Class Reunion

by Linda Hill

  As Heather approached, Jennifer found herself unable to focus on anything else. Heather moved gracefully, the folds of her long white dress caressing tanned calves with each step. The sleeveless dress exposed smooth, slender arms and shoulders, its low cut exposing the hollow of her throat. White-blond hair was pulled back in a single French braid, disŹplaying high cheekbones. Aqua-blue eyes, wide, expressive, shy and then playful, met Jen’s with each step.

  At last she was beside the sofa, gazing at Jennifer with a hesitant, teasing smile.

  Jennifer realized she’d been holding her breath, and she exhaled slowly, recognizing the lightŹheadedness that came over her.

  “You look absolutely stunning.” The words tumbled from her lips unchecked. Heather accepted the compliment easily before letting her eyes travel the length of the other woman’s body.

  “You look awfully nice yourself,” she replied, and Jennifer was at once thankful that she’d allowed her sister to convince her to borrow the linen pantsuit she was wearing.

  A round of greetings echoed as Lucy urged Heather to join them.

  “I’m not intruding?”

  “Of course not.” Jennifer found her voice and averted her eyes long enough to make room on the couch beside her. Jennifer became instantly focused on the knee that pressed lightly against her own.

  “How long have you been here?” Aware of the many pairs of eyes around them, Jennifer tried to keep her voice light.

  “Oh,” Heather cringed. “About an hour.”

  “An hour? Why didn’t you come over sooner?”

  Long lashes fluttered down. “Sometimes the old me rears its ugly head.” She forced a laugh. “I was feeling a little shy,” she admitted.

  Jennifer saw a brief glimpse of the timid Heather of years ago. Then she was reminded of the short time left in the weekend, and she rushed to reassure her. “Don’t be shy.” She dropped her voice. “I’ve been waiting for you all evening. I couldn’t wait to see you again.” She stopped herself abruptly, realizing that she was saying more than she’d intended.

  Heather leaned closer, the palm of her hand pressŹing lightly on Jen’s knee. “You mean my confession didn’t scare you off?” she whispered, her lips just barely brushing Jennifer’s ear.

  Jen laughed as a tingle shot up her spine.

  “Absolutely not. In fact” — she swallowed hard, shyŹness upon her — “I was kind of hoping …” Her smile faltered as she found herself staring into the bluest, most earnest eyes she’d ever seen.

  Everything and everyone around them seemed to fade, until she was aware only of the face inches from her own, of the overwhelming desire to wrap her arms around this woman and hold her. Just hold her. In the softest and gentlest way imaginable.

  Jennifer felt her cheeks grow hot, and she dropŹped her eyes.

  “Now who’s shy?” Heather raised an eyebrow, teasing her.

  Too aware of the others around them, a proper retort eluded Jennifer. They continued to steal glances at each other, smiling secretly, as Lucy’s voice drifted over them.

  “Looks like they’re serving dinner. Are you two coming?”

  Heather was the first to break their gaze. “Of course,” she said smoothly. “Will you save us two places? I just want to catch up on something with Jenny first.”

  Jennifer smiled sheepishly as she realized that the room must have been emptying for some time. While she’d been so focused on Heather, almost everyone had been moving toward the dining room. She hadn’t even noticed.

  Chapter 13

  They took their time making their way to dinner, both reluctant to break the spell. Heather suggested a short stroll and led them beyond the string quartet, who were beginning to pack up their instruments, and past the lounge area. She reached for the doorŹknobs of two French doors, pausing long enough to wiggle her eyebrows at Jennifer before pushing the doors wide open.

  Cool night air sent goose bumps along Jen’s skin as they stepped out on the balcony.

  “The Des Moines skyline,” Heather swept her arms wide.

  Jennifer moved to the balcony’s edge, placing the palms of her hands on the railing as she looked out over the night.

  “It’s changed, hasn’t it?” she murmured, struck by the number of bright lights and the traffic on the streets below.

  Heather nodded in agreement, joining her at the railing. “They’ve really built it up. It’s not the way I remember it at all.”

