[kiasusam]

Part 2

”When are you going?” asked Jessica. "In two months, I had a couple of weeks due so I thought I’d take them in the sun for a change.” Jessica was quiet for a while after that, until Peter asked her if anything was wrong. ”No, I was just thinking about going away myself, but I couldn’t go alone, not like you. I’d feel out of place, and not to mention lonely,” said Jessica. ”Well, why don’t you come with me, I think we’ve known each other long enough to be able to share parts of our lives together. We can have separate rooms, and we enjoy each other’s company. What do you think?” said Peter, picking his drink back up, and waiting for a response.

Jessica didn’t answer straight away; instead she seemed to be digesting that proposal very carefully. ”Yes...why not. I haven’t been away in well over a year, and it would be nice to get away from the same old grind stone,” she replied, eventually, “how much will I need?" You’ll need a grand for the flight and hotel, and whatever spending money you decide to take,” replied Peter. The rest of the night was taken up with talk about what they would see together, and Jessica actually laughed out loud a few times, which Peter had never seen her do.

When they were going home Jessica asked Peter in for a nightcap before going off, and he was delighted to hear her offer. ”What would you like to drink?” she said, opening up the drinks cabinet. ”Let’s see, what have you got,” replied Peter, looking over her shoulder, “I’ll have a whiskey please.” Jessica poured two whiskeys, and closed the cabinet. ”Cheers,” she said, handing him his drink. Peter took a mouthful, and then looked around the room. It was the first time he’d actually seen inside Jessica’s home, yet he’d dropped her off a number of times. ”You have a nice place here Jessica,” he said, asking if he could sit down with a nod at the couch. ”Thank you, we always took pride in our home.

Like my husband used to say, “If we’ve got to live here most of our lives, let’s make it as comfortable as possible.” Jessica sat down beside Peter, adjusting the cushion so that it was by her side instead of behind her, and holding it as if for protection. Peter caught himself staring at her legs, and a sudden realisation dawned on him. Jessica was flirting with him. At least that’s what his mind was telling him, but what if he was wrong, what if he was Miss reading the situation. He didn’t want to spoil the friendship they had together, by doing something clumsy like kissing her if she wasn’t open for it. ”Peter...would you mind if I kissed you?” she said, taking all doubt out of Peter’s mind.