~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chapter Two~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jen spotted Billy the moment she entered C.D.’s. Billy had
chosen a corner table, and, as promised, her cocoa was waiting for
her.
Billy watched as Jen walked over to the table. She’d showered
and changed since he’d seen her last. Her hair hung damply around
her face, but she’d never looked more beautiful to him.
She sat down across from him, and she didn’t look happy.
"What are you doing here, Billy?" she demanded, ignoring her
cocoa.
"I wanted to see you," he answered, sipping his cocoa calmly.
But Jen wasn’t calm. She’d had thirty minutes to think about
his return, and she was angry.
"You have some nerve!" she continued. "You walked out of my
life four years ago without even a goodbye, and now you think you
can just stroll right back in?"
His eyes landed on the chain around her neck, and he reached
across the table and took the wolf pendant, the one he’d made for
and given to her years ago, in his hand.
"I never really left, did I?" he asked quietly.
* * *
Walker, Alex, and Trivette sat at the bar, visiting with C.D.
They watched Jen’s argument with interest.
"Who’s that Jen’s sitting with?" Alex wondered.
"I dunno," Walker answered. "Whoever he is, he sure did
something to make Jen really angry with him."
"I wondered why he came in and ordered two cocoas," C.D. added.
"So, he must have been expecting her," Trivette deduced. "I
don’t recognize him."
"But obviously Jen does," Walker pointed out. "Just to be on
the safe side, let’s run him through the computers. C.D., could I
borrow his mug after he’s done?" C.D. nodded. "And we’d better
have Trent keep an eye on her."
* * *
Jen pushed Billy’s hand away from her necklace. He released
the pendant and ensnared her fingers instead. Jen, realizing how
accurate his words were, became more exasperated than angry.
"Billy, please," she said softly, trying to pull her hand free.
He wouldn’t release it. Warmth flooded her from his grasp, and her
pulse raced.
"I’m not letting you slip through my fingers this time," he
promised.
"Billy, stop," Jen pleaded, wanting--needing--space. In answer,
Billy lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips to her wrist,
sending tingles up her arm.
Jen pulled her arm free, flushing with anger. Billy stood and
walked around the table to stand behind Jen. He set a hand on her
shoulder and whispered in her ear.
"You don’t want me to stop because you feel it, too," he
whispered, his breath tickling her ear.
As right as he was, Jen would never admit it.
"Go to--"
Billy’s hand covered her mouth, sending further tingles through
her body. She wanted to fight him, but she couldn’t.
"You’ll see me again," Billy promised, freeing her mouth.
"Very soon."
"Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Billy," Jen reminded him,
her anger returning. "Why did you wait four years?"
Billy was quiet for a long moment. "For a myriad of reasons,"
he finally answered. "But you were never far from my thoughts. In
fact, some days, you were all that kept me going."
Jen’s forehead wrinkled in confusion, and she turned to look at
him. "I don’t understand."
"I’ve never stopped loving you, Jenna," he answered. "And I
never will." His lips brushed her forehead. "I’ll see you later."
Billy turned and walked out of C.D.s, having paid for the cocoas
when he ordered them.
Jen’s eyes watered as she watched Billy leave. She’d missed him
so much, but she thought she’d moved on. Now that he was back in her
life, could she trust him? And if she did, would she just be setting
herself up for another heartache?
|