by R J Nolan
Jess laughed. She put the charts she was carrying down on the desk. She leaned over and rummaged in the center desk drawer before joining Kim on the couch.
"Speaking of escapes," Jess said. She offered Kim a single key.
Eyebrow raised, Kim accepted the key. Is this what I think it is? Wow.
"That unlocks my office door. This way you can let yourself in when I'm tied up in a trauma or whatever." Jess shifted on the couch and looked away. "You won't have to put up with people bothering you in the lounge while you're working on charts."
Kim's brow furrowed. Does she feel guilty about what happened with Rodman? That wasn't her fault. Kim put her hand on Jess's arm. "Thank you."
Jess jumped, her eyes darting back to Kim.
Before Kim could pull her hand back, Jess covered it with one of her own and gave Kim's hand a quick squeeze.
Kim smiled. "So what is the deal with Rodman? I remember Philip mentioning that Rodman wasn't always as bad as he is now."
"I don't know much. It all started about two and a half years ago." Jess flushed and looked away again. "I was kind of busy with my own issues at the time." She scrubbed her hands over her face and looked back at Kim. "Anyway, up until then, Rodman had the typical arrogant surgeon personality. A driven go-getter. But he didn't chase anything in a skirt like he does now. And while not overly gay friendly, he was at least tolerant. Nothing like his current homophobic attitude."
"So what changed?" Kim asked.
"He separated from his second wife after only six months of marriage. I don't know who broke it off. It wasn't long after they split that he started hitting on every woman in sight." Jess raked her hand through her hair. "You know his brother is on the hospital board?"
Kim nodded.
"Well, his brother has done a great job of sweeping any complaints under the rug before they reach the formal stage. It's always a he said, she said type of thing."
"You mentioned before he wasn't so openly homophobic. What did that have to do with his divorce?" Although she disliked the man intensely, Kim couldn't help but be interested. Maybe if she could understand what motivated him, it would make ignoring his behavior easier.
"That part never made sense, but it happened around the same time." Jess scowled. "All the sudden he started going out of his way to make my life difficult. And I've heard the same thing from other gay staff."
Kim leaned back and contemplated all Jess had told her. She sat up suddenly when the pieces came together. Could it be? Would sure explain his behavior.
"What?" Jess asked.
"I was just thinking. Maybe his wife left him for a woman. That would explain his need to chase women — to prove is masculinity."
Jess's eyebrows rose. "And explains why he hates gays all the sudden." She shook her head. "I'll be damned. I never put it together." Jess met Kim's gaze. Her eyes held respect with just a hint of trepidation. "Damn. You're good."
"Thank you." Kim smiled and buffed her nails on her shirt. "It's just a theory, but you have to admit — it fits."
"I —" The loud grumbling of her stomach interrupted Jess.
"You didn't get anything to eat after our lunch got interrupted?" Kim asked.
"Nope. Too busy."
"Don't let me keep you. You should get something now while it's quiet."
Jess looked at her watch. "Shift is over in an hour. I'll just grab something out of the vending machines to hold me over." She stood and stretched. "You want anything?"
"No. I'm good. Thanks." Kim stood and moved over to the desk to gather up her charts.
Jess motioned Kim toward her desk chair. "Make yourself at home," she said with a smile.
Kim settled into Jess's chair. She looked up at Jess and smiled. I still can't believe she gave me a key to her office. "Thanks again for the key."
"No problem." Jess reached for the door and then stopped. She turned back to Kim. "I know it's Friday night and short notice, but would you be interested in going to dinner after work?"
Wow. Two invitations to lunch this week and now this. She is getting more comfortable. Didn't even hesitate. "That would be great. Want to hit that Mexican place again?"
Jess laughed. "You're just addicted to their flan."
Kim stuck out her tongue. "And that would be bad — why?" Curiosity piqued when Jess blushed. What was blush-worthy about that comment?
Momentarily flustered, it took Jess a moment to regain her composure. She cleared her throat. "Mexican it is."
"I can head over there and put our names on the wait list while you take care of Thor."
