Jenna's Closure (Dr. Jenna Harper Series Book 2) Page 9

  Kris opened the door and handed Jenna one of the water bottles while taking the other one for herself. “Sorry. Let’s start walking.”

  They left the parking lot and entered the area where dogs could be off leash. It was still early so the park was empty except for a few people here and there. Jenna bent down and unleashed Jax. She threw a tennis ball and Jax took off after it. She studied Kris who looked lost in deep thought. “Okay, we’re here. Now, what is it you want to tell me?”

  Jax ran up to them and dropped the ball at their feet. Kris picked it up and threw it as fast and hard as she could. Her adrenaline was pumping faster than her mind could keep up. She cleared her throat and turned to face Jenna. “I have to tell you something. It will never happen again. I want to tell you because I don’t want us to have any secrets.”

  Jenna wiped her brow with the back of her hand. “It doesn’t sound like I’m going to like what you have to say. Please tell me it’s not what I’m thinking.”

  Kris scanned the open field to see Jax had found another companion to play with. She was familiar with the other dog and the owner. She reached for Jenna’s hand, but Jenna took a step back. “Kris? You better start talking right now.”

  “Calm down. It’s not what you’re thinking.”

  Jenna put her hand up to her chest and took a deep breath. “Whew, you had me scared, Kris. If it isn’t that, then what is it?”

  “Another realtor who works for a different company has been flirting with me a lot.”

  Jenna waved her hand in the air. “I have a few at work who like to flirt, but it’s harmless banter. Well, it’s against hospital policy, but we all know each other well and it helps lighten the stress level sometimes.”

  “I flirted back with her,” Kris blurted out.

  Jenna raised her hand, “Yes, I’m guilty of that also. Kris, what has you so worried?”

  “She has made it a point to bring a lot of her clients to my listings. The flirting crossed a line at some point without me thinking about it.” Jenna had her arms crossed in front of her chest staring at Jax and his playmate. Kris could see Jenna clenching her jaw.

  “What line was that?” Jenna asked turning to look at Kris.

  “There were emails and….”

  “What? You two were sending emails back and forth?”

  “No, Jenna. It wasn’t like that. She sent me emails asking to go out for a drink, but I just shot back an excuse and told her no.”

  “Oh, so she writes you emails asking you out, and you came up with excuses to let her down easy instead of just telling her no and to back off like I did with Amelia?”

  Kris was flustered by what Jenna said. “What are you talking about? Amelia?”

  Jenna put her hands up to her head and began walking away. Kris grabbed her arm, but she yanked free from her grip. She walked over to the bench and sat down leaning forward with her elbows on her knees. Jax had heard them raise their voices and ran over to Jenna.

  Kris walked over to them and pulled his bowl out of her bag. She filled it with water and placed it in front of him. After drinking half the bowl, Jax lay down at Jenna’s feet. Kris remained standing above Jenna with her arms crossed now. “Hey, you don’t get to drop a bombshell like that and walk away from me. You never said anything about something happening between you and Amelia. Why didn’t you tell me this before? Why are you keeping secrets from me?”

  Jenna reached down and scratched behind Jax’s ear. “It was nothing. I didn’t want to upset you. You were already jealous of Layla, which was entirely unwarranted by the way.”

  “Don’t turn this around on me. You kept a secret from me. What happened? As far as I know you only talked to her once on the phone and then we all had dinner together. Did you see her again?”

  “No. Those were the only times I had to deal with her. Something happened at dinner, but I knew you would overreact so I didn’t tell you.”

  “Overreact? First of all, you aren’t allowed to control my emotions that I feel about things that affect me. Second of all, you shouldn’t be keeping secrets from me. How can I know that I can trust you if you’re keeping secrets from me?”

  Jenna looked around the park and realized more people had shown up since they arrived. She pulled Kris down to the bench. “Lower your voice. People are starting to stare.” She placed her hand on top of Kris's. “I’m sorry, Kris. I truly am. I thought I was doing what was best for you, but you’re right. It’s not my place to make decisions for you or to keep secrets.”

