Page 50 of Not Just Gal Pals

“Only?” Jenny said, raising an eyebrow. “My ankle is fine, but I’m not really a runner. I’d just slow you down. I’ll cheer you on from the sidelines, though.”

Jenny’s cheers would definitely power me up Main Street, but her company would be even better. “If you’re not into it, that’s totally fine. But if you’re just worried about slowing me down, that’s not an issue. I’m not trying to win it or anything, and having you there would make the whole thing way more fun. We could do a couple of practice jogs together to prepare.”

Jenny looked at me for a second, her face serious before breaking into a smile. “Okay, let’s do it. But if you want to abandon me in a quest for glory, you have to promise me you will. I don’t want to hold you back.”

Chuckling, I shook my head. “I am not going to leave you behind.”

We reached my car, and my heart dropped at the thought of driving Jenny back to her parents’ house.

“Hey, do you have any plans for dinner tonight?” I asked on impulse, not wanting the day with Jenny to end. I didn’t want to go home alone to an empty house. Screw taking things slow.

“Nope. Wanna watch a holiday rom-com and give Walter some more exposure therapy?” Jenny’s eyes twinkled.

I laughed. “Well, I was thinking maybe you could come over to my place, and we could drop off Walter at your parents’ on the way. In my medical opinion, we don’t want to go overboard on the therapy, especially given Walter would also have Fred to deal with. It might all be too much for him.”

Jenny nodded, grinning. “Good point. What were you thinking for dinner?”

“Would you be okay if we just picked up pizza from Michael’s?” I didn’t want to scare Jenny off with my cooking.

“Done.”

* * *

Two hours later, we were in my living room, watching Single All the Way.

Fred, who took a while to warm up to strangers, had taken himself to the armchair next to the window as soon as we appeared in the living room.

I was debating whether to have another slice of the capricciosa pizza, which was displayed in the open pizza box on the coffee table in front of us. I really shouldn’t...but it was so delicious.

Jenny, perhaps sensing I was in inner turmoil but mistaking the cause, looked at me with concern. “How are you coping with watching a holiday movie in November? Are you experiencing any side effects? Maybe a sudden desire to go caroling, eat gingerbread cookies, or drink eggnog?”

I laughed, turning to her. “Not yet, but I’ll continue to monitor myself. Perhaps it’s because I’m not getting the full experience. I distinctly remember the offer was to snuggle on the couch.” I raised my eyebrows.

“Eating pizza and snuggling aren’t exactly compatible, but if you’ve finished…?” Jenny shuffled over to make room for me on the chaise section of the couch, grinning.

I immediately lost interest in the pizza and bounced over to Jenny, bringing a throw blanket with me.

“Now this is more like it.” I faked a yawn, moving my arms above my head and then putting my right arm around Jenny’s shoulders.

“Very smooth.” We looked at each other, smiling, and then Jenny rested her head on my shoulder. I let out a breath, enjoying Jenny’s warm body pressed against mine. I could definitely get used to this.

We spent the rest of the movie snuggling. As the credits rolled, Jenny looked up at me. “So, are you a convert?”

“While I still believe, on principle, that holiday movies shouldn’t be watched outside of December, I’ll grudgingly admit I’m supportive of anything involving pizza and snuggling up on the couch with you, even if it involves seasonally inappropriate films.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Jenny stretched her neck out and kissed me on the cheek. I turned to catch her kiss on my mouth, shifting my body to get in a more comfortable position.

Our kisses, which started out tender, quickly morphed into something more fiery.

“Do you want to do the doctor thing again?” I asked between gasps.

“No, if it’s okay with you, I’d rather just do…you.”

“That is absolutely fine,” I said, kissing her again.

I pulled back, looking deep into her eyes and seeing the same desire I was experiencing reflected back at me. I traced my thumb over her lower lip, tugging it down slightly, and then kissed her again.

“Do you want to go to my bedroom?”