When Dreams Change, page 21
Jenna almost missed the exchange, enthralled by Lennox’s hair out of her patented ponytail. She imagined digging her hands into the thick strands as Lennox feasted on her. She squirmed at the thought.
“There are worse ways to wake up. You have my permission to wake me up in that manner henceforth.” Jenna’s voice was low with want as she tried to distract herself by pouring a cup of coffee, the steam curling and dancing in the air, seemingly just as happy to greet the day as she was.
“You might regret that henceforth nonsense, but I’m here for it,” Lennox teased. “How are you feeling today? Umm, anything you want to talk about?” Suddenly shy, she shuffled her foot, playing with the puppy’s tail.
“No regrets, no questions, and I know of at least four doctors who have slept with different staff members, so there is no issue at work. I will say we will be doing that again, and work will be torture from now on. So much so, I might even drag you into an on-call room. But everything else was life changing.” Jenna watched her words wash over Lennox, whose demeanor completely morphed, matching the excitable dog near their feet.
“Good, that’s great.” Lennox took a step closer. “Care for an encore?” she asked, reaching for Jenna’s free hand.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Jenna trailed behind Lennox, ready to unlock all the wonders being with her would entail. At LC’s dismay, he was forced back into the crate while Lennox and Jenna reacquainted.
Chapter 15
We Need to Talk
Lennox pushed off from her desk, realizing that she’d be late for her coffee date with Alex, who had gotten into town the night before.
Driving downtown she thrummed her fingers on the steering wheel to Aspen Lake’s song. It started out as a way to connect with her players, but Lennox enjoyed the beats and the poetic lyrics. Lila had recently gotten into her as well, leaving Lennox wondering if she should look into concert tickets.
When a parking spot opened up in front of the bookstore, Lennox flicked her blinker on and parallel parked. Walking through the bookstore storefront, she took a moment to take in the scents. There was something calming about the combination of books and coffee. Finishing her trek through the store to the back where the coffee shop stood, Lennox scanned the tables to see if Alex was there yet, smiling when she saw her friend surrounded by a few strangers. Two of them seemed to be close to declaring an arm-wrestling tournament over her affections.
Alex always had that effect on people. There was an untouched cup in front of the opposite seat which appeared to hold Lennox’s favorite drink from college, mocha with extra whipped cream. Her taste buds had changed since then, but it was a running joke between them that whoever got to a coffee place first would order the other’s college drink.
“They’ll just let any riffraff come into this fine establishment.” Lennox shook her head in mock disappointment, scraping the chair’s wooden legs against the worn floor.
The group surrounding Alex volleyed their looks between them but ended on Alex for confirmation that the interaction was over.
“Sorry, I’m going to catch up with my friend, but I’ll be at the bar tonight if you are free.” Alex rested a well-worn red high-top tennis shoe along the opposite knee, and put her hands behind her head purposefully, showing she didn’t care one way or another.
“Which bar? There are multiple,” one woman who barely looked above the legal drinking age asked boldly.
“Now, where is the fun in that?” Alex replied with a shrug.
“Some things never change. The sun rises, people need water, and Alex will never settle down.” Lennox smirked at her longtime friend.
“What can I say? I like to experience a wide variety of women, and I won’t apologize for it.” Alex glared at her.
Lennox threw up her hands. “Whoa, you know I have no problem with how you live your life. Just because it doesn’t work for me doesn’t mean I judge you for it. But you also can’t expect me not to give you crap for things. This was ingrained in our friendship foundation eons ago, and we can’t change now.” She relaxed when she saw Alex ease back.
“Good, because you know all that chastity crap is based on patriarchal and Puritan values which is designed to keep women ’in their place.’” Alex put her leg on the ground and leaned over, reaching to slide the coffee mug closer to Lennox. “Now, drink your sugar bomb and catch me up on the last year.”
Lifting the mug, she tried to hide her grimace as the chocolate sugar hit her tongue. Licking off the whipped cream from her upper lip, she shook her shoulders. “Some traditions should be modified. Case in point, I wouldn’t mind a regular cup of coffee. I’m not nineteen anymore.”
