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Jen had had too much wine. She’d chalk it up to being nervous about seeing Del at her parents’ Memorial Day party. Karlach’s pep talk about trying to hook-up with Del only added to the anxiety. Now she was at the tipping point between giggly tipsy and needing to lie down.
Where had Del gotten to? She carefully tread the boards of the farmhouse porch. There, on the porch swing sat the gorgeous veterinarian. This woman had been her best friend, but the helicopter crash had robbed her of most of her childhood memories. Over the last two weeks, Jen had reread Del’s letter and looked over old photographs. Even if she couldn’t remember the details of their friendship, she felt a strong connection, an attraction to her. There had been something growing between them before they parted ways, she to the navy and Del to college. That parting had not gone well judging by the letter and the fact that Del had not seen her in twenty years. She sighed, damnit, she wished she could remember so she knew how to proceed!
For now, she would smile and flirt with the vet. “Is this seat taken?”
Del looked up. “Oh? Not at all, help yourself.”
Karlach leapt up, “Wyll, we should get going. It’s late and you have work tomorrow.”
Wyll seemed a little confused, but stood up. “True. Thanks, Jen, for inviting us to the party. We’ll find your parents on our way out and thank them, too.”
After they had walked away, Del looked at her watch. “I should think about heading home, too.”
Jen clamped her hand down hard on Del’s knee. “Oh, don’t go yet! It feels like you only just got here!”
Startled, Del looked at Jen. “Are you alright?” She put her arm around Jen’s shoulders.
Jen immediately melted onto Del’s shoulder. “Actually, I’m not. My head is spinning. Too much wine, I think.”
“Ah, okay. This porch swing won’t help. Can I take you inside? The living room, maybe?”
Jen only nodded, and Del helped her stand. “Ready to go inside? Take my hand.” Del was surprised by the iron grip Jen had on her hand, she didn’t let Jen see it. They entered the house through the kitchen. They walked past Arnell and Emmeline loading the dishwasher. Del gave a little smile and wave, but kept walking.
The Hallowleaf’s living room hadn’t changed much since Del was last there. She smiled, looking around her. While the furniture and TV were new, everything was arranged as it had been over twenty years ago when she and Jen would spend weekends together. She coaxed Jen to sit on the sofa, and as Del sat beside her, Jen immediately stretched out on it with her head in Del’s lap.
Del chuckled. “Go ahead and make yourself comfortable.”
Jen’s eyes were closed, but she smiled. “Thank you. Everything feels like it’s spinning.”
“Okay. Open your eyes and look at me.” Jen opened her eyes and looked up at Del. “Good. Focus on me. Deep breaths. The spinning should stop soon.”
“Hold my hand, please.” Jen had gone quite pale.
“Sure. You’re doing well. You’ll be okay.”
Jen cracked a small smile. “You act like someone who regularly deals with people swooning around them.”
“As a matter of fact, you’re not a real first year vet student until you pass out in front of an instructor. I’ve had a lot of practice lately.”
“Well, you have an excellent bedside manner, doctor. Thank you.” Jen took another deep breath and closed her eyes.
With her free hand, Del brushed hair out of Jen’s face. Her breath hitched, but her eyes stayed closed.
“Are you feeling better, Jen? Can I get you anything?”
“No, thanks. Just sit with me a little longer.”
Del laughed. “I’m happy to. Besides, I’m trapped.”
Jen opened one eye. “I think you like it.”
Del laughed harder. “Honestly, I’m used to it. You always fell asleep on me, often literally.”
Now both eyes were open. “I hope you have some evidence to back up that claim?”
“I do! You never finished a movie with me. You either fell asleep on the floor, on the sofa, on my shoulder, or in my lap.”
“Hmm, I can see that. My attention span isn’t great on a lot of things. What kind of movies did we watch?”
“We watched most genres, but sci-fi was our favorite. Oh, and period romances like Pride and Prejudice. I love a slow burn romance.”
“Well, we need to revive that tradition. Get a list together. We can have a date night.” Jen closed her eyes.
“Hmm, I can do better than a list. I have all the DVDs.” Del blinked. “Did you say date night?” She looked down at Jen.
Her breathing had evened out. Her lips were parted slightly. Jen had fallen asleep in her lap like she had countless times before. She had felt safe enough to drift off.
Del didn’t want to disturb her. She decided there was nowhere else she’d rather be.