cry in earnest. "You're the last person on this earth that I would wanna hurt."
Pushing the covers back, Jaden sat up in the bed and pulled her lover into her arms. Her damp face tucked into the girl's neck, Lucky hugged her back as she continued to whisper apologies. Leaning back, she cupped Jaden's cheeks, mindful of the bruised one. Tenderly, she kissed her mouth. "I do love you Jaden. You've gotta know how much I love you."
Tears sliding down her face, Jaden drew the other woman back into her embrace. "I know."
##########
She wasn't staring. No, not really. Just because her eyes hadn't altered their view in the last five minutes, it didn't automatically mean that what she was doing could be labeled as staring. She was merely observing very closely. Yep, that was it. Just closely observing the object of her affections and obsessions. Her goddess.
Georgie wistfully sighed as she continued to watch her goddess showing off her grilling talents. It was the 4th of July as well as Jaden's housewarming party and for the past hour she had been busy cooking steaks, hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken breast fillets. Luckily, no one in attendance was a vegetarian. However, if on the off chance one or more of her guests had become a vegetarian there was always the two giant bowls of salad and mixed fruit platters to partake of.
Because she and Vanessa had flipped a coin and she lost the toss, Georgie was the designated driver when they left after the fireworks display that night, so she took a drink of her lemonade while her eyes stayed glued to the cook. Jaden looked equally adorable and sexy in a pair of hibiscus patterned low-ride turquoise board shorts with a turquoise bikini top. On her head was a matching du-rag. Attentive emerald eyes trailed back down to a pair of long, tanned and shapely legs. In her opinion, Jaden should have those legs insured.
"Georgie you don't look particularly busy. Staring doesn't require much work I don't think," the brunette suddenly spoke. Her toothpaste commercial worthy teeth gleamed in the sunlight as she grinned at Georgie who was now blushing because she realized that she had been caught 'closely observing'.
"Uh," was the only intelligent reply that the blonde could give her. Fishing a piece of melting ice from her glass, she loudly crunched on it.
While she flipped ˝ pound patties over, Jaden continued to grin. "So since you aren't busy, you want to help me?"
"Sure." Patting the head of Sasha (the puppy formerly known as J.D.) who laid at her feet, Georgie headed toward the cook, asking what she could do. She truly worked hard at keeping her eyes above the two enticing mounds of flesh partially covered in Jaden's bright bikini top. Glancing toward Rachel and Kevin who were engaged in some card game with Max and her husband James, the agent slowly shook her head while feeling guilty. What would her parents think if they knew that I was secretly ogling their daughter's…well everything?
"Would you toast my buns?"
"What?!" Georgie's eyes were comically large. Was she flirting? It wasn't too easy to tell.
"Toast my hamburger buns." Jaden pointed her meat fragrant spatula toward the house. "I like the edges to have a bit of a crisp. The buns are in the kitchen and there's a pan all set up on the stove. Think you could throw some on the fire for me? Just leave them on there a minute or so."
"Sure. I can handle that." Georgie didn't know whether she was more amused or disappointed that Jaden literally wanted her buns toasted. In their vicinity, Nate overheard the conversation and offered Georgie his assistance. Smiling at him, she wrapped an arm around his shoulders and the two new buddies headed inside. Georgie didn't feel the cook's eyes admiring her sarong covered bottom.
Turning back to the grill, Jaden smiled to herself. I really do love to window shop.
##########
"Georgie you're single right?" Rachel Connelly asked in a conversational tone as she cut her tender T-bone into small neat squares. She paid little attention to her youngest daughter's anxious expression. Although Jaden had cleared up the rumors circulating about the 'true' nature of she and her ex real estate agent's relationship during their lunch date on Monday, Rachel questioned if something could develop between them in the near future. In person, Mrs. Connelly had decided that Georgie was far more than pretty and had the characteristics of someone that she would choose as a life partner for a child of hers.
Suppressing a smile, Georgie nodded. "Yes, I am Mrs. Connelly."
"Ah ah." Rachel waved her fork at the younger woman. "What did I say about that?" She nudged the imposing man to her left scarfing down on his second cheeseburger. He spared her a glance and then went back to his plate. Ordinarily, Kevin was a sociable guy, but when food was served that was all he had time for until he inhaled the last bite. "Reminds me of what I used to call this one's mother."
The smile revealed itself. "Sorry, it slipped out. I mean I am single Rachel."
"That's better."
"Mom how is your Ebay business going?" Having retired four years ago after a fall caused her to need double hip replacement surgery, Rachel discovered Ebay while she recovered. She was hooked after she won her first item, outbidding another Ebayer by two dollars and fifty cents. Since then she had bought and sold (mostly) well over a thousand items. Rachel shed a few joyous tears the day that she found out that she qualified as a power seller. In the last year she had started selling homemade baked goods in decorative baskets and they were quite popular. Kevin loved being her taste tester.
"It's great! They can't seem to get enough of my mini cakes, brownies and cookies. That reminds me! I have something to give you Jae." Wiping her mouth with a paper napkin, she started to rise when her husband put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"You eat honey," he said, gracing them with his deep voice since he had just cleaned his plate. "I'll go get it." Smiling at the two women sitting across from them on the bench, Kevin stood to his full height of 6'5", stretched and headed away from the deck to get his wife's present from their car. He returned shortly with a thick rectangular box covered in festive wrapping paper, a curly bright blue ribbon adhered to the top. Some of the guests had stopped eating, their eyes on the gift placed in front of Jaden.
"Mom, you didn't have to do this," the brunette stated, although she was smiling. "My birthday is eleven days away."
"I should know better than anyone when your birthday is because I had a front row seat when you were born." Others seated around them on the large deck chuckled at Rachel's reply. "This isn't for your birthday. It's a housewarming gift."
Jaden shook her head. "I specifically said that I didn't want any housewarming gifts."
"You really expected me to listen to that?" Her mother pushed the gift closer to her. "Open it." Since Rachel used her 'you better do as I say or else' tone, Jaden began to unwrap her present. A gentle wind carried a few bits of the wrapping paper away as she pried open the flaps of the plain cardboard box. Inside laid a black case fitting for a guitar. Jaden put the box to the side before she unfastened the case and looked inside, softly gasping as her eyes reverently inspected the polished jet black guitar that she immediately realized was a classic.
"Mom," the word was quietly uttered as Jaden carefully pulled the instrument away from the red velvet lining. "It's beautiful." Her eyes lifted to meet those of her beaming parents. "Did you buy it on Ebay?"
