AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Is he still what you really want?" Sue asked.
Jill poked at the salad on her plate. "I do still care about him, I've really missed him, missed him terribly at times. It's just that I don't think he'll ever take me seriously again, and why should he after what I've done? At least we can be friends, he's a good man to have in my life even if we're not together.
"I just feel now after all the upheaval of the past few weeks that the grass always does look greener on the other side when in fact it's not. I dated those guys I told you about and not one of them impressed me the way John does, the way he silently, without complaining always keeps his head down and makes things work out. He just never gives up. He is such a strong character and he always looks great and I've always been proud to walk hand in hand with him.
"And, I never thought I'd admit this, me being such a non traditional girl and all but I'd like to date a good man, either John or someone like him, and eventually get married, the whole nine yards."
There was silence on the other end of the line before Sue spoke. "Really? that's quite radical for you."
Jill moved her mouth closer to the speakerphone. "Yes, I really mean that. If I've learned one thing from this mess it's this, don't take a good thing for granted. And I did, I did take John for granted. I won't do that again. So there."
"All hope is not lost in that case. Jill, you may proceed but do so with caution. John's understandably a little cautious after your recent performance so take it easy on him. And of course, make sure to let me know how you get on."
"I certainly will, Sue, see you on Saturday."
Jill stepped outside to weed the flower beds in her front yard just as Sally parked up outside her house. Sally was wearing a beautiful navy jacket and skirt with a cream silk blouse, she hurried over.
"Hello again," Jill smiled, the more she got to know Sally the more she liked her. "I love that outfit, you always look so elegant."
"Oh thank you, I used to work in fashion. I guess I haven't forgotten the tricks of the trade yet." Sally laughed and looked down at the roses by Jill's feet. "Beautiful flowers aren't they? I see you've been busy."
"Yes I have, there's always lots to do in the yard. How about you, Sally? What are you up to?"
Sally admired the roses before looking back to Jill. "Nothing much, ferrying the kids back and forth to swimming lessons. They adore, simply adore John by the way. They haven't stopped talking about him since he fixed their bikes. They seem to love cycling almost as much as he does. We spotted him earlier, speeding down the road, he sure goes fast."
"Yeah, that sounds like John alright, he's training for a triathalon, I saw him the other day, he looked very, very fit."
"Oh I'm pleased to hear that. He's a great guy, I'm sure you two will work things out. He absolutely loves you, he's always telling us about you. It sounds like you two are well matched." Sally beamed.
>
Jill grimaced. "We are, only, it's more a case of just be friends now after my recent outburst, sorry to drag you into all that."
"Not to worry, Jill, we all make mistakes. Something tells me John can and will see past that, don't give up on him," Sally whispered with a twinkle in her eye, "It'll all work out just fine, trust me."
"I hope you're right, Sally. Anyway, even if we're just friends I can live with that. I miss talking to him, I really miss his unwavering resolve, he 's always so positive, it's like having someone at your back at all times. He's just so reassuring."
"You're quite amazing yourself, John tells me. Not to mention a great gardener. Your lawn is beautiful, and those roses, just lovely. Everyone always comments on how great your yard looks. It shames me into getting my place fixed up." Sally laughed.
"I love gardening, it really takes my mind off things, I'm happy to come over and give you some pointers if you like, you have a nice plot, there's a lot you could do with it," Jill offered.
"I'd love that, that's very kind of you, John mentioned you have a kind heart. Anyway, I need to get back to my chores, catch up with you another day," Sally turned and walked back to her house.
"Bye, Sally. Thanks for popping over," Jill called after her.
Jill went back to weeding the flower beds. Her phone buzzed, a new text, from John: "ok, if I call in, I'm passing by." "sure please do" she texted back.
15 minutes later John sped up to the house on his bright red racing bike. He looked fantastic in his tight black cycling shorts and skin tight yellow top. Jill couldn't help checking out his perfectly toned butt as he parked his bike against the garage door.
She took a deep breath and did her best to focus.
"I just wanted to pop in because I wasn't completely honest with you the other day," John began, "I was lying if I gave you the impression I was happy to be friends. I'd like more than that, I'd like things to be the way they were. However I need to speak up now and let you know that."
Jill felt her heart flutter as she looked into John's brown eyes. "Thanks for the honesty, I was secretly hoping you'd forgive me and we could work things out. It was only in the last few weeks that I've found out you are not like other men. I was wrong to think you are. You're not. You're one of the most disciplined people I know, your word means something and you're consistent. In my blind rage I couldn't see that even though it made no sense for you to be fooling around with Sally."
John put his hand on Jill's shoulder. "What I came here to say is this, let's go back to dating, work things out and put the past behind us. Forget about going for coffee again, I'd like to take you out for dinner on Saturday night, would you like that?"
"I'd love to John. We've always had a special connection, everyone always said that. It would be foolish to just give up, I'm sure we can work things out."