  “It’s pretty, but it makes me sad.” She looked down at the streets, trying to identify different landŹmarks. “It’s scary that some things have changed so much.”

  “Even scarier how some things have stayed the same.” Heather’s voice held an ironic twist.

  Jennifer considered the shorter woman, becoming aware of her closeness, of the perfume that floated over her. Heather’s eyes were trained on the streets below, a pensive look covering her features. For the umpteenth time that day, the urge to hold Heather nearly overwhelmed Jennifer.

  Again she felt the pressure of time upon her, and she found a courage that normally would have eluded her. She turned to face Heather, hesitating only a moment before reaching out to cover Heather’s hand with her own. She was rewarded with fingers curling around hers, and the sight of Heather’s downturned head looking at their entwined fingers with amazeŹment.

  Heather’s tongue slipped across her lips. “Am I imagining this?”

  Jennifer’s smile came slowly, bubbling in her chest before finally spilling out on her lips as she shook her head. “You mean it’s not just me?”

  Something near relief swept Heather’s features. “No. It’s definitely not just you.”

  They stood without moving, awkwardly meeting each other’s gaze. “This is scary.” Heather shivered, retrieving her hand and reaching up to hug her upper arms.

  A number of thoughts crowded Jen’s mind, and her soaring hopes began to ebb. “But why?” he prompted, touching a single finger to Heather’s forearm.

  Heather’s eyes dropped to where skin met skin before raising her eyes to meet Jennifer’s.

  “This wasn’t supposed to happen. You were supŹposed to be living happily in New York with your lover, and I was supposed to feel absolutely no atŹtraction to you whatsoever. I wanted to be able to look you in the eye and say to myself, See, it was nothing. That crush you had all those years ago was nothing more than that.”

  Jen felt a grin involuntarily tug at the corners of her mouth, and her heart began to sing.

  “And?”

  “And nothing,” Heather said. “I’ve already said too much.”

  Jen responded by chuckling softly. “So you thought you’d take one look and wonder what you ever saw in me.”

  “Something like that,” Heather admitted grudgingly, without bothering to hide her smile. “Are you sure you don’t have some woman tucked away somewhere back home?”

  “No one,” Jennifer laughed, thoroughly enjoying herself. “I haven’t even been on a date in two years. What about you?”

  Heather shook her head. “It’s just me and Amy.”

  Their fingers met again, resuming their dance.

  “I really do want to see you again. When we get back home,” Jen told her.

  “I’d like that very much.” She tipped her head to one side. “When is your flight tomorrow?”

  “Two o’clock. What about you? Are you flying into Phoenix?”

  Heather nodded. “Yes. But we’re leaving in the morning. Around eight o’clock, I think.”

  Disappointed, Jen was surprised by her own sudŹden anxiety, wanting to arrange something more conŹcrete. “You’ll probably be in Flagstaff by the time my plane lands …” She let the sentence dangle, hoping that Heather wouldn’t let the weekend end.

  “Probably,” she agreed. “What about next weekŹend? Are you free?”

  “Absolutely. Will you and Amy come down?”

  “She would love that. J would love that.”

  Jen smiled as she rocked
back on her heels. They watched each other shyly, eyes dropping to where their fingers continued touching.

  Jen felt herself sobering, Heather’s closeness drawing her in. “Should we go back and join the others now?” she asked.

  Heather wrinkled her nose, considering the quesŹtion. “I’m not in any hurry,” she answered, her voice dropping down conspiratorially. “I feel like we’re playing hooky or something. I rather like it.”

  Jennifer laughed.
  Heather grimaced. “No. I was so straightlaced. But you did, didn’t you.” “Guilty,” Jen admitted.

  Heather tipped her head provocatively, looking squarely into Jennifer’s eyes as she moved even closer. “And is this what it felt like?”

  She felt Heather’s breath on her cheek. “And how does this feel, exactly?”

  Heather considered the question for a brief moŹment before replying. “Heady. Kind of naughty.” She grinned as she finished.

  Jennifer raised one fine brow. “Naughty? This feels naughty?” She allowed herself to be drawn in, eyes trained now on the mouth that hovered just inches from her own.

