AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Grinning, she traced the faint indention in his chin with one fingertip. “No, but feel free to throw a few this way.”
“You’re beautiful. And sexy. And funny. And brilliant. And…”
Laughing, she covered his mouth with her hand. “Okay, that will do, thank you.”
He kissed her fingers before tugging her hand away. “As I was saying about BiBi…does it make you feel better about us to know she doesn’t mind?”
“I suppose. Though obviously I wasn’t letting her disapproval stop me from seeing you.”
“We just couldn’t tell anyone.”
“There was never any need to tell anyone,” she corrected. “I said all along that I didn’t consider us sneaking around. Just being discreet.”
“So maybe we could be a little less discreet now?”
She looked at him in question. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I’d just like to be able to come visit you without using my aunt as a cover story.”
She lay very still, letting the impact of his words sink in. “So after you go back this weekend…?”
“I’ll still want to see you again. Did you really think I would just go back home and forget all about you? That didn’t work before. I see no reason to think it will this time.”
Her heart was suddenly beating so fast she could feel it in her throat. “Jason, I can’t—”
This time it was he who covered her mouth with his fingers, understanding in his eyes. “I know what a busy time this is for you. I know you still have half your last year of residency to finish and I remember how hectic that period was for me. I know you haven’t made your final decision about where you’ll spend the next two years for your fellowship—though, I’m going to keep reminding you that Dallas is the most obvious choice,” he added with a faint grin.
She knew her answering smile was weak at best. That decision of fellowship programs was becoming more complicated all the time. She was beginning to worry about whether she would be able to decide independently of her feelings for Jason. If she chose Dallas, would it truly be on the merits of the program, or because she wanted to be closer to him, to have a chance for a future with him? If she didn’t choose Dallas, would it be only because she found another program to be more attractive, or because she worried about the potential heartbreak and complications of living in the same town as Jason?
“All I’m saying is that I understand, and I won’t make any great demands on your time,” he went on, oblivious to her convoluted ponderings. “I’d just like to see you occasionally, when we both have a free weekend or holiday. It’s only a little over a five-hour drive, or an hour flight. And in between, we have phones and computers.”
“What you’re describing is a long-distance romance.”
He shrugged. “No need to label it.”
“And the goal of this unlabeled liaison?”
Though he seemed amused by her wording, he answered enticingly, “Fun. Laughter. Escape.”
Her pounding heart sank a little. Was that the way he still viewed her? His fantasy diversion from the crushing demands of his life at home? He had described an ambiguous future in which they went about their individual pursuits, getting together whenever it was convenient for both of them for a good time and some rousing sex. Friends with benefits. No real strings or commitments, no extra demands on their time, which was so limited already. She should probably be pleased that he was making it so simple.
And yet the description left her feeling somewhat hollow. Dissatisfied. Which was only further evidence that her feelings for Jason had already progressed far beyond attraction or even infatuation.
Telling herself she must be tired, or still rattled by BiBi’s call or just generally not thinking clearly, she made herself smile and say lightly, “I always enjoy spending time with you, Jason. I certainly won’t hang up on you if you call.”
He chuckled, but she thought there was a certain discontent in his expression, too. Or was she merely projecting her own feelings?
She sighed lightly and nestled more deeply into her pillow. “I’m getting sleepy. Long day today. Another long day ahead tomorrow.”
She was expected at her mother’s at noon, bearing the dish she had to get up early to bake, and she would be expected to remain there until late afternoon, visiting and playing games and watching football on TV. Because her son would be having Thanksgiving lunch with his girlfriend’s family, Jason’s aunt Lindsay would be serving a later meal, a Thanksgiving dinner beginning at five.
Obviously, each of them could join the other’s family for the holiday meal. Yet even after BiBi’s call had removed some of the pressure for circumspection, and even though Madison was certain her family would welcome another diner at their Thanksgiving table, she’d still hesitated to suggest it. When she’d tentatively floated the possibility past Jason, she could tell he was just as uncomfortable with the idea.
Still, it seemed only polite to offer one more time. “You’re sure you don’t want to join my family for lunch tomorrow?”
He smiled and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “Thank you for asking, but I won’t intrude on your family. Not this time, anyway.”
He was definitely leaving the possibility open for future holidays together, she realized. Jason seemed serious about wanting to maintain a relationship with her after he returned to Dallas, as undefined and long-distance as that relationship might be. Filled with a new sense of budding optimism, s
