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16
Jen jumped up and down on the spot a few times, trying to rid herself of nervous energy. The pub hosting the comedy night was only up the road, so she’d asked Holly to just meet her in the shop.
Any more pacing and she’d wear a hole in her stockroom floor.
Why am I so nervous?
True to her word, yesterday Holly had nipped across the road and got Jen coffee and food before giving her fifteen minutes in the back to scoff it. She was being so nice; it was further confusing the signals coursing through her brain.That’s what friends do, you fool.
Three years keeping her heart protected and suddenly seeing Holly made her want to open up again. It didn’t make any sense. But did it need to?
A knock at the door made her jump, her heart a jackhammer rumbling against her ribs. A deep breath, quick smooth of her T-shirt, and it was go time – their first public outing as a ‘couple’.
She had to wrestle the smile from her lips. Holly looked amazing. She had on a sleeveless black T-shirt paired with a floral, high-waisted maxi skirt and black boots. A slit at the side of the skirt revealed just enough leg to make Jen gulp. There would be no pretend attraction this evening. At least not on Jen’s side.
Holly propped her sunglasses on her head as she entered the shop, saying a quiet hello before she planted a quick kiss on Jen’s lips.
‘Hello to you too.’
‘Just getting into character, although,’ she said, pulling a face, ‘I’ve got lipstick on you. Sorry.’
Jen ran a thumb over her lips, hoping Holly wouldn’t see her hands were shaking from the sudden rush of adrenaline. ‘Did I get it?’
‘Not quite,’ Holly admitted, closing the gap between them. She smelled like summer –freshly cut grass and citrus.
Jen ran a thumb over her bottom lip again. ‘A little direction?’ she asked with a chuckle.
‘Easier if I do it,’ Holly said, using her tongue to gently wet the tip of her thumb before rubbing at the edge of Jen’s lower lip. ‘There, got it.’
Jen’s clit hardened. ‘You good to go then?’ she asked, surprised her voice kept steady.
‘Ready when you are.’
Jen grabbed her keys off the counter and ushered Holly outside as she quickly set the shop alarm. Anything to get out of the shop and into the bustle. If she stayed alone with Holly any longer she might not be responsible for her actions.
‘Ankle’s better then?’ Holly asked, replacing her sunglasses as they wandered out the shade.
‘Still a little tender, but I’ll live.’
They walked in silence for a few steps, basking in the heat of the evening sun. The air was hot and stuffy and Jen wondered if the temperature wasn’t just down to the summer heat but also the throbbing between her legs.
‘I’m walking, but I’ve just realised I have no idea where we’re going,’ Holly joked, her smile dazzling Jen.
‘The Reading Lounge; you’ve never been?’
Holly shook her head. ‘Doubt it ever existed back in my day.’
‘You really are a stranger in your hometown, aren’t you?’ Jen quipped.
‘Good job I have such a willing and able tour guide then, eh?’
Was this flirting? It felt like it. If it was, was it genuine or all part of the act? Chloe was in Jen’s head now. She’d told her best friend everything – how could she not? She was a pressure cooker of emotion after she and Holly had kissed. ‘People don’t kiss friends like that!’ But they did if they were in a fake relationship and on the road to winning five grand.
Holly had been clear with her expectations, but if she was going to push it, Jen would too.
‘Anywhere else you want to see, just say. Nowhere’s off limits.’
Holly smiled, but it was impossible to know what she was thinking behind her sunglasses.
