[chapter seven]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of
them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please.
;-)
**
"Mia? It's Faye." Mia smiled as she switched her cell phone from one ear to the other while she hustled towards her car and away from the nightmare of a business she was just helping convert files for.
"Hey girl. How are you?" Mia asked with a grin.
"Good! Listen, Jimmie and I are having a little dinner party sort of gathering on Wednesday night. I want you to come, and won't take no for an answer." Faye commanded, though Mia could hear the grin in her voice.
"Oh, geez, Faye, I don't know…" Mia began automatically, her heart beating a bit faster. One on one, she was barely okay with people, but she hated social gatherings. Most functions like that, after about 30 seconds, she just wished she was back home in front of her computer typing out code, instead of trying to make intelligent conversation or be friendly and open.
She was just too shy for that.
"Please, Mia? It's…it's sort of our first 'thing' since we moved in together. Just dinner with a few friends, but it's sort of a big deal to me. I don't know why - I mean, everyone knows Jimmie and I are together, but it's still sort of a big thing to me…"
Mia sighed inwardly, hearing the nervousness and excitement in her friend's voice. "Who all is going to be there?" She asked quietly.
Faye's voice brightened. "Just a couple of the guys from Jimmie's team - Jeff, Chad, Robbie, and maybe Chris. And I've asked you and Emma and Rachel - you remember them from the paper?" Faye asked.
Mia nodded, though Faye couldn't see her. Emma and Rachel were sweethearts, and she'd already met Chad and Jimmie…
"Okay. What time? And do I need to bring anything?" Mia asked.
Faye squealed in delight. "Not a thing. It's going to be very laid back. I promise. I'm so glad you'll be there though. I can't wait! 7 o'clock, our place."
"Yeah, me neither." Mia said brightly, no matter that her head was screaming 'Abort! Abort!' and her heart was still beating too quickly.
"Our place." Faye echoed, almost to herself and Mia smiled genuinely. No matter how adorable Jimmie and Faye were, she knew her friend kept waiting for the other shoe to drop - for her perfect life with Jimmie to fall apart, just like it had with Matt.
"Okay, 7, your place. I'll see you then." Mia said. They made their goodbyes and Mia slipped the phone back into her bag.
Oh god. What the hell was she going to wear??
**
Faye sank further into the bathtub, the water rising above her shoulders and soaking her hair. She exhaled slowly, rolling her head from side to side as Jimmie opened the bathroom door and stepped in.
With a tender smile, he crossed the room and sat on the edge of the tub, pushing a lock of hair away from Faye's cheek. "Wow." He smiled. "My own sexy water nymph."
Faye smiled at him, leaning her cheek into his warm palm. "I said something odd today." She said after a few moments.
"What did you say?" Jimmie asked.
"I said 'our house'." Faye answered softly. "It was odd."
"Why odd?" Jimmie questioned, leaning over to kiss her temple.
"Because I…because it's not…because." Faye stammered before giving up.
"It is." Jimmie said gently.
"Don't you stop and wonder what the hell you're doing living with a girl you've only known a few months?" Faye asked.
Jimmie thought for a moment, a serious look on his face. "No."
"Why?"
"Because, ever since the moment I found you, I knew I was gonna be with you. That's all. So why would you live somewhere else when I want you here?" He asked.
"The moment you saw me, I was bawling my eyes out and looked like a punching bag." Faye said bitterly.
"Nooo." Jimmie said patiently. "You looked like an angel. I mean it. And I knew I wasn't ever going to let you go."
"You are not to be believed." Faye murmured and Jimmie gently splashed water in her face. "You aren't!"
"Faye." Jimmie returned sternly. "I'm not him. And I'm not leaving, and I'm not going to change like he did. So, I hate to say it, babe, but you're stuck with me."
Faye looked into his warm eyes for a moment before relenting. "There are worse things, I guess." She teased.
"Gosh, thanks." Jimmie joked. "Now, are you going to be getting out of there anytime soon?"
"Not unless I get a better offer." Faye said, closing her eyes and leaning back against the cool tiles.
When she opened her eyes again, Jimmie had an arched eyebrow aimed right at her. "Either you get out, or I get in." He said evenly.
Faye could only grin as she gripped
his tee shirt and tugged.