Rachel's POV
"Were you expecting someone?"
"No." I freeze. I'm not sure what to do in this moment. I have fucking Senator Abner sitting in my kitchen and someone who I'm most likely going to cuss out for intruding on my time with her knocking at my door. Not to mention that if someone sees her here I'm fucked.
I run my fingers through my hair slightly panicked, but I don't want her to know that I am."Maybe if I don't answer they'll go away."
"Rachel."
"Fine, can you wait in my room a bit until I get rid of them. I promise it will be quick." She gets up and looks frustrated at the current situation. I know inside she's panicking too.
I hear another knock at the door.
"I'm coming." I rush to the door opening it.
"Hey what are you doing here?"
"Sorry to come over unannounced", Avery says meekly.
"It's ok what's going on?"
"Can I come in?" I notice my arm blocking the door as Avery stands out in the rain.
"Of course", I move out of the way and follow Avery as she sits on my couch. I turn towards her and I notice Jenn's purse hanging up on the coat rack behind her. I'm praying that she doesn't see it.
Avery takes a deep breath, "We haven't really spoken since our breakup because I needed the time to process it. Thank you for giving me the space I needed." "Rach when you asked me the other day are we friends I didn't know what to say." She pauses, "But the truth is I miss you. I miss you a lot. For whatever reason we didn't work out, but I still want to be part of each other's lives. If that's not something you want I understand but-"
"You don't know how happy that makes me to hear that. I miss you too. I was hoping that this would come sooner rather than later because seeing you in the hallways of work and school was pretty rough knowing that you were mad at me."
"I wasn't mad I was just hurt, but I'm over it."
I get up and extend my hand, "Friends?" I smile.
"Best", she says pulling me in for a hug. We stay like that a little longer than normal until I pull away.
"I'll let you get back to your breakfast. It smells amazing in here."
"Thanks."
"Bye Rach."
"Bye Sunshine."
She smiles.
I rush back to my bedroom to see Jenn sitting on my bed looking at her phone. She looks up and doesn't say anything.
"The coast is clear. It was just Avery."
"I heard", she says walking past me to go back into the kitchen. She purses her lips, "That's good you two made up. Seeing as you work and have classes together."
"Yeah", I respond sensing that Jenn's attitude has changed since the knock on the door.
We stand there in silence for a few seconds before I break the ice. "Ok I know that was really awkward."
"For me it wasn't. But just so you know If you're going to have surprise visitors I'm not going to be able to keep coming over."
"It was a one time thing."
She eyes me as I step closer to her. "I promise. I'll see to it that it doesn't happen again."
She gives me a soft smile.
"Are you ready to eat breakfast with hopefully no more interruptions?"
She looks away, "No I'm going to have to take a raincheck. I should probably get home and start getting ready for my event. I have to make sure Greg and I are matching and somewhat presentable."
"Oh he's going too?"
"Yeah he's going."
I look down not sure what to say or feel about that, "Oh ok."
"Good luck on finishing your assignments", she says kissing my cheek.
**********
Jennifer's POV
I get home to find Greg sitting on the couch dressed up ready to go. I do a double take not sure if I'm dreaming or not. Usually I have to drag him into going to these events with me.
"Hi."
"Hi", he says looking at how I'm dressed and probably wondering where I've been.
"Did you get my message last night?"
"I did."
I see his jaw clench. I know it's taking everything in him not to push back.
I raid my closet and find a dress that matches his royal blue handkerchief. I put it on and fix my hair and makeup. After an hour it's almost time to go. I walk into the living room to meet Greg.
"Wow you look great."
"Thanks", I say spraying some of my favorite perfume on my wrist and behind my ears.
"The car is here are you ready to go?"
"No, but I don't have a choice."
We arrive at the event and the chauffeur opens the door. "Wait can give us a second?", Greg interjects.
He creeps his hand towards mine, "I meant it when I said I wanted to start over. Tonight would be a good time to start, just like old times."
I take my hand away from his,"If you want to do that fine, but anything I say or do tonight in favor of you is merely acting. Don't mistake it for anything else."
