WHAT ARE YOU DOING THE REST OF YOUR LIFE? (The Jersey Girls Book 2)

by Lydia Rose

  “We go back to reality on Sunday,” Kelly said with a sigh.

  “You two are welcome to come down and spend the weekend with us anytime,” Jennifer offered.

  “Thank you,” Kate whispered, surprised by the kindness of these two women.

  The women went their separate ways when they reached the beach house.

  Jennifer reached for Reese once they were inside the house. “You looked beautiful tonight,” she said, before tasting her mouth.

  Reese laughed. “No one can say you don’t have game, Casanova Senior.”

  “Did Kate say anything when you went to the ladies room?” Jennifer asked, holding her at arm’s length.

  “No, but I did. I told her that she and Kelly made a good looking couple. She didn’t respond, just blushed. I said they complemented each other flawlessly.”

  “Did she respond to that?” Jennifer asked anxiously.

  “She just looked at herself in the mirror as she put on lipstick. She did smile brightly.”

  ****

  Kelly and Kate were surprised that their hosts hadn’t returned from their day out yet.

  Kate commented, “Are you getting the feeling that our hosts don’t want to spend time with us?”

  “Yeah, what is it with that? They invite us both down here and ditch us whenever they can,” Kelly added.

  They were still awake when they heard their hosts come home. Kate looked at the clock and said, “Eleven o’clock, it must have been a good day.”

  Kelly laughed and rolled over to face Kate. “I really haven’t minded, Kate. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better.”

  “Me, too, Kelly, thank you for not leaving.” Kate words were barely above a whisper, but they showed the emotion she felt.

  “It’s been my pleasure, Kate, really.”

  ****

  Sunday came too soon for Kelly. She had enjoyed spending time with Jennifer and Reese; and despite the awkward first meeting, the four women had become close over the week.

  Kelly and Kate went next door to say their good-byes.

  “Come inside,” Reese said as she opened the front door.

  “We came to say good-bye and thank you for being such good friends,” Kate said, taking Reese’s hands.

  Jennifer came down the steps. “You’re leaving?”

  Both women nodded.

  “I’m going to miss you two,” Jennifer laughed, and added, “Even you, Casanova.

  “We’re going to miss you both,” Kelly said, taking Kate’s hand in her own without thought.

  “You have our phone numbers, so don’t be strangers. We were serious about you two coming back for the weekend,” Reese said smiling.

  “Thank you. I’ll call you,” Kate said to Reese and hugged her close.

  Hugs were shared all around and then they were gone.

  CHAPTER 10

  By Thursday night Kelly missed Kate terribly. She couldn’t get her out of head. She missed seeing her face, missed hearing her laugh and the way she would casually touch her. She reached for her phone and began to type. I miss you. Have dinner with me tomorrow night? I’m cooking. Kelly waited for a response. She didn’t have to wait long.

  I’ve missed you too. How’s six? Kate responded.

  Perfect. See you then.

  Good night, Kelly.

  Good night.

  Kelly was happy that she was cooking. Otherwise, she would have spent the afternoon pacing while waiting for Kate’s arrival. The doorbell rang at six and she rushed to the door.

  Kate walked inside and pulled Kelly in for a tight hug. “It seems like I haven’t seen you in weeks.”

  “I know what you mean,” Kelly said, feeling suddenly shy. “How about a glass of wine?”

  “Sure,” Kate said, noticing how nervous Kelly looked. “Are you okay?”

  Kelly took a deep breath. “I feel like I’m on a blind date with a stranger,” she paused. “I don’t mean this is a date. I’m just so excited that you’re here.”

  Kate smiled. “I know what you mean. I’m excited too. What can I help you with?”

  “Everything is ready.” Kelly handed Kate her wine. “Please have a seat and I’ll get our plates. Kelly made roasted chicken breast with mashed potatoes, green beans and gravy. She carried the plates out to the dining room. A basket of rolls sat in the middle of the table.

  Kate breathed in the aroma. “This sure beats coming home to an empty house and heating up a frozen dinner.”

  They fell back into their easy conversation quickly.