“It’s tradition for a reason. But I can see your point. Why do you think I always come a half hour early? I’m lactose intolerant and can’t deal with my old order of vanilla cappuccino with extra foam.” Alex chuckled. “You should see your face right now. Haven’t you ever wondered why you haven’t had to buy in years?”
“I never put much thought into it. But damn, you swindled me. From now on I’d like a latte. No more of this, okay? I can’t handle this much sugar anymore.” Lennox reached for a stir stick at the doctoring table behind her and scraped off most of the whipped cream. “Little Chef would love this,” she said, licking the stick before taking a tentative sip. “Ah, much better.”
“I can’t believe you finally got a dog. Can’t wait to meet him,” Alex said, nodding at someone behind Lennox.
Lennox turned but only saw the back of someone’s head.
“Want to see a picture of him? He’s adorable.” She pulled out her phone and clicked on the photos.
Grabbing the device, Alex squinted at the screen. “Damn, he’s going to be a heartbreaker. Those eyes. Whoa, who’s that?” Bringing it closer, she took in the next photo.
Lennox tried to grab the phone, which was a selfie with her and Jenna clearly basking in sex afterglow. Nothing untoward could be seen, but the lighting was perfect, and Jenna’s eyes twinkled with a new passion. Alex dipped and dodged, playing keep-away with the phone while ogling the picture.
“Give it here, and I’ll tell you about her,” Lennox said, finally giving up on snatching the device back. Alex wasn’t nicknamed Zip for her love of zippers. She was quick-witted, fast around the bases, and zipped a rise ball that almost matched the speed of her fastball.
Alex stopped right away, tossing the phone gently to Lennox, who cradled the landing into her belly. “Spill the tea. Tell me everything.” She placed her elbows on the table, causing the cups to rattle, supporting her chin in her clasped hands.
Lennox needed a moment, a little off balance since Alex rarely gave a hundred percent of her attention, and it was intense. “She’s my boss and Wren’s mom. That’s all you’re getting for now since I have to return to work. You’ll meet her if you want to have dinner after the tryout.”
“I’d love to meet your lady. I can’t wait to hear more about it.” Alex stood with Lennox.
“I’m going to grab her a coffee to take back. Where are you off to next?” Lennox asked after ordering a to-go cup for Jenna.
“I want to check out the Raptor Center. I had a liaison with the director there last time I was here and want to see if she is still single.” Alex wiggled her eyebrows.
“You will never change. Get out of here. I’ll see you later. Call me if you want dinner or something,” Lennox said, wrapping her arms around Alex’s neck in a tight hug.
“Not on your life if you are cooking, maybe if we ordered out, though,” Alex teased when they parted. “Hey, when are you goin’ to trade your stiff work jacket for a coach’s whistle? I know of at least three colleges that would love to have you.”
Lennox looked down at her office outfit. Admittedly it would be nice not to have to wear business casual all day. “I guess until the university here gets a softball team. I love Sitka and like my job. Plus, I’m going to see if I can make out with my boss right now. Perks, Alex—those are some perks that the colleges wouldn’t have.”
“Yeah, yeah. Get out of here before I hurl on all this distressed wood.” Alex pointed at their feet. Years of customers scuffing up the floor had left the wood a little lacking, but it was part of the shop’s charm.
Rolling her eyes, Lennox waved and grabbed Jenna’s to-go cup.
“Knock, knock.” Lennox tapped the side of Jenna’s door when she returned to work. Holding the cup aloft, she said, “I bring sustenance. The liquid that fuels the soul, the drink that can end exhaustion, the life-affirming beverage that can make you hear colors.”
“Just a second, Dr. Navi, let me call you back,” Jenna said to her computer screen.
Lennox shrunk into herself, realizing Jenna’s headphones were in and she was most likely on a Teams meeting. At least Jenna was smiling.
“Sorry,” Lennox mouthed, although it was much too late for stealth. She tiptoed into the office and placed the cup on the edge of Jenna’s desk.
