[SNSD] Love Waits - Yulsic (Full)

L.o.v.e Waits - Yulsic (1/2)

CHAPTER 1
Kwon Yuri rested her chin in her palm, her eyes scanning the drawing she‟d been tinkering
with for the last two hours. Their deadline was approaching but there were only so many ways to
advertise pre-owned cars. She dropped her pencil and shoved the drawing away in frustration.
"Why don‟t you let Darrell give it a try?"
Yuri shot a wry glance at SooYoung, her business partner. "Because he uses a computer for
all of his designs, that‟s why."
"So do you."
"Not until I have my ideas down with pencil first," she said as she leaned back with a sigh.
"These college kids nowadays, they don‟t have to have an original thought. They just copy and
paste images and then call it good."
SooYoung laughed. "You‟re only cranky because you hate car ads. You always have. Why did
you take on this account in the first place?"
"Oh? So you think we‟re thriving enough that we can be selective in our choices?" Yuri stood
and held up her coffee cup in a silent question. SooYoung shook her head.
"Business has been fabulous, and you know it. And since it‟s you who hates car ads-yet you
took on this one-why don‟t you just give it to Darrell and let him do his computer thing and call it
good?"
"Because I‟m stubborn."
"And it has nothing to do with the deal he gave you on your new Jeep?"
Yuri childishly stuck her tongue out at SooYoung, then slipped into the tiny corner kitchen,
suspiciously eyeing the coffee that had been brewed some five hours earlier. Her semi-addiction
to coffee had its limits. She took a water bottle from the fridge instead. Leaning against the
counter, she gazed out through the kitchen door opening to the office. They‟d started their agency
six years ago, building it up ever so slowly. The first two years had been lean and they‟d talked
about quitting, yet they hung on. Their big break came when a new restaurant opened up in their
small city. A young couple with a dream of duplicating their parents‟ authentic Mexican food
recipes-they couldn‟t afford one of the larger, more established advertising agencies. Antonio
and Norma had come in off the street and pitched their idea to them. The couple wanted to serve
delicious, authentic food in an atmosphere that was fun and vibrant. Yuri and SooYoung had
worked nonstop for months, coming up with print and radio ads, each one fresh and original-and
enticing. They had to be. There was a Mexican food restaurant on every block. She‟d come up
with the catch phrase about two a.m. one morning when sleep eluded her. Is your old Mexican
food place holding you like a ball and chain? Don‟t let it weigh you down. If you really want to
have a ball, bounce over to Antonio‟s Café and Cantina, where the fun never stops!
She smiled and shook her head. It was as corny as hell, but Antonio and Norma loved it.
Apparently, so did the public. The place had been jam-packed on opening night, and like the ads
promised, the fun hadn‟t stopped yet.
The same was true for their business. After that successful campaign, more and more of the
local businesses started coming their way. So much so that they‟d been forced to hire another
designer-Darrell. That freed up SooYoung to use her marketing skills for their own business,
soliciting new accounts while Yuri and Darrell designed the ads. The new strategy was paying off.
SooYoung was bringing in so many new accounts, they‟d actually talked about hiring a fourth
person.
The slamming of the front door brought her out of her musings and she pushed off the
counter, going to see what had Darrell so animated.
"Gorgeous, I tell you. He was absolutely gorgeous." Darrell spun around, smiling brilliantly at
Yuri. "Yes, I‟m in love."
"Again?" she asked dryly.
He put one hand on his hip, dramatically arching it in her direction as he looked down his
nose at her. "At least one of us is not afraid of love," he said.
She ignored his comment as she went back to her desk. "You better be careful, Darrell. This
city is not that large. You‟re going to run out of boys to date pretty soon." She picked up the car
ad and handed it to him. "Do something with this, will you?"
"Used car dealership? How boring!"
"Pre-owned," she corrected.
"Oh, yes. That makes all the difference." He shoved the day‟s stack of mail at her. "Your turn
to sort."
She waved the mail at SooYoung. "Isn‟t it your turn?"
SooYoung held out her hand. "Give it here. I swear, you two act like it‟s a chore to sort the
mail. Either it‟s a bill or a check, or it‟s junk." She pulled out a bright green envelope and held it
up. "This is addressed to you."
Even though Yuri lived in the apartment above their office space, she rarely got mail. She was
strictly online and paperless. She took the green envelope and stared at it, the return address
bringing in a flood of memories. She turned it over in her hands, then nervously tucked her dark
hair behind her ears before breaking the seal.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 2
Twenty-four years earlier
Yuri dribbled the basketball blindly, her eyes never leaving the cheerleaders as they practiced on
the other side of the gym. She pretended to eye them all, but it was only Jessica Jung who held
her interest.
"Yo, Yuri. You‟re going to pass the ball or what?"
Embarrassed, she turned, firing a one-handed bullet at LaQuita, nearly knocking her down
from the force. "I‟m going to pass the ball, of course," she said as she jogged past her.
The whistle blew and she stopped dead in her tracks, waiting for Coach Beam to yell at her.
"Yuri! I don‟t care if you are our top scorer. You sit your butt on the bench the rest of practice.
I won‟t have showboating."
Yuri sulked as she walked over to the bench, wishing she could keep her mind on
basketball-her one love-instead of Jessica Jung. Even now she found her eyes straying across
the gym, picking Jessica out of the group of nearly identical looking skinny blond girls.
Having gone to Catholic school through the eighth grade, she‟d never laid eyes on the girl
before. Now that they were at the same high school, she found herself running into her constantly,
each time more distressing to her. Her hormones were alive and kicking but instead of directing
her to boys, they led her directly to Jessica Jung. She rolled her eyes. A cheerleader, for God‟s
sake. A popular skinny blond cheerleader. And Yuri was all legs and arms, having grown five
inches over the summer, all the while working on her basketball skills, knowing a scholarship was
the only way she‟d get to a university. Her folks had told her if she didn‟t get a scholarship, she‟d
be going to a community college instead.
So with hormones raging, she avoided the boys, most shorter than her anyway, and she
avoided the popular girls, already knowing at this young age where her preference was. She tried
to fade into the background as much as possible, never wanting anyone to know her secret.
However, making the varsity team as a freshman wasn‟t exactly the way to avoid notice.
But making the varsity team had its perks. The cheerleaders went to every game, home and
away.
She flicked her eyes again across the gym, her heart stopping completely as Jessica Jung
stared back at her, her gaze as intense as Yuri‟s.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 3
Present Day
"Earth to Yuri. Hello?"
Yuri looked up, blinking several times, trying to focus on SooYoung. "What?"
"I said, who is it from? You‟re as white as a sheet."
Yuri turned away, dropping the envelope and accompanying invitation on her desk. "It
just...took me back is all. Twenty-year high school reunion," she said.
"Twenty? Good Lord, how old are you?"
Yuri picked up the stress ball she kept on her desk, tossing it at SooYoung who caught it
expertly. "I‟m the same age as you are."
"God, are we that old? Twenty years out of high school?"
"Afraid so."
"Well, are you going?"
Yuri shook her head. "No." She shrugged. "I haven‟t seen any of those people since the day
we graduated."
"I know. I think that‟s the point. You go to catch up and see who‟s made a success out of
themselves and who let themselves turn into old, fat, frumpy married women."
Yuri laughed. "And you would fall into the latter category," she teased. She caught the stress
ball without looking as SooYoung tossed it back at her in mock anger.
"I‟m not fat. And married with two kids does not make me old and frumpy."
"No. But your poofy hairdo and your insistence on wearing those formal business suits do."
"So I should dress like you? Shorts and flip-flops?" She eyed Yuri‟s attire with just a hint of
envy. "There are certain rules one has to follow in the business world, Yuri, even if we do live in a
coastal town. I am the face of our little company when I am out and about mingling with the
money shakers of this city."
"And you do it very well." Yuri tossed the ball back at her. "I also know you love it."
SooYoung grinned. "Yes, I do." She squeezed the stress ball between her hands, her perfectly
manicured nails grazing the surface. "So, this high school reunion thing. Why won‟t you go? It
could be loads of fun. You haven‟t been back to your hometown in forever, have you?"
Yuri pulled her chair closer to SooYoung‟s desk, then slouched down in it, her long bare legs
stretched out in front of her. Dare she even consider going back?
"You remember back in college when we first met?"
"Of course."
"I was dating a girl from high school."
"Oh, yes. Your first love. What was her name?"
Yuri swallowed. "Jessica. Jessica Jung."
"That‟s right. But you broke up with her, didn‟t you?"
SooYoung leaned closer. "That‟s when you turned into a whore dog, right?"
Yuri narrowed her eyes. "I hate when you call me that."
"Yes, the truth hurts."
Yes, it did. She looked away. "It would be weird, that‟s all. You know, to see her again."
"Yuri, sweetie, that‟s twenty years of water under the bridge. That‟s the point of going back
to these things. To reminisce and to see these people you dated in high school. And then to be so
thankful you didn‟t settle down with one of them. Trust me, these high school reunions are what
make you appreciate your current life." SooYoung tossed the ball back at her. "I went to my tenth
reunion. The guy I was madly in love with was there with his wife. He was mostly bald and had a
beer gut. His wife was eight months pregnant and looked like she worked as a prison guard."
SooYoung wrinkled up her nose. "Gross. To think I wanted to marry that guy." She grinned. "That
night, Sammy and I had the best sex in years."
"I coulda gone without hearing that."
"I‟m just saying."
"I know. And I may decide to go. It would be a good excuse to see Aunt Lou again."
Actually, she hadn‟t seen Aunt Lou since her father‟s funeral six years ago. And she hadn‟t
been back to Calloway since the day she‟d left for college. To her surprise, her parents had sold
their house and moved to San Antonio that fall. And more shockingly, they divorced a year later.
She was angry at both of them and resented them terribly for not only selling her childhood home,
but for breaking up the family. It was a chasm in their relationship that they never really got over.
Of course, her mother‟s disapproval of her lifestyle didn‟t help either. Yes, she had finally accepted
that Yuri was gay, but no, she wasn‟t happy that her only child would never marry and give her
grandchildren, a fact she reminded Yuri of nearly every time they spoke, which wasn‟t often. Aunt
Lou, on the other hand, had always been understanding and accepting. Even though they didn‟t
see each other, they spoke on the phone frequently.
"Hey, Yuri. What do you think?"
Yuri turned her eyes to the large monitor that hung on the far wall. It was where they
projected their designs, bouncing ideas off each other. Darrell had whipped up the car dealership
ad in record time, using an environmentally friendly theme-recycle, reuse-to urge potential car
buyers to adopt these pre-owned beauties instead of buying new.
"It‟s perfect."
"Maybe we can get him to hang a Go Green sign in his lot."
"Somehow I don‟t picture Bubba Clarkston as a Go Green type of guy."
Darrell grinned wickedly. "Then maybe I need to go over there and flirt with that cute son of
his. Maybe I could persuade him."
"And maybe you‟ll get shot," Yuri said, tossing the stress ball at Darrell.
He dropped it.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 4
Present Day
Jessica gasped for air as she struggled to keep pace with HyoYeon. She hated running. She‟d
much rather be on a bike but running was HyoYeon‟s passion. They met up every other day at the
gym, then took one day a week for either biking or jogging, today being HyoYeon‟s day.
Her friend finally slowed, taking it down to an easy jog, allowing Jessica to catch up. Jessica
reached out an arm, tugging HyoYeon to a stop. She bent over, hands on her knees as she
sucked in air.
"It‟s psychological, you know."
"Shut up."
"You don‟t do this when we ride."
"Exactly my point," Jessica said as she straightened up, her breathing returning somewhat to
normal. She pushed her hair off her face, tucking the stray strands behind her ears. Her hair was
just barely long enough for a ponytail and she pulled it out now, shaking it loose.
"You‟re in excellent shape and you‟re not winded when we ride. That‟s why I‟m saying it‟s
psychological."
"The bicycle was invented for a reason."
"Yeah. For lazy people who didn‟t want to run."
"Well, let‟s be lazy and walk back to my apartment. I could use a cold drink."
"That was barely three miles."
Jessica shrugged. "It‟s getting too hot."
"Since when do we make excuses?"
Jessica laughed. "Let‟s start today."
She turned and headed back, knowing HyoYeon would follow. The hike and bike trail was two
blocks from her condo and they knew it like the back of their hands. On a good day, they‟d make
the loop once when running, twice when biking. Today wasn‟t a good day.
"Want to tell me what‟s bugging you? Bad day at work?"
"Every day‟s a bad day at work," she said.
"You have a cushy job and you make lots of money. How bad can it be?"
"I hate my job. I hate the people I work with. I hate dealing with oil and gas bigwigs. I hate
all the bullshit politics that I have to deal with. I hate my job," she said again.
