***** Enjoy!
STARBUCKS COFFEE DATE
Across town, Jack stirred as well. Propping himself up on one arm, he sat up in bed and just lay there for several minutes, leisurely examining the small form in bed next to him. "God-damned nice ass," he sighed contentedly. Cursorily, he glanced around; clothing flung here and there, linen and pillows littering the floor--a total disaster. The fact that the whole damn place looked like it'd been hit by a cyclone, merely added to his pleasure.
Now, that's what I call epic fucking! I do believe my luck has changed.
Happy, he bent over and gave that 'nice ass' a gentle bite, followed by a kiss. In turn, she simply purred like a kitten, "Mmm...."
He whispered in her sleeping ear, "Coffee, downstairs. When you're ready."
He grabbed a pair of boxers and padded across the room to the shower. Once he was clean, he headed straight for the kitchen.
A few cranks of the hand grinder, some scalding water, and a press of the stainless plunger.
Voila! Le great coffee.
He sat down, taking a sip of the brew. His forehead got sweaty.
Okay, just about the right strength.
He picked up the small flip-phone from the table. Almost hesitating, he tapped in Jennifer's cell number.
It rang once, she picked up.
"Jack?"
"Yeah, it's me. I know it's been a while; but, I think that maybe we need to talk."
"Is this about the case? You know, what's his name, 'Bad Dad', Paul Traynor?"
"Hey, don't call our client 'Bad Dad'," Jack interjected.
"He's not my client."
"No, it's not about the guy and his daughter--not about the case. Well, maybe, about 'a guy and his daughter'; because, you and I probably need to talk about Nicole."
"Nikki and you?"
"No," he stalled for a second, "we're good."
Definitely not going to be talking about that!
"What is it then?"
"Nicole's just going through a lot of changes. A lot of new experiences this summer. And, part of that is boys; on second thought, make that men. Alcohol, dancing ... well okay, I'll grant you that those two things may be my problem; but, there have also been changes in how she and MacKenzie are relating. I thought ... maybe ..." He delayed, hoping she'd interrupt him and solve this word-puzzle for him.
Jennifer waited. When the silence started to get uncomfortable, she reminded him, "Jack, you thought—what?"
Say the words, Jack. Just say the words!
"Maybe, would you ... maybe, you would like to go out for coffee?"
"Are you asking me out on a date?" That actually surprised her.
Jack, you're so out of practice at this!
"Yes. Well, no; I mean ... yes, I know you're spoken for. By the way, how's Dr. Sam?"
Jesus, when's the last time I asked someone out on a date, even a freaking coffee date? I gotta start getting out more often.
Jenn laughed; it was still a friendly laugh. "Well, right now she's all ears!"
"Put us on speaker, Jenn."
She did. Jack hit the speaker button on the flip phone and laid it on the breakfast bar so he could drink his coffee and talk at the same time.
I need fucking coffee if I am gonna talk to Samantha Green.
"Hey Sam ..."
"Jack."
"I'm trying to steal your woman." Jack could almost sense Samantha Green's eyebrow arching.
"Really?"
"I just asked Jennifer if she would come out to coffee with me. I need to talk with her about Nikki."
"Oh, okay. Nikki's how old now--eighteen? And, she just finished four years at the Immaculate Deception Academy." Dr. Sam laughed. "This is the first summer when she isn't going back to an all- girls' school in the fall. I bet you do need to talk."
Jack frowned. Somehow, the conversation had become a threesome. "Yeah, it started with Nikki's first reminder to me a couple of weeks ago that she's not a 'girl' anymore. Apparently, now she's a 'young woman'."
Sam intervened, "Jack, you don't have to share all of this with me, if you don't want to. Jennifer doesn't need my permission to see a friend. I don't own her, Jack. Never did. She's not mine to give."
Jessica shuffled into the kitchen, perpetually naked. She bent over, kissing Jack and mumbling, "Coffee? For the love of God, coffee!"
He pointed at the French Press coffeemaker, setting over on the countertop.
Jennifer asked, "Was that Nikki?"
Oh shit!
Jack panicked, barely managing to to keep his cool. "No, Nikki's at Mac's. It's a ..." he desperately groped for just the right term for the relationship.
Is there a relationship? Good question. Is this one night or more? Is it just a series of one-night stands? Am I just working out my stresses here or is there more?
Sam supplied the obvious answer. "Girl, woman, young woman, maid, lady of the night? Pick one, 'cause you are soooo busted."
Since they were talking about her, Jessica spoke right up, "Young woman, friend, maybe lover. He hasn't decided yet; and, my name's Jessica, LADIES!"
Jack cringed,
Ouch!
"Ouch!" Dr. Sam echoed his thoughts, "Down, kitty!"
"Jessica, this is Jennifer--Nikki's mom."
"Hi."
"And Dr. Sam ... she's ..."
"Come on, Jack, I know it's challenging. Find the right word, lawyer!" Sam nailed him.
"Jennifer's friend, lover, and quite significant 'other'."
"Hello, Jessica."
"Hey all! Jack, do you want me to wait for you in bed?"
Chew on that ex-wife lesbian and 'highly significant other'.
Ouch, again!
he thought, but dare not speak.
"No, stay," Jack told her.
Jennifer reentered the fray. "I'd love to have coffee. Nikki's 'our' child and, maybe, you're right. Is your concern the Birds and Bees thing, growing up, sex?"
"Can we talk in person, Jennifer?"
"When, Jack?"
There was whispering in the background. "Jack, Sam says that even though she doesn't own me; I'm free right now, if you have time. She also reminded me to remind you that she loves Nikki, too. And, that child development is kind of her thing. She wants to know if you want to make it a ...?"
"Threesome?" Sam added over the still-open speaker phone.
Jack had to smile,
Of all the words in all the world, why did she have to chose that one?
