That Night | JenLisa FF

Part 5

Jennie stopped herself from cringing outwardly as her former brother-in-law pulled her against his side. "Jiho," she said in greeting, not looking up at him. The movement would have put their lips in precarious proximity, and she was in no mood to invite advances, his or anyone else's. Even being held so close to another person made her heart race in a decidedly uncomfortable manner.

"You know, you're the only one I let to call me that," he drawled in her ear, giving her a quick squeeze. The name was a distinction to be sure. Zico wasn't known for being overly gracious, but where Jennie was concerned, he was damn near a saint.

But even his apparent sainthood couldn't change the bare facts between them. Pulling out of his embrace, Jennie turned and gave him a gleaming smile. It was meant to soften the blow of her retreat, and apparently it worked as he returned the smile. "I didn't know you were in town tonight," she said, doing her best to hide her nervousness. She took a deep breath, running through the mental catalogue of calming techniques.

"Wasn't planned," Zico said offhandedly, shoving his hands into the pockets of his expensive dress slacks as he assumed a relaxed posture. "Got called in on some last second business."

Jennie nodded slowly, but her expression was utterly serious. She glanced around quickly and then leaned in a bit closer. "How did you know I would be here tonight?" she asked with a forced smile.

Zico looked at her for a moment and she saw the realization hit him. His expression instantly sobered. "Oh, girl," he said quickly, "I'm sorry. I didn't even think." He pursed his lips together tightly. "Dammit," he cursed.

Jennie rested a hand lightly on his forearm. "It's okay, I don't mind," she said, knowing it was partially a lie. "But I do need to know how you found out."

"Ella," he said. "I called Ella, and she told me you would be here."

Jennie nodded and smiled as she made a mental note to wring her sister's neck the next time she saw her. Not that she saw her often. It was simply too dangerous. "It's okay," she said, "I just wanted to make sure ..."

"Pete doesn't know where you are," Zico said seriously. "He won't hurt you, Jennie. Never again."

Jennie smiled and turned away. She wasn't going to think about her ex-husband. Not tonight. Not while she was doing her best to build a new life – one upon which Peter Lee had no hold. She looked around the gallery blindly, not seeing the canvases. It was a showing for half a dozen young artists, just the opportunity of which Jennie had been dreaming. She needed clients and she needed them badly. The artists being shown this evening were her best bets. She needed to be mingling, making contacts, not rehashing the past with her former husband's brother.

Lightly, Zico touched her shoulder, but Jennie didn't turn around. "Please leave, Jiho," she said under her breath, forcing herself to retain her composure. If years of marriage to Pete taught her anything, it was the ability to look calm and unflappable while her world was crashing down around her ears. "I can't do this, not tonight."

"Jennie," he said, his voice low and gravelly.

Turning, she looked at him, their faces scant inches apart. "You're his brother," Jennie said baldly.

"Half-brother."

She smiled mirthlessly. "Semantics, Jiho."

"I'm also a man," Zico said, his mouth tight. The innocuous seeming words held the weight of years of longing.

"A man who is brothers with my ex-husband," Jennie said softly. She had no desire to do this here or now, but she couldn't let it continue any longer. "We're never going to be together, Jiho. Never. You mean a lot to me. Without your companionship, your backing, I never would have made it. But when I look at you ... I see him."

Zico's mouth pursed into a thin line. These were the words he had avoided hearing for the last six years. He thought ... He thought if he just gave her time. But his vision floated over her face. She was as undeniably beautiful as always, her luminous hazel eyes, her softly pouting lips, her tumble of gorgeous blonde locks ... but underneath it, Jennie Kim was tired. He could see the tightness around her eyes and at the corners of her mouth, the slight furrowing to her brow that was always present, the shadows that never left her eyes.

She was remarkably composed, but if you scratched the surface, you could see the truth. Jennie lived in a war zone for four years and then spent the last six years on the run, hiding, living like a hunted creature. She had finally put down some roots, was trying to build a real life for herself. He should have known that his presence wouldn't be welcome. At least not now ...

He smiled tightly. "Here," he said, pressing something into her palm.

Jennie looked down at the folded bills. "I can't take this," she said, shaking her head.

"It's not for you," he said seriously. He smiled. "Goodbye, Jennie," he said and knew he meant for more than just the evening.

"Goodbye, Jiho," she said, leaning forward to kiss him on the cheek.

He turned and their lips met, but she didn't pull away. The kiss was soft and full of affection. Eventually he broke it and pulled back, looking at her. He didn't say a word as he turned and left.