YOUNG LOVE || 𝐉𝐄𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐀 ✔︎

twenty-seven

Jennie knew it probably wasn't the best idea she'd ever had-inviting Lisa over for an afternoon swim and dinner. She put the neatly folded towels on each chaise lounge, wondering if she should call and cancel.

In the last two weeks they'd seen each other three times, twice at Alice's for lunch and once for dinner when she'd met Bambam's family. She had been surprised they'd included her in the family dinner. She didn't know if it was Alice's doing or Lisa's. She had enjoyed herself nonetheless, but she and Lisa hadn't had a single moment alone.

She remembered Lisa's hesitation when she'd invited her to come over. Yes, they would be completely alone, something that hadn't occurred in nearly two months, not since the afternoon they'd gone house hunting. Whether it was wise or not remained to be seen, but she missed her.

God, I hope she wears a bikini.

She shook her head and smiled at her thought. No, it would definitely be better if Lisa did not wear a bikini. In fact, the more she thought about it, the idea of them swimming was looking worse and worse. Minjoon was no longer there to act as an unwitting chaperone; it would just be the two of them.

"We're adults, for God's sake," she muttered. Besides, Minjoon had quizzed her extensively after Lisa's last visit. She had assured him that there was nothing going on with Lisa. They were friends. Nothing more. For all of Minjoon's brave words regarding her happiness, she could tell he was upset that she and Mino were divorcing. She suspected the only thing worse would be to find out his mother was having an affair with another woman. Which would not happen. She and Lisa had each said there would be no affair.

Then why was she so nervous? Well, she had no more time to contemplate it. She heard Lisa drive up, heard her truck door slam. She hurried back into the house, taking one last look around, making sure everything was in its place before answering the door.

"You got furniture!" Lisa exclaimed as she inspected the great room.

"Yes, finally. None of which I have used yet. I spend all my time in the other room," she said, leading Lisa back toward the kitchen.

"So you are enjoying your house?"

"Very much. It's been fun decorating it the way I want. Of course I've not had my parents over yet. I can only imagine what my mother will say."

"It's a great house, Jennie. If you like it, then that's all that matters."

"I do love it." She laughed. "In fact, I could probably live with just my bedroom and this," she said, waving at the open kitchen and informal sitting room.

"Glad you got the pool, huh?"

"Oh, yes. I've enjoyed the patio immensely." She pointed at the bag Lisa held. "Did you bring your own dinner?"

"Wine. I wasn't sure what you were having," Lisa said. "But I see you're stocked," she said, motioning to Jennie wine rack.

"I got it last week. I didn't really need one that held thirty bottles, but I wanted one with a wineglass rack too," she said.

"What are we having, by the way?"

"You don't trust my cooking?"

Lisa looked at her skeptically. "Do you not remember your attempt at spaghetti?"

Jennie laughed and took the wine from her. "Well, like I said, you're very hard to cook for. So I stuck with Italian but ordered some dishes from Sapori D'Italia," she said. "We'll just have to warm them later."

"Good idea."

They were quiet for a moment, and Jennie tried not to stare, envisioning what Lisa was wearing beneath her clothes.
"Feel like a swim?" she finally asked.