I had just moved back down south a couple of days ago. Been years since I had felt the damp breeze in my hair, hot sun beating down on my body. My pale skin was dying for the Mississippi weather and uv's. Not sure where I was moving to, I was gravitating towards a smaller town close to the gulf.
Pulling up to the familiar house I hadn't seen in years, my dearest oldest friend lived here with her husband. Kim had been a good friend of mine for years and I had missed her my time out west. Nothing ever seemed the same as it did in that sleepy southern town.
Parking my car, I get out. The scent of her jasmine trellis brings back such sweet memories, looking back at the arbor I had to smile. Years ago I had many good times on a hot summer night out by the arbor and swing.
Walking up to the door, passing every sort of flower in various spots scattered about. Hand hit the door once before Kim opens the door with a big grin.
"Hey girl, get your ass in here. Man it has been forever!"
Embracing her warmly, I notice she has lost more weight. Her frail body seemed so tiny in my tall frame.
"How have you been Kim! God it is great to be back."
Hugging hello to her husband as I entered, knowing him longer I was always grateful for him introducing us. I sat down and caught up with my old friends. They were fifteen years older than me, so Kim especially had always treated me as some what of a daughter. Unable to have any of there own, I had quickly accepted her mothering and had become fast friends.
"So where are you staying at?" Kim asked.
"Up in town at the hotel, going to look for something in the next week of so. Not sure if I want to go closer to the North Shore."
After passing on her several attempts to stay there, I was getting up to leave as a knock at the door was heard.
"I'll get it, hun."
Going to the door, I open it still looking back at Kim. Laughing at something she said, I turned around to come face to face with a very gorgeous man. Staring at him for moments, I could not speak. Suddenly my mouth had gone dry and I was completely at a loss.
Eyes roving over his body. He was dressed in work clothes, khaki camoflage shorts and a cut off shirt. His electrical companies logo across his very firm chest. Tattoo on his upper arm wrapping around a very large and hard biceps. Dark olive skin with dark short cropped hair, piercing blue eyes looked at me questioningly.
"Is uh, Kim and Murray here?" southern voice drawled out of the man. His voice husky and almost raspy. The mere sound of it set my body on fire and if I didn't know better, my heart even fluttered.
"Yeah, sorry," moving back so he could pass me. I could feel the heat emanating off of his stature. Goose bumps spread across my body at the mere wisp of a touch from his shirt.
Forgetting my decision to leave, I sat back down next to Kim. She sent me a glance, than a look of humor. She knew me, she knew how I was. I had spotted the next one.
I looked over at Murray, eyes asking for an introduction.
"Right, Mr. Mike, this is a very good friend of ours, Jeni."
Mike, now knowing his name and liking the sound of it in my head. He turned to me and I stood up when he outstretched his hand. Taking it, I pulled him in to me a bit, brushing him gently and quickly in a hug.
"Nice to meet you sir," my eyes downcast. I did not quite understand why, but I almost felt embarrassed all of a sudden. I could feel my cheeks growing red and the heat in them.
"You as well, my dear. So may I ask how you know each other?"