"Not necessary. Thor's with Sam this weekend. She's off today, so she drove up and got him," Jess said.
She's never mentioned him spending time at Sam's before, at least not without her. Kim waited, wondering if Jess would offer any further explanation.
Jess shifted, looking a little uncomfortable, then straightened and met Kim's gaze. "I um... really get a kick out of Halloween and all the kids dressed up. I get a lot of trick-or-treaters in my neighborhood. Thor gets kind of spun up with all the people coming to the door." Jess looked down. "He's not used to people coming to the house." She shrugged. "I don't like to have to confine him to my bedroom. He thinks he's being punished. So he goes and stays with Sam on Halloween."
Kim moved out from behind the desk and over close to Jess. Yep, definitely a softie. "I think it's great that you consider his feelings. Too many people don't give their companions that type of consideration." Meeting Jess's gaze, she smiled warmly. "Dogs have feelings too."
"Thanks," Jess said. An endearing blush covered her face. "So what do you have planned for Halloween? Going to the party at Blane's?" The ER department staff got together for a costume party at the local bar and grill every year.
"Kids in costumes are cute." Kim shook her head. "But adults in costumes, drinking too much and acting out — not my thing at all."
Jess laughed. "I'm with you on that one. So are you going to pass out candy at your place?"
Blond curls bounced when Kim shook her head. "One of the neighbors already let me know they don't do that at my complex. That was one of the things I enjoyed in Michigan. I spent Halloween at my mom's place. Her neighborhood gets a ton of kids on Halloween."
Indecision rippled across Jess's face.
Silence that quickly started to become uncomfortable surrounded them.
Kim ended the stalemate. "You should get something to eat while you've got the chance." She turned back toward Jess's desk.
"Kim." Jess reached out and touched Kim's arm, stopping her in her tracks.
Eyebrow raised in question, Kim turned back toward Jess.
Jess took a deep breath. "Why don't you come over to my place and help me pass out candy."
Things really are changing! Although they had met outside work quite a few times, they always met up at the park or wherever they were going. Kim searched Jess's eyes. She knew what a big step this was for Jess. And for herself if she was honest. "That would be great, Jess."
A delighted smile spread across Jess's face. "It'll be fun. I'll give you directions at dinner." Jess's pager shrilled. "Duty calls. I'll meet you after shift," she said before hurrying out.
Kim sank into Jess's chair. She had never expected Jess to invite her into her home. As much as she looked forward to spending the time with Jess, she was nervous as well. Her attraction to Jess continued to grow by leaps and bounds. It was getting harder and harder to ignore. Kim sighed. She had come to value their friendship too much to risk it with an ill-timed display of her desire. Don't screw things up now.
CHAPTER 18
DING, DONG.
Jess froze, a ball of ice solidifying in her stomach. Her gaze darted around the living room, making sure everything was in place. It had been almost two years since anyone other than Sam had been in her home. Come on. This is Kim. It'll be fine. A vision of warm, caring blue eyes flashed through her mind, melting the icy feeling in her belly. She blew out a breath an
d headed for the door.
"Hey, Kim." Jess smiled at Kim through the screen door. A single porch light draped with cobwebs cast a pallid swath of light across the covered porch.
"Hi. Wow. The decorations look great," Kim said. "I love the carved pumpkins on the steps. They look spooky all lit up. And the skeletons and bats hanging from the eves are a great touch."
"Thanks. I loved Halloween as a kid and I guess I never grew out of it. It's still one of my favorite holidays." She couldn't help but compare Kim's genuine enjoyment of the decorations to Myra's more jaded reaction. Not to mention her patronizing comments.
Should I? Jess debated with herself... for about half a second. Her mouth quirked up in a lop-sided smile as she unobtrusively reached for a switch next to the door.
Kim's expression turned wary. Her eyes flittered around the porch.
Ah. She's getting too good at reading me. Jess slowly pushed open the screen door that separated her from Kim.
The hanging skeletons lurched to life.
The bats’ wings fluttered.
An eerie high-pitched cry emanated from overhead.
Kim ducked and did a little backward hop.