“I needed an excuse to get off the meeting. She asked me to stay a little after, and we went around in circles.” Jenna got up from her desk and walked past Lennox, much to her confusion, until Jenna closed her office door.
Once in the privacy of the room, Jenna grabbed Lennox’s hand and pulled her so they were flush together. Lennox’s eyes fluttered closed when she felt Jenna’s fingers slide into her hair. For once she was wearing it down which amplified the tingles radiating from her head. Their lips met in frantic want. If someone had told Lennox that one day she’d be making out with Jenna in her office like teens, she’d have laughed.
Lennox ran her hands across Jenna’s back as their tongues caressed, getting reacquainted with each other. As they broke apart, Jenna’s breath came out in huffs.
“What are you doing to me?” Her eyes darted around, a little wild. “We’ve got to stop, or I won’t be held accountable for my actions.” Jenna took a step out of her arms.
“You started it,” Lennox teased, straightening out her shirt. “I had coffee with Alex and thought I’d bring you back a cup.”
“I can’t be tempted,” Jenna said as she walked to the door. “This needs to stay open to keep me from jumping on you.” Jenna turned from the opened door with a sheepish grin. “That was thoughtful. Thank you.” She took a few steps to her desk, brushing innocently against Lennox as she did, and wrapped her fingers around the cup. “How’s Alex?”
Lennox was still trying to get her body under control but her voice was still rather husky when she answered. “She’s the same. There was a crowd of women around her. It was like she was holding court. We’ll all have to go out sometime. It’s fascinating to watch her work a room.”
“I’d love to get to know her.” Jenna sat down in her desk chair. With her legs crossed the look was straight out of Lennox’s fantasies, down to the smoldering eyes burning from across the desk.
“If you only knew how many times I played this fictional story in my mind. You sitting there all buttoned up and professional, giving me some direction for work. Before you knew it, I would fall to my knees, worshiping you from under the desk while you had to keep up experiences during a budget meeting.” Lennox licked her lips as she played the fantasy in the back of her head, pleased to see Jenna’s eyes darken.
Jenna picked up the pair of reading glasses on her desk, resting the glasses on the tip of her lips before she spoke. “Before I forget, I need you to finish the report for the incident yesterday. And I know you wanted to prioritize the new workflow for the nurses, but I need you to focus on the quarterly reports.” Jenna tried to convey the list through her usual no nonsense attitude, but her trembling hand gave her away. She broke character to ask, “Something like that?” The take-charge attitude Lennox had fallen for was superimposed with the flush of her skin and rumpled clothes of their make-out session.
“Exactly. If only we had some time before another meeting.” Lennox’s voice shook with tension.
“I was planning on watching practice tonight. Want me to look out for Little Chef?” Jenna asked, looking at Lennox with half-lidded eyes.
The look was dangerous, but since the door was wide open, she had to try to be professional. “I’d love that. See you later, Jenna.”
Lennox left before she did something rash like launching herself across the desk and turning her fantasy into a reality. On the way back to her office, she had to keep herself from skipping. The feelings of a new relationship were terrifying but beautiful.
“Hey Wren, can you come in here for a moment?” Jenna touched the napkin in front of her, adjusting its angles to be exactly perpendicular to the lines in the table. She’d adjusted it four times already.
She stared at the homemade chicken wings and fries she’d cooked as an after-school snack for her daughter before she had to run to softball practice. She frowned at the concoction as a bout of unusual self-doubt bubble to the surface. Was cooking Wren’s favorite food a sign of bribery? The smell of chicken turned her stomach as she tried to think of a good icebreaker.
“Ooh, my favorite. Thanks, Mom.” Wren reached over and grabbed a wing and a handful of fries before stepping away from the table.
“Wait. Where are you going? And use a plate.” She pushed the dish towards Wren who sheepishly took it.
After plopping the food down, Wren turned to the kitchen to wash her hands. “What’s all this for?” Jenna could barely hear her over the running faucet.
“Can you sit down?” Jenna rubbed at her temples. She should have known her carefully laid plans would crumble.
