A Second Chance. Jen and Brad.

Chapter 18, "A Step Forward".

Jen : Maybe you should wear a mask?

Brad : I don't think its gotten to that point yet baby.

Jen : I think it has.

He pulls her in closer giving her a kiss, not really wanting to leave himself.

Brad : Should I come back tonight?

Jen : Yes.

As she answers him, an idea suddenly strikes her mind.

Jen : Brad, wait.

She gets up and walks over to him.

Jen : What if you stayed here for a little while?

Her hands are fiddling with his shirt as she speaks.

Brad : Like lived here?

Jen : Yeah. Like not permanently, but you know...
for a few weeks or something.

A smile appears on his face as she goes on.

Brad : Really?

Jen : Yeah... I just hate seeing you leave.

Brad : I thought you wanted to go slow.

Jen : We can sleep in separate beds if that's better?

He laughs before pulling her in closer, kissing her one last time before he actually has to leave.

Grabbing his keys and his helmet, he lets go off her hand to open the door.

Jen : So you'll come back tonight then?

Brad : Certainly.

A few hours later :
Andrea : We need to meet up for lunch soon.

As Jen's off work today, she's practically got nothing to do but to answering emails.

But since that's not exactly tempting, she'd much rather call and chat with her girlfriends instead.

Jen : We do. Probably not out though, this virus seems to grow bigger each day.

Andrea : Yeah, I try not to think too much about it, but its hard giving the precautions you have to take.

Jen : Right. I told Brad to wear a mask to work but according to him "it hasn't gotten to that point yet".

Jen can't help but smile as Brad appears in her mind.

Andrea : How are the two of you doing by the way?

Jen : Great. We're doing really good.

Andrea : That's good to hear.

Jen : I actually asked him to sort of move in together.

Andrea : Sort of?

Jen : Yeah, just for a few weeks. For now at least... to see if it works.

Remembering the ups and down from their last attempt of living together, Jen's prepared to tread lightly.

Andrea : Are you afraid it won't?

The same old tiring arguments, the childish behavior and the constant complaining is what's she's afraid of.

But that's all in the past right?

Jen : No... not exactly. I just hope we've both grown up as much as I'd like to think.

Later at night :

Brad : Honey, I'm home!

Hearing Brad walk in the door, Jen jumps off the sofa to greet him while laughing at what just came out of his mouth.

Brad : Sorry... I had to.

Jen : Did you have a good day?

She takes the helmet out of his hand, laying it on the table before giving him a kiss.

Brad : Yeah... did you?

Jen : It was alright. I don't really have much to do right now.

Brad : When you're off work you complain you don't have anything to do but when you work you complain you're not free.

Jen : Well, I'd like for there to be a balance.

He laughs before giving her a kiss back.

Brad : Don't we all?

Wrapping his arm around her waist, they walk into the living room throwing themselves down on the couch.

Jen : I ordered takeout.

Brad : Chinese?

Jen : Chinese.