"You‟ve hated your work since the day I met you. Why don‟t you get out?"
"Because corporate law is what I studied for, what I trained for...what I know. And you‟re
right. I have a cushy job and make lots of money." She waved her hand dismissively. "That‟s not
what‟s bothering me anyway."
"My second guess would be your love life, but since you‟re not dating-again-that can‟t be it."
"I haven‟t been in the mood to date. It‟s depressing. The older you get, the less there is to
choose from."
"I have introduced you to some very nice, attractive, professional women in the last couple
of years, so don‟t say it‟s depressing."
Jessica sighed. "I know you have. There‟s just never a spark. I want there to at least be a
spark if I‟m going to sleep with them."
"I‟ve known you almost ten years, Jessica. I only recall you dating two women for any length
of time. Two. And I really liked Sara. She was fun."
"Yes, she was fun. So much fun that she liked to date three or four women at once. No
thanks. I don‟t care for sloppy seconds."
"So is that what‟s bothering you? That you‟re not dating?"
"No. What‟s bothering me is I have a high school reunion coming up and all of them will know
I‟m not dating. Again."
"Again?"
"I went to my tenth reunion. I wasn‟t dating anyone then, either."
"And this is what?"
"Twenty years."
"Oh, my God! How old are you?"
"You know very well how old I am."
HyoYeon laughed. "Yeah. Two years older than me." She bumped her arm. "So don‟t go."
"I have to go. I was class president. I was Miss Calloway the year we graduated. And the
damn prom queen. Besides, my mother would kill me if I didn‟t go. It‟s a small town. If I didn‟t go,
everyone would talk and wonder why. My mother hates it when people talk." Jessica stopped.
"That‟s not really what‟s bothering me either." She pulled HyoYeon to the side of the trail as a
group of bike riders sped past. "She might be there."
"She?"
"You know."
"I do?"
Jessica rolled her eyes.
"Oh. That she. The girl you lost your virginity to?"
"Kwon Yuri." God, Jessica thought to herself, just saying her name brought back a rash of
memories. Memories she‟d tried so hard to repress over the years.
"And you think she‟ll be there?"
"She wasn‟t at the tenth, thank goodness. But twenty? Everyone goes to their twentieth
reunion, don‟t they?"
"How long has it been since you‟ve seen her?"
Jessica started walking again. "My first semester in college. I transferred. She was sleeping
with practically every girl at school. It was disgusting."
"Is this the one who broke up with you without giving you a reason?"
"Yes."
"You were still in love with her?"
"Madly. But we were kids. What do kids know about love?"
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 4
Twenty-three years earlier
Jessica hurried down the hall, not bothering to stop at her locker to dump off the books she
didn‟t need. She smiled and waved at Hara, another cheerleader, but didn‟t stop to chat. She
knew Kwon Yuri rode her bike to and from school, so she hurried out the side door where the bike
racks were. For some reason, the tall, dark-haired girl intrigued her. She often felt her eyes on her,
often caught her staring. There was just something about the way Kwon Yuri looked at her. It was
mysterious. It was also a little frightening. She didn‟t know Yuri. Not really. They‟d had a class
together their freshman year but they rarely spoke. Now their sophomore year had all but passed
and they‟d only said a handful of "hellos" to each other. They had only one class together this
year-American history-and they sat at opposite sides of the room. Even then, whenever she
turned, she found Yuri watching her. The other girl would look away, embarrassment showing on
her face each time. This confused Jessica more than frightened her. Kwon Yuri was obviously
harmless. But the look in her eyes...well, it was almost like how a boy would look at a girl. That
frightened her. Only a little.
There was a whirr of bikes and bodies as everyone raced away from school. She spotted Yuri
in the middle of the pack, her long dark hair flowing out behind her as she peddled away.
"Crap," she murmured. It was Friday. She wouldn‟t have a chance to see Yuri again until
Monday. She spun around, wondering what her mother would say if she suddenly started riding
her bike to school each day. She would think she‟d flipped out, of course. The cool kids didn‟t ride
their bikes to school. The cool kids either drove themselves or, better yet, rode with a cute guy.
She walked back inside, slower now. She was a cheerleader. She was officially one of the cool
kids. She couldn‟t ditch her new car for a bike. She‟d waited too long to be able to drive to go
back to bikes.
"Hey, Jessica. Wanna go swimming?"
Jessica stopped at her locker, her fingers moving automatically over the combination lock,
turning it at precisely the correct spot. "Where?"
"HyoMin‟s house." Hara leaned against the locker next to hers. "Siwon will be there," she said,
her sing-song voice teasing Jessica. Everyone knew Siwon had the hots for her.
"Boys?"
"Yeah. HyoMin‟s mom said she was finally old enough to have unsupervised parties with boys."
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
"As if we weren‟t old enough last year."
Jessica took two books out of her backpack, then slammed her locker shut. "Yeah, she
wouldn‟t allow it if she knew that HyoMin‟s been screwing Seth since last summer."
Hara laughed. "Speaking of that, when are you going to give in and go out with Siwon?"
Jessica shook her head. "I don‟t like Siwon. Not like that."
"What‟s not to like? He‟s one of the cutest guys in school."
"There‟s just no spark there. I need there to be a spark,"
Jessica said, surprised that her mind flashed to Kwon Yuri and those dark eyes that often watched
her.
"Maybe if you‟d go out with him, there‟d be a spark," Hara said, tugging at her arm as they
walked down the nearly empty hallway.
Jessica shrugged. "I don‟t know. Maybe."
"Oh, and you know that basketball player? The one who made the varsity team last year as a
freshman?"
Jessica stopped. "Kwon Yuri?" she said, the name sounding strange to her and she realized it
was the first time she‟d spoken it out loud.
"Yeah, her. HyoMin invited her to the party, too."
"Why? Does she even know her?"
"Not really. But TaeYang thinks she‟s hot."
"TaeYang? But he‟s-"
"They broke up."
"When?" Jessica started walking again, her mind racing. Kwon Yuri at the swim party? She
didn‟t know whether she was happy or annoyed. Yes, she wanted to get to know her. She just
didn‟t necessarily want the whole gang to get to know her.
"They had a fight last weekend. Gyuri told him to go fuck himself," she said, breaking into a
fit of giggles.
"He‟s an asshole."
"He‟s the quarterback. What do you expect?"
Jessica‟s mind wasn‟t on TaeYang. She chewed her lip as she wondered what she‟d wear.
Boys would be there. It stood to reason she‟d wear her bikini. Then she imagined those dark eyes
watching her and she felt an involuntary chill. Maybe she should wear the more conservative onepiece. She tilted her head thoughtfully, a slow smile forming.
Or maybe not.
Jessica pulled her long T-shirt off, conscious of the tiny bikini she wore. She expected wolf
whistles from the guys and she wasn‟t disappointed. Pity not a one of them stirred any interest in
her. She stood at the edge of the pool, then dove in, disappearing underwater, loving the cool,
clean feel of the water on her heated skin. When she surfaced, she wasn‟t surprised to find Kwon
Yuri watching her. Yuri pulled her eyes away immediately but not before Jessica felt the heat of
them.
Again, she didn‟t understand the pull, didn‟t understand her fascination with Yuri. They
weren‟t friends. They never ran into each other outside of school. In fact, she doubted anyone at
the party had ever spent time with Yuri. Yet here she was, at their swim party because TaeYang
The Asshole thought Yuri was hot. She‟d seen TaeYang talk to her, had seen the other girl smile
at him, but Yuri still sat alone, removed from the others, her red one-piece suit revealing little,
other than she had a perfect athlete‟s body.
Jessica lifted herself out of the pool, pausing as her thoughts sunk home. Yuri was invited
because TaeYang thought she was hot. But that wasn‟t the reason Yuri was here. No, Yuri was
here because Jessica was here. She turned slowly, again finding Yuri‟s eyes on her. This time, she
didn‟t look away as quickly and Jessica held her gaze for seconds longer, acknowledging the
totally unexpected-and completely foreign-spark between them.
Oh, God...finally a spark. Not from Siwon Choi, no, but from another girl. Kwon Yuri.
Embarrassed, she turned away, walking quickly to a lounge chair and plopping down. She
grabbed a towel to cover her face, pretending the need to dry herself. She heard laughter and
splashing, knowing the others had jumped in. She lowered the towel, making an effort to keep
her eyes from straying to Yuri. It didn‟t matter though. She knew she would go over to talk to her.
She had to. It wasn‟t every day that she got chills just from looking into someone‟s eyes.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 6
Present Day
Yuri had spent most of the week debating-mainly with herself-whether she should go back
to Calloway for the reunion or not. Her decisions ranged from definitely not going to probably not
going to maybe going. The maybe was garnered after SooYoung turned into a therapist one
evening while they shared a bottle of wine in Yuri‟s tiny apartment above the office.
"Did you ever think the reason you haven‟t settled down with anyone is because of the way
things ended with Jessica?"
"That‟s ridiculous."
"Is it? You broke up with her, then slept with practically everyone in school, me included."
Yuri felt her face blush. "Do you have to bring that up?"
"Well, it‟s the truth."
"You never told Sammy, right?"
"God, no. Husbands don‟t need to know everything that went on in college." She raised her
glass in Yuri‟s direction. "At least it reaffirmed to me that I was straight."
"And it taught me not to sleep with friends."
SooYoung laughed. "Which is why you had so few friends back then. You slept with everyone
else." She nodded when Yuri went to refill her glass. "But back to Jessica. You were best friends in
high school, you end up having an affair, you go off to college together, then you break up with
her. And you‟ve not seen her since."
"So?"
"So in high school, how did you end up being lovers? I mean, from what you‟ve told me, it
was a small town where everyone knew each other‟s business. You surely weren‟t out, were you?"
"Are you kidding? She was a cheerleader."
SooYoung frowned. "A cheerleader? Was she sleeping with boys, too?"
"No. Gross. They just believed us when we said we were saving ourselves for marriage." Yuri
laughed. "Actually, I never dated anyone once I gave TaeYang the slip. He was the quarterback.
He went on to greener-and easier-pastures."
"And Jessica?"
"Jessica went out with a guy occasionally, Siwon Choi. He was crazy about her. She broke his
heart when she wouldn‟t be his girlfriend."
"And yet no one suspected you two?"
"No one seemed to think it odd that we spent nearly all our time together. I mean, we were
best friends."
"Best friends and lovers?"
"We were inseparable."
"Yet no one knew?" SooYoung leaned closer. "So tell me, how did you end up sleeping with a
cheerleader?"
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 7
Twenty-three years earlier
"You don‟t talk much, do you?"
Yuri wished she had sunglasses to shield her eyes as Jessica Jung sat down beside her. The
black bikini revealed far more than it hid and Yuri‟s gaze strayed to Jessica‟s breasts before she
could stop herself.
"I‟m Jessica, by the way."
"I know," Yuri said stupidly.
Jessica arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow, waiting.
"Yuri. Kwon Yuri."
Jessica leaned closer, her eyes holding Yuri‟s captive. "I know," she whispered.
Yuri found it hard to breathe as the object of her teenage fantasies sat so close to her. And if
Yuri had all her wits about her, she‟d swear Jessica was flirting. Of course, why would Jessica
Jung-cheerleader-flirt with her?
"So, you don‟t talk much, do you?" Jessica said again.
"No." Yuri smiled and tried to relax. The others were splashing in the pool, not paying them
any attention. And here they sat, side by side on chaise lounges, bare legs stretched out, soaking
up the sun. She chanced another glance at Jessica, finding her still watching. Her heart lodged in
her throat and she looked away quickly.
"Yuri?"
Yuri slowly turned, deciding right then and there that she loved the way Jessica said her
name.
"You know TaeYang thinks you‟re hot, right?"
Yuri rolled her eyes. "If he only had a brain."
Jessica laughed out loud, then covered her mouth as the others looked their way. "Not only
does he not have a brain, he‟s an asshole."
She glanced to the boy in question and Yuri followed her gaze. Sure, TaeYang was cute. And
he was slated to be the starting quarterback on next year‟s football team, and most of the girls
would give their right arm to date him. But he was crass and conceited and so full of himself-
even if Yuri wasn‟t totally enamored with Jessica, she‟d still have no interest in TaeYang.
"Is that why I got invited?" she asked, the realization dawning on her.
"HyoMin didn‟t tell you?"
"No." She shrugged. "I thought it was strange for her to invite me."
"Why did you come?" Jessica asked.
Yuri felt a blush cover her face and she nervously twisted the edge of her towel between her
fingers. She shrugged again. "I thought...well, I thought it‟d be cool to hang out with you guys."
She nearly jumped when she felt a warm hand touch her arm.
"Cool or not, I‟m glad you came."
Yuri stared at the hand touching her. Her flesh felt like it was burning. Finally, Jessica
released her and Yuri brought her eyes up, colliding with blue ones that held just a hint of a
challenge in them.
