The Mom Next Door

16-I lied

*leahs pov*

"Oh wow- that wasn't what I was expecting.." I say once Jennifer sets the plate of food down in front of me. I never doubted her cooking skills, but this looks super fancy.

"See, I know what I'm doing." She says confidently. I smile as she sits down next me with her own plate of food in front of her.

"You need to cook for Sofia sometime, she loves pasta." I tell her. "Well I made her mac n cheese one time, then she dissed me and told me yours is better." She says and I can't help but giggle.

"It probably is." I shrug and she rolls her eyes. "But this is really good Jennifer." I tell her and take another bite. "Why haven't you cooked for me sooner??" I ask and she smiles and shrugs.

"I'm glad you like it." She says and sips her water. "You know, I'm surprised we haven't talked more being that we've been neighbors for like 4 years." She says. "Me too. It's weird how things work, but I'm glad we're talking now." I say and look at her.

"Me too. I like being at your house more than my own-." She scoffs and I giggle. "I'm serious! Your house is so fucking nice. How do you stay here all alone in this huge space when Sofia's gone?" She asks. "Well it seemed like the right size when Angelo still lived with us and we were all together, but I guess I manage." I shrug.

"It gets lonely sometimes, but I don't mind having the house to myself." I tilt my head. "Well now you don't have to be lonely since I'm here." She smiles innocently. "You're so right." I play along and she giggles.

I take a sip of my water and notice she's staring at me. "I'm gonna get some wine. Do you want some?" I ask and stand up. "Sure." She nods and I walk away.

"Thankyou." She says once I hand her the glass of wine. "So, are you glad exams are over?" I ask her, trying to start conversation. "Oh my god yes." She shakes her head and I giggle. "They're so stressful. You should've seen me my freshman year of college when I was taking exams." She shakes her head.

"You couldn't handle it?" I ask. "Hell no!" She raises one brow and I laugh. "That was the most stressful and depressing time of my life." She says. "We'll look at you now, acing your psychology exam." I say and she can't help but smile.

"That was a shock for me." She says. "Me too." I say jokingly and she side eyes me as I giggle. "Very funny." She giggles.

"Did you make anything for desert?" I ask. "I didn't know you wanted me to." She says. "Well luckily I made something." I say and she smirks. "Ouuuu. What is it?" She asks.

"Just kidding- that was a lie. I have ice cream though." I suggest and she laughs. "Ice cream is fine." She agrees.

I take both our dishes and get us some ice cream. "Is chocolate okay?" I ask as I set the bowl down in front of her. "Yep." She nods as I sit down.

"How's Sof doing in school?" She asks. "Good, really good. She's so smart." I gush. "I know. She had a lot of potential, you should be proud." She tells me. "I am." I smile.

"You know I could've babysat for Sofia when she was a baby." She says. "I never even saw you come out of your house when Sofia was that age." I giggle. "Yeah I didn't get out much." She smiles.

"I definitely would've let you though. Sofia was such a cute baby." I tell her. "Ugh, I bet she was." She says. "Do you have any pictures?" She asks. "Did you just ask me if I have pictures of my daughter-." I say sarcastically and she laughs. "Is that a yes?" She giggles and I roll my eyes.

We finish up our ice cream then we go into the living room and I find one of Sofia's photo books, filled with her baby pictures and other old pictures.

I sit beside Jennifer on the couch and cross my legs as I open the book. "That's when she was first born." I say and point to the picture of Sofia as a newborn.

"Oh my god she was the cutest." She gasps. "Usually newborns are kinda scary, but she's gorgeous." She tilts her head and I laugh. We go through more pictures of Sofia growing up, then we get to the back of the book with random old pictures.

I flip through the pages since none of these pictures really matter, but she stops me. "Wait-is that you??" She asks and points at the picture of me in the 90s. "Oh- yeah. That's me." I sigh. "Oh my god Leah. You were hot." She exaggerates. "I mean- you still are, but you know what I mean." She corrects herself and I giggle.

She takes the picture book and puts it in her lap, turning the page. "Oh wow, real classy Leah." Jennifer says and points to the picture of me, smoking in a hookah lounge. "It was a different time." I defend myself and roll my eyes.

She smiles and shuts the photo book. "Seems like you had a good time back then." She observes and I nod. "I'm jealous." She giggles and I smile.

"Well if only you were a little bit older. Maybe we could've known eachother back then, I'm sure we would've gotten along." I nod. "Probably." She agrees.

"I probably would've been a bad influence though." I say and she rolls her eyes. "Yeah right." She giggles. "I'm sure I would've been up for whatever shit you got me into." She nods and I smile.

She gives me the photo book back, and I put it away. "When do you have to be home?" I ask Jennifer and sit back down beside her. "Whenever I want." She shrugs and I grin. "Perfect." I shrug.

It gets quiet and I notice Jennifer staring at me. She goes to say something, but she stops. "What?" I ask softly.

She sighs and tilts her head. "I really want to kiss you..." She says and I take that by surprise.

I press my lips and try to just take it in a flattering way. "Jennifer, I-I can't." I shrug. "We can't." I say and she tilts her head. "You act like we don't have a choice." She chuckles. "No, I know we have a choice, and I choose no." I say to her. "Well what can I do to change your mind?" She asks flirtatiously. I eye her down and try to process what's happening.

"Nothing. It's not right." I shake my head. "But it doesn't feel wrong..." She says and leans a little closer. I stand up and turn to look at her on the couch. "This is insane. Do you realize what you're asking from me?" I ask. "What? Sex?" She asks. "Yes! You can't have that from me." I say.

"Look I don't care if you like girls and if you like fucking them, just don't make it me. I promise there's many other options than your 36 year old neighbor." I tilt my head.

"Yeah but this is the option I like." She shrugs and stands up. "Baby...do you even hear yourself right now-" I start to say but she interrupts me. "So you're telling me that you don't even find me the slightest bit attractive?" She asks and I sigh.

"Jennifer of course I find you attractive...just not in that way....I think." I shrug. "That wasn't a very confident answer. Maybe you should try me out to see if you're sure." She says. "Oh my god-." I rub my forehead.

"Leah, this doesn't have to be a big deal. It's not like I'm in love with you, I'm just curious. It'll be a one time thing." She says and tucks my hair behind my ear. I sigh and look at her eyes. "I lied." I say and she raises one brow. "About what?" She asks. "I definitely find you attractive in that way." I say and she smiles.

"I thought so..." She says and takes my hand, leading me to my bedroom...