"Yes, I did." Rachel put her thumb and forefinger an inch apart. "Came this close to losing it to a persistent bidder in Texas. He and I have crossed paths before. It's a 1979 Fender Stratocaster--hardly played and not a blemish on it."
"You remembered that I have a preference for Fenders," Jaden commented as she grinned, one finger trailing over a taut string. She had eight of them displayed in the hat/instrument room. Thanking both of her parents although her mother was the Ebay extraordinaire, Jaden stood and walked over to hug them.
"Play something Auntie Jae," Bell insisted, sitting at the junior table with Nate, Max's daughters and Stuart's daughter and youngest son. She began to clap and soon had everyone putting down his or her utensils and joining in.
"Yeah, play us a little something Auntie Jae," Georgie teased as she grinned at the musician standing close to her. Chuckling, Jaden asked no one in particular what she should play.
Mackenzie Savage thought of something that she thought might be fascinating. "Why don't you improvise like they do on that Drew Carey show Whose Line Is It Anyway? Someone can give you a hint of what type of song to perform and then you can have at it."
"Oh man. This sounds potentially humiliating but I'm game." She grinned, looking at various guests. "Alright, three of you guys give me the title of the song. One word each and please don't be too cruel. Heather," she turned to her sister. "What's your word?"
The older woman thought for a split second before she answered, "She."
Jaden slowly nodded. "Okay. I can handle 'she'. Umm," blue eyes scanned the guests, "Jack," she called Mack's twin brother's name. "Second word kind sir?"
Pushing hair out of his eyes, he grinned at her. "Loved. I'm just a big ole sucker for romance!" Those around the young musician chuckled.
Jaden turned to her left where Georgie sat on the bench nursing her sixth or seventh glass of lemonade. Someone might have to make pit stops on their way home. "And Georgie? Final word please? She loved…" she trailed off expectantly.
The real estate agent realized seconds too late that she could have said something nonsensical like 'chocolate' or 'flamingos' or finished the title with the name of a fictional person such as 'Arthur' or 'Crystal'. Instead without consulting her brain first, Georgie gazed into the twin pools of blue that she admired so much and almost shyly replied, "Me." Making your hopeful thoughts obvious much Georgie?
"She Loved Me. She Loved Me. Doesn't sound like a bad title for a song." Winking at Georgie, the singer placed her newly acquired electric guitar in her hands. "I need to go get my amplifier. Be right back guys." Quickly returning to the deck, Jaden set up her equipment, settled the strap of her Fender around her shoulders and grabbed the pick from the case. Glancing toward her mother, she chose not to comment on where Rachel got the video camera that was aimed at her.
After starting and stopping three times, Jaden finally had a rhythm going. A melody neither slow nor fast paced sprang from the instrument under Jaden's nimble and practiced fingers. She silently played for a full minute before she started to ad lib the lyrics to She Loved Me. Without conscious thought, her body shifted in Georgie's direction.
I could tell by the touch of her hand
That she wanted to be my only woman
I could tell by the way she stared
Just how much she really cared
Anyone could plainly see
That she only had eyes for me
And that quickly in return
My soul started to yearn
This girl set me free
One, two, three
Do, re, mi
Yeah, she loved me
How did I get so lucky?
To have this girl love me?
I could tell by the way we embrace
And by the smile on her beautiful face
I could tell by the way her knees went weak
When I gave her that kiss on the cheek
That she loved me
This girl set me free
One, two, three
Do, re, mi
Yeah, she loved me
How did I get so lucky?
To have this girl love me?
God sent me an angel
An angel that I'll cherish each day
She loved me and I loved her
And together I hope that we always will stay
'Cause this girl set me free
One, two, three
Do, re, mi
Yeah, she loved me.
How did I get so lucky?
To have this girl, this wonderful girl
Love me?
Wanting to end the impromptu song with a flourish, Jaden kept plucking her guitar nearly fifteen seconds after she sang the last verse. She blushed as her guests clapped, some even going so far as to whistle approvingly and a few including Georgie and her parents stood up to applaud. "Aw, thanks guys. I know it was a pretty bad song but thanks for making me feel good." Smiling, Jaden began to put her guitar back into its case.
"No Jae, it was awesome!" Kelly assured her as others agreed. "Especially since you created it as you went along. I could never do that. A bit of tweaking here and there and you might have yourself another hit." The redhead broadly grinned. "You know, whenever you're ready to come out of retirement."
"No rushing me Red--I just got there! I'm gonna kick back and enjoy my time off."
##########
The fireworks, which Jaden had to obtain a permit for were about to start and everyone was scattered along the beach in front of her home on blankets to watch, mugs of their host's homemade apple cider in their palms. A couple of bonfires set up made it easier to see ones surroundings, so it was by the warm glow that Jaden found the girl who had recently been added to her favorite people list. An extra jacket in her hand, she walked over to Georgie and offered it to her. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt, the agent hadn't thought to bring a jacket to ward off the evening chill.
Georgie accepted the forest green jacket and had it on in record time. "Thank you J-Co." She rubbed the sleeves of the roomy jacket. "I feel much better now. Care to sit with me?"
"Sure would." Smiling, Jaden occupied a space on the blanket and crossed one ankle over the other as she placed her hands behind her for stability. "Where did Van go?"
"Her boyfriend called on her cell phone so she headed down the beach to talk with him." Picking up her mug, Georgie sipped the hot drink.
"Have you decided what you want?" When graced with a blank look, she explained, "Your one wish for winning our bet at McDonald's. Have you figured out what it is yet?"
"No, I'm not in a hurry to use it." Smiling, Georgie wrapped her arms around her body. "I'll let you know when the time is right."
''Kay." Jaden watched as her friend briskly moved her hands up and down the sleeves of the jacket as her body slowly rocked back and forth. "Still cold?"
"A little chilly, but your jacket really does help."
The musician thought for a moment. "Let me try something." Crawling behind her, she circled the smaller woman's waist, pressing her front against Georgie's back. "Does this make you uncomfortable?" She asked, tiny puffs of her breath falling on a pink earlobe. "Just thought my body heat might get rid of that nasty chill."
Stretching out her legs so that they rested between Jaden's long limbs, Georgie scooted as far back as she could. Draping her arms over Jaden's, she smiled in pleasure. She could be content in this position for the next twelve hours. She sighed. My goddess is holding me. Now more than ever, I wish that I could freeze time. Glancing over her shoulder, she met Jaden's eyes. "J-Co this isn't uncomfortable. It's perfect." Georgie grinned. "You're like a human furnace."
