The next morning, Jet woke to another good morning message from Rhett. It was short and sweet, and Jet felt at ease instantly. His messages always made her feel that way though. She responded with a smile and a quick meme she found online. She figured that he was okay with where they were and was happy to have a friend like Rhett, especially one with benefits.
From there, Jet's life fell into a nice routine. She would message with Rhett regularly, although she never seemed to be available to meet in person when he asked. With Jane, Jet had more flexibility. The younger woman made time to see Jet. She told her that messages weren't enough, and it made her feel good and wanted. After a while, Rhett and Jane both became fixtures in her life. It was a nice balance and neither of them seemed to mind the other. Jet was happy.
Although working with Rhett and Link was a little slower to get moving, it eventually became a real project. They all three started sending emails with ideas soon enough, and before she knew it they had an outline of the story idea. It was then to her to start with the real writing. She felt passionate about it, though, and she really enjoyed the dynamic she shared with the two guys. Link was a little goofy at times, but then again, it balanced that serious, overly thoughtful nature that Rhett had.
By the time they were three months into the project, Jet felt like her life was coming together in a way that made her feel completely whole again. Mitchell's memory seemed to fade. She and Rhett were comfortable as friends with a little more. Jane, on the other hand, had started to become a bigger and bigger part of her life. She was staying at Jane's at least three nights a week, and Jet truthfully loved it. She liked waking up with someone and having someone there to warm her up at night. Jane may not be perfect, but she filled a space in her life that Jet needed.
Of course, with Jane there all the time, talking with Rhett became difficult. She still messaged with him, but their nights of phone sex had disappeared. Jet could no longer say that things were just casual with Jane. And, by the time Jane asked her to be exclusive, she already was. Rhett wasn't thrilled, but he said he understood. After all, he was the one so busy that they never saw each other in person. Even with his understanding, it still made Jet's heart sink when she told him that all she could be was friends, though.
After another month, Jet felt like she had her life under control. She was working on a good project that she loved with nice coworkers, Rhett and Link. She was dating a woman who gave her no pressure for anything too serious, and she had a great friend in Rhett, who she messaged with daily. It was all coming together to a new normal that Jet thought she could maintain. Of course, nothing that ever worked out ended up staying simple for long with Jet. That's why she shouldn't have been surprised when a Friday evening on a lovely spring day rolled around that blew up her normal.
"You know I checked your phone." Jane copped an attitude as they sat eating dinner.
"Why are you checking my phone?"
"Because if we're together then we shouldn't have secrets." She gave Jet a serious look and it was so adorable on her soft face.
"Jane, I told you before, I'm an open book. We don't have secrets."
"Then why are you still messaging with Rhett?"
"We're friends and we 're working together on a project."
"Your texts sound like more than friends and work partners."
"I told you when we decided to get serious that I would stop seeing anyone else and I wouldn't see anyone else from that point forward. Don't you trust me?"
"I do, but I know you guys slept together before, and I think he's flirting Jet."
"Jane, I told him that you and I were officially together and that he and I could only be friends. You can read that in our messages."
"I know, but I just...some of those messages were pretty hot and heavy Jet, and I just...I'm jealous. I know I shouldn't be and I know I can trust you. It just makes me feel uncomfortable."
"So, what do you expect me to do? I mean we're working on a project together." She wanted to be upset with Jane, but the girl was just so cute that it was hard. Plus, she kind of understood.
"Look, you know I care about you and I want to ignore that you've had a lot more relationships and stuff than I have, but it's hard with something so recent. I'm just wondering if maybe there's a way you can work with his partner...what was his name?" Jane scooted closer to her and it made her body heat up.
"Link."
"So, can you maybe ask to just work with Link? I mean at least for a while until I can meet Rhett? I mean if I meet him than maybe I'll feel a little more comfortable; you know if I see you guys together and there's nothing there."
"Jane, you can't do this. You can't stifle my work because you're jealous. Rhett and I are adults and I told him about you and that we were being exclusive and he understands. There's nothing going on really."
"Well, they both live close right? I mean why don't you work with Link for a while and then invite them over. We'll do a barbeque or something, get to know them and once I feel comfortable we can talk about it more."
"Are you serious Jane, come on. I could use this work. They have bigger names than Charlie and I do."
"I'll make it worth your while. I promise." Jane had her and she knew it. She had that kitten look on her face and her large brown eyes blinked at Jet through those thick lashes. Jet was powerless against this temptress. Jane was entirely too beautiful and as she climbed into Jet's lap; she surrendered.
"How are you going to make it worth my while?"
"Let's go up to the bedroom and find out." Jane kissed her and all thought of saying no left. The girl was gorgeous and could win awards for that sinful mouth of hers.
"Okay. I'll call Rhett tomorrow."
***********************************
"Jet, hey, how are you?" A deep voice answered on the other end when Jet finally got the courage to dial Rhett's number.
"I'm good. I hope you don't mind me calling. I know I usually text, but..."
"Mind? I haven't heard your voice in what two weeks now? Text is fine, but it's amazing to actually hear you." His tone dropped and Jet felt her body respond for some reason. She had to keep herself in control though, this was a serious conversation and she had to have it.
"Listen, I called because...well...we have to talk." Something in her wanted to scream at him that he should have pursued her harder. He should have made the time to meet soon after the banquet so that Jane wouldn't have had a chance. Of course, none of that would do any good at this point.
"Okay. What do we need to talk about? Is it about the script?"
"No. Well, sort of. You know how I told you Jane and I were exclusive and we just had to be friends?"
"Yea. Are you two good? I mean still seeing each other?" Rhett's voice betrayed his hopes and Jet knew he still had feelings and she knew that she wanted him too on some level.
"We're doing well. Actually, we're doing really well, but you see Jane...she's young and...with our age gap and everything...I..."