  “Kind of.” The reply was a near whisper. Dark lashes fluttered down as she leaned in to receive Jen’s lips with her own.

  The kiss was soft, hesitant and lingering; the lips barely touched. Jen’s knees grew weak as a mixture of delight and euphoria settled over her.

  She stood transfixed even as Heather’s lips left hers and she found herself staring down into those large eyes. Her own reaction caught her off guard, causing her to stare with wonder.

  Her mood threatened to grow serious, and she failed miserably at an attempted smile.

  A small crease found its way between Heather’s brows. “That’s a pretty serious look.”

  “Hmm.” Jen let out the breath that she’d been holding. “You were right. This is scary.” “But okay?”

  “Very okay.” She fought the urge to reach out and stroke the blond hair that framed Heather’s head.

  “Do you still regret coming back?” Heather was smiling provocatively.

  “Did I say that?”

  “You did.”

  “Couldn’t have been me. Are you sure there’s no one else here that you had a crush on?”

  Heather was quick to put a finger to Jen’s ribs before sliding her arms around her waist and finding her lips once again. This time not so gently.

  Chapter 14

  Dinner turned out to be far more pleasant than Jen had hoped. Having Heather at her side added an unexpected nuance to the evening. There was no lack of subtle touches. A light hand on her arm, a knee pressed against hers, gentle reminders that the weekend had taken a strange and wondrous twist.

  Diane and Lucy had picked up on it instantly, sliding knowing glances in Jennifer’s direction as they joined the others at the table. Food, laughter, and wine floated among them. Memories were stirred and moments relived. All the while Jennifer was aware of Heather beside her. Of the blue eyes that found hers each time she glanced around. She felt torn between wanting the evening to end, and wanting it to go on forever.

  When the banquet tables were cleared, the class president rose to act as emcee for a number of the old classmates who spoke to the attendees. Afterward, the group was dismissed to the ballroom, where dancing and drinking began in earnest.

  Jennifer was ready to leave at the end of the official festivities, but the small group convinced Heather and her to stay a while longer. They made their way back to the lounge area, spying the couches that surrounded the fireplace and electing Jen to fetch a round of drinks before joining them.

  Heather volunteered to help her, and they made their way through the crowded room to stand in line at the bar.

  “I must admit that I’ve had a wonderful time this evening.” Heather placed a casual hand on Jennifer’s arm, leaning over so that she whispered the words in Jen’s ear. “But I think I’d like to go soon. Maybe we could go somewhere quiet for a while.”

  Jennifer tilted her head and smiled. “That would be nice. Why don’t we join them for one drink and then leave?”

  They were jostled from all sides as bodies pressed against them, pushing them together. They became aware of the others that surrounded them, mostly men, becoming raucous and boisterous.

  ‘ “Excuse me.” A male voice intruded just as Jen saw the masculine hand on Heather’s arm.

  Jennifer didn’t need the name tag to identify Dan

  Johnson. He was slightly taller and more muscular than she remembered. A full mustache covered his upper lip but didn’t hide the dimples that still punctuated his cheeks.

  Each woman stared at him expectantly, but his eyes never left Heather’s face as he pointedly ignored Jennifer.

  “I’m hoping you can settle an argument that my buddy and I are having.” He gestured over his shoulder to another man that stood several feet away.

  Jennifer threw the other man a cursory glance before returning her attention fully to Dan Johnson. Old anger and new jealousy began mixing in her gut. She observed what she interpreted as pure lust on Dan’s features as he continued to flash his smile at Heather. She imagined what Heather might be thinking.

  Heather was returning his gaze, her eyes alert but carefully hooded.

  “Neither one of us can seem to place you, and so I’ve come to the conclusion that you couldn’t possibly have gone to Washington when we did.” He was leaning forward, ignoring the way Jen had moved a little closer to Heather.

  “Really. Why?” Heather found her voice, her words tentative.

  Dan’s smile became a little wider. “Because there is no way that I could have gone to that school for four years without noticing someone as gorgeous as you.” He continued to smile, one eyelid dropping down in a flirtatious wink.