"My ladies always tell me that."
Chuckling, Georgie turned back toward the ocean when she heard a loud bang. The fireworks show had officially started as a variety of colors littered the sky and slowly floated to earth like fluorescent stars. Lacing their fingers together, they prepared to watch the vibrant display. Somewhere music began to play to accompany the fireworks.
"I love you Jaden," Georgie purposefully admitted it in a voice soft enough that the person she was speaking to wouldn't be able to hear. It was the closest that she could come to actually telling her.
Meanwhile, having ended her conversation with her boyfriend, Vanessa headed in her best friend's direction when she abruptly stopped upon seeing her cuddling with Jaden. Unnoticed by the cozy looking couple, she pensively observed them until she felt a small tug on her hand. Looking down, she smiled at the little girl looking up at her. Max's youngest daughter. Though just having met that day, they were the best of friends although Vanessa was fifteen years her senior. It started when she learned that Van was a CNA and she wanted to be a nurse when she grew up.
"Hey Kendra. What may I do for you?"
"You wanna come sit with me, Alisha, Autumn and Bell?" She inquired, naming her sister Alisha, Stuart's daughter and Jaden's niece. "We have a blanket and it's just us girls. We even have a big thermos of apple cider."
Vanessa's smile widened. She glanced toward Georgie and Jaden before nodding her acceptance of the cute invitation. "Well hey, I couldn't possibly get a better offer than that. Lead the way sweetie."
##########
Although Van's bedroom door was open, Georgie knocked to get her attention. Sprawled across her bed with a Sandra Brown novel open before her, Vanessa looked up and ushered her friend inside the room with a wave of her hand. Based on the way Georgie asked if they could talk, she realized that it was serious so closing the book, she sat up and faced the blonde.
When Georgie didn't offer further conversation, Vanessa grew concerned. "What's wrong babe?"
"Nothing is necessarily wrong…"
"Okay," Vanessa waited to see if she would continue.
"I just needed someone to talk with. To confide in."
Vanessa rubbed the back of her hand, a gentle smile on her lips. "That's what best friends are for. So talk to me."
"I wanted," stopping, Georgie sighed then tried again, "I wanted to talk about Jaden."
Her friend thought back two nights before when she found the two snuggling together while watching the fireworks. Anyone could easily mistake them for more than just friends. "Okay…"
"I'm falling in love with her." A look, which disappeared too quickly for Georgie to decipher, passed over Vanessa's face. However, her following statement on the subject at hand made her viewpoint very clear.
"Georgie that isn't a very wise idea."
"It's not like I can help it because we don't get to choose who we love. And why isn't my loving Jaden wise? How can that be wrong? You like Jaden."
"Yes, I do but I love you and I'm concerned about the effect this could have on you." Sighing, Vanessa scooted toward the side of her bed so that she could place her bare feet on the carpet. "You and Jaden could have a strong friendship and that's all there should be between you. A friendship."
Georgie's brow furrowed. "I doubt that Jaden wants more than friendship from me, but if she did why exactly would it be wrong according to you, for us to explore those feelings?"
"I think it would be obvious."
"Pretend I'm the dumbest person on the planet."
"Georgie she has HIV," the CNA gently started. "Next month marks her 10th year of living with that virus and half of those with HIV develop AIDS within 10 years. But we know that Jaden can afford the best of medications and she takes excellent care of herself, so it's doubtful that she's on the brink of developing AIDS. So let's say she still has HIV 3, 4, or even 5 years from now. In the meantime her T-cell count lowers, which leaves her vulnerable to other ailments such as joint pain, tuberculosis and herpes. Most likely within five years she will have progressed to AIDS and that's when she's susceptible to diseases like pneumonia, certain cancers and toxoplasmosis, which is an infection of the brain."
Noticing the tears welling in her friends' eyes, Vanessa shook her head. "Sweetie I'm not trying to upset you. I just want you to realize what lies ahead for Jaden. If you were to get involved with her, give your heart to her this is what you'll eventually have to deal with. And I know you--I think I know you better than anyone. Watching the woman you love slowly diminish from the strong and essentially healthy person that she is now will rip you apart. I don't want you to have to go through that. It's one thing to see your friend suffer, but when it's someone that you're in love with it has to be damn unbearable."
"I've been reading about HIV and AIDS, so I'm aware of what's going to happen." Georgie wiped at the tears rolling down her face. "Van I'm not as fragile as you may believe."
"Georgie I don't think you're fragile. Quite the opposite."
"I want to be there for her regardless if we're friends or more. If she'll let me, I want to take care of her. I love Jaden and I'll be damned if I try to ignore it."
"At the most you'll have a decade. Perhaps that and an extra 2 or 3 years together and then you'll be left alone," Vanessa's voice was quiet but firm.
"Van we're all going to die eventually and unless you take matters into your own hands, you don't exactly know when it will occur. Based on your logic no one should get involved, because inevitably unless they die together, one half of a pair will be left alone. Who knows what the future brings? Jaden could outlive me. And if she doesn't, having that decade with her is better than having nothing at all." Standing, Georgie walked out of the room.
Vanessa followed her into their living room. "Would you please try to understand where I'm coming from?"
"What if Craig found out that he had a fatal disease. Would you leave him?"
"Georgie that's different--"
"No it really isn't. Only difference is that you're already in a relationship with him. Answer the question. Would you leave Craig?"
"No," Vanessa quietly replied.
"Why not?"
"Because I love him and I'd want to help him in anyway that I could."
"Now tell me what the difference is."
"You stated it. We're involved whereas you and Jaden are not. So why get involved when you already know what the outcome will be? I'm afraid of the impact loving her will have on you."
Breezing past Vanessa, the blonde wordlessly headed into her bedroom. Within seconds, she emerged with a plain white plastic bag in her hand. She was about to open the front door when her roommate asked where she was going. Hand wrapped around the doorknob, Georgie glanced toward her.
"Vanessa I don't owe you an explanation. You're not my mother."
"No I'm not because unlike her I give a damn about you." She jumped slightly as the door slammed. Hazel eyes glistening with tears, she stared at the empty spot before it. "Shit."