"And don‟t take this the wrong way, but I don‟t think you‟ll fit in with this crowd."
Yuri pulled her eyes away, focusing on the group splashing in the pool. No, she didn‟t really
think she‟d fit in with the cool crowd. Not enough to hang out with them. It was just nice getting
invited for once.
"I said not to take it wrong." Jessica reached for the suntan lotion and poured some into her
palm. "They‟re shallow and they have no goals," she said. "You don‟t strike me that way."
"Thanks." Yuri was mesmerized as she watched Jessica spread lotion on her legs.
"School will be out in a couple of weeks. Do you have plans for the summer?"
"Just basketball camp," she said. "I go every year."
"Where?"
"San Antonio."
"Is that why you‟re so good? Because you go to camp?"
Yuri blushed yet again. "I‟ve been playing since I was a kid. My dad loves basketball."
Jessica laughed, noticing her blush. "So you‟re shy and you don‟t talk much. Yet..."
"Yet?"
"Yet sometimes I‟ll catch you watching-"
"Come on, girls. Time to get wet!" TaeYang said as he grabbed both hers and Jessica‟s arms.
Jessica managed to pull away from him. "I just put lotion on. But take Yuri," she said, smiling
as she motioned them away.
Yuri must have had a panicked look on her face when she glanced back at Jessica. The other
girl gave her a reassuring smile and nodded, leaving Yuri no choice but to follow TaeYang to the
pool. She pretended to enjoy the banter of the others as she splashed in the water with them, but
she was conscious of the blue eyes that watched her, eyes that didn‟t shy away when she
chanced a glance in Jessica‟s direction.
She was totally confused. It was one thing to know she had
an enormous crush on the girl, but it was a crush she dealt with from afar, never having to face
Jessica. Now, because she‟d accepted the invitation to the stupid swim party, she‟d had to talk to
Jessica face-to-face. Not only that, Jessica had touched her. And not only that, but she‟d swear
Jessica was flirting with her. Which meant only one thing-Jessica knew of her little crush.
So was she just playing with her? Teasing her? Yuri held on to the side of the pool, her eyes
sliding across the concrete Patio to the chaise lounges, finding Jessica watching her again. Their
eyes held, the intensity so strong Yuri nearly lost her grip on the side of the pool. No, that look
wasn‟t teasing. And that confused her even more.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 8
Present Day
Jessica stood at the window, her gaze absently traveling over the high-rise offices of the
adjacent buildings in downtown Houston. Her office, while not huge, was certainly large enough
to compare with some of the executive clients she had. One wall was comprised of nothing but
glass, giving her an expansive view of downtown. A view she once craved and even enjoyed.
She turned away from the sight, sitting down in her luxurious leather chair with a heavy sigh.
She hated her job. Actually, she hated her life. Twelve years she‟d been fighting the daily traffic of
this huge city. Fighting it so that she could come here to Peters, Wells, Hancock and Bayer, a
prestigious law firm whose clients included the most successful-and powerful-in the oil and gas
business. Her specialty was loopholes. She‟d written countless contracts with hidden loopholes,
most to skirt environmental laws. And she could find even the most inconspicuous loophole
written by competing attorneys, saving her clients millions of dollars in the process. She‟d argued
contracts with juries and judges, convincing them of loopholes, even if there were none. She was
good at her job, yet she hated it.
As HyoYeon had said, she had a cushy job with an outrageous salary. It allowed her to live in
a very expensive condo surrounded by green in this city of concrete-a hike and bike trail and a
golf course, both of which she enjoyed. She was a small-town girl, still not used to the city. She
doubted she‟d ever embrace the city wholeheartedly, but it was where her profession had taken
her. Far from the small south Texas town of Calloway.
She sighed again, spinning around in her chair to face the windows once more. Her class
reunion was less than two months away. She‟d convinced herself she had no choice but to go. It
was expected. It wasn‟t like she never saw those people. She did. She visited her parents a
handful of times each year and she always ran into someone from her class who‟d never moved
away. They‟d been talking about their twentieth reunion for the last two. And really, it was
something she‟d normally look forward to. Except this year, she had a nagging feeling that she
would be there. And she wasn‟t certain she could handle it.
Which was just crazy. She hadn‟t seen Yuri since their first semester of college. In fact, she
rarely even gave her a thought.
God, that‟s a lie.
She stood up quickly, again going to the window, staring out but seeing nothing. Truth was,
Kwon Yuri crossed her mind far more than she should. A teenaged affair that ended badly -that‟s
all it was. Yet, nearly twenty years later she still hadn‟t found anyone who touched her like Yuri
had. The intensity between them-the heat and the passion-was something she‟d tried to
duplicate without success. Whether it was a product of teenage hormones or not, the sex between
them was...well...simply incredible. And so far in her adult life, nothing had come close.
She spun around, feeling the warm blush on her face. She closed her eyes, letting in images
she‟d tried to suppress all these years. Images of the two of them, naked and aching for each
other‟s touch, images of stolen moments where they‟d hidden in dark shadows, images of hot,
wet kisses where they couldn‟t bear to part. And images of sunshine and high grass, a blanket
and a forgotten picnic lunch, their hands and mouths unable to pause even long enough to
pretend they were on a picnic. No, the precious moments when they were alone were spent doing
one of two things-talking or making love.
Her hands balled into fists, squeezing tightly. She chased those images away and replaced
them with others that were much more painful. The one of Yuri breaking up with her, her tall
frame striding purposefully away from her, and then more, images of Yuri kissing other girls, Yuri
laughing with someone else as she teased her, Yuri coming out of another girl‟s dorm room at
midnight, her hair and clothes in disarray, evidence of what she‟d just done.
Damn her.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 9
Twenty-three years earlier
Jessica closed the door to her bedroom and plopped down on the bed. The sounds of
chatter and laughter wafted up the stairs as her brother and sister shouted out names of their
friends. Their mother had just given them the okay to each invite one friend along for their week‟s
vacation at the beach. It was a trip they took every summer in June, renting a beach house on
Mustang Island. The last two summers, Jessica had invited Hara and her mother assumed Hara
would go again.
Jessica stared at the phone on her desk. Hara would be expecting to go. They were friends.
Most thought they were best friends. She rolled over onto her side, tucking her hands against her
cheek. Despite what everyone thought, she didn‟t really have a best friend. She and Hara never
talked about anything other than boys or cheerleading or their group of friends. There was never
anything deeper. Their conversations were as shallow as their friendship.
What she really wanted to do was invite Kwon Yuri to go with her to the beach. But did she
dare? School had been out almost three weeks already and she‟d not seen her since the last day
at school. She‟d caught up to her just before Yuri had sped away on her bike. Jessica offered to
give her a ride home in her car. As they‟d stared at each other, Jessica realized how stupid her
offer was-and transparent. Yuri would have to catch another ride back to the school to retrieve
her bike. In the few seconds that their eyes held, Jessica nearly blurted out that they‟d put the
damn bike in the back of her car, anything to spend time with Yuri. But she was too late. Yuri
gave her a wink and a slow, knowing smile as she pushed her bike away.
Jessica rolled over onto her back again, staring at the ceiling. After the swim party, she‟d
made it a point to talk to Yuri at school. Each time she did, the pull was stronger. It was almost as
if she craved her nearness. She didn‟t understand it. Not completely. It was . . . it was an
attraction, yes. She swallowed and closed her eyes. There was nothing sexual, of course. She
wasn‟t one of those girls.
Was she?
No, of course not. Just because there wasn‟t a spark with any of the boys in Calloway didn‟t
mean there‟d never be a spark with a boy.
She eyed the phone again. She really wanted Yuri to go. She wanted to get to know her. She
had a feeling their friendship wouldn‟t be shallow. So she stood quickly, pulling out one of the
drawers of her desk and finding the Calloway phone directory. There were two Kwons listed. She
picked up the phone and dialed the first one, her heart pounding nervously as it rang.
A lady answered with a cheery "hello" and Jessica let out her breath.
"May I speak to Yuri, please?"
"Oh, dear, I‟m sorry. She doesn‟t live here. This is her Aunt Lou."
"Okay. I‟ll try the other number."
She hung up quickly, embarrassed. She stared at the second number, memorizing it, but
decided against calling. She scribbled down the address, noting the street wasn‟t too far from
school. No wonder Yuri rode her bike. She grabbed her keys and purse and nearly ran out of her
bedroom, taking the stairs two at a time. She ignored Mark and Krystal who were now perched in
front of the TV. She found her mother in the kitchen making sandwiches for lunch.
"I‟m going to run out," she said, dangling her keys for emphasis.
"Where to? It‟s almost lunchtime."
Jessica leaned her hip against the counter next to her mother. "Mom, I don‟t think I want to
invite Hara to the beach this year," she said.
Her mother glanced at her, then went back to spooning mayo out of the jar. "I thought you
had a good time with her last year."
"I did. It‟s not that. It‟s just...well, I want to invite a new friend."
"Oh? Who?"
"Yuri. Kwon Yuri."
Her mother stopped, turning to look at her. "Kwon Yuri? I‟ve never heard you mention her
before."
Jessica shifted her weight, knowing she had no reason to be nervous, yet she was. "She went
to Catholic school so she‟s only been with us since freshmen year. She was at HyoMin‟s swim
party last month," she added, as if that made all the difference.
"I see." Her mother studied her for a moment, then went back to her sandwiches. "Well,
honey, you can invite whomever you want." Jessica smiled with relief and leaned closer, kissing
her mother quickly on the cheek. "Thanks, Mom. I‟m going to run over to her house now, okay?"
"Okay. Be careful."
Jessica was nearly giddy as she drove across town. She was too excited to be nervous, and
too nervous to even think about what she was going to say to Yuri. That is, providing Yuri was
even home. She may have a summer job. Or worse, she may be at her basketball camp. Jessica
bit her lower lip. What if her basketball camp was the same week as their vacation?
"Oh, no. Please not that," she whispered to the empty car.
She slowed as she passed the street where she would normally turn for school, going another
two blocks before turning left. She drove to the end, watching street signs until she found Yuri‟s.
She took a deep breath, turning slowly as her hands tightened on the wheel. Maybe this was too
soon. Maybe she should think about it. Maybe she should just call instead.
But as she approached the Kwon‟s modest house, she found Yuri pounding a basketball on
the driveway, spinning and executing a perfect jump shot into the torn netting of the basketball
rim. She was mesmerized, watching the muscles of Yuri‟s legs as she dribbled, enjoying the fluid
grace of her movements, her tan skin, just the barest glimpse of flat stomach as her T-shirt flew
up when she jumped again.
Then Yuri stopped and turned, their eyes meeting through the windshield of the car. Jessica
realized she was still in the middle of the street, stopped. She took her foot off the brake, easing
into the Kwon‟s driveway as Yuri moved to the side.
Yuri bent down and peered through the open window. "What are you doing slummin‟ on this
side of town?"
Jessica laughed. "Looking for you."
"Well, you found me."
Yuri stepped back, opening the door for her. Jessica got out, her nervousness returning as
she stood in front of Yuri. While not exactly short, Jessica still conceded several inches in height to
Yuri. Yuri, too, appeared a bit nervous as she fidgeted with the basketball.
"Is this where you practice?"
"Mostly."
Jessica shoved both hands into the pockets of her shorts, trying to appear nonchalant, as if
she was used to showing up at a girl‟s house unannounced. They stood there, eyes darting
about-meeting-then quickly looking away, only to come back together again. "So, are you
enjoying the summer?" Jessica asked, mentally rolling her eyes at her lame attempt at
conversation.
"It‟s okay. Haven‟t done anything, really."
"When‟s your basketball camp?"
"At the end of July."
Jessica smiled broadly. "Great."
"Great?"
"Yeah, great." She took a step closer, unable to resist the pull. "You want to go to the beach
with me?" she blurted out.
Yuri‟s eyebrows shot up. "The beach?"
Jessica nodded. "My family rents a beach house every summer."
"Where?"
"Mustang Island. It‟s across the bay from Corpus, near Port Aransas."
"Sounds like fun."
"Will you go with me?"
Seconds passed as Yuri‟s eyes searched hers, looking for what, Jessica didn‟t know. She held
her gaze, hoping Yuri found what she was looking for.
"When...when are you going?" Yuri asked, her voice sounding odd to Jessica. Yuri cleared her
throat, then smiled. "I think it‟d be fun."
"We go in two weeks. We‟ll be there over the Fourth and they have a great fireworks show on
the beach." Without thinking, her hand found Yuri‟s, and she squeezed her fingers. "Please come."
She realized she sounded like she was practically begging and perhaps she was. She couldn‟t
explain it, but she needed Yuri to go with her.