The bag in her hand dropped to the porch with a resounding thump.
Quickly regaining her composure, Kim mock scowled at Jess. Her hands went to her hips. "Very funny."
Jess grinned as she stepped out onto the porch to join Kim. "Happy Halloween."
Kim laughed. "Happy Halloween to you too." She reached down and picked up the bag she had dropped. Opening it, she peered inside. "You got lucky." She reached into the bag and pulled out a six pack of beer. "Your trick didn't break your treat."
Reaching out to accept the beer, Jess smiled warmly. "My favorite. Thank you." Jess was once again reminded of Kim's thoughtfulness. She had ordered the beer twice at their favorite Mexican restaurant. Kim had obviously taken note of that and gone out of her way to buy the beer for her. It wasn't available in local stores and had to be purchased directly from the microbrewery.
"You're welcome. I was going to bring a bottle of wine, but I thought the beer would go better with pizza."
At dinner the previous evening, Jess had invited Kim to stay for pizza after they handed out candy.
Childish laughter sounded. Jess glanced down the street and spotted a group of young children with several adults accompanying them heading their way. "Ah. Here they come." Jess set the beer down on the half wall surrounding the porch. "Hang on a sec." She headed down the steps. She turned on the luminaries positioned along the walkway, then returned to the porch. Jess picked up the beer. "All set. Let's head inside. I've already got the candy ready to go."
"The luminaries are a great idea with all the little kids running around." Kim looked down at the lighted bags lining the walkway. "I've seen ones with small LEDs in them, but those look like they have real candles burning inside even though I know that's not the case."
"They do have candles in them. But you're right they aren't real. They're battery powered." Jess reached for the screen door.
As the door swung open, the skeletons and bats once again sprang to life.
Kim walked close to one of the cardboard skeletons hanging from the covered porch roof and looked up. "Are they attached to a motion sensor?"
Jess reached in the door and flipped the switch. The dancing skeletons and fluttering bats stilled. "Yeah. It's rigged to the screen door. I normally don't turn it on until after all the really young children have gone in for the night. I want their introduction to Halloween to be fun and not scary." Jess grinned. "The older kids love it, though."
Shaking her head, Kim laughed. "I bet they do."
"After you," Jess said, motioning into the house.
"That was fun," Kim said as she flopped down onto the overstuffed leather couch. It was surprising just how quickly she had gotten comfortable in Jess's living room. The warm and cozy setting had drawn her in immediately. "When I saw all the candy you had, I thought for sure you'd be eating it for weeks. I still can't believe we gave all of it out." Kim grinned up at Jess. "Of course, being the good friend that I am, I would've offered to help you finish it off."
Jess snorted, her mouth pulling up in a smile. "Oh. I'm sure it would have been a terrible imposition." She sank down into the padded chair opposite Kim.
Kim tipped her head back as laughter bubbled up. The evening had been wonderful so far. Kim knew that had a lot to do with being with Jess. It was hard to figure, but she enjoyed spending time with Jess more than she had the women she dated. The Jess that she had seen tonight was a far cry from the overly emotionally controlled ER chief at work. Even compared to their other outings, tonight had been different. By being invited into Jess's home, Kim felt as if she had finally been allowed into the life of the real Jess McKenna. It was a heady experience.
"Well, since the candy is gone, could I interest you in a pepperoni and black olive pizza and a beer?" Jess asked.
She remembered. Warmth filled Kim at Jess's thoughtfulness. They had gone out for pizza only once, and that was what Kim had ordered. "That sounds great. Now all we need is a scary movie and we'd be all set."
"Actually I have some movies..." Jess's gaze flittered away from Kim. She ducked her head, and her right leg began to bounce up and down.
Brows furrowed, Kim studied Jess. What's going on here? Not wanting Jess to be uncomfortable, Kim said, "Pizza and a beer would hit the spot. It's getting kind of late for a movie anyway."
The breath left Jess in a blast hard enough to ruffle the hair hanging in her face. Kim could almost see her squaring her mental shoulders. Huh? Confusion reigned.