##########
The first being Georgie noticed when she arrived at the beach house was Sasha lounging on the deck on top of a cushiony bone-shaped pillow that was twice the size of her. The puppy looked quite comfortable lying on her side as she alternately enjoyed the view and napped. Walking over to her, Georgie knelt down to greet the adorable pup. The moment she touched Sasha's side, she rolled over to her back, four paws sticking straight up in the air. She wanted her belly rubbed. Chuckling, Georgie gave her just that.
"It has rapidly occurred to me that my daughter is hedonistic." Rich laughter followed the statement.
The blonde glanced over her shoulder. "Could she be taking her mother's lead?" Giving the warm belly a few more pats, she stood, turning just in time to see Jaden's shrug.
"I guess it's possible." Smiling, her eyes fell on the bag in Georgie's hand. "Aw, you didn't have to come bearing gifts." She batted long eyelashes as she pointed toward the bag. "That for me?"
"Yup, but I didn't buy it." She handed the bag to Jaden. "I've brought back the jacket you loaned me Friday night. It's been washed, dried and folded."
Jaden inhaled the jacket's clean smelling scent. "If I closed my eyes, it would be like I was standing in the middle of a field of flowers, the wind gently blowing their fragrance toward my nose. This jacket has never smelled so heavenly."
Her friend softly laughed. "You sure know how to make a girl feel good."
Smiling, Jaden placed her jacket back in the bag. "Though I'm always thrilled to see you, you're a little early for our Sunday surf lesson. Anxious to get started, huh?"
"Actually, I needed to tell you something."
Studying Georgie's face, the singer questioned why she hadn't noticed the red and swollen eyes. Reaching for her hand, she squeezed it. "Honey what's wrong?" When she didn't answer in a timely fashion, Jaden pulled her inside the house and into the den where they sat on the couch. Quietly following the pair, Sasha took purchase on another bone-shaped pillow she had. However, this one was a different color. She closed her eyes as though she didn't want them to think that she had followed to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Releasing Georgie's hand, Jaden repeated her question. "What did you need to talk about? You realize that you can tell me anything, right?" When Georgie nodded, she softly smiled. "Okay, so whenever you're ready, just let it out." A full minute passed and she had yet to speak. "Would you like a glass of water?"
"Please," Georgie immediately answered, uttering her first word since being on the deck. Water sounded good. It might help relieve her parched throat. "Tap is fine."
"Nope, we don't believe in tap water in this house. Sasha and I only drink bottled water and that's what you'll get."
"See? You're spoiling her just like Bell and her brothers."
"Yeah, yeah." Grinning, Jaden waved a dismissive hand as she left the room. She returned with two bottles of Dasani, giving one of them to her friend. While Jaden took tiny sips of hers, Georgie gulped half the bottle. "Thirsty I see."
She nodded, twisting the cap back on. "Mmhmm." She inhaled a slow deep breath, held it as she silently counted to five and then let it flow from her mouth. "Jaden." When the other woman looked at her and smiled so sweetly, Georgie wanted to pull her into her arms and keep her there forever. "We've only known each other since April. And we truly didn't become friends until we met up in Hawaii last month. So technically our friendship began about three weeks ago although it seems like it's been longer. And I mean that in a good way."
The brunette continued to smile. "I agree."
"Only three weeks and I care about you so much." Her head shook in amazement. "It happened so quickly."
"I care about you too Georgie."
"Jaden," sighing, she drank more water and then put the bottle on the carpet. "My feelings run deeper than just caring." She waited to see if Jaden would say something, but she kept her mouth shut. I love you. And when I say that, I mean that I'm in…I'm falling in love with you. It seems to grow stronger each day."
It was Jaden's turn to drink a little H2O. Love? She loves me? She wondered if she could be dreaming. She wondered if she wanted to be dreaming. Jaden concluded that if this were all a dream, it would be best. "Georgie, I love you too, but--"
On the drive to Malibu, Georgie repeatedly told herself that she wouldn't cry, but she could feel the tears starting to sting. "But as a friend right? I understand that you don't feel the same way about me. I just couldn't bear to hide how I feel about you. I had to tell you because every time that I would look at you, I'd think it. And despite how exposed I'm feeling, saying that I love you seems right."
"Though I feel honored to be loved by you--any woman should-- Georgie I'm not the right one for you. You could do so much better."
"How could I possibly do better when you're the best? I've never had feelings this strong for anyone and I highly doubt that I ever will again." She pointed at Jaden with a shaky smile on her tear-streaked face. "You're it."
Grabbing a tissue from a nearby box, Jaden dabbed at the younger woman's cheeks before kissing one of them. "Sweetheart, if I didn't have HIV this conversation could be going in an entirely different direction. I care about you, I love you and in case by some miracle you hadn't noticed, I'm very attracted to you. But I won't do anything about it. I wouldn't feel comfortable, which is why I've remained single all these years. Hey you're young," she gently smiled. "You'll find someone else. Just give it time."
"I don't want to Jae and even if I did, I couldn't. When I said that you were it, I meant that. You've spoiled me for every other woman on the planet." The musician had to chuckle. "I just needed you to know and I hope that doesn't make you feel awkward around me. I hope that we can still be friends."
"Always. You're too good of a friend for me to let you go. Could I have a hug?"
Georgie smiled a little brighter. "Anytime." Lessening the distance between them, she wrapped her arms around Jaden. She didn't notice the few tears that escaped her love's eyes.
##########
Since the living room was empty when she entered the apartment, Georgie went to her roommate's bedroom and knocked on the door. Hopefully, she was home. Hearing a muffled 'come in', Georgie walked inside, soundlessly closing the door behind her. Turning to Vanessa, she gave her a small wave. "Hi."
The CNA waved back. "Hi yourself." Dropping the novel that she really hadn't been reading because she was too distracted with thoughts centering on Georgie, she sat up on her bed. "I've been worried about you. Would have called but you didn't take your phone."
"I forgot it." Georgie remained by the door, not certain that she was welcome to sit on Vanessa's bed after the way she behaved earlier. She was relieved just to have been granted access inside her friend's bedroom.
"I thought as much." After a pause, she asked, "Are you okay?"
"I will be if you forgive me for being an ass."
"It's okay. Your ass card isn't anywhere near being filled up for the year and we're halfway through it. I have ten more punches to make."
Georgie began to smile. "How many ass slots did I start with at the first of this year?"
"Twelve."
"Two out of twelve filled." The agent looked thoughtful. "And when was the other time I acted like an ass?"
