Just in Time (A Tom Hiddleston Fan Fic)

Chapter 4: Flights and A Princess

When I awoke the next morning dazed and very confused, I sat up to the mother of all hangovers. I realized I was still in my clothes from the night before, and slowly but surely memories from the night came back to me. I groaned at the spectacle I had made of myself, and I was thankful that Tom had been a gentleman.

Just then, I found a note left by him. "As always, it was a pleasure seeing you again, Darling. We must do it again sometime. xo T-". Next to the note was a glass of water and two aspirin. I took both tablets at once and drank the water greedily.

I try to shake off those memories, still embarrassed about my behavior all those months ago. Luckily for me, Tom seems to read my mood on the events of that night, so he has never brought it up.

I think about how it might be nice to spend time with Tom. After all, I consider him one of my closest friends. Yeah, and he's easy on the eyes, too! I think to myself.

I know I need to get these feelings under control. After all, Tom doesn't see me in that way, so going down the romantic path with him would only lead to heartache. If I'm honest with myself, his friendship is more important to me than any romantic entanglements.

I decide to text Tom to see if he is serious about spending some time together.

Tom's POV

As I hang up from my call with Kenni, I feel happy. I don't know how she always does that - she makes me feel a bit lighter than before talking with her.

I know Kenni's past is a mess. No father, an absentee mother, and only a family friend to care for her from time to time. My heart aches when I think of Kenni as a little girl, alone and scared. Yet she seems so together - so prepared for life and what it has to offer, good and bad.

Yes, Kenni is fast becoming one of my best friends. She's always there when I need her, and she's not like some women who are needy, only looking for the next compliment. She's more like one of my best mates.

Though, if I'm honest with myself, I have noticed that she has a much better figure than any of my other mates. She's well proportioned in my mind, trim yet curvaceous in all the right areas. A man could think of her as a little girl with her diminutive stature, but between her ample womanly assets and her sass, there's no mistaking that Kendall is all woman.

I shake myself from my thoughts, not for the first time letting my mind drift a bit about Kenni. I knew I was attracted to her the first time we met. It seemed, though, that she's always kept me at arm's length, becoming warm toward me, but not letting it go past friendly.

Well, I could do worse than have Kenni for a friend...just a friend. Deep down inside, that word, 'just', haunts me for some reason.

Before I have a chance to contemplate it, my phone buzzes with a new text message.

"Were you serious about us taking a break together? You know, as friends? 'Cuz I hear London is nice this time of year...or not. Just saying...you decide. No hard feelings either way...gotta go. K"

I smile at her message. For someone who is usually so sure of herself, Kenni has trouble reaching out to those closest to her sometimes.

I text her back immediately. "Yes, I was. I am. I'll call you tomorrow to discuss plans. Let's give it a code name, shall we? How about 'world domination'?"

I smile at my witty reply. In no time a text comes through again.  "I would love to discuss our plans for world domination. I shall await your call tomorrow. Remember, the secret password will be, "Oh my. I believe I may have spilled some glockenspiel on my lederhosen."