"Yes." Yuri‟s voice was nearly a whisper. She cleared her throat again. "Of course, I‟ll have to
make sure it‟s okay with my mother," she said, motioning to the house.
"She can...she can call my mom." Jessica went back to her car and found a crumpled piece of
paper in her purse. She scribbled out her parents‟ number, then below that, added the number for
her private line. "Here. That‟s our number. The one on the bottom, that‟s the number for my
bedroom."
"So if I want to talk to your bedroom, I dial that one?"
Jessica laughed. "No, silly. You‟ll talk to me. I‟ll just be in my bedroom."
Again, that invisible pull guided her closer. She couldn‟t resist it. Yuri didn‟t move away.
Jessica stood close, trying to think of something to say, something to prolong her visit here.
"Do you...I mean, you and your parents, do you take a vacation during the summer?"
Yuri shook her head. "Not really, no. My dad, he works for Ashwood Gas so he‟s out in the
field a lot. If we go somewhere it‟ll be to see my grandmother over in New Braunfels."
"New Braunfels is fun," Jessica said. "They‟ve got that big water park there."
"Yeah. I‟ve been a few times."
"Do you have a brother or a sister?"
"No. Just me. You?"
"Both. They‟re twins. Ten. They act like they‟re eight most of the time," she said with a laugh.
"And they will each invite a friend to go along too, so be prepared."
Yuri nodded and spun the basketball between her hands. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course. What?"
"Why me?"
Jessica felt a blush settle on her face immediately. Yes, why Kwon Yuri? Why not someone
safer, like Hara? Safer? She tried to think of a reason to give Yuri and could come up with nothing
other than the truth.
"I want to get to know you," she finally admitted. "I think we could be really good friends."
"You do?"
"Don‟t you?" Jessica held her gaze. "I like you." She wasn‟t prepared for the fluttering of her
heart as Yuri returned those words to her.
"I like you, too," Yuri said, almost in a whisper.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 10
Present Day
Yuri sped down the highway, the wind whipping at her hair in the open Jeep as she left
Corpus Christi behind and headed over the causeway. The island was where she normally went
when she needed to think, when a design or a jingle eluded her, or when she just needed some
alone time. Like now.
She turned onto the state park road, flashing her annual pass at the gate. The attendant
waved her through without looking. They all knew her Jeep by now. It was a Wednesday in early
May and the parking lot at the day-use area was nearly empty. She parked in her usual spot
under one of the palm trees and got out, taking a water bottle with her as she walked.
She headed south, her bare feet cooled by the waves as they splashed on shore, then raced
back again. Taking a deep breath of the salty, humid air, she let her mind wander where it may as
she aimlessly walked, listening to the sounds of the gulls and shorebirds as they came to inspect
her, hoping for a handout.
She wasn‟t surprised to find herself chasing around memory lane again. It was something
she‟d been doing ever since she got that damn invitation to her twentieth class reunion. She didn‟t
know why it had affected her so. When the invitation for her tenth reunion came, she‟d looked at
it, shrugged, and tossed it in the trash, not giving it another thought. Of course, ten years ago she
was still enjoying the freedom of life in Austin, hanging out with grad students, following the live
music scene or relaxing at the lake with a group of rowdy friends. She was content working for
someone else, learning her trade at one of the larger advertising agencies in the city, putting in
her eight-to-five shift, then forgetting about it until the next morning. She was still in her "whore
dog" days, as SooYoung called it.
She wasn‟t quite sure when she finally grew up and realized she wasn‟t twenty-one any
longer. Perhaps it was just one too many hangovers, one too many nameless, faceless women in
her bed or one too many unsatisfying affairs.
Or maybe she just got tired of running. Because that‟s what she‟d been doing. Running from
her life, running from Jessica‟s ghost, running from a long lost love. Running from her memories.
It was purely by accident that she ran into SooYoung, her old friend from college. They‟d left San
Marcos the day after graduation, SooYoung heading home to Corpus and Yuri heading to Austin.
They‟d kept in touch sporadically, finally drifting apart as new friends took their places. She never
expected she‟d run into her at a grocery store one evening. They‟d picked up their friendship
where they‟d left off, SooYoung inviting her for a visit to Corpus to meet her husband and kids.
That visit was all it took to convince Yuri to leave Austin. The peace she‟d been searching for-she
found it there, at the beach. The one place that held the most precious memories for her.
She paused, looking out over the gulf, reflecting on the past like she‟d been doing for the
past couple of weeks. She wondered what Jessica‟s reaction would be if she knew Yuri had settled
here, having Mustang Island as her playground. They‟d come here twice together, once the
summer before their junior year of high school, and then again the summer before their senior
year. Of course, by the second summer, they were already lovers, sneaking off wherever they
could to be together. But it was that first summer that she remembered the most. That summer
was one of discovery, of love and longing, of a new friendship that turned into much more by the
week‟s end. Because that was all it took. One short-one incredible-week to fall deeply in love
with Jessica Jung.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 11
Twenty-three years earlier
"This is our bedroom," Jessica said as she placed her suitcase on the dresser.
Yuri stood in the doorway, eyeing the one double bed in the corner of the room. Our
bedroom. Our bed. It would be a miracle if she survived the week without making a complete fool
of herself. The control she had on her raging hormones was tenuous at best.
"Come on. Let‟s change."
Yuri‟s eyes widened as Jessica pulled her shirt off, standing in nothing but her bra and shorts
as she ripped open her bag, searching for her swimsuit. When she found it, her bra joined her
shirt on the floor. Yuri stood rooted to the spot, her greedy eyes roving over Jessica‟s half-naked
body. Being tall and lanky, Yuri had no breasts to speak of. In fact, if her mother would allow it,
she wouldn‟t ever wear a bra. But Jessica, oh, her breasts were well-formed, standing firm and
taut as she slipped on her bikini top.
Yuri made herself turn away, knowing she would fall into a dead faint if Jessica stripped off
her shorts and underwear in the same manner she had her shirt and bra.
"Are you shy?" Jessica asked quietly.
Yuri didn‟t turn around as she sorted through her own clothes, trying to decide between the
one-piece suit and the bikini she‟d dared to include. "I‟m a little shy, yes," she said. It was, of
course, a lie. She was on the basketball team. She was used to stripping naked and showering in
a group stall with ten other girls at once.
"I‟m sorry. I‟ll be more careful."
Yuri turned then, finding Jessica standing close, her shorts unbuttoned but still on, thankfully.
She swallowed, then shook her head, using all her willpower to keep her eyes from straying to
Jessica‟s breasts, now covered in the tiny bikini top. "It‟s okay. I don‟t mind." She pulled her own
T-shirt off, watching Jessica‟s face flush, her eyes darken. She was startled by Jessica‟s reaction.
Startled and confused.
Jessica‟s mouth opened and closed several times before words came out. "I...I should...I
mean...I could...if you‟re-"
For the first time in her young life, Yuri felt empowered as the truth hit home. Jessica was
having the same reaction to Yuri‟s body as Yuri had had to hers. Without thinking, she pulled her
new sports bra off, leaving her as naked as Jessica had been earlier. She heard Jessica‟s sharp
intake of breath as her eyes settled on Yuri‟s breasts. Yuri turned then, her hands shaking as she
chose the bikini over the one-piece.
"I‟m not that shy," she said, her back still to Jessica. "I‟m sure by the end of the week, we‟ll
be used to seeing each other."
"I...I guess so," Jessica said.
Yuri heard the zipper of Jessica‟s shorts and she imagined Jessica removing them. She shed
her own shorts at the same time, not daring to turn to see if Jessica was watching her or not. She
slipped on her bikini bottom, thankful she‟d spent the last two weeks sunbathing in it. She‟d even
worn the bikini while she practiced her basketball moves. Her skin was tanned a golden brown,
matching Jessica‟s. Most likely, Jessica‟s tan was the result of time spent in the pool, not
sunbathing in a lounge chair in the backyard of her parents‟ house.
When she turned, Jessica was watching her, her flip flops held loosely in one hand, a towel in
the other.
"You look good," Jessica said, her face turning red as the words apparently sunk in. "I mean,
hat swimsuit looks good on you."
Yuri smiled. "Thanks. You look...you look great, too," she said, feeling a blush creep up on
her own face. They stared at each other, smiling, finally laughing. And finally relaxing.
"Come on," Jessica said, linking an arm with Yuri. "Let‟s hit the beach."
.
"What do you want to study in college?"
Yuri rolled her head to the side, looking at Jessica. The other girl was on her stomach, her
head resting on her hands. For three days, they‟d played in the waves, had participated in a "keep
away" game with the four ten-year-olds, had helped them build sandcastles and had played
volleyball with a small net Jessica‟s parents had erected. Now, covered in sand and blissfully tired,
they lay on beach towels, soaking up the afternoon rays. Jessica‟s mother told them they had two
hours until the planned time for grilled burgers, that evening‟s meal. "I can‟t decide," Yuri said. "I
like to draw, to sketch, but I don‟t know what I could do with that."
"An architect?" Jessica suggested.
"Seeing as how I barely passed geometry, I think not." Yuri rolled to her side, facing Jessica.
"What about you?"
"I still don‟t have a clue. Business of some sort, I guess. Accounting, maybe." Her eyes
slipped closed. "I always imagined I‟d have this huge office in a high-rise somewhere. There‟d be
windows all around and I could see the city, see downtown."
"Moving out of Calloway, are you?"
Jessica laughed. "Yes." Her eyes fluttered open again.
"I kinda like growing up in a small town, but we‟re missing so much. Don‟t you think?"
"Maybe. I like when I go to San Antonio each year. There‟s so much to do. It‟s like, no matter
what time of day or night, something is always open."
"Yeah. Everything doesn‟t shut down at five like in Calloway."
"But I like this, too," Yuri said. "I‟ve never been to the beach before. This is fun."
"We‟ve been coming here every year for as long as I can remember."
"You always get to invite someone along?"
"Yes."
"Who came last year?"
Yuri watched Jessica, seeing the thoughtful expression on her face, the little smile. Yuri raised
her eyebrows, waiting.
"Hara. She came the last two years."
"And why not again this year?"
Jessica sighed. "I thought we already covered this?"
Yuri laughed. "Oh, yeah. You want to get to know me."
Jessica flipped onto her side, mimicking Yuri. "Why Catholic school?"
"My parents wanted to save me from the corruption of public school," she said with a grin. "It
was really my grandmother‟s doing."
"So you‟re Catholic then?"
"Technically, I guess."
"What does that mean?"
"It means we don‟t go to church on a regular basis. Not anymore, anyway. Not since I‟m in
public school. Back then, they kinda frowned on it when their students didn‟t show up for Mass
on Sundays."
"We‟re Methodist, technically. Mom and the twins go a lot. Dad never really goes. I used to,
but they let me decide now."
"And you don‟t go?"
"Not as much. I usually leave there with more questions than answers."
"Yeah. I know what you mean."
"It‟s like, we have a brain, yet we rely on someone else to tell us what to believe, what to
think, how to act. I just hate it. Next thing you know, they‟ll tell us how to vote." She rolled onto
her back, staring at the sky. "Maybe I‟ll be a teacher," she said after a while.
"You‟d hate it."
She turned her head to look at Yuri. "You think so?"
"No high-rise with a view of downtown."
"Yeah. And I don‟t think I could deal with kids all day."
They were quiet as they watched each other, and Yuri let her eyes roam freely across
Jessica‟s face, much as Jessica was doing. She finally asked the one question that had been
bugging her since the swim party.
"Why don‟t you have a boyfriend?"
"I don‟t want one."
"Why?"
"I just...I don‟t know. None of the guys at school interest me. I don‟t see the point of having
a boyfriend just for the sake of having one."
"But you‟re a cheerleader. You‟re one of the most popular girls at school. You‟re supposed to
have a boyfriend."
Jessica rolled her eyes. "I hate cheerleading. My mother made me do it when we were in the
seventh grade. I‟ve always thought that cheerleaders were nothing but blond, ditzy bimbos," she
said with a laugh. "I don‟t want to be stereotyped that way."
"Well, you have to admit, most are."
"You mean Hara?"
"She‟s a little ditzy, yes. But she‟s in the in crowd, just like you."
"I‟m only in the in crowd because I‟m a cheerleader, I live on the north side of town, and my
parents gave me a sports car when I turned sixteen. No other reason."
Yuri nodded. "The politics of high school."
"Yes. It has its advantages, don‟t get me wrong," she said.
"You get invited to all the cool parties. But I sometimes think I‟m growing up too fast. Faster
than them, anyway."
"What do you mean?"
"My friends-they‟re concerned with dating, fashion, celebrities and movies. And gossiping.
They‟re not concerned with their studies, they‟ve not even given a thought to college. They just
seem so immature still." She rolled onto her stomach again. "But not you. I think that‟s one
reason I wanted to get to know you better. You‟re different than them."
