Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [106]
“No, I did not!”
“Well that’s a relief. I wouldn’t want to miss that.” He rubbed his jeans with his palms. “I vaguely remember telling you—”
“What?” She arched a brow.
He shook his head. “Never mind about that. Just tell me again why you’re mad. So I can make it right.”
She gaped at him. Then she spat out. “It hurt to see Jessie’s photo on your nightstand. And you didn’t care. You fell asleep on me.”
“What is the big deal about Jessie? I told you she’s just a friend.”
Hugging her pillow, Katy corrected, “Girlfriend. With whom you shared steamy, starry nights!”
“Like David was your boyfriend. Come on, Katy. This is childish.”
She felt heat rising up her neck and into her cheeks. “You know there wasn’t much between David and me.”
“Did you kiss him?” he demanded. Katy pressed her lips together. “And did you skate in his arms?” he asked. Her eyes narrowed painfully. Jake’s voice softened. “I know how you felt when you saw the picture because I felt that way when I saw you with David.”
“But I wasn’t emotionally involved with him.”
He eyed her skeptically. “So you want to hear about Jessie?”
She nodded.
“Fine. I’ll admit to some flirting, some dancing, a few kisses, toying with the idea of a relationship, and then dismissing it. Because I knew I was in love with you. It was the whole idea of exploring the world that she was part of, but it was only a fleeting attraction.”
It hurt to hear him admit what was between him and Jessie, fleeting or not, yet she also understood because it had been similar with her and David. There had been moments when David caused her pulse to race, and she had entertained a deeper relationship. Though she had wanted the relationship to deepen, it was always Jake who she loved. But had there been more between Jake and Jessie?
She needed to know. She felt her blush returning. She searched deep in his eyes, wanting to watch his facial reaction to the question. Then her heart fluttering like a caged bird seeking freedom, she asked, “Kissing? Was that all that happened between you two?”
His eyes didn’t dart away in fear, but softened and pleaded for her to trust him. “Yes. That was all. I’m saving everything else for you. If that’s been bothering you, I wish you’d asked me sooner.”
With relief she admitted, “Me, too.”
“And for the record, the steamy, starry thing was just a pun about a dud of a field trip. It was nothing romantic, just a joke because a group of us got stuck in a flash rainstorm.”
She gave him a skeptical look. “Everybody knows you don’t go stargazing on a cloudy night.”
“Now everybody knows.”
She couldn’t help but smile.
“Just a class project. That’s all it was, Katy. Nothing at all for you to worry about.”
He pulled her close, embraced her, and whispered, “I’m yours. Whenever you’re ready.”
She nodded against his shoulder. “Thanks.” Then she pushed away. She gave him an embarrassed smile. “So tell me about your astronomy class. And don’t fall asleep this time.”
Katy stood beside Jake’s truck, staring at the bejeweled sky. “So that’s the Milky Way?”
“The galaxy where our solar system is located,” he explained. His arm was draped across her shoulders. “You’re shivering. Want to go inside?”
She glanced up at him and troubled her lip, uncertain. His invitation included the use of his computer to post an Internet housekeeping advertisement.
By unanimous consent, Katy and Jake had decided it would be better if Ann got somebody else besides Katy to help with the cleaning and with Minnie. They just didn’t think their relationship could stand any additional drama. But this left Katy missing a chunk of income again. And the church bulletin board had been unfruitful.
Earlier in the evening, she’d watched Jake play basketball at the Penners. On the drive home, they had discussed a popular website where people could post free ads. Since the Byler farm was on the way to the doddy house, they had pulled in and parked in the circle drive to continue their conversation.
“It’s not forbidden.” He repeated