Fleeting Flames - Jenna Ortega x Fem Reader

Part 7

It had been days since Jenna last stopped by, caught up in her whirlwind schedule of shoots and travels. Tonight, she was back. She had this habit of just showing up whenever she was in town now, and you didn't mind it at all.

As soon as she walked through the door, she dropped her bag on the floor with a dramatic sigh. "I'm stealing your shower," she declared, making a beeline for the bathroom without even waiting for your response.

"Sure, make yourself at home," you muttered with a laugh, already used to her routine.

You were halfway through prepping dinner when the brunette strolled back into the kitchen, hair damp, but otherwise completely naked. Not even a towel.

You blinked, hands pausing mid-air as you set the plates on the counter. "Um, excuse me?" You gave her a pointed look, pretending to be scandalized. "Are we... are we not gonna talk about this?"

She looked down at herself, totally unfazed. "What? We've seen each other naked before."

You rolled your eyes, tossing a dish towel at her. "There are limits, Ortega. Limits."

Jenna grinned, catching the towel and slinging it over her shoulder instead of covering up. "Oh, right. My bad. Didn't realize we had rules now." She winked, clearly enjoying teasing you.

You crossed your arms, leaning back against the counter. "Rules are what keep us from total chaos. Like, I dunno, walking around naked when you're supposed to be 'just friends' with someone."

She took a step closer, the mischievous glint in her eyes impossible to ignore. "Friends with some benefits though, right?"

You swallowed, trying not to laugh as she got closer. "That doesn't mean we just casually stroll around without clothes! Boundaries, Jenna. We have boundaries."

She smirked, clearly not buying your pretend outrage. "Oh, now we have boundaries?" She reached past you, brushing against your arm to grab a glass from the counter, her skin warm from the shower. You bit the inside of your cheek, trying not to react.

"Yeah," you said, trying to sound firm, but the smirk tugging at your lips gave you away. "Like, you know, not walking around like we're in some sort of nudist colony."

Jenna laughed, the sound light and teasing. "Alright, alright, I'll put some clothes on." But as she turned to head toward your room, she tossed over her shoulder, "Not that it matters. You're the one who's always staring."

"I am not always staring!" you protested, heat creeping up your neck. She laughed louder this time, clearly having too much fun at your expense.

After a few minutes, she reappeared in one of your oversized hoodies, her hair still dripping slightly. "Better?" she asked, twirling playfully.

"Marginally." You gave her a half-smile, finally relaxing as the tension simmered beneath the surface, the way it always did when you two were together.

You both sat down for dinner, slipping back into the easy rhythm of your friendship. There was something about Jenna's presence that always felt natural, even when the air between you was thick with unsaid words.

"So, what's next for you?" you asked, pushing your plate aside after you both finished eating.

Jenna stretched, leaning back in her chair. "Another press tour coming up. I'll be gone for a while."

You nodded, pretending not to feel the slight disappointment. "You really know how to keep a friendship on its toes."

"Is that what this is?" She raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes again. "Just a friendship?"