Chapter 1
Wendy bustled between the kitchen and dining room. She hurried to add spices to the saucepan, set the table, and keep a careful eye on the clock.
Her daughter was coming home from college, and the thought put a pep in Wendy's step. It was finally winter break, and she would get a solid week to dote on her daughter, just like old times. However, little did she know the chaos the evening would bring.
"That should do it." Wendy gave a satisfied hum, and she turned the stovetop down to a simmer.
The smell of tomato sauce filled the air, and her stomach growled. However, she would have to wait. It was only one o'clock, and even if her daughter arrived now, it would still be a few more hours until dinnertime.
(I should grab some parmesan from the cellar fridge.) Wendy thought to herself. The upstairs kitchen was running low on the cheese topping, and Beth always used a little extra.
She began heading towards the stairs to the basement, but as she did, a knock came at the door.
"Mom! I'm home..." Three soft knocks came at the front door, and it opened.
"Beth!" Wendy paused mid step and rushed to the door, grabbing it as it opened and yanking it wide. "You're back!"
Beth had blonde hair, and wide hips. Her figure seemed more mature every year, and the sight made it difficult to think of her as a baby anymore, but Wendy still smiled at the sight, and she stepped forward, embracing her daughter in a hug.
"I'm glad you made it home safely." Wendy said, squeezing her tight in the embrace, and Beth nodded into her shoulder.
"It's good to be back, mom." They stood together, hugging for several long seconds, but then an awkward cough interrupted their embrace.
"Ahem." Another girl stood next to Beth, and Wendy blinked in surprise.
"Who is this, Beth? A friend?" Wendy stepped back and turned to her daughter, then the stranger. The other girl had long dark hair, a mole under one eye, and she appeared to be the same age as Beth.
"Yes. Mom, meet Jasmine. She's a... friend." Beth averted her gaze. " I met her in History 135."
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Wistlowe." Jasmine stepped forward and offered her hand.
"It's nice to meet you too! What a little cutie, you are." Wendy took Jasmine's hand, smiling. "I can't believe you never mentioned her to me, Beth."
"We met at the beginning of the semester." Beth's ears grew bright red as she spoke, and she kept her gaze trained on the ground.
"I see..." Wendy tilted her head at her daughter's strange behavior, but she pushed it out of her mind. "Well, if you're a friend of Beth's you're more than welcome here. Won't you stay for dinner? I can even prepare the guest bedroom."
"I'd be delighted, thank you." Jasmine's smile broadened, and she stepped forward. Lightly, she placed one hand on her shoulder.
Wendy was wearing just a red camisole top, and the girl's fingers brushed over the side of her bare arm. Her eyes widened at the contact, but she didn't move to step away. Instead, she found herself transfixed in Jasmine's intense gaze.
"Your skin is so soft, Ms. Wistlowe. Do you moisturize?"
"You can tell?" Wendy smiled, but Jasmine continued to stare at her. Her brown eyes gazed into Wendy's without a hint of hesitation or blinking. Instead, her fingers continued to rub at Wendy's shoulder.
(She's quite friendly, huh?) Wendy thought to herself, but Beth stepped forward
"Please don't, Jaz." She tugged at the edge of Jasmine's jacket, and a hint of a whine entered her voice.
"Ah, my apologies. I can get a bit carried away." Jasmine took a step back, breaking the physical contact between them. "I hope I didn't offend you, Ms. Wistlowe."
"Offend me?" Wendy just tilted her head, confused.
"See, Beth?" Jasmine wrapped an arm around Beth's shoulders and smiled. "Nothing to worry about."
The way she clung to her daughter, Wendy thought Jasmine looked almost like a playboy, grinning at Beth with a knowing smile. However, it must have been her imagination. They were both women, after all.
(Those two must be good friends... I'm glad Beth found someone she can connect with.)
Her daughter looked embarrassed, and a deep red blush filled her cheeks, even reaching up to her ears, but it took a good friend to embarrass you like that. At the very least, Wendy could tell they weren't strangers.
"Why don't you two come inside. Dinner is at four, but why don't you relax until then? Your room is just as you left it, Beth."
"Thanks mom..." Beth stepped inside, followed by Jasmine who kept a tight grip on her shoulder.
"Yes, why don't we go relax. It was a long journey, after all," Jasmine said and gave Beth's shoulder a squeeze.
Wendy watched them go with a tilted head. However, as they headed up the stairs, she blinked and shook her head. (I gotta go get that parmesan.)
Chapter 2
Beth's heart pounded in her ears. As she stepped inside her room, Jasmine followed in behind her, and she closed the door, sealing them both inside.
"Ah, it's good to relax." Jasmine pulled off her short denim jacket and tossed it aside. "Your mom looked nice."
"Jaz..." Beth turned around slowly. "Please don't do anything weird to her."
"What are you accusing me of?" Jasmine smiled and sauntered closer. "Do you think I'd just fuck everything that breathes?"
"I didn't mean it like that..." Beth shook her head and took a shaky breath. However, it just brought in the smell of Jasmine's flowery perfume, and her head spun. The scent was seared into her memories, and just the smell of it caused her nipples to stiffen inside her bra.