  “I guess you’ve been busy at work catching up on your work?” Kelly asked in between bites.

  “Yes, it’s kept my mind occupied,” Kate admitted freely.

  “I’ve been so bored that I began to plan my school year already,” Kelly said with a laugh. “I miss the beach.”

  “Me, too. We never had any problem filling our time there.” Kate smiled at Kelly.

  The telephone rang at nine. “Let the machine pick it up,” Kelly said turning to Kate.

  It was Tammy saying the group was going to The Cave next Saturday night to go dancing. Tammy’s voice stated they hadn’t seen her in weeks and to call her in the morning.

  “Neglecting your friends are you?” Kate commented.

  “The last time I was there I was dating Jane and we had an argument.”

  “What did you argue about?” Kate asked.

  Kelly grinned and then looked at the floor. “About seeing other people.” Kelly shrugged. “She wanted to and I didn’t.”

  “You should go,” Kate insisted.

  “The last time you thought going somewhere was a good idea, it was taking Carrie out,” Kelly contended.

  Kate chuckled. “You’re right, that didn’t go too well, but don’t ignore your friends.”

  “Then come with me,” Kelly said joking.

  “Okay,” Kate said, without hesitation.

  “What?” Kelly asked, thinking she heard wrong. “You do realize that this is a gay bar?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you want to go with me?”

  “Yes, Kelly. I would like to go with you,” she said with a smile. “You never did dance with me the night we went to the boardwalk.”

  “You were in no condition to dance that night,” Kelly said laughing.

  “Don’t worry, I will not be drinking.” Kate held up her hand in a promise. “Think about it and let me know.” Kate stood. “I hate to end this evening, but I’ve got work tomorrow.”

  “Come back tomorrow night?” Kelly said softly.

  Kate asked, surprised by the invitation, “Why don’t you come to my house tomorrow night? I can pick up Chinese food on the way home from work.”

  “I’d like that, Kate. Send me a text when you get home so I know you got home safe.”

  “I will.” Kate leaned in for a hug.

  “It was good to spend time with you again. I missed seeing your face,” Kelly admitted freely.

  Kate reached out and cupped Kelly’s face. Her eyes looked at the pouty lips as Kelly ran her tongue nervously over them. “I missed yours, too.” She stepped away from Kelly.

  “Good night, Kate.”

  “Good night,” Kate said, leaving the apartment.

  Once the door was closed, Kelly said out loud. What just happened? I thought she was going to kiss me.

  Ten minutes later her phone chimed. Home safe, thank you again.

  ****

  In the morning, Kelly picked up her phone.

  ”Hey, Casanova, miss me already?”

  “Yes, as a matter a fact, I do miss your teasing,” Kelly said with a laugh.

  “So, what have you and Kate been doing?” Jennifer asked.

  “That’s why I’m calling,” Kelly paused. “Friends of mine are getting together to go dancing,” Kelly chuckled nervously. “She wants to go with me.”

  “Who?” Jennifer asked, teasing.

  “You know very well who,” Kelly grumbled. “I thought she was goi
ng to kiss me last night.”

  “That girl is crazy about you, Casanova. Can’t you see that?” Jennifer asked, frustrated by the density of this woman.

  “I see a very nice woman who I enjoy spending time with, but a woman who is straight.”

  “If I was standing in front of you, I would pop you on the head.” Jennifer was becoming more and more frustrated. She didn’t want to come out and say what she really believed because it wasn’t her place. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Yes,” Kelly said softly.

  “Kate is what?”

  “Forty,” Kelly answered.

  “Have you ever seen her with anyone?”

  “No, but I didn’t really know her before the week down at the shore,” she answered.

  “So you don’t know if she’s gay or straight?”

  “But that guy she’s in love with?” Kelly asked.

  “Did she ever say it was a man or even a woman?” Jennifer tried to keep from yelling at Kelly.

  “No, I guess I just assumed it was a man because it seemed the most logical.”

  “I watched her during the week you two were here; she has feelings for you. I don’t think it’s just friendship,” Jennifer sighed. “Can’t you see the way she looks at you?”