"Yeah. I am concerned about college but mainly how I‟m going to pay for it. My parents
never went to college. My mom, she works part-time at the courthouse. My dad has worked his
way up with no college so they‟re not really pushing me. They said they‟d help pay if I went to a
junior college, but I don‟t want that. I want to go to a university." Yuri rolled onto her stomach,
watching Jessica. "That‟s why I practice basketball so much. If I can get a scholarship, then they‟ll
still be able to help me."
"Wow. My parents have been talking about college for as long as I can remember. I‟ve got a
savings account that they started when I was a kid."
"They always told me my college money went to pay for Catholic school."
"Yeah, but that was their choice, not yours. Right?"
Yuri shrugged. "I didn‟t know any better. And it was only recently that I found out my
grandmother was the one who paid the tuition, not my parents. I‟m just thankful they let me go
to public high school."
"Me, too." Jessica shifted again, this time to her side, facing Yuri. "Did TaeYang ever ask you
out?"
"Yeah."
"And?"
"I told him no." Yuri was surprised by the look of relief on Jessica‟s face. "Why?"
"I had heard he was going to. Why did you say no?"
"I‟m not interested in him."
Jessica smiled. "I don‟t think anyone‟s ever turned him down before."
"You?"
"TaeYang knows I only tolerate him. He would never ask me out." Jessica picked up a
handful of sand and let it shift slowly through her fingers. "Why don‟t you have a boyfriend?"
Yuri paused, wondering how to answer. "I don‟t...I don‟t like them," she finally said. She
didn‟t know if Jessica took that to mean she didn‟t like boys or just not the ones in Calloway.
Jessica seemed to consider her answer, her eyes peering intently into Yuri‟s, but she didn‟t
probe any further. "Ready to cool off in the water?"
Yuri nodded, following Jessica into the surf, the water cool on her heated skin. They splashed
in the water, jumping waves, then diving headfirst into others, feeling the pull of the tide as they
moved into deeper water. When they could no longer touch bottom, they started swimming back
to shore, riding the waves in until they stood waist deep. They laughed as a large wave knocked
them both down, and Yuri instinctively reached for Jessica, pulling her back up. It was the first
time Yuri had touched her, she realized, as her hands slid smoothly across Jessica‟s wet skin,
circling her small waist to hold her upright.
They stood there, gazes locked together as the water swirled around them. Yuri felt she was
drowning in Jessica‟s eyes. They were as blue as the sky on a cool winter‟s day, holding her
effortlessly as Jessica peered into her soul, no doubt uncovering the secrets Yuri had been trying
so hard to keep.
Jessica didn‟t say anything. She simply smiled and squeezed Yuri‟s arm, her fingers lingering,
burning her skin.
"Thanks."
Yuri couldn‟t speak. She just nodded. She finally released Jessica, her hands falling away from
her. Feeling dazed and confused, she stumbled back to shore, snatching up her towel and shaking
the sand out of it.
"Yuri?"
She closed her eyes, her back to Jessica. God, she loved the way Jessica said her name.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded, feeling Jessica move closer. She didn‟t know what to say. She was afraid Jessica
knew, afraid Jessica could sense the attraction Yuri had, afraid Jessica would pull away from her.
"It‟s probably about time for burgers. You ready to head up?"
"Yeah. I‟m starving."
.
Yuri winced when her shoulders hit the bed. Her skin was hot. Even the cold shower didn‟t
help.
"Are you as sunburned as I am?" Jessica asked.
"Yes. What were we thinking, lying out so long?"
"I don‟t know but I doubt I‟ll be able to sleep."
"I feel like my skin is on fire." She lifted up the sleeves of her T-shirt, exposing as much of
her shoulders as she could to the cool air.
"We should take our shirts off," Jessica said quietly.
Yuri froze, the quiet words rattling around in her brain. Take their shirts off? Then they would
be...nude. Her self-restraint was at a breaking point as it was. She‟d realized that when they were
in the water. How could she possibly stand being in bed with Jessica, both of them topless?
She watched as Jessica got out of bed, the moonlight bright enough through the thin curtains
to follow her movements. She rummaged in her bag, then returned to bed, pausing for only a few
seconds before stripping off her T-shirt over her head. Yuri felt her breath leave her, felt her heart
pound nervously as Jessica pulled the covers back.
"Lotion. It might help," she said. She reached over to Yuri, tugging at her arm. "Come on.
Take your shirt off."
The words were spoken in barely a whisper, yet it was a command Yuri couldn‟t refuse. She
stopped thinking, letting her mind go blank, telling herself it was totally innocent. They were both
sunburned. They were miserable with their clothes on. The lotion would make them feel better,
she reasoned. So she sat up, shedding her T-shirt and tossing it on the floor beside the bed.
"I‟ll do your back," Jessica said as she scooted closer.
Yuri sat with her legs crossed, her eyes closed, unable to contain the tiny moan that slipped
out at the first touch. The lotion did indeed feel cool on her skin as Jessica‟s hands moved softly
across the heated flesh of her shoulders. She tried to keep her breathing as normal as possible
but she was having a difficult time as those soft hands caressed down her back then up again.
"Turn around."
Again, the whispered command was just that. Yuri knew she wouldn‟t refuse. She turned
around on the bed, facing Jessica who was kneeling beside her.
"How does it feel?" Jessica asked.
"Wonderful," Yuri murmured, not caring whether Jessica thought she meant the lotion or her
touch. She sucked in her breath as Jessica touched her collarbone, moving under her neck, her
slick hands smooth on her skin.
"You‟re so soft," Jessica whispered. "Yet strong. An athlete."
Yuri was finally cognizant enough to notice the shift in Jessica‟s breathing as her hands
moved dangerously close to her breasts. The air was thick with tension, the sounds of their
breathing, the subtle moans that Yuri couldn‟t contain. She kept her eyes closed, loving the feel of
Jessica‟s touch as she moved across her arms, up to her shoulders, around her neck again. Yuri‟s
lips parted, her breath coming fast, her heart pounding loudly, so loud she was sure Jessica could
hear it. Finally, Jessica‟s hands stilled, resting on Yuri‟s forearms.
She opened her eyes, finding Jessica‟s in the shadows. Jessica‟s breathing was as labored as
her own and she sat still as Jessica‟s fingers dug into her arms. She finally relaxed, releasing Yuri.
"Do you...do you want me to do that to you?" Yuri asked quietly, so afraid Jessica would say
no.
"Yes. I want that."
But Jessica didn‟t sit as Yuri had done. She lay on her stomach, arms outstretched, exposing
her smooth tan back. Yuri poured lotion into her palm, taking a deep breath before touching
Jessica. She rubbed lightly, both hands moving in unison across her hot skin. She was thrilled by
the moan she elicited from Jessica. Jessica‟s eyes were closed but her mouth was open as she
drew breath.
Yuri touched every inch of her back, her fingers memorizing her curves, daring to dip low
against her hips, then up her sides, feeling the gentle swell of her breasts as they lay smashed
against the bed. Yuri had no sexual experience unless you counted the few stolen kisses she‟d
allowed Carmen last year at basketball camp. But the kissing and touching they‟d done felt
nothing like what she was experiencing now. If she had any doubts she was a lesbian, they were
being answered tonight as her hands moved across Jessica Jung‟s naked flesh.
She sat still, having to clear her throat before speaking. Now it was her turn to command.
"Roll over."
Jessica did as she was told, flipping over onto her back. Yuri‟s eyes landed on her breasts,
the shadows not enough to hide the erect nipples, the rapid rise and fall of Jessica‟s chest as she
breathed. Yuri swallowed, her mouth suddenly very dry. She pulled her gaze away, finding Jessica
watching her closely. She didn‟t know if she should apologize for staring, but she didn‟t. She
poured more lotion into her hand, meeting Jessica‟s eyes again.
Those eyes closed when Yuri touched her and a sensuous moan escaped Jessica‟s lips.
Yuri‟s hands moved so slowly, so softly, caressing Jessica‟s skin, no longer even pretending this
was about sunburn and lotion. It wasn‟t. Her breathing was labored now, as was Jessica‟s.
Not knowing whether she was feeling brave and daring-or simply not considering the
consequences-Yuri let her right hand travel between Jessica‟s breasts to her stomach, her fingers
moving in a circular motion. Jessica was nearly panting and her eyes fluttered open, finding Yuri‟s.
Yuri stopped, waiting, afraid she‟d overstepped her boundaries, afraid she‟d gone too far.
"I love...I love the way you touch me," Jessica whispered. She brought her hand up,
covering Yuri‟s, pressing it down hard against her side.
Yuri waited, not knowing what Jessica wanted. Then Jessica‟s eyes slipped closed again and
she took Yuri‟s hand, moving it so very slowly up her body. Yuri was trembling as she realized
Jessica‟s intent. Jessica‟s hand fell back to the bed, leaving Yuri‟s resting just under the swell of
her left breast.
Yuri hesitated, knowing Jessica had left the decision up to her. Yuri stared at her breasts,
fascinated by the erect nipples, aching to touch them, to feel them against her palm. She didn‟t
pause to think how this would affect their budding friendship, how it would change their
relationship. She didn‟t think of anything except the overwhelming need she had to touch Jessica.
So she slid her hand higher, not bothering to try to contain her moan as her fingers moved
across Jessica‟s breast, the nipple as hard to her touch as she knew it would be. Her hand closed
around it, feeling Jessica arch higher, hearing Jessica‟s moan as she squeezed her breast before
finding the nipple with her fingers, rubbing it lightly, feeling it harden even more.
"Yuri," Jessica breathed. "Please."
Please what? Yuri didn‟t know what Jessica was pleading for or what she wanted. Her fingers
continued to play with Jessica‟s nipple, loving the sounds that Jessica was making. Her whole
body was pulsing-aching. Then Yuri froze as Jessica‟s hand moved between them, moving across
her body to graze her fingertips against Yuri‟s breast. Yuri sucked in a deep breath as that hand
closed over her small breast.
"Oh, God," she whispered, her eyes slamming shut.
"You‟re trembling."
"Yes."
"Do you like the way this feels?" Jessica asked, her own fingers now rubbing Yuri‟s nipple
lightly.
"Yes," Yuri hissed, biting down hard on her lip, trying to stop her shaking.
"I want...I want to kiss you. I want us to kiss."
Yuri forced her eyes open, her hand still covering Jessica‟s breast, Jessica‟s still covering hers.
"Jessica, what are we doing?" she whispered, suddenly afraid. She wanted them to kiss, yes.
She wanted them to do all sorts of things. But she was afraid of where it would lead, afraid they
would do something that Jessica would regret later-tomorrow.
"I‟m sorry," Jessica said, quickly taking her hand away.
"You‟re right. I‟m sorry. That‟s just crazy."
Right about what, Yuri wasn‟t sure. But she knew one thing. She would get no sleep tonight.
How could she? She had a throbbing ache between her legs as unfamiliar wetness pooled there.
Her body was on fire and it had nothing to do with being sunburned, and everything to do with
Jessica Jung lying naked beside her.
But she settled back down, next to Jessica, their bodies close. The quiet in the room was
disturbed only by the sounds of their still rapid breathing.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 12
Present Day
"The fact that you had a female lover when you were a junior in high school is not as
shocking to me as learning you were a cheerleader," Sunny teased. "That‟s just wrong. Lesbians
should not be cheerleaders."
Jessica flicked her gaze to HyoYeon, noting that she was enjoying Sunny‟s teasing as much as
Sunny was. "Do you have to tell her everything?"
"Of course. You‟ve been our source of entertainment for the last couple of weeks. Why do
you think we invited you over for dinner?"
Jessica stole an olive off of the snack tray, trying not to take it too personally that HyoYeon
and Sunny used her for their entertainment. And really, who could blame them. Especially this
week, as she had been nearly in a state of panic after the phone call. The phone call from Hara
Summers saying "you‟ll never believe who RSVP‟d." But of course she could. She‟d been expecting
it-dreading it. She didn‟t know how she knew, but she would have bet money that this year,
Kwon Yuri would attend their high school reunion. She could feel it in her gut, feel it in her heart.
And how embarrassing was it going to be to have to face her, seeing Yuri, no doubt with a
gorgeous lover hanging on her arm, and here Jessica would be, forever single. Single and scarred
because of Yuri, she reminded herself. Single because she couldn‟t recapture the magic-the
passion-that they had. And scarred because Kwon Yuri had shattered her heart into tiny pieces,
making some lame-ass excuse about them both needing space, needing to see other people,
needing to get out. Oh, yeah, Yuri got out all right. She got out and into beds, that is.
"Why are you frowning?"
Jessica pulled her thoughts back to the present, hating that nearly every waking hour was
spent on Kwon Yuri, a woman she swore she would hate until her dying breath. She waved her
hand dismissively. "Thinking about the breakup," she said.