“Are you okay?” Wren pulled the chair out, stopping for a moment to look closer at her.
“I’m fine, I just—there’s something I want to talk to you about.” Jenna sat up straighter, reaching over for the tongs to pile fries on her plate. It was born from a need to move rather than her love of trans fats.
Having Wren’s full attention might have been a bad idea. She was regretting not blurting it out while she was in the kitchen.
“Mom, you’re scaring me. Did you get bad news at the doctor’s office? Moving, new job? Ew, you’re not pregnant, are you?” Wren flinched like she was about to be burned.
The last question unlocked something in Jenna. Bending forward, she laughed until tears escaped the sides of her eyes. Wren chuckled alongside her, but it was more of a ’I’m going to have to call around and get my mom help’ laugh.
Pulling herself together, she placed her elbow on the table, ripping the napkin from its perfect spot, and waved it in the air. “I surrender.” The moment didn’t have to be flawless; a little mess in the grander scheme didn’t matter. If Wren had an issue, they would work through it, like everything else.
Jenna’s deep exhale pushed the napkin across the table before she said, “I wanted to let you know before you hear it from someone else. Lennox and I are dating. Definitely not pregnant.”
She waited. Then waited some more. “Do you have any questions?”
Wren’s elbows thunked loudly on the table. She held the tips of her fingers to her temple, massaging gently. “To be honest, I’m a little weirded out by it, Mom.” Her voice was a thin strand.
“Because I’m dating a woman?” Jenna asked delicately. She’d planned different scenarios, but everything went out the door with that one sentence.
“No, it’s not that.” Wren wouldn’t look at her. “I think that part is fire. It’s just”—she rapidly drummed on the corner of the plate with her thumb—“she’s my coach. It’s weird to think of you two together. I want you to be happy though, and if Lennox makes you happy then I’m all for that. I mean, she’s been over a bunch, so I guess it’s not that weird now that I’m talking it out.”
Jenna felt her chest tighten at the thoughtfulness of her kid. “Thank you.”
Wren left shortly after for practice. There was only a slight distance between them, one that Jenna knew could be busted down with a little time.
Jenna wiggled, trying to find a more comfortable position on the cold bleachers. She felt more settled now that a few hours had passed since she told Wren. Lennox was yelling something at Navy and Brooke, who both looked suitably chastised. It was rare to see Lennox so worked up, but whatever they did, it would be a long while before they did it again. The girls were now jogging around the field.
The puppy was at Jenna’s feet, panting after an endless amount of time playing in the parking lot. She moved a millimeter and LC jumped up, sitting on his haunches and looking at her with two different colored eyes, his tail sweeping across the ground. The girls started walking towards the dugout, but Lennox called them back for a few lunges. She was on a tear; Jenna could see the lines in her lover’s usually smooth face. Wondering what happened, but knowing she’d have to wait to find out, Jenna got up to stretch.
Finally, the girls were released, looking exhausted. Jenna took the pup on a short walk while she waited for Lennox to finish clearing off the field with Tyler and Hazel. Wren slogged up to her side, dropping her bag, and leaned on Jenna with a force that nearly knocked her on her butt.
“Hey, Little Chef. Can I pick you up for a cuddle?” Wren asked, eyeing the dog, but ultimately deciding that moving from her leaning post would use more energy than it was worth.
Jenna squeezed her shoulder in a half hug. “How was practice today?” She wasn’t sure if Wren forgot what they’d talked about, or just didn’t care, but she would soak up the physical affection while it lasted.
“Brutal. I’m pretty sure my soul left my body in an attempt to break from the torture that Lennox put us through. I hope you’re happy with the tormentor. I’m going to need a long soak if I’m going to be ready to try out with coach Alex.” Wren straightened when she saw Zayla, Navy, and Ava walking toward her.
“Who is this little cutie?” Ava dropped to her knees, the catcher leg guards protecting her knees in the fall. She opened her arms for Little Chef to wiggle into. Navy followed suit, plopping down on the pebbled walkway.