  She did feel bad for Kris, but at the same time her emotions were still running high from Kris's flirtations and whatever else Kris had yet to tell her. “At dinner, Amelia made advances towards me. Wait, let me back up and be completely truthful. During the phone call I had with her, she said something that made me think she was interested in you. I had told her that you and I weren’t just friends, we were dating and she said, ‘Too bad.’ I called her out on it, but she denied saying it.

  “Anyway, I went to dinner and sat between the two of you on purpose to keep her away from you. I thought if I told you, it would make you feel uncomfortable.” Jenna put her hands up. “I know, I know. That was another secret. I don’t have any other secrets, I promise. During dinner, she placed her hand on my knee. I pushed it away and thought she had gotten the message. However, during the fireworks she tried to slide her hand underneath my skirt. Well, she was halfway up my thigh underneath my skirt before I caught her. I told her I would break her fingers if she tried it again, and she didn’t try anything after that.”

  “I thought I had picked up on some tension between the two of you. You should have told me everything in the beginning starting with what she said during the phone call. It’s a good thing you didn’t tell me what she did while at dinner. I’d have been in the tabloids for punching and beating up Ms. Amelia Davies.”

  “Oh, you would have would you?”

  “Yes, I would’ve. No one touches my girl.” Kris lowered her head and tried to hide her smile behind her shoulder. “Although, I would’ve been crushed knowing she didn’t make a play for me during dinner.”

  Jenna leaned back on the bench and crossed her arms again. “Speaking of making plays on someone and honesty, why are you just now telling me about the flirting and emails with this other woman? Did something else happen?”

  Kris's smile faded. She took a long sip from her water bottle and calmed her nerves. With all the talk about Amelia, she had forgotten the reason they were there in the first place. “Yesterday, I had a showing with her and her clients. After her clients left, she wanted to go get a drink. I told her no, but then she grabbed my arm and pinned me against the wall.”

  “She did what?” Jenna ranted. A few people in the park turned around to stare, but Jenna didn’t care. “She touched you? Who in the hell does she think she is? She knows about us, right?” Kris nodded. “What’s her name? Tell me who she is, Kris.” Jenna’s heart raced inside her chest.

  Jenna tried to stand, but Kris pulled her back down while trying to maintain a smile for the ones still watching. “Jenna, we’re causing a scene. Listen, I know how you feel especially after what you just told me, but it won’t do any good to go after her.”

  Jenna pounded her fist on the bench. “Tell me her name, Kris.”

  “No. I won’t deal with her any more. It’s over.”

  “You can tell me who she is or I’ll call your assistant and ask who you met with yesterday.”

  “Heather won’t tell you anything so don’t bother. I’m trying to protect you from getting yourself into trouble.”

  “Protect me? Who just gave me a lecture about trying to control someone else? Fine. I’ll ask Allie since you went over there this morning to tell her about it first.”

  “Yes, I told Allie and I thought she was going to rip me to shreds herself. She would have if Danni had not been there, but I didn’t give them a name either.”

  Jenna bent down to pet Jax again trying to lower her
blood pressure. “What did you do when she had you pinned?”

  Kris's shoulders slumped forward, and she rubbed her sweaty palms together to keep them from shaking. “I…um…she kissed me.” Realizing what she had said, she tried to backtrack. “She kissed my neck. That’s what I meant to say. I’m nervous, I didn’t mean to make it sound like she kissed me.”

  Jenna’s face was beyond red. A vein that Kris had never noticed before was threatening to burst out of Jenna’s neck. “Oh, thanks. That really put a different spin on it and made it sound so much better. You let her kiss you? How could you, Kris?”

  “I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

  “That makes perfect sense to me, since you let someone pin you against the wall without trying to get away.”

  “At least someone wanted me,” Kris mumbled before she could stop herself.

  “What? Are you blaming me for this?”

  “It’s been a long time, Jenna. Since Kim arrived, you haven’t touched me since that night in the bathroom when she interrupted us.”

  Jenna pointed her finger at Kris. “Don’t you dare bring my sister into this.”