  “Looks at me how?” Kelly asked, still not believing what Jennifer was saying.

  “Like you’re the moon and the sun,” Jennifer shouted into the phone.

  Kelly didn’t respond to Jennifer for a few minutes. Her mind couldn’t comprehend that Kate was feeling more than friendship for her.

  “Are you there, or did you faint?” Jennifer asked laughing.

  “I’m here, Jen. I just don’t know what to think,” Kelly answered honestly.

  “How about how lucky you are to have someone as wonderful as Kate in your life?”

  “So you think she wanted to kiss me?” Kelly asked.

  “She’s probably been thinking about it for a while,” Jennifer responded.

  “Then why hasn’t she?” Kelly asked, frustrated.

  “Because she’s unsure that you might feel the same way she does. That you aren’t interested in having an affair with someone who you perceive is a straight woman,” Jennifer exhaled. “Take your pick of reasons.”

  “Should I make the first move?”

  “I think you should let her know you’re interested. I think once you do, she will make the first move.”

  “Thanks for listening, Jen,” Kelly said considerately.

  “Any time, Casanova. Don’t forget we want you and Kate to come for a weekend.”

  “Let’s see how it goes,” Kelly answered honestly.

  ****

  Kate looked at her ringing phone and saw Mary’s name. “Hi,” she said with a smile in her voice.

  “Hi, yourself. I haven’t heard from you since you left here,” Mary said, troubled.

  “I’ve been busy at work,” Kate said, but what she wanted to say was let me have a life.

  “Have you seen Kelly?” Mary asked.

  “We had dinner last night,” Kate answered without going into detail.

  “Are you going to see her this weekend?” Mary asked.

  “I’m not sure.” Kate tried to be vague without lying.

  “You should,” Mary found herself saying.

  “Why is it so important to you?” Kate asked.

  “I don’t know. I think you two have more in common than you and I do.”

  “How can you say that after all these years?” Kate asked, raising her voice.

  “Kate, I didn’t mean anything by that,” Mary sighed. “I’m making a mess of this. All I wanted to say was that I want you to be happy.”

  “I am happy, Mary,” Kate said, lying to herself this time.

  “That’s all I ever wanted for you, Kate. Have a good weekend,” Mary said softly.

  “You, and Meredith, too. I promise I’ll call you next week.”

  Kate looked at her watch and saw she had made it to lunch. She picked up the office phone.

  “Hello,” Kelly said, not knowing who was calling her.

  “Hi, it’s Kate.”

  “I guess this is your work number,” Kelly chuckled. “Now I can call you at work and bug you when I’m bored.”

  “I’ll never get my work done,” she said with a laugh.

  “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”

  “I wanted to find out what I should pick up for you to eat,” Kate asked.

  “I’m not fussy, whatever you pick up, and I’ll eat.”

  “Oh, you will?” Kate asked suggestively.

  Kelly was happy Kate couldn’t see the blush on her face.

  Kate began to laugh. “You are so easy to tease.”

  “That’s something you and Jennifer seemed to have in common.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry. Can you be at my house at five?” Kate asked.

  “Leaving early, are you?”

  “I can’t...” she didn’t finish.

  “You can’t what? Tell me Kate?” Kelly implored.

  “I,” Kate swallowed, “I can’t wait to see you.”

  “See that wasn’t so hard,” Kelly snickered. “I can’t wait to see you, either.”

  “See you at five.”

  “Bye.”

  ****

  Kelly arrived at Kate’s home fifteen minutes early because she couldn’t wait any longer. She watched Kate through the screened door as she took plates out of the cabinet and went back and forth to the dining room. Music played softly in the background and Kate’s body swayed to the song that was playing. A smile captured her lips and she knew if she didn’t allow fear to play a part, Kate would make her happy.

  “Hi, honey, I’m home,” Kelly called through the door.

  Kate spun around and looked at Kelly through the door. Just seeing Kelly standing there took her breath away. “Please come in, Kelly,” Kate said finally, and walked to the door.