"It's not that late." Jess popped up from her chair and walked over to one of the oak bookcases next to the fireplace. After lifting the leaded glass door, she reached in and pulled out three DVD cases. "Take your pick," Jess said as she set them down on the coffee table before resuming her seat.
While still unsure just what was causing Jess's unusual behavior, Kim did as asked. She surveyed the DVD boxes. The first was a vampire movie. The second, a classic monster flick. It was the third one that made her grin. 'Under The Stairs'. Kim laughed. "I love it. Where did you find it? I didn't know her early movies were even available." Colleen Bryce had begun her career making B grade horror movies before hitting it big as the action-hero, Deven Masters. Kim had raved about the actress after they had finally managed to see her latest movie.
The corner of Jess's eyes crinkled with the brightness of her smile. "I thought you might like that one. I found a place online that has all sorts of eclectic titles. I don't watch much TV, but I do love movies. I have a pretty big movie collection."
"I haven't seen one of her scream queen movies in years," Kim said as she picked up the DVD and handed it to Jess. She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. "I can't wait to see it again."
Jess's earlier awkward demeanor immediately returned. "Um... well, the thing is..." Jess turned the DVD case over and over in her hands. "The living room really isn't that big..."
At this point, Kim was beyond puzzled by Jess's confounding behavior. She had no idea what Jess was trying to get at. Kim looked around the room. The room was on the small side but typical of a Craftsman bungalow. A fireplace with a deep stone hearth dominated the far wall. Built-in oak bookcases flanked the fireplace. The remainder of the room was taken up with the overstuffed leather couch where she was sitting, a low set coffee table, the antique Morris chair Jess was sitting in, and a large dog bed tucked in the corner. One more glance around the room and the obvious finally hit Kim. There was no TV in the room. So where is it that she's so uncomfortable? The answer hit Kim right between the eyes. Oh shit. Her gaze darted to Jess.
The flush on Jess's face substantiated what Kim suspected. She confirmed it a moment later. "The television is in my bedroom."
A flash of Jess and her entwined on Jess's bed seared through Kim's mind. Heat flooded her face and body. Oh God. Kim quickly scrubbed her hands over
her face, willing the blush to fade. You're a grown woman. Act like it. Get your hormones under control. You can share a bed with a friend to watch a movie. She glanced over at Jess.
While Jess met Kim's gaze, her leg was once again bouncing up and down in an apparently unconscious gesture.
Kim was sure that Jess could sense her arousal. It was the last thing she wanted. Jess had made it quite clear right from the start, in action, if not words, that she was only interested in being friends. And she respected that and Jess.
Acting on impulse, Kim rose from the couch and moved over to stand next to Jess's chair. "It's okay." She gently squeezed Jess's shoulder. "Maybe we could save the movie for another time? We could just call it a night?"
Jess's gaze locked with hers. Kim's breath caught. Jess's eyes turned a dark, bluish silver. Emotion Kim couldn't decipher churned in those striking depths.
Jess cleared her throat and broke the spell. "I promised you pizza and a beer." She stood and offered a shy smile. "I'd like to see the movie too. So if you really wouldn't mind hanging out in my bedroom..."
Kim had no doubt that this was well outside of Jess's comfort zone, but she was doing it anyway. "I don't mind if you don't." This is one special woman. Too bad I have such a lousy track record with women. Kim stifled a sigh. Not that Jess is interested in me that way anyway.
"Pizza and a movie it is, then," Jess said.
Kim blew out a breath, which was echoed by Jess. She grinned and Jess laughed, banishing the last of the tension.
"Want a beer while we wait for the pizza?" Jess asked.
"Sure."
"Come on in the kitchen. I'll call for the pizza and you can grab us each one of the beers you brought."
Kim smiled. "Lead the way."
Slowly drifting to awareness, Jess sleepily blinked open her eyes as she tried to orientate herself. The first thing she became aware of was Kim's head resting on her shoulder. The TV mounted on the wall opposite the foot of the bed was displaying the screensaver. Guess we fell asleep. Too much pizza and beer.