  “I’m not blaming Kim or you. I’m just telling you the truth about our lack of intimacy and how that makes me feel. It’s not an excuse. There is no excuse for what happened. In that moment, I felt like someone wanted me. My body took control of my brain. In that brief second that I felt her lips on my neck, I felt nauseous and I pushed her away. I told her to get out. I was so ashamed. I’m ashamed telling you about it now. I’ll never forgive myself. That’s it. I want to be honest with you. I would’ve told you yesterday, but I couldn’t get you alone.”

  Jenna wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and sniffled. “Are we done here? I would like to forget this morning ever happened.”

  Kris wiped the tears from her eyes. “Yes. I’m so sorry, Jenna. Let’s go home.” She reached for Jenna’s hand.

  Jenna shifted away from Kris and bent down to leash Jax before standing. “No thank you. I think I’ll walk home. Come on, Jax.” She walked away with her head down taking Jax and Kris's heart with her.

  Kris pulled out her phone and sent a text to Allie. “I told Jenna. I think I screwed up big this time.”

  A few seconds later, she received a text back from Allie. “You think???”

  Kris put her phone down and stared up at the sky. It was a beautiful day with just enough white puffy clouds to contrast the stunning blue background. Someone standing over her blocking her view startled her. “Are you okay ma’m?” the stranger asked.

  Kris straightened up and grinned at the man with dark hair peppered with gray streaks. He stared back at her with a worried expression. “Yes, I’m fine thank you.” She noticed a woman standing next to him.

  He put his arm around the woman beside him. “My wife and I heard the heated debate going on between you and the other woman before she left.” His wife put her hand on his arm and he patted it with his hand. “We don’t mean to pry. We just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  Kris looked into his eyes and could tell he was genuinely concerned. He had the same emerald green eyes as Jenna. She let her gaze drift down to their hands. She took a deep breath in. “It was just a lover’s quarrel. I did something stupid, but I confessed. She didn’t say anything that I didn’t deserve to hear. Sorry for interrupting your morning.”

  The woman leaned her head against her husband’s arm. “At least you told her, dear. Honesty and trust are earned through years and years of give and take. Forgiveness is something that can only be given, but that’s out of your hands now. Love is the glue that holds everything together. Sometimes forgiveness can take longer than we want, but if you love her don’t ever give up. Have patience, dear, another aspect of relationships beyond our control.”

  Kris took in the two of them standing in front of her. Her lips trembled. Through her tears she was drawn back to the man’s eyes as he nodded in agreement. She shuddered at the thought of losing Jenna and never seeing those piercing green eyes staring back at her. She stood and gave the woman a hug. The man patted her shoulder. “Thank you,” she said softly.

  “You’re welcome, dear,” the woman said breaking their embrace. They waved back at her as they walked towards the parking lot. Kris bent down to collect her bag and phone. She wasn’t sure what to do. She hoped Jenna would be home when she got back, but she was afraid. She had never seen Jenna so angry before. This had been their first major fight.

  When she reached her car, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from Jenna. “Let’s talk. Meet me for lunch at Mario’s downtown.” Kris texted her back. “Okay. I’m on my way.”

  ***

  Kris pulled up in front of the restaurant as Jenna turned the corner into the parking lot. Jenna spotted Kris's car and opened the passenger door. “You walked here?” Kris asked.

  Jenna nodded as she sat down. “I dropped Jax off at the house and walked here. I figured I’d ride back with you if you were still talking to me after lunch.” She gazed into Kris's teary eyes that reminded her of the earrings in the store window. Those eyes melted her heart and soul.

  “I’m surprised you’re still talking to me. I’ve never seen you so angry before. I never would’ve thought I could do something to hurt you so bad. I’m so sorry, Jenna.”

  Jenna wiped the tears from Kris's cheeks. “Look at you. I’ve upset you and made you cry.”

  Kris reached for Jenna’s hand still on her cheek and kissed it. “I sent Heather an email telling her to handle any showings with…” she let her words trail off not knowing how to refer to the other woman.