Vanessa grinned as she replied, "When you wouldn't let me borrow your new white sweater back in February. I practically begged you on my hands and knees and yet you still shut me down with a resolute no."
"No, no Van." Wagging a finger at the other woman, Georgie moved to the bed and took a seat. "You conveniently forget the rest of that. I had a white cashmere sweater and you told me that Craig intended to take you to the grand opening of a bar-b-que restaurant. I was afraid for my sweater because I could imagine you wasting hard-to-get-out thick red sauce all over it. Sorry, but I just couldn't take that chance."
"Uh huh. Regardless, that counts toward your ass card. And…maybe you should make a punch in mine."
"Why would I do that?"
"I have an apology to make too."
"An apology for being concerned about me? Van that's ridiculous. You were only being a friend and I understand that now." Georgie leaned toward her to kiss her cheek. "And I love you for it."
The CNA smiled because of the sweet declaration and for the kiss. "I'm not convinced that it is ridiculous babe. I was cynical and insensitive in my approach to prove to you that loving Jaden would eventually lead to heartache." When Georgie started to interrupt her, Vanessa pleaded with her friend to allow her to finish. Though her expression made it clear that she didn't want or need an explanation, Georgie nodded for her to continue.
"While you were gone I realized that my reaction to your confiding in me that you were falling love with Jaden was inappropriate," Vanessa paused, gathering her thoughts as she tucked long braids behind her ears. "I never should have told you that loving her was wrong. Love shouldn't be ignored. It's an emotion of the utmost importance and value. No matter what obstacles there might be, no matter how long it lasts, we should appreciate it while it's here because it is such a precious gift." Smiling, she added, "I think it was Michael Bolton who sang that love was a beautiful thing and he was right.
"Georgie I'm so very sorry. You tried to talk to me and I feel like I let you down." Releasing a shuddering breath, Van blinked back tears. "Speaking of love, you're my greatest love. And let's not analyze that--it just is what it is. And because you are my greatest love, I want you to feel like you could come to me with anything."
"Van I still do," Georgie whispered as a tear trickled from her eye. "Also, you haven't convinced me that an apology is necessary, so you won't be receiving any punches in your ass card."
Vanessa chuckled. "Think you should but I can't force you."
Georgie agreed that she couldn't. "When I left, I went to Malibu and told Jaden how I felt about her."
"What did she say?"
"I didn't expect her to embrace the idea of us being a couple and unfortunately I wasn't wrong." She smiled, though there wasn't a trace of happiness in it. "She's unwavering in her decision to not get involved with anyone and because she hasn't in the last decade, I don't think she'll be changing her mind." With a deep sigh, Georgie leaned back on the bed slipping her hands behind her head as she looked toward the ceiling. "I've had strong feelings for two women in my life. One lives in Malibu and the other in this apartment." Glancing toward Vanessa she asked her, "Why do I fall for the unattainable ones?"
"Hmm, it must have something to do with the challenge. Perhaps that's why you can't get into Ronnie because you realize that she would welcome you with open arms in a heartbeat." Frowning in thought, Vanessa tapped a finger to her chin. "No wait. That's not completely true. You did get into her in the physical sense, but I'm sure you already figured out that's not what I meant."
She had barely finished speaking when a pillow slapped her in the face. She heard chuckling as she pushed it away. "You are so horrible!"
Vanessa grinned. "Yes, but we've been amigas for twelve years. So since you're sticking with me, my horribleness must not bother you too much."
Georgie grinned back. "Doesn't bother me at all."
##########
"What's the lesson for today coach?" Georgie asked as she walked into the beach house with a duffel bag draped over her shoulder. Her mouth gaped open when she heard the answer. "Today? Already?"
Hearing her friend's loud gulp, Jaden grinned, which might have a person thinking her a wee bit sadistic. "Yep. I think you're ready for that next step. But first we need to figure something out so please accompany me to the kitchen." Once in the large kitchen, she asked Georgie to remove her shoes and although she appeared as though she wanted to question why, the real estate agent pulled off her sneakers and neatly placed them side-by-side on the waxed linoleum.
"In order to know what direction you'll stand on your board you have to figure out whether you're a goofy foot or regular foot. Most surfers are regular foots, which means that they surf with their left foot forward. So what I want you to do is get a running start and then slide across this floor. When you come to a complete stop if you're left foot is in the lead then you are a regular foot too." Jaden moved out of the way and watched as Georgie prepared to slide. "Be careful 'cause it's a little slippery."
The floor sure was slippery. On her first attempt of the usually simple test, Georgie ended up on her backside. She came very close to crashing into the kitchen table. Fortunately, the only part of her that sustained a wound was her pride. How am I supposed to balance in the ocean on a surfboard if I have trouble sliding across a kitchen floor? Miles could do this! Asking if she was alright, Jaden pulled the smaller woman to her feet. Nodding, Georgie walked back to her starting point. That time she completed the test without a hitch and discovered that she too was a regular foot.
Once they changed into their swim gear and grabbed their surfboards, the pair headed to the beach where they did routine stretches. Usually once they were done stretching, they headed into the water, but today Jaden took a few extra minutes to show her student how to move into a standing position on her longboard. She figured practicing on the sand would give Georgie a basic idea of how to stand before she tried it in the shifting water.
Getting to her feet in the ocean proved to be much harder than it had been on the sand. Every time that she attempted to, her legs turned into Jell-O, causing the blonde to plummet into the cool water. Now she knew what cookies with a glass of milk as a companion felt like. Georgie watched as Jaden gave her another demonstration. She made it look effortless as she fluidly jumped to her feet with the left foot in front, knees bent ever so slightly and arms stretched out at her sides.
"Don't lean back so far," she instructed as she placed her bottom back on the board. "You should lean forward a little." Jaden smiled encouragingly. "You can do this Gigi."
With a deep breath, Georgie repositioned her body in the center of Neon Stretch (yet to be ridden, her beloved Flipper was tucked away in Jaden's garage) and grabbed onto the rails. "Okay," she said more to herself than the surf guru observing her form. Closing her eyes, she breathed even deeper as she gathered the courage to try standing again. Pretend you're on the sand. This isn't Mother Nature's pool--it's her sandbox.
Don't fall again. Green eyes focused on her board, Georgie used her strength to do a push up, bending her knees as she swung one leg underneath herself. Groaning a little, she leapt to her feet, making sure that she was standing sideways on the longboard with her left foot toward the nose. Her knees bending, she spread her arms out for balance. Georgie glanced down. Although her legs were shaking a tiny bit she remained on the board. She grinned as Jaden began to clap and congratulate her. She was standing! On a surfboard! Totally gnarly.