  “I hope I’m not too early,” Kelly said as she stepped into the foyer.

  “Right on time,” Kate said, reaching for a hug.

  Kelly didn’t hold back this time. She squeezed Kate tightly. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” she said, looking at Kate’s face.

  “Me, too,” Kate admitted freely.

  Kelly held Kate at arm’s length and said, “Would I be out of line if I kissed you?”

  “No,” Kate whispered, “It would be most welcome.”

  Kelly closed the front door and turned around suddenly nervous. She looked at Kate realizing that if she kissed her there would be no turning back.

  Seeing Kelly’s hesitation, she moved closer to her. “I want this too, Kelly.”

  Slowly their bodies came together and their lips met. Tentatively at first, but as their lips met for the first time, passion took over. Tongues played a dance as their hands searched to find skin.

  Kate’s mouth left Kelly’s lips breathless. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “I thought I would know what that would feel like.” Her head shook from side to side. “I had no idea.”

  Kelly rested her forehead against Kate’s. “I thought it was fantastic, too.” She took a step away from Kate. “Now where is that food you promised me?”

  “In the oven, keeping warm.” Kate smiled and took Kelly’s hand as she led her to the dining room. “Have a seat, Kelly. I’ll bring the food over. “As she walked toward the kitchen, she asked, “Would you pour us a glass of wine?” Kate laid out the bowls of food and took a seat at the head of table.

  “This is very good, Kate,” Kelly said, helping herself to more of the food.

  Kate picked up her wine glass and finished the remnants of the remaining wine. She looked at Kelly and began slowly, “Kate, the week I spent with you was the best week I’ve ever had in my life. Before you, I walked around in a fog. I wouldn’t allow myself to live a real life. I lived in a fantasy because that’s all I allowed myself to have. I didn’t think I deserved more.”


  Kelly reached over and took Kate’s hand in her own.

  “I thought I was in love all these years. It took one week, just one week to see what a fool I’ve been. Not until you, Kelly, did I believe that true love could happen. “You, Jennifer and Reese showed me what being in love and living a real life is all about.” Kate rubbed her face trying to find the right words.

  Kelly squeezed Kate’s hand, but didn’t interrupt.

  “I’m hoping you will give me the opportunity of having a relationship with you, but once I tell you my story,” Kate swallowed again, “you might want nothing to do with this ridiculous woman.”

  Kelly had to stop Kate’s pain. “Kate, please, you don’t have to tell me. It doesn’t matter.”

  “It does to me. I can’t start a relationship and keep this secret between us.” Kate took a deep breath. “I fell in love in college. I knew there could never be anything between us, but I didn’t care. I thought as long as I could be near her, it would be enough.”

  Kelly’s jaw dropped. Her instinct had been correct. This is the woman that Jennifer was talking about: the woman with the unrequited love. She knew whose name Kate was about to say and she didn’t want to hear it. She looked at Kate and put her hand to her head trying to quash the headache that was pounding.

  “You know who I’m talking about?” Kate asked softly.

  “Of course, I do.” Kelly tried to control her voice. “How could she have done that to you?”

  “She didn’t do anything to me, I did it to myself.” Kate didn’t understand why Kelly was getting so angry.

  “All these years she strung you along like some sort of backup plan.”

  “Mary didn’t know how I felt about her,” Kate insisted.

  “Bullshit. She had to know. I suspected, and that was only after a few days.” Kelly got up from her chair and began to pace. “How could she have done that to you?”

  Kate began to cry. “Mary wouldn’t do that.”

  Kelly realized Kate was crying and knelt by her chair. “I’m sorry, Kate, I didn’t mean to hurt you.” She put her arms around Kate. “I won’t say anything else.” She stood up. “I think I should go.”

  “Please don’t leave, Kelly,” Kate begged, and said, “Why am I always begging you to stay?”

  “I’m so sorry, Kate. I seemed to be saying and doing the wrong thing.” Kelly walked over to Kate and hugged her. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe Mary didn’t realize you had feelings for her. It may never have occurred to her. I wish I could take away the pain you must have felt.”