  Jennifer wanted to wipe the smirk from his face. But Heather was returning his smile, causing panic to rise along Jen’s spine.

  “That’s quite interesting.” Heather’s voice was honey sweet. “Because I was definitely there.”

  Jennifer blinked hard, not believing her eyes. Heather was actually flirting with him. Confusion gripped her mind as she continued to watch the pair trade coy smiles and ogling stares.

  “Really?” Dan managed to lean in just a bit closer.

  “Uh-huh,” Heather nodded. “And I definitely reŹmember you.” Her words lilted wickedly, causing a knife to twist in Jennifer’s chest.

  Dan drew himself up, preening as his chin jutted out. His smile grew salacious.

  As the pair continued to size each other up, Jennifer stared, seething at the way Heather had cast her aside so abruptly. Jennifer had kissed Heather only an hour ago! Jennifer stared at the seductive smile meant not for her, but for this man, and felt the heat rising along the back of her neck. Then her eyes lifted, tracing the curve of Heather’s cheek, coming to rest on her eyes.

  Her eyes. Not smoldering. Not teasing. Not playŹful. Cold eyes. Steely eyes. A grin sprang to Jennifer’s lips as she recognized her own mistake. Quite an actress, Jen thought, as she braced herself, eager to see just how Heather would play out the charade.

  “So where’s your name tag?” Dan asked coyly, his cheeks dimpling. “Did we know each other in school?”

  “Oh yes,” Heather nodded. “We knew each other.” Dan’s expression showed frustration as he shook his head. “Did we go out?”

  Jennifer nearly choked.

  “No.” Heather chuckled, content to draw him out. Then she lifted a hand to draw Jennifer closer, drawing her into their conversation as she continued to smile graciously. “Do you remember Jenny Moreland?”

  Dan’s smile faltered as his eyes floated over Jen. “Sure.” He nodded a hesitant greeting, which Jennifer returned. She noted with satisfaction that he seemed to grow edgy.

  “Who are you?” His eyes narrowed as his attenŹtion swept back to Heather.

  “I’m Heather O’Brien.” She smiled sweetly while Jennifer’s eyes glitte
red with anticipation. This is too good.

  Dan squinted, shaking his head. “I’m sorry,” he began. “But I can’t place you. Are you sure that I knew you?”

  “Positive.” This time Jennifer’s voice chimed in with Heather’s.

  “You know, Danny,” Heather’s voice dropped down. “I must admit that I’m a little disappointed that you don’t remember me.”

  Dan dipped his head in an appropriate aw-shucks response.

  “Especially when you had such a tremendous imŹpact on my teenage years,” Heather continued. Now Dan was preening again.

  “Now I remember.” Heather reached up and tapped her palm to her forehead as if a realization had suddenly occurred to her. “You probably only remember me by my nickname.”

  “Your nickname.”

  “Yep. I’ll bet that’s it.” Her smile never faltered as she continued. “You used to call me Tracks, Danny. Isn’t that right, Jenny?”

  Jennifer knew immense satisfaction as she watched his face fall.

  “Yep,” Jen drew the syllable out slowly. “That’s what he called you.”

  Dan’s face grew white. “No. You can’t be her. She was —”

  “Homely?” Heather finished the sentence for him, the sweet smile never leaving her face. “I believe you called me that as well. You know, Danny,” she lowered her voice until it was nearly seductive. “I can’t tell you how many nights I cried myself to sleep over the cruel things you used to say and do to me. But as you can see, I turned out just fine.” Without missing a beat, she raised her voice again to a normal tone. “Do you have any children, Danny?”

  “No.” Confused, he stared back at her with horror as he shook his head.

  Heather managed her brightest smile yet. “That’s probably a blessing, you know. After all, if there’s anyone here who shouldn’t procreate, it’s you.” She blinked her eyes sweetly. “It’s been a pleasure catching up with you, Danny. And now if you’ll exŹcuse us.” Her nod was abrupt as she turned away swiftly and stepped forward toward the bar.

  Stunned, Jennifer followed her lead and stared straight ahead as she replayed the conversation in her mind. A moment passed before she let out a soft whistle.