Now what was next? "What's the next lesson J-Co?" Carefully, Georgie straddled Neon Stretch again.
"I'll give you two options. One, you can practice standing and surfing through small breaks or as I call them baby waves or two, the rest of our time here this evening can be spent freestyle--which means that you may do whatever you want as long as it takes place in the ocean. Paddle around, body whitewater surf, swim etc."
"I opt for freestyle," the agent quickly replied. It was her opinion that she had fallen enough today. "I have a suggestion. You want to paddle out about fifty feet and then have a race? First person to paddle back to shore wins."
Jaden smiled and nodded. "What do they win?"
"Non winner makes dinner."
The musician pretended to look frightened. "Are you really gonna subject me to your food? Still ticked about the oysters?"
Georgie smirked. "If I lose, I'll buy you dinner. However, I don't plan on losing."
"You're such a positive little thing!"
"What did I say about calling me little?" Lying on their boards, they paddled away from the shore.
"I never listen to you." When Georgie tossed a handful of water in her face their paddle race was shortly postponed as they proceeded to have a good old-fashioned water fight.
##########
"How does this one look?" The expression meant for her could easily be read. Without words it inquired 'have you lost your mind'? "What's wrong with it?"
Vanessa tried to come up with the words to describe the eyesore sitting on top of her friend's head. It was a large purple fedora complete with leopard trim. "Well…it's umm…are you serious?"
Grinning, Georgie shook her head. "Not really. I wanted to get her a fun hat and she doesn't have one of these in her vast collection." Removing the fedora, she chuckled as she ran her hand along the soft material. "When she opens this on her birthday, I thought she would get a kick out of it. You don't think it's in the least bit appealing?"
"It might be if the person wearing it was a pimp straight out of 1975." They laughed as Vanessa took the hat and put it on top of her freshly braided head. "I can't wait to see Jaden's face when she opens your present."
"Neither can I." Looping her arm through Vanessa's, she led them toward the 'serious' headwear. While in Hawaii, Georgie decided that for Jaden's birthday she would purchase a variety of hats and caps for her. Unbeknownst to the upcoming birthday girl, Georgie snapped numerous pictures of her hat room after her surfing lesson two days ago. Once home she loaded the photographs to her computer and then spent the next hour studying the types of headwear that Jaden owned.
Choosing to do their shopping together, the first store Georgie and Vanessa visited upon arriving at the mall was The Hat Fanatic. Asking her friend if she had any idea of what she wanted to get for Jaden, Georgie plucked a classic black Stetson from a rack. A smile formed as she imagined the musician wearing it with a pair of faded blue jeans. Jaden looked delicious in jeans. Actually, she would probably look delicious in anything that she wore. Or didn't wear. When did I become so perverted?
Since other customers milled around them, Vanessa walked closer to Georgie so that she could whisper in her ear. "I ordered her a special item from a catalog on Tuesday and I put a rush on it so it should arrive by tomorrow. And I already know what I'm getting today." She winked. "That's my g-rated gift."
"Ah huh. And uh, what special item did you order?" Vanessa had been a subscriber to a catalog called Simply Sensual for two years now and Georgie suspected that whatever she purchased for Jaden could be found in that catalog. When told, she blushed to her roots because she had an instant picture of the gorgeous brunette using her birthday present from Vanessa. "Oh my God. For real?"
Chuckling quite evilly, she nodded, the 'pimp' hat on her head bouncing. "Yep. For real. I hope it'll be a good fit."
Deciding to purchase the Stetson, Georgie held on to it as they moved to another rack. "I think your present tops the reaction she'll have with the fedora."
"She might want to kill me though. Ooh, I like this one. It's snazzy." She showed Georgie a sky blue Kangol cap adorned with a couple sets of twin dark blue stripes. "And it's on sale."
"Cool. She has Kangol caps but not one exactly like this. I think she'll like it."
"How many are you intending to buy?"
"Ten. I thought that was a good number."
The CNA whistled. "And I've yet to spot a hat under twenty bucks. You must really be in love!"
Georgie added a black and white reversible skullcap to her loot. "Oh yeah."
##########
"This is so beautiful Van." First wiping her ketchup stained hands with a napkin, Georgie touched the leather bound journal that had Jaden's initials 'JNC' embossed in gold lettering across the center. Inside it were two hundred unlined sheets of handmade ivory paper, which felt more like fabric. Gently closing the black journal, Georgie put it back into the gift box that the saleswoman had provided for Vanessa.
Dipping her wonton in sweet red sauce, Vanessa smiled. "Thanks babe. I figured that she could use it to record any songs that she may create in the future or she could actually treat it as a journal and write down her reflections." Just before she put the wonton in her mouth she explained, "Such as 'today I realized that Georgina Anne Franklin is the hottest woman on this earth and therefore I would love to have the opportunity to share my new gift from Van with her. And no offense, but I'm not referring to you my dearest journal'." Dark eyebrows dancing with mischief, she chewed on her appetizer.
Immediately chuckling, Georgie had to wipe her spewed beverage from the table. Ah, I learned to be perverted from the master sitting before me!
##########
Jaden watched with a delighted smile on her face as Sasha and nine other puppies around her age played with two large nearly indestructible balls, one red and the other blue. Jaden knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that her daughter was among the friendliest in the group since she had no problem passing the toys to her furry pals. She would either use her little paw or her head to roll one of the balls to someone else. At that moment, Sasha proved her right as she butted the blue ball to an Akita who she might have had a crush on because she seemed to pay the most attention to him. In return, he took every opportunity to either kiss or smell her. Ah, puppy love.
This was the Alaskan Malamute's second session at Oscar Moreno's canine training & daycare facility. With two classes per week, puppy kindergarten lasted six weeks. The first two sessions were mainly spent getting to know the other classmates and Oscar preferred to have no more than ten puppies in each group. At home, Sasha's potty training was coming along well. Having only two accidents in the twelve days that she and Jaden had been together, the puppy had learned to hold it until either she reached the newspaper or when she was taken for a walk on her leash.
"She's interacting well with the other pups. You should be proud."
Jaden turned to the handsome Hispanic man now sitting in the chair next to hers and smiled at him. An excellent instructor, Oscar was also a kind and goodhearted person. During their first meeting she could easily understand what Dylan saw in him. "Thank you and I am very proud." She chuckled. "That's my girl."