  Jenna sighed and looked out the windshield at nothing in particular. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Amelia. I realize now I was guilty by omission. I should have told you as soon as we got back home that night. I promise to not keep anything from you again. It’s not like I’m avoiding wandering hands every day,” Jenna said trying to ease the tension between them.

  “I still can’t believe you shot down Amelia Davies. Even I don’t know if I could’ve resisted her. She’s my hall pass.” Kris winced and covered her face. “Oops, a little too soon?”

  Jenna held up her thumb and forefinger pinching them together and shrugged. “Yeah, maybe just a little bit too soon.” She let her hand fall back down to her lap. “Kris?”

  “Yes, Jenna?”

  “Do you promise she only kissed your neck?”

  “Yes, she only kissed my neck with her lips and it lasted two seconds max.”

  “Would you tell me if something more happened?” Jenna lowered her head not wanting to look at Kris, afraid she might see that Kris's expression didn’t match her words.

  Kris put her hand beneath Jenna’s chin and lifted it until their eyes met. “Look at me, Jenna. I promise you nothing more happened, and I promise you I will never allow anything like that to happen again with anyone. I love you, and I only want to be with you.”

  “Have I made you feel neglected?”

  Kris nodded. “I feel like we were just getting to know each other as a couple before Kim returned. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m so happy she found you, and I know how happy she makes you. The selfish part of me wishes we had more time to explore our relationship beyond our friendship before having anyone move in. I miss having wild sex with you without worrying about being overheard. I miss the spontaneity and passion we had.”

  “I know. I miss it too. She’s my sister. I would have kicked any other person out by now to have our home back, our life back, but I can’t turn my back on Kim. She’s been through so much.”

  “That’s one of the things I love about you. You’re a good person and an even better sister. You’re good to her. You can’t change her horrendous past, but you can help her have a good future. However, you can’t hold her up and support her. You have to help her by making her realize her full potential. She deserves her own life and you do too. Let your parents help too. They want to help her.”

>   “You’re right. She needs to reconnect with them, and I need to reconnect with you. I’ll talk her into visiting my parents. At least we’ll have some time alone, but I expect some of that spontaneity and passionate wild sex you were reminiscing about. Deal?”

  Kris pulled Jenna in for a deep kiss. “Deal,” she whispered against Jenna’s lips. “I don’t like to fight with you.”

  Jenna pulled away and arched an eyebrow. “Me either, but I hear the makeup sex almost makes it worth it. Let’s go eat, you’re going to need the extra energy.”

  Chapter Eleven

  It had been an unbearable hot and steamy July day. Jenna was at the hospital, Kris was happy to have the house to herself. Kim was visiting her parents for a week. Kris persuaded Jenna to purchase a nonrefundable airline ticket for Kim so she couldn’t back out again. She convinced Jenna it was important for Kim to reestablish a strong relationship with her parents, and for the two of them to rekindle their own relationship. Kris enjoyed having the house to herself and Jenna again, but Kim would return soon.

  She put on her bikini and went for a swim. After cooling off, she laid down on the lounge chair by the pool. She closed her eyes and basked in the remaining sun that was setting fast. She dozed off, but someone running their hand up her thigh startled her.

  She opened her eyes and sat up in a panic. The sun lingered just above the horizon, and twilight was about to take over. She saw Jenna in her scrubs sitting on the lounge chair beside her. She could see Jenna’s silver SUV in the driveway visible through the cracks in the fence. “What are you doing home? I didn’t expect you home for a few hours.”

  Jenna moved her hand further up Kris's thigh and leaned in towards Kris. “I know we haven’t had much alone time together since Kim moved in. I wanted to spend some time with you before Kim comes back. My surgery this afternoon went well, so I checked on my other patients and rushed home to spend the rest of the evening with you.” Jenna moved to Kris's chair. She straddled it and pulled Kris's hips towards her. “Is that okay with you? I could leave if you’d rather be by yourself.” Jenna ran her fingers through Kris's hair and kissed her neck. She gave Kris's chin a playful bite, and then her lips met Kris's.