"The one that was nearly twenty years ago?" Sunny asked.
"Look, I know it‟s hard for you to understand, but I was so in love with her, I thought
everything was just perfect. We were truly soul mates. Or at least that‟s what my perception was
at the time. So for her to break up with me barely two months into our college career-well, I was
devastated."
"Tell her the story," HyoYeon said as she headed inside. "It‟s time to put the burgers on."
"You want another beer?" Sunny asked, looking at the empty that Jessica had been twirling
aimlessly on the table.
"Yes, please." Tell her the story? What part of the story? The breakup? The falling in love part?
Or the part where now, twenty years later, she can still remember what it felt like to be loved by
Kwon Yuri.
"I still can‟t wrap my head around you being a cheerleader," Sunny said as she handed her
another beer.
Jessica laughed. "I quit my junior year. It was never a passion of mine, only my mother‟s."
"Is that because you found a new passion?"
"You could say that." She leaned back in the chair, staring out over their backyard. "It‟s funny,
really. Yuri knew she was gay. She said she‟d known it even before high school. Me? Never
crossed my mind. I just knew none of the boys in Calloway interested me, but I didn‟t wonder
why." She paused. "I didn‟t meet Yuri until we were freshmen. I would find her watching me
sometimes. We weren‟t really friends, hardly spoke, but I knew she was there. There was just
something about the way she looked at me. I was drawn to her."
"Did she finally get you in a dark corner and kiss you senseless?"
Jessica leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.
"Believe it or not, I made the first move."
"I thought you didn‟t know you were gay."
"I didn‟t. I invited her on a family vacation that summer before junior year. We always rented
a beach house on Mustang Island for a week." She smiled, remembering the excuse for getting
naked the first time. "One night, we were both sunburned. We took our shirts off and put lotion
on each other. I had no idea her hands on me would feel that good." She swallowed,
remembering Yuri‟s hands as they touched her for the first time. "I...I turned it into more. I could
tell she was aroused. Hell, we both were. I...I encouraged her to touch my breast. She did. Good
God, I thought I was going to pass out." She smiled. "I wanted to kiss her right then, but she
pulled back. At the time, I thought it was the best thing to do. The state we were in, it would
have gone way past a kiss."
"You didn‟t freak out?"
"No. I mean, I was a little embarrassed the next morning. She was too. But we didn‟t talk
about it. And we weren‟t really alone much. My parents had taken us to the mall, then to lunch,
then to a movie, so we really didn‟t have a chance to talk about it." She looked at Sunny, smiling.
"But that night...oh, God."
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 13
Twenty-three years earlier
"Are you enjoying yourself, Yuri?"
"Oh, yes ma‟am. It‟s been wonderful. Thank you for allowing me to come along."
Jessica smiled as she eavesdropped on her mother and Yuri. She turned the water on,
drowning out their conversation as she finished brushing her teeth. When she finished, Yuri was
leaning in the doorway, waiting. Their eyes met, shyly at first as they both looked away. Then
Jessica dared to hold her gaze, seeing just a hint of nervousness in Yuri‟s eyes. She assumed Yuri
saw the same in hers.
They hadn‟t talked about what had happened last night. They hadn‟t had a minute alone all
day. Even at the movies, her brother Mark wanted to sit by Yuri so they were separated. But still,
it was different between them. She could tell each time their eyes met, each time they touched,
however slight. There was electricity, a spark. And now the twins and their two friends were in
bed, her parents were winding down and she and Yuri would be off to bed...alone.
"It‟s all yours," she finally said, motioning to the sink.
"Thanks."
"I‟m...I‟m just going to go ahead to...to bed," she said, stepping out of the way.
"Be there in a sec."
Jessica let her breath out as soon as Yuri closed the door. She was nearly embarrassed by
her nervousness. What did she think would happen? There were no excuses of sunburn this time
so there wouldn‟t be a repeat of last night.
"Jessica?"
She turned, finding her mother watching her. "Yes?"
"Are you okay?"
She felt her face turn scarlet and she stayed in the shadows of the hall, hoping her mother
couldn‟t see. "I‟m fine. Why?"
"You‟ve been a little quiet today, that‟s all."
"Oh, no. Today was fun." She smiled. "I‟ve had a good time this year."
"You‟re glad you invited Yuri?" she asked quietly.
"Yes. Especially since she‟s never been down here before."
"Well, she‟s very nice. Mature for her age."
Jessica nodded. "Yes. Very different from Hara, huh?" Her mother laughed. "Very." She
turned away. "Goodnight, honey. Get some rest. Tomorrow will be your last full day on the beach,"
she reminded her.
"Okay. Goodnight."
She finally escaped into their bedroom, hurrying out of her shorts and into her sleep shirt.
She‟d just pulled the covers up when Yuri came in. She stood at the door, hesitating for a second
before she came in and closed it. Jessica knew they needed to talk about what had happened, but
what would she say? Sorry that I lost my head and groped you? Sorry that I really lost my head
and wanted to kiss you?
But she said nothing, watching as Yuri hit the light switch, plunging the room into darkness.
She should have turned her head away, she shouldn‟t have watched, but her eyes strayed as Yuri
took her clothes off, then slipped into her own sleep shirt, hiding her small breasts from Jessica‟s
gaze. She bit her lower lip, trying to keep her breathing as normal as possible, but Yuri wasn‟t
even in bed yet and she felt that pull-making her heart flutter, making her stomach do flips,
making her skin tingle.
She wasn‟t certain how she was going to be able to stand it. For the first time in her young
life, she wanted someone. She recognized it for what it was. She was sexually attracted to Kwon
Yuri. She squeezed her eyes shut. Not a boy, no. She never, ever felt this way with a boy. And
she knew deep inside she would never feel this way with a boy.
"Jessica?"
She turned her head slowly, finding Yuri standing beside the bed, watching her. "Yes?"
"Do you...do you want me to sleep on the floor?"
"Oh, God...no, Yuri. No." She pulled the covers back. "Get in."
Yuri got into bed, keeping her distance, which was hard to do in the small double bed.
"I‟m sorry about last night," she said. "I shouldn‟t have-"
"I started it," Jessica said, interrupting her apology. She took a deep breath. "Do you want to
talk about it?"
"Do you?"
Jessica rolled onto her side, facing Yuri. "If it were anyone other than you, I‟d be totally
mortified over what happened."
"What do you mean, other than me?"
"Because if it were someone else, it would have just been experimenting, playing around. We
would blow it off, go back to school and then worry that the other one would tell someone what
happened."
"But?" Yuri whispered.
"But it wasn‟t just experimenting." She met Yuri‟s eyes, the shadows making it hard to read
them. "Was it?"
"No," Yuri said, the word just a whisper. She cleared her throat. "There‟s something I should
tell you."
"Okay."
"Please don‟t be mad at me. I should have told you sooner."
"Okay," Jessica said again.
"I‟m...I‟m gay."
Jessica wasn‟t sure how to respond. She wasn‟t shocked, no. But what did she say? Gee, that
explains all that touching and heavy breathing last night. Of course, she was the one who started
it. What did that make her?
"Jessica? I‟m sorry-"
"No. No, don‟t. I just don‟t know what to say," she admitted.
"I promise I won‟t ever tell anyone what happened. The secret is safe."
Jessica smiled. "Oh, so you think it was just one sided?" She reached her hand out, daring to
touch her. She found Yuri‟s arm and slid her hand up, rubbing lightly. "Yuri, what happened last
night...I‟m not mad or upset. And the fact that I‟m not scares me a little." Just touching her arm
now, feeling her warmth, scared her a little. "I wanted you to touch me," she quietly. "We both
know I started it."
"Why?"
"Because I‟m attracted to you." Saying it out loud made it all the more real. "Last night, I
wanted...I wanted your touch. I wanted to kiss you. The way it felt last night...I‟ve never
experienced that before. It felt so good," she said.
"Do you...do you want to do it again?"
The question hung in the air, the meaning sinking home. Jessica felt her stomach tighten, felt
her heart jump into her throat, felt the tightness of her chest as her breathing increased. Did she
want to do it again?
"Yes," she whispered.
She waited, wanting Yuri to make the first move, wanting her to take the lead. She did,
rolling to her side, facing Jessica. Jessica held her breath, waiting for her touch. She didn‟t have to
wait long before a warm hand slipped under her T-shirt. Tonight, Yuri wasn‟t shy, her hand sliding
to Jessica‟s breast without hesitation. Jessica gasped at the first touch, then moaned as Yuri‟s
fingers teased her nipple.
"Can I take your shirt off?" Yuri asked, her voice thick with emotion. "Please?"
"Yes." Jessica leaned up, helping Yuri pull her T-shirt over her head. "Yours too."
Yuri did as she asked, tossing her shirt aside without looking, her eyes locked on Jessica.
Yuri‟s demeanor was different tonight. Gone was the shyness, the uncertainty. She had a nearly
predatory look about her which excited Jessica much more than it frightened her. When Yuri‟s
hands came to her again, Jessica felt her body rise up to meet her. Her soft moan turned into a
groan as Yuri covered both her breasts, squeezing them, teasing them, rubbing her hard nipples
into her palms. She felt the pulsing between her legs and she squeezed them tightly together.
Then Yuri pulled her hands away, replacing them with her mouth.
"Oh, dear God," Jessica murmured, unable to contain the loud moan as Yuri‟s hot mouth
sucked at her nipple. Never in her life had she imagined it would feel this way. Her hands reached
out, finding Yuri, drawing her near. She didn‟t know what she wanted, didn‟t know what to do,
but she had an innate desire to feel Yuri pressed against her. Instinctively, her legs spread,
allowing Yuri inside. She was panting now, unable to catch her breath, her hips moving wildly.
"Shhh!" Yuri whispered, her mouth mere inches away.
Tonight, Jessica didn‟t ask. She just reached up, her hand curling behind Yuri‟s neck, pulling
her mouth to her. There wasn‟t anything shy about their first kiss. Her mouth opened, letting
Yuri‟s tongue inside. The few make-out sessions with boys told her that Yuri had much more
experience in kissing than she did. Yuri‟s tongue captured her own, their moans mingling as their
kisses deepened. Jessica was completely out of control and totally at Yuri‟s mercy. When Yuri
stretched out between her legs, when her pelvis pressed down hard against her, Jessica was
powerless to resist. Her hands cupped Yuri‟s hips, feeling the cool cotton of her panties, the only
clothing they both still wore. She pulled Yuri hard against her, her moan swallowed by Yuri‟s
mouth.
She wanted more. So much more. She didn‟t care that her parents were only two doors down.
She would simply die if she didn‟t have more. She tore her mouth away, struggling to draw breath.
"Touch me," she whispered. "I want you to touch me."
It wasn‟t a request and Yuri-thankfully-didn‟t take it as one. Her hand slipped inside her
panties, Jessica too aroused to care about the outcome. She was shocked by how wet she was,
shocked by how badly she wanted Yuri‟s touch.
But Yuri paused, her fingers dangerously close as she rested her forehead against Jessica‟s,
their breathing labored, the sound loud in the small bedroom.
"Jessica, are you sure?"
No, she wasn‟t sure. She wasn‟t sure of anything. But at this moment, right now, she was
sure she wanted Yuri to touch her. And if she touched her, yes, she knew what would happen.
She wasn‟t that naïve.
Yet she didn‟t speak. She pulled Yuri‟s mouth to hers, their kisses slower now, lingering,
making her want even more. "I‟m sure," she finally said, her lips still pressed against Yuri‟s. She
was surprised to feel Yuri‟s hand tremble. Yuri seemed so in control, so sure of herself.
"Are you a virgin?" Yuri whispered.
"Yes." Then, "Are you?"
"Yes." Yuri dipped her head again, her lips barely touching Jessica‟s. "I‟ve never done this. I
don‟t have to...to go inside," she said, her tongue wetting Jessica‟s lips. "I can just do this," she
said as her fingers finally moved, sliding into the wet crevice between her legs, touching her most
sensitive part.
"God...Yuri," she said, her hips jerking, feeling Yuri‟s fingers as they moved across her
swollen flesh. Jessica had never had an orgasm. She‟d masturbated, trying so hard but it always
eluded her. She knew tonight she‟d finally know what it felt like as her thighs parted, giving Yuri
more room. She couldn‟t believe the intense pleasure she was experiencing. She had nothing to
compare it to. She was panting, struggling to breathe, and totally out of control, giving herself
completely to Yuri, letting her do as she wished-her mouth at her breast, her hand between her
legs. Jessica felt a pressure build from deep within, growing powerful, pulsing through her. She
felt the tightening of her muscles, felt her body contracting. It was exactly like she‟d read in
romance books-a giant wave, growing stronger, rushing in, threatening to swallow her, then
tossing her up, falling endlessly as her body exploded.