He looks down defeated as the chauffeur takes my hand and helps me out of the car.
Greg assumes his position next to me and we both put smiles on our faces as we approach the crowd.
"Senator Abner you look beautiful as always."
"Hey watch it that's my wife your talking about", Greg says jokingly.
I internally roll my eyes.
"With all do respect", Nick says laughing. "Good seeing you buddy", he says shaking Greg's hand.
"You've been a busy woman to get ahold of lately. Congrats on passing that bill."
"Thank you."
"So are the rumors true? Are you going to run Senator?"
"Come on Nick you know I can't say. Even if I was you'd be the last to know", I say winking.
He laughs, "Well I think it would be great for your career even if you end suspending your campaign early on. We all know Trant is going to get re-elected."
I bite my tongue, "Thanks for the words of support Nick." "Jackass", I whisper under my voice.
"Come on play nice. Only reason he wants him re-elected is so that he doesn't have to pay taxes", Greg says whispering in my ear.
I spend another two hours schmoozing with the crowd. Greg has always been great at carrying his weight when it comes to these type of things.
I touch Greg's arm, "I'm gonna go freshen up I'll be right back."
He kisses my cheek, "Ok babe."
As I check myself in the mirror and apply more lipstick I find myself thinking about the last time I was at one of these events at what occurred behind close doors. I take out my phone from my purse and hover over a contact before I call it.
"Hello"
"Hey. So you were right about this event it's really stuffy."
She laughs, "I knew it. I actually was just about to text you and see how it was going. Also because I found your note in my book."
"Did it help?"
"Very much so. Even though it was only two words I knew you meant to refer back to law statute 241."
"Good. I'm glad I could be of service."
There's an awkward pause. "So I don't know if you noticed, but I kinda left in a rush this morning."
"Me? No I didn't notice", she says sarcastically
"I left because hearing you and Avery talk made it clear that you two should still be together and I messed that up for you."
"Jenn you didn't mess that up.I knew way before I developed feelings for you that Avery and I were better off as friends. Being around you just made me realize it a little more."
"I know what Avery said today, but as a someone who knows what it feels like to hold out hope, I can tell you that is what she's doing."
"That might be so but I don't have feelings for her."
"Rachel it's ok if you do. That's normal. This thing between us is just supposed to be light and easy. But I can't let you give up a chance at love and a normal life with someone to be brought into my messy life. For gods sake I helped you with law school homework today, do you know how long ago that was for me?"
"Jenn what are you saying?"
I take a deep breath, "I think you should figure out if this is truly what you want."
"I think I've already made it clear what I want. I know we're not serious. I didn't take you staying over as you wanted to start a family and move in together. You have to give me more credit than that."
I breathe in phone not really sure what to say.
"Whenever you start thinking about this is when you try to shut down and run away. It doesn't have to be hard. We like each other. The sex is mind blowing.That's good enough for me."
I smile. "Rachel I just want to be sure that you understand that this is all it will ever be. Us existing in the confinements of your apartment."
"I know and I'm ok with it . If you don't want to spend the night you don't have to. If you do I'd really like it, but I don't have any expectations. I'm just lucky to have the chance to get to know you more."
I breathe out feeling relieved that she just said what she did. Our conversation last night and me sleeping over made my mind go into overdrive. I don't want her to get the impression that this could ever be anything more, because it can't.
I walk out the bathroom as someone enters.
"You saying that makes me feel a lot better."
"Good. I'm glad I could be of service", she says mimicking me.
"Very funny", I say with a smile.
I see Greg and he touches my arm telling me I'm needed back out there.
"Ok I have to go. I'll talk to you later."
"Have a good night. If it gets too stuffy you're probably in a room filled with botox. Maybe you can disinflate the person closest to you."
I laugh, "Goodnight."
I put my phone in my purse and walk over to Greg. "Who was that?"
"None of your business."
I rub his hand as it lays across my waist. We walk back into the room smiling like we're the perfect loving couple we pretend to be.