"Is she your first?"
The brunette nodded. "As an adult she is. I've been wanting a dog and now that I've settled down I have enough time to dedicate to her. Sasha's my little--well little for now at least--companion and I love having her to come home to."
Oscar thought of the conversation that he and his partner had last night. Although he didn't really know Jaden, he was compelled to bring up a personal subject with her. "And she's the only one?" He gently inquired. "I mean that you come home to? Oh, and please don't hesitate to tell me if I'm overstepping my bounds."
Jaden smiled. "It's okay. Yes, Sasha is the only one and I prefer it that way."
"Really?" A person with a blindfold on could tell that that statement hadn't convinced the trainer.
"Really." She wanted him to stop with the questions, but she realized that she wasn't about to be that lucky. It felt as though Jaden had to explain her preference for being single a lot lately. "I like my life as it is."
"Like it, but do you love it? Could you not imagine your life being any better?" I'm a dog trainer trying to be a therapist.
"I can't complain."
Crossing one leg over the other, Oscar didn't give an immediate response as he studied her. He glanced around to make certain that none of the other puppy owners and his employees overheard them. "Jaden I want to share a story with you."
"Alright. I'm all ears."
"Dylan and I met during my freshman and his sophomore year in college--so that was," his brown eyes meeting the ceiling, Oscar did the math in his head, "about sixteen years ago. We were friends first and then six months down the line our friendship turned into love and bam we were a couple!" He beamed. "It lasted close to a year before circumstances…obligations pulled us apart. We kept in touch after our breakup, but eventually that ceased.
"Flash forward to February of 2000 when I happened to spot him at a restaurant in Hollywood. The goatee he wore at that time threw me a little because he never had facial hair in college, yet I was positive that it was Dylan so I walked over to his table and said hello. I was happy that he recognized me right away and he stood up, hugged me and asked me to join him. We started gabbing as though the last time we spoke was only yesterday instead of fourteen years ago. He told me such things as he now owned a nightclub and that he was single--which let me tell you thrilled me enormously!" Oscar grinned while Jaden laughed.
"We decided to get together again so we made a 'friend' date for the following week. We ate dinner, caught a movie and then went back to his place for cappuccinos. He gave me more information about himself as we sat by the fireplace with our hot beverages. I learned that he had been in a relationship the previous year with a man who turned out to be a lying, cheating son of a bitch. Discovering that this s.o.b. had a problem with remaining faithful, Dylan went to see a doctor about getting tested for STD's. Those tests came back positive for HIV," Oscar paused as that night replayed in his mind. He remembered wanting to go search for the cheat responsible for his ex-boyfriend's condition and beat the crap out of him.
"I cried when he told me. He held me for I don't recall how long. He was the one with HIV and there he was comforting me. So we redeveloped our friendship and it wasn't very long before those old feelings started surfacing and I realized that I had never fallen out of love with Dylan. After we broke up I did have other relationships, but no man that I was involved with ever compared to him and I admitted it out of the blue one day. I could have cried again when he basically told me the same thing--he never stopped loving me. I was all for taking our relationship to the next level but Dylan was hesitant so we found and joined this serodiscordant support group, which helped way more than I had imagined it would."
"What does serodiscordant mean?" Jaden inquired, not familiar with the term.
"It refers to a couple where one person has HIV and the other doesn't." Oscar grinned at her. "I just taught Jaden Connelly something."
She chuckled. "How about that. Okay, so you joined the group…"
"Right. And we learned that we could have a productive meaningful romantic relationship. Of course we would have to be careful, use protection and whatnot, but it wasn't impossible. So my point for telling you how Oscar met Dylan and then 're-met' fourteen years later was to get you to understand that you are being quite selfish."
Say what?! Jaden frowned wondering how he managed to deduce that she was selfish. "What makes me selfish?"
"Well look at you!" Palms up, Oscar pointed ten fingers in her direction. "It might have increased by now, but last I heard 1% of the population was gay, so that equates to roughly sixty million gay men and lesbians in the world. I'd bet that a lot of those ladies are eligible or would cheerfully make themselves eligible for the sizzling hot superstar Jaden Connelly. One of them is being deprived of the chance at having a relationship with you because you insist that you are content to only come home to Sasha." Full lips curving upward into a slight smile, Oscar waggled a finger at the musician. "Ms. Selfish. You ought to be ashamed. Really you should."
"Should I go stand in the corner and trade my baseball cap in for a dunce cap?"
"No, but you should get yourself a girlfriend--you've been single long enough. What is this I hear about you and your real estate agent?"
"That's just a rumor. Georgie and I are only friends." Perhaps she should look into making a public statement regarding the true platonic nature of she and her ex-real estate agent's relationship.
"Do you find her attractive?"
No deliberation was required. "Yes. Very much so."
"Do you have feelings for her?"
Jaden reluctantly nodded. "Yes, I do."
"What about Georgie? Does she have feelings for you too?"
"I don't think it's my place to answer that. Oscar," inhaling deeply, she smiled at the trainer. "I realize that you mean well and I'm so happy for you and Dylan. I'm happy that you were able to reconnect with each other after all of those years had passed and despite any complications there might be, that your partnership is lasting and strong." Jaden placed her hand against her chest. "But I personally do not see myself getting involved with Georgie or anyone else. I get lonely--I'll admit that. But I've been alone for ten years and I survived without a partner during that time. And I'll continue to do so. However, I do appreciate all that you've said." Reaching over for his hand, Jaden sandwiched it between hers. "Thank you Oscar."
Oscar smiled although he opined that he had failed his mission. Maybe she'll allow what I told her to marinate and tomorrow wake up with a new perspective. Yup, that's gonna happen. "You're welcome. Um, one more thing. We don't go that often anymore, but I do know of some support groups. You and Georgie, or you alone could check one out. Couldn't hurt right?"
"No, it couldn't. I just might look into a support group Oscar. That is something I've never tried." Patting her on the back, the trainer excused himself to attend to other matters. Once he was out of earshot Jaden pulled her cell phone from the leg pocket of her cargo shorts and punched two buttons for the preprogrammed number to be dialed. First looking toward her daughter to make sure that she was fine, Jaden headed into the hall where she could have privacy.
##########
"How many square feet is this house again Georgie?" Dylan asked as they walked up the winding stairs to the second level of the new home.
She glanced at her clipboard. "Approximately 4,100."