She would have screamed, she tried to scream her pleasure, but Yuri‟s mouth was there,
stifling the sound, Yuri‟s fingers still resting between her thighs. Jessica pulled Yuri tight against
her, their small breasts smashing together. She was trembling now, uncontrollably, and Yuri
gathered her close, her mouth moving softly across her cheek, kisses soothing her, hands rubbing,
calming.
Jessica wasn‟t certain she could speak, and even then she didn‟t know what she‟d say. At
least she wasn‟t crying. Or worse, freaking out and hysterical. She‟d just had her first sexual
experience, her first orgasm. And it was with another girl.
She relaxed. Yes, it was with another girl. A girl whose mouth was nibbling at her neck,
whose fingers were lightly trailing across her body, whose weight still rested between her thighs.
And it felt...wonderful. "I want to touch you that way," she whispered, finally finding her voice.
"Do you want that?"
Yuri rolled over, taking Jessica with her, reversing their positions. Jessica found herself on top
of Yuri, slipping between Yuri‟s thighs as her legs parted. She felt Yuri‟s wetness against her belly,
evidence of how aroused she was. It was at that very moment-lying between her legs-that
Jessica knew she was falling in love. Falling in love with another girl. She was consumed with a
need to give pleasure to Yuri, a need to touch her, to know all of her. The feeling was so powerful,
it was frightening.
She met Yuri‟s eyes, the wonder of it all reflected back at her. Jessica smiled, then leaned
closer, closing the gap between them, their mouths meeting again, soft kisses turning hot. She
moved her hand down Yuri‟s body, touching the panties she still wore.
"I want these off," she said. "I want to feel all of you. I want to feel how wet you are."
And she wasn‟t afraid.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 14
Present Day
Yuri left the city behind, the sun‟s first light barely showing in the eastern sky. The morning
was cool, the wind already freeing her. She left the top down on the Jeep, needing the openness
it brought. She was nervous. So nervous, in fact, she‟d nearly cancelled the whole trip. But Aunt
Lou was expecting her, and Yuri remembered how excited she was at the news Yuri would be in
Calloway for a week.
She smiled as she turned off the highway past Lake Corpus Christi, taking the back roads
through the ranch lands of south Texas. She hadn‟t heard from any of her classmates in twenty
years. Yet, in the past week, she‟d talked to Hara Summers three times as she helped Yuri with
her hotel reservations, saying even the locals were staying at the Holiday Inn so they could party
all weekend. But it was the last conversation that threw her.
"Oh, Yuri, it‟ll be so good to see you. And I spoke with Jessica Jung and let her know you
were coming. I bet the two of you can‟t wait to catch up."
Oh, yeah. Can‟t wait.
Yuri wondered if Jessica would bring her lover. Hell, would Jessica even speak to her? Their
breakup didn‟t go well, and even though Yuri did it for Jessica, the look in Jessica‟s eyes ...well, it
was a look that haunted her for a long time afterward. Every time they would run into each other
during the semester, Jessica had the same look-wounded and hurt and devastated. It was
something Yuri never understood. She also never saw Jessica with her new lover, so maybe that
didn‟t last after all. When the semester ended, Yuri went to San Antonio where her parents had
moved, and she assumed Jessica went home to Calloway. Jessica didn‟t return the next semester
and Yuri spent it trying to forget she and Jessica were ever lovers in the first place. Actually, she
spent the next several years trying to forget Jessica Jung. But no matter how many women
passed through her bed, no matter how many lovers she had, none of them could ever make her
forget Jessica...and none were able to replace her.
So she‟d settled in Corpus and put all her energy into their business, rarely going out, rarely
dating. And seldom sharing her bed with anyone. She was content now, satisfied with her life.
Their business was thriving, she had a handful of good friends, especially TaeYeon and Tiffany.
And SooYoung and her family filled a void that her parents‟ divorce had created. SooYoung went
all out for each and every holiday and Yuri was always invited to share it with them. Yes, she was
content now.
So why then was she heading to Calloway? So what if it‟s been twenty years of water under
the bridge. She knew seeing Jessica would affect her, especially if Jessica was there wither lover
or her partner or whoever. She was just setting herself up for a deluge of memories.
Yeah, like she hadn‟t been traveling that road lately. And that was really the problem. She‟d
been plodding through her memories, reliving those teenage years, still able to remember the
tingly feeling she got from being with Jessica-touching her, kissing her, loving her. It was the
best time of her life, a time when she thought life was perfect, a time when she was so certain
that she and Jessica would be together forever. A time before the heartbreak and pain. Those
were memories she‟d just as soon not relive-the breakup and then her cure for Jessica-sleeping
with any and every girl she could. Anyone to try to make her forget Jessica...forget Jessica and
her new lover.
She was surprised how much that still hurt. Twenty years later she could still feel the sting,
still feel the jealously, still see the other girl‟s face. She smiled, finding some humor. She could
remember her face but she couldn‟t remember her name to save her life.
.
Jessica exited off the interstate east of San Antonio, and then turned south, taking the
familiar country road to Calloway. She still had nearly an hour‟s drive but her nervousness
increased tenfold as she left the highway. She could have flown from Houston to San Antonio and
rented a car, or taken her mother‟s offer to be picked up, but she wanted this time to think, to
prepare.
First of all, she was still shocked that Yuri was even going to the reunion. As far as she knew,
none of their classmates had ever heard from her in the last twenty years. But nervousness and
trepidation had replaced the shock weeks ago, so much so that she‟d actually called Hara to tell
her she wasn‟t going. That plan obviously fell through. Hara was so excited about the whole affair;
Jessica just didn‟t have the heart to cancel.
So now her nervousness was mixed with a healthy dose of anxiety, the feeling of dread
weighing heavy on her chest. Which, as she‟d been telling herself for the last fifty miles, was
ridiculous?
Kwon Yuri meant nothing to her anymore. She was a former classmate, that‟s all. She had no
bearing on her life and it was just crazy to be dreading her twenty -year reunion because of her.
"So I‟m crazy," she murmured. Because, yeah, she was dreading it. The only silver lining she
could find was that Hara had said Yuri had sent in her RSVP for only one. Which meant Jessica
wouldn‟t have to be subjected to seeing Yuri with her lover. Well, regardless, she had already
decided that if Yuri asked if she was seeing someone, she was going to lie and say yes. She‟d be
damned if she‟d let Yuri know she was still single. She tried to imagine how it would go when they
saw each other. She didn‟t want to cause a scene so she couldn‟t very well ignore Yuri. After all,
they‟d been best friends in high school. None of their classmates ever knew of their affair and as
far as she knew, none would know now that Yuri was gay. Jessica? Yes. After that first semester
when she‟d returned home for the holidays, she‟d been in such a state of shock, still heartbroken,
that she‟d come out to her parents, had come out to Hara. She never told them who it was, never
mentioned Yuri‟s name. To their credit, her parents hadn‟t totally freaked out, at least not in
front of her. Mark was the one most shocked, but Krystal had put her hands on her hips and
smiled. "Cool. My sister‟s a lesbian. I guess you‟re not as uptight as I thought you were."
Jessica laughed. This coming from a thirteen-year-old who was as uptight as they came. But
all of her studying paid off. Krystal went on to medical school, specializing in-of all things-
gynecology.
Which Jessica found extremely funny, seeing how she was practically celibate, yet her sister
made a living touching female bodies.
She tilted her head. What did she mean practically celibate? It had been more than a year
since she‟d slept with anyone. In fact, since she couldn‟t recall exactly when it was, it may very
well be creeping up on two years.
"Yeah, practically celibate."
This brought her back to her original thought. How would her first encounter with Yuri go?
Would they hug and exchange pleasantries? Would they only shake hands and be cool toward
each other? Would they say "hello" and "how are you" and then go their separate ways, never to
speak again? Or would someone like Hara, who had no knowledge of their past, push them
together at every chance, thinking they‟d have so much to catch up on? Yes, that was the
scenario she envisioned. And since she didn‟t want to cause a scene and draw attention to them-
and their past-she would no doubt go along with it.
She sighed, watching the miles speed by as she got ever closer to Calloway. She wondered
what Yuri was like now, wondered if she‟d changed much. The shy girl in high school had come
out of her shell as soon as they‟d become lovers. She became more outgoing, more sure of herself,
confident and strong. Traits that Jessica loved in her. Of course, after their breakup, Yuri
continued to be outgoing, sleeping with nearly every girl at college, whether they were single or
not. Or gay or not, Jessica recalled, as she remembered a handful of straight girls falling victim to
Yuri‟s charm.
Damn her.
.
Yuri was shocked by how much Calloway had changed. Aunt Lou had told her that their
sleepy little town was growing as more and more people escaped the city, leaving San Antonio
and moving south, but she never imagined this. The tiny two-lane road that she remembered was
now a highway, bypassing the heart of town as it looped around to the north, no doubt built for
commuters who still drove into the city to work every day.
She took the business route into town, now looking somewhat familiar as many of the old
buildings remained, housing locally owned shops that were still in business. Even the movie rental
and tanning place was still there, although back then, it was called The Corner Tan. She was
surprised that a Blockbuster hadn‟t opened in town, putting it out of the movie business.
She drove on, wanting to stop by Aunt Lou‟s before checking in at the hotel, as she had a
couple of hours before the planned happy hour "get reacquainted party." She and her aunt had
always had a special bond, but it wasn‟t until she was older that she realized why. Aunt Lou was a
lesbian. It was something they had never talked about. Ever. Oh, they talked about Yuri and her
love life plenty. But any time Yuri questioned Aunt Lou‟s lack of a husband, a partner, she‟d clam
up, saying she was perfectly happy being an old maid. Of course, Yuri eventually put two and two
together, remembering Aunt Lou‟s trips to San Antonio and even the occasional "friend" she‟d
have over. Yuri had been too young to question it, to think it odd. But now, as an adult, she knew
that Aunt Lou had had a lover in San Antonio. Whether she still did, Yuri had no clue. She
respected Aunt Lou‟s need for privacy, for secrecy, and left it at that. If she ever wanted to
confide in her, she would. If not, it wasn‟t any of Yuri‟s business. She suspected one reason Aunt
Lou remained deep in the closet was she didn‟t want Yuri‟s mother to use her as the excuse for
Yuri being gay. Her mother still found it difficult to accept and still felt the need to let her know
how disappointed she was.
Yuri shook her head, not wanting to go there. She and her mother‟s relationship had been
strained, to say the least. First their divorce, then Yuri coming out to them, then her father‟s
sudden death and then her mother remarrying-all events which widened the gap between
mother and daughter. Oh, they weren‟t estranged or anything. They still talked on the phone
occasionally, they were civil, but they didn‟t see each other. Yuri rarely left the coast, content with
the extended family she‟d built there. Her mother had come once to visit, to see where Yuri
worked and lived, but the disapproval Yuri saw in her eyes, not just about her lifestyle, but about
her life in general, was enough to keep Yuri from extending the invitation again. She knew Aunt
Lou and her mother still kept in touch, so she wondered if her aunt had felt the need to share that
Yuri was coming to stay the week with her.
She turned down the familiar street, the homes all older and showing their age, but her
aunt‟s yard was as pristine and well-kept as Yuri remembered. She parked and got out of her Jeep,
stretching her legs and back after the long drive. She ran her fingers through her hair, windblown
and disheveled as it was. She tried to tame the dark strands, finally giving up.
"Oh, my God, look at you."
She turned, finding Aunt Lou rushing toward her. She opened her arms, accepting the tight
hug and kiss on her cheek. She pulled back, grinning.
"Good to see you, too."
"You look wonderful, Yuri. As lovely as ever. Your father would have been so proud of you,"
she said as she grasped her shoulders.
"Would he?"
"Yuri, of course he would," she said in that let‟s don‟t talk about it tone. "Now come inside.
Let‟s catch up."
Jessica pulled into her parents‟ driveway, feeling the familiar peacefulness that always
eluded her in the city. Even after the stressful drive and the impending reunion that she now
dreaded, the peacefulness returned. She got out, taking a deep breath of the clean, country air,
enjoying the quiet for a second before heading up the walk. Her mother was waiting, opening the
door before Jessica could knock.
"Hi, honey," she said as she pulled Jessica into a hug. "So good to see you again."
"Hi, Mom." Jessica stood still, knowing she wouldn‟t be released until her mother was good
and ready. She finally loosened her grip and Jessica stepped away, grinning. " Good to be home."
"I keep telling you to visit more often," she said, pulling Jessica inside. "We‟ll get your things
later."
"Oh, I‟m not staying here."
Her mother spun around. "What?"
"Well, not for the weekend. I‟ve got a room at the hotel. Hara insisted," she said.
"But next week?"
