Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 82

"I'm sorry about what happened, Gina," Tommy said, holding her hand as they sat in her car in the Hardy driveway.

"Don't be. We had a feeling Simone would react that way, right?" Gina replied, angling her head as she tried to read the expression in his eyes by the light of the streetlamp.

"Yeah, but I guess deep down inside, I hoped she wouldn't. I hated seeing how hurt she was. She was really upset. It surprised me."

"It surprised me, too, but only a little bit. When your mother doesn't like something, she doesn't necessarily hold her feelings back."

"Yeah, that's true," he said, his voice sad.

"Hey, there," Gina said, lightly cupping his face and turning his head towards her. "It'll be okay."

"You sound like you know what you're talking about," he said with a smile, enjoying the feel of her hand on his face.

"I do. I know Simone. She's my best friend. Once we talk to her and be honest with her, she'll be okay. I know she will."

"That sounds like a promise," he said, leaning closer to her as his fingers lost themselves in her flaxen hair.

"It is."

"I read somewhere that you're supposed to seal promises with a kiss," Tommy said in a husky voice. "Is that true?"

"Yes," she smiled. Her eyes closed in anticipation of his kiss and her lips parted as he brushed his against hers. They savored each other's taste and touch for several endless moments, finding pleasure and reassurance in their intimate embrace.

~*~

Keesha brushed past Jason as he opened the front door and went into their bedroom without saying a word. Jason closed and locked the door behind him, followed her into the bedroom, and as he sank unto the bed, he sighed. She was upset with him. That much he figured out on the ride from the docks to their humble abode. As he watched her move back and forth around the room, gathering her...what? not the flannel pajamas, he silently groaned...well, Jason knew he would be in for a long night.

"Don't forget to set the alarm," she called to him before she slammed the bathroom door shut behind her.

"Of course not, dear," he mumbled as he shrugged out of his overcoat. He had half a mind to just toss it on the floor or throw it over a chair, just to irritate her, but he thought better of it. If he knew her as well as he thought, he knew that she wouldn't say a word about it. She'd walk into the room, spot the offending article of clothing immediately, look at him, and then shrug. Meanwhile, her blood would boil at an alarming level, and he'd pay for his misdeed later. Of course, eventually, they'd make up, but until that happened... Irritating her, just for the sake of it, just wasn't worth it.

The spray of the shower did little to ease Keesha's mind as she allowed the water to beat down on her back. She was upset, but not necessarily at Jason. Well, it was not to say, she wasn't upset with him either, but she was more upset with herself.

She'd tried to hide it, but seeing AJ again really threw her. She knew that sooner or later, they'd meet. She'd hoped that it would be just the two of them. No Jason and no...Eve Lambert? When did he start going out with Dr. Eve Lambert, she asked herself, as she picked up her lavender shower gel and squeezed the fragrant soap unto her sponge. As she began to vigorously lather herself, she remembered how close AJ and Eve were standing next to each and she realized that she didn't like it. Not one little bit.

"Okay, Keesha Ward, get a grip," she scolded herself as she rinsed the soap from her body. "You're not the kind of woman to begrudge your ex some happiness. Other women are like that. Not you."