"Nice and roomy for the hubby, Princess and I." Grinning, Dylan strolled into the master bedroom, which upon their last visit to the Los Angeles house had quickly become his favorite room. He loved the fireplace, but the oversized Jacuzzi tub sitting within the spacious bedroom was the first thing to catch his eye. Picturing where the bed would be placed, he guessed that he and Oscar wouldn't have to travel more than ten feet to use it.
Walking over to the filled Jacuzzi, the agent dipped a finger in the warm swirling water. "Imagine you and Oscar in this tub after a long and strenuous day, just relaxing with each other, eating strawberries and sipping champagne while you listen to softly played music."
"Hmm." Dylan looked on thoughtfully. "You should imagine the same scenario, except it's you and Jaden in the Jacuzzi. You know you want to." The grin he wore was obviously lecherous.
Sort of been there, done that, Georgie inwardly answered with a faint smile. Difference was we were outside, had strawberry margaritas and listened to a Spice Girls CD. "Sure I do," she spoke while playfully rolling her eyes, yet she figured that she hadn't fooled him. She wondered how Dylan knew that she had feelings for Jaden when she never mentioned it. You must have 'I love Jaden Connelly' written across your forehead.
"Oscar and I are leaning toward making an offer on this house. He loves that it's never been lived in before and that backyard had him drooling. One of his main criteria was a large backyard where he could plant his garden. The man loves to grow his own fruit and vegetables! I remember this one time that he hurried into the kitchen to show me this tomato that was bigger than my fists combined. He was so delighted that he had tears in his eyes!"
Georgie laughed as her cell phone started playing the music to an older song of Jaden's, which she had found last week on the Internet for $2.99. Right away noticing the tune, Dylan's grin returned and his agent pretended that she hadn't seen it as she fished the phone out of her soft leather briefcase. Answering it, she smiled as she heard the voice on the other end. Thinking it a personal call, possibly from a certain someone, Dylan left the bedroom to walk through the house on his own.
"What're you up to?" Georgie asked as she sat on the edge of the Jacuzzi. "I thought I just heard a dog bark, but it didn't sound like Sasha."
"You did just hear barking and you're right--it wasn't Sasha. We're at Oscar's training class. She's familiarizing herself with the other puppies in her group."
"Are they being nice to her?" The blonde asked, sounding parental. When Jaden chuckled, she smiled.
"Yes Mom they are. She has a special friendship with a cute little Akita named Brutus."
"Does our little girl have her first crush already?"
"I think it's possible. So what are you up to?"
"Dylan and I are looking at a house that made the final cut. He and Oscar have it nailed down to three houses."
"You are a house selling machine!"
Georgie laughed. "Uh huh."
"Okay, I won't keep you long. I'm spending my birthday with my family so we'll have to postpone our surf lesson next Tuesday, but I wanted to invite you to dinner that evening. Mom is going to cook me a homemade meal and that's something that you don't want to miss, 'cause she's awesome in the kitchen. So do you want to come? They would love to have you and I know that Bell and Nate would be excited to see you again."
The agent sighed in regret. "That sounds terrific--excellent company along with a satisfying homemade 'Mom meal', but I already have dinner plans with this woman." When her friend didn't offer quick response, Georgie thought that she might have been disconnected. "You there?"
"I'm here," Jaden's voice was quieter. "So you have a…date?" Although her intention was to sound casual, that last word sounded like a squeak to her ears.
"Oh, no," Georgie assured her. "It's not a date. She was in the market for a real estate agent and she found me, so dinner on Tuesday will be our first meeting."
"Oh, great!" In Jaden's opinion, her reply was uttered with too much relief. She only hoped that Georgie wouldn't notice. "See? Told you that you were a house selling machine."
Georgie's face lit up with happiness. "You did. Hey, Van and I do have presents to give you."
"You shouldn't have."
"But we did! So maybe we can bring them to you on Wednesday? We'll bring dinner too. Anything that you want."
"Then I look forward to it. Are you coming on Sunday?"
"Yep. My wetsuit and I will be there."
"Alright, I'll see you on Sunday. Don't work too hard."
She smiled. "I'll try. Bye J-Co."
"Bye Gigi."
##########
A quarter to eight in the evening on her birthday found Jaden saying goodbye to and hugging her relatives. It had been a spectacular day starting with a breakfast consisting of her mother's waffles. Afterwards, Jaden, her parents, Heather, Tom and their kids took a trip to Magic Mountain, which had been the birthday girl's idea. The entire family had a blast and Jaden and Tom attempted to outdo each other by seeing who could ride the most roller coasters. Tom surrendered when his stomach objected to him getting on Viper immediately after consuming a hearty lunch.
They started the drive back to Rachel and Kevin's around five that evening. While dinner cooked, the family sat around the living room as Jaden opened the many presents surrounding her. Once she was done and the pictures were taken and the thank yous were given, Tom helped her in carrying her loot to her Hummer.
"You drive safely pumpkin," Kevin instructed as he drew his youngest daughter into a big bear hug. "Call us when you get home."
Smiling, she kissed his stubble-covered cheek. "I will Dad."
"I love you."
Her smile grew as she answered, "I love you too."
With final farewells, the family headed back into the house while Jaden walked toward her car parked next to the curb. As she pulled the keys from the pocket of her jeans, the hairs on the nape of her neck stood up and her body tensed. Because she was a celebrity being watched and stared at was something that she had become somewhat used to, but being watched outside of her parents home on a dark night in a quiet empty street was a little unsettling.
The keys smothered within her tight grip, Jaden's head moved from left to right as she scanned the neighborhood. She didn't see nor did she hear anything. Jaden what are you thinking? Some deranged fan is stalking you on your birthday? Stop being paranoid, get in the car, go home and get some rest. Believing that she had given herself good advice, she shrugged off the strange feeling.
Lifting her keys and beeping the car, she was about to open the driver's side door when she was suddenly attacked from behind. Her keys falling to the asphalt, she intended to elbow the person behind her but a bag tossed over her head distracted the musician long enough that three sets of hands were able to lift her off of her feet. She struggled, jerking from side to side in the hopes that she would be set free, but the half a dozen hands unfortunately had good grips on various parts of her body. Opening her mouth, Jaden yelled in protest and for help, but the thick bag covering her entire head muffled the sound.
She was carried about thirty feet away from her Hummer and put into a long dark automobile. None of her parents' neighbors noticed as a black automobile with the kidnapped star sped off into the night.
Continued...