Lisa
"You're right, it was a rough start," I agree. "But as for why I like you? You're smart, beautiful, and funny. You stood up for yourself. You make a to-die-for Tiramisu," I joke, hoping to lighten the situation some.
She snorts at this, which sounds kind of choked up from all the wetness, so I ignore her reaction and quickly move on.
"You don't care what people think about you and you get along with my best friend," I say. "Plus you gave me a reason to get a new headboard, which I'd been meaning to do for forever now anyway." She averts her eyes, looking ashamed, and I'm instantly sorry for making such a lame joke.
"No, Jennie! I'm sorry. Look at me." I instinctively put my hand on her cheek, turning her head so she'll meet my gaze again, and I'm surprised when she doesn't shove me away.
"I shouldn't have said that," I quickly apologize.
She shakes her head. "It's not your fault. I'm the one who did it. I'm...I'm sorry."
"You're forgiven," I say quickly. "It's over. Done. Water under the bridge. It's like it never happened - I don't care if we never talk about it ever again. Or we can if you want to," I'm quick to add.
She smiles weakly at me and then leans over to get a tissue from her end table. She begins drying her face and wiping her nose.
"Do you think you'll ever be able to forgive me for making the bet?" I ask nervously. A part of me doesn't want to hear the answer, too terrified as to what it'll reveal.
But she looks at me, her brown, wide eyes showing nothing but complete honesty. "I already have." And I'm soaring again, even more elated than before. Our conversation is going not as I'd expected, but every way that I had hoped.
"But I'm just worried, Lisa," she quickly adds. "I want to trust you..."
"You can, Jennie! I swear to you on everything that I'm not going to make that mistake again. Let me prove it to you."
She sniffles, and I can tell that she's not convinced.
"Ask me anything," I say. "Anything at all. And I'll tell you whatever you want to know. No lies, no secrets. Just you and I trusting each other."
I'm five seconds away from dropping to my knees and grovelling. Jennie doesn't say anything. Instead, she looks torn.
"Please, Jennie. Please believe me. I'll never be a part of any kind of fuckery like this ever again. I just want a chance to start over and prove this to you."
"Then tell me something about yourself," she prompts. Looking guilty, she adds, "I don't know what to ask."
Thinking quickly, I scramble for something halfway decent to say.
"I played baseball in high school," I tell her, unable to think of anything better. "Someone bunted the ball while I was behind them and it came back and nailed me in the face. It knocked out two teeth, so two of my teeth aren't real."
She sighs and looks down at her hands again.
Fuck. I knew the teeth thing was stupid, I mentally chastise. But then she surprises me.
"What happened to your parents?" Her voice is quiet, cautious; almost immediately, her panicked eyes dart up to meet mine.
I take a deep breath. I didn't anticipate having to speak of this tonight, but I can't fault her for wanting to know. How can I expect her to trust me if I continue to guard parts of my life from her? It hurts to think about, but I would take any amount of pain, emotional or physical, if it only means Jennie will give me the second chance I so desperately seek.
"They're dead, Jennie. My...my mom was murdered. My dad died of health problems."
I remain as detached as possible, not wanting this to become anything other than winning Jennie back. She picks at her shirt, at a part of the Superman logo that is peeling away, and nods.
I'm not sure is she wants me to elaborate. I mentally quarrel with myself, trying to decide if I want to delve into this story now. I definitely will if it's what she wants, but I don't want to put myself in the situation without being certain.
But she finally puts me out of my misery.
"You don't have to talk to me about it now, Lisa. I know it's hard for you. But some day, if there really is an...us...then I'd really like to know everything about you. But I'd like to earn that, too."
She looks shyly at me, her brow creased in worry as though afraid she's said something offensive. But her words couldn't possibly make me happier.
"Absolutely, Jennie," I agree. "I promise. Anything you want to know."
She smiles, her face actually dry, and I'm so relieved I could sing.
Feeling lighter than I have in ages, I seek confirmation in her words. "So you'll give us a chance?"
She nods, biting her lip to hide her own smile. "I'd like that," she says. "But, I really think we should start out slow. You know, to try and do things...right."
I nod quickly, willing to agree to anything at this point. "Whatever you want."