"Yes, I‟ll stay here."
"Because Krystal would be terribly disappointed if-"
"Mom, I said I‟m staying here. It‟s just the reunion and all, it would just be easier to stay
there. I‟ll come here on Sunday." "And you‟ll stay until Wednesday?" her mother asked as she led
them into the kitchen.
"Yes. Is Krystal still coming Monday as planned?" She eyed the pitcher on the cabinet. It
wasn‟t tea. She raised her eyebrows.
"She‟s leaving the hospital Monday morning." Her mother followed her gaze. "It‟s Friday. Your
father expects cocktails when he gets home."
Jessica glanced at the clock, then back at her mother.
"I thought you and I might have a drink on the Patio. And no, I‟ve not turned into a lush.
Your father gets home at four on Fridays."
Jessica grinned. "So then Krystal and I don‟t have to have a daughter intervention?" She
watched as her mother filled two glasses of what she assumed were margaritas. "How‟s Mark?"
"Oh, busy as ever. I just talked to him last week. He said he‟s missed you the last couple of
times you‟ve called."
"Yeah. And apparently he doesn‟t know how to return calls." She took the drink with a nod.
"Thanks."
"He‟s seeing someone, you know."
"No, I didn‟t know. Since when?"
"For about a month," she said. "Let‟s go out to the Patio."
Jessica stepped outside, the view bringing back a rush of memories. Their backyard was as
impeccably neat and tidy as always, the green grass cut to perfection, the water in the pool
crystal clear. She wasn‟t surprised by the direction of her thoughts as she could picture Yuri
splashing in the pool, laughing at her, playing with her. She mentally shook those thoughts away,
turning to find her mother watching her.
"It‟s beautiful back here," she said, joining her mother at the small round table, the ceiling
fan stirring the air around them. "I miss having a yard," she said.
"You can afford a house. Why must you stay in that condo?"
"Because it‟s a prime location, and I have access to a hike and bike trail, not to mention the
golf club." She sipped from her drink. "Besides, if I want to sell, it wouldn‟t last a day on the
market."
"It‟s still hard to picture you in the big city. I just wish-"
"I‟m not moving back to Calloway," she said with a laugh.
"No, but what about San Antonio? Krystal is there and you‟d be close to home," she said
wistfully.
Jessica reached across the table and squeezed her mother‟s hand. It was a conversation they
had nearly every time she visited. "So, tell me about Mark."
"What‟s to tell? You know how secretive your brother is."
"Okay, let me rephrase. Is he seeing a he or a she?"
"She."
Jessica sighed. "So he‟s still convinced he‟s bisexual?"
"You would know better than me. I‟m just glad he‟s not seeing that artist fellow any longer."
Jessica laughed. "Mother, Mark is an artist."
"Exactly. At least one of them needs a real job."
Jessica hid her smile. She knew all too well that Mark was still in love with "the artist fellow"
and only pretended to date women so that their parents wouldn‟t feel totally guilty over having
two gay children. When Adam ended things with Mark, it‟d taken him awhile to recover. She and
her brother talked nearly nightly during that time, the closest they‟d ever been. But living in San
Francisco, he got back in the saddle quickly and their nightly talks ended.
"So, are you looking forward to the reunion?"
Jessica spun her glass, watching the ice bounce off the sides. "Yes, it‟ll be fun," she said,
hoping her voice had the correct amount of enthusiasm.
"Well, I spoke with Lou Kwon at the grocery store the other day. She says that Yuri will
attend this year. Have you talked to her?"
Jessica shook her head. "No, but Hara said she was planning on coming."
"I‟m sure that‟s exciting. I still can‟t believe the two of you lost touch like that. You were so
close during high school."
If you only knew. But Jessica forced a smile. "It‟ll be...good to see her, yes," she said. "I don‟t
think anyone from school has had contact with her over the years."
"She lives down at the coast, Lou says. Corpus."
"Really?" Jessica stood, not wanting to continue the conversation. "These were good. Can we
have another?"
"Of course, honey. But don‟t overdo it. You have a big night tonight," she reminded her.
Jessica gave her a fake smile, then disappeared into the kitchen for a refill. She would need
much more than a couple of margaritas to get her through the night.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 15
Present Day
Jessica was a bundle of nerves as she pulled into the parking lot of the brand-new Holiday
Inn out on the north side of town. She sat in her car, looking about nervously, knowing with her
luck, Yuri would be pulling in at the same time. But all was quiet as she got out. She took her bag,
hurrying across the parking lot to the lobby. She was immediately engulfed in a hug as Hara ran
to meet her.
"Oh, my God," she shrieked dramatically, as if they never saw each other. "I can‟t believe
you‟re finally here."
Jessica returned the hug. "Hi, Hara. Missed me or just needing moral support?" She glanced
around. "Who all‟s here?"
"Quite a few already. Too many to name. And yes, you were the class president. You should
be doing this job."
"But you live here. We agreed you were better suited for this job," Jessica reminded her.
"Well, it‟s been a little fun. I‟m so glad so many could come up early tonight." She shoved her
toward the desk. "Go check in. I‟ll meet you in the bar."
"Okay." She took a deep breath. "Is Kwon Yuri here yet?"
Hara smiled. "Oh, my goodness, yes. You will not believe how she looks."
Jessica frowned. What? Did she gain two hundred pounds? Did she shave her head? Was she
covered in tattoos? Piercings? What? But before she could ask, Hara had hurried off to greet a
new couple who walked in. The man looked somewhat familiar but Jessica couldn‟t place him. She
didn‟t dwell on him as she turned to the desk, smiling at the clerk as she gave her name.
So Yuri was already here. Wonderful. Might as well get it over with. She signed without
looking, took the key card without thinking and robotically walked to the elevators, finally glancing
at her receipt, finding her room number.
"I should have had one more margarita," she murmured as the elevator whisked her to the
third-and top-floor.
She methodically unpacked her bag, walking aimlessly around the room, stalling as long as
possible. The happy hour gathering was casual, but what did that mean? Khaki causal? Or
summer shorts casual? She eyed the clothes she‟d packed, deciding it was Calloway...summer
shorts casual would be fine. So she stripped, taking a somewhat leisurely shower, finally feeling
the effects of the tequila as her mood turned from nervous to mellow. And mellow was what she
needed if she was to see Yuri for the first time in twenty years.
As she dressed, she wondered what her reaction would be. For that matter, what about Yuri?
Was she feeling any of the trepidation Jessica had been fighting for the last month? And what in
the world did Hara mean about how she looked?
Just go down there.
She took a deep breath, staring at herself in the mirror, pleased with what she saw. Her years
of activity, of biking and the cursed jogging that HyoYeon insisted on, had kept her in good shape.
Her body was toned, her skin tanned, her face clear. She looked good. Great, in fact. She ran her
fingers through her hair, the layers making her look carefree and...tousled. She blew out a breath,
stirring the bangs on her forehead. Tousled? Well, she couldn‟t put it off any longer.
She shoved cash in one pocket and her key card in another, then strode to the elevators,
knowing the time had come. She ignored her nervousness, pushing it down, trying to muster up
even a little excitement for the evening. She would see old friends, most of whom she‟d not
spoken to since the tenth reunion. She would renew friendships, she would visit with Hara, the
one person she saw most often, and she would avoid Kwon Yuri at every turn.
As soon as she hit the lobby, she heard laughter and loud conversations coming from the
bar. The party appeared to be in full swing. She hesitated only briefly before going inside, thankful
for the sparse lighting as she stood in the back, her eyes darting around the room. It didn‟t take
long. Like a magnet, she found Yuri. She was sitting at the bar chatting with Hara and another
woman whose name eluded her. It didn‟t matter. Her eyes were locked on Yuri.
And as if on cue, Yuri slowly turned, sensing-as she always used to do-Jessica‟s gaze on
her. Jessica waited, her thundering heartbeat deafening in her ears, her pulse pounding, her
palms sweating. Now she knew what Hara meant when she said she wouldn‟t believe how Yuri
looked.
Stunning.
Tall and slender, wearing loose-fitting shorts and stylish Teva sandals, her dark hair shorter
than Jessica remembered, her skin tanned a lovely brown, her face as fresh and appealing as it
had been twenty years ago. And the eyes...those dark, expressive eyes...they captured Jessica‟s,
holding her, pulling her as they always had.
But she stood rooted to the spot, the others in the room fading as they stared at each other.
It was only then that she recognized the nervousness-the uncertainty-in Yuri‟s eyes. Then
sounds penetrated, movements blocked her vision, and she saw Hara wave at her, beckoning her
over.
She tried to appear relaxed-cool and indifferent-even though she was as nervous as she
could ever remember being. But the awkwardness she felt was short-lived as Hara tugged on her
arm, pulling her face-to-face with Kwon Yuri.
"Oh, my God. I can‟t believe you two haven‟t seen each other in twenty years," she shrieked.
"Hug or something," she said, shoving them together.
It was surreal what happened next. Yuri‟s arms slipped around her, pulling her close and
Jessica went with it, sinking into the hug, her body coming alive at the contact. It lasted mere
seconds, but it was long enough for her to realize her body recognized Yuri‟s, if only on a
subliminal level.
"How are you?"
The words were quiet, nearly whispered in her ear. She pulled away, forcing a smile to her
face. "Good. Great." Then, "It‟s been awhile," she said.
Yuri didn‟t say anything, merely nodding. "Want something to drink?"
"Oh, yeah. Definitely." Definitely.
Yuri raised an eyebrow, an expression Jessica used to find extremely sexy. She ignored the
lure of the eyebrow and turned to Hara. "What‟s everyone having?"
"Open bar, sweetie. Get what you want." She pulled Yuri to her feet. "I‟m going to steal Yuri
for a second."
"Sure."
Jessica leaned on the bar, impatiently tapping the wooden surface. "Bourbon and Coke," she said.
"A double."
"You have a preference?"
"The good stuff," she said, spinning around, watching as Hara settled Yuri at a table. What in
the world did they have to talk about?
"Yuri, you look absolutely gorgeous. Wait until you see some of the others. Let‟s just say,
time has not been kind."
Yuri laughed. "Well, you held up pretty good."
"Darling, a personal trainer and a little Botox does wonders."
Hara pulled her chair closer. "I want to fill you in on all the
gossip before things get started."
"Okay."
"First of all, and you‟ll probably be shocked at this, but Jessica Jung is...gay," she said, the
last word barely a whisper.
Yuri feigned shock. "You‟re kidding?"
"No, I‟m not. Can you believe it?"
"When did this happen?"
"College. She came home after the first semester, heartbroken and in tears. She confessed
she‟d had an affair with another girl, and the girl broke her heart."
Yuri leaned back in her chair, surprised that Jessica had gotten that attached to her new
girlfriend that quickly. "Well, I‟ll be," she said.
"Oh, yeah. It was quite the talk back then. Of course, now, well, everyone is used to it. I‟m
surprised you didn‟t know. I mean, you two were inseparable."
Yuri shrugged. "I guess you don‟t tell best friends everything."
"And you remember Robin Weathers?"
"She was a cheerleader, right?"
"Right. Guess what? She joined a convent."
"A nun?"
"Yeah. And she‟s coming too. That should be interesting. Jessica has turned into a potty
mouth. I hope she doesn‟t let one of her four-letter words fly around Robin." Hara stood, smiling
and waving toward the door. "New arrivals. Go mingle. I just wanted to share the gossip about
Jessica so you wouldn‟t be totally blown away if she told you."
She hurried off, leaving Yuri sitting alone. Inevitably her eyes were drawn back to Jessica at
the bar. She wasn‟t sure what she expected her to look like. In her mind‟s eye, Jessica was still
nineteen, as she‟d been the last time Yuri saw her. But the beautiful girl she remembered had
grown into a gorgeous woman, moving with a grace that she‟d always possessed. And the hug?
God, how unexpected was that? And awkward. At least for her and no doubt for Jessica too.
As she stared, Jessica slowly turned. Yuri waited, wondering if that old magic was still there.
They‟d always had a knack for knowing when the other was watching, knowing exactly where the
other was in a crowded room. And now, just as Yuri had felt Jessica‟s presence earlier, Jessica
apparently felt Yuri‟s eyes on her. Yuri didn‟t look away when Jessica found her. Despite her
earlier apprehension over seeing Jessica again, the initial shock was over. After twenty years, she
thought the least they could do was have a normal conversation. Perhaps Jessica thought the
same as she made her way over to the table. Yuri was unable to keep her gaze from straying,
Jessica‟s shorts showing off tan, muscular legs.
She blushed slightly when she finally raised her head, surprised at the amused expression
Jessica sported.
"I couldn‟t for the life of me figure out what Hara needed to talk to you about. Then it
dawned on me."
"You‟re gay," Yuri said with a smile. "And I‟m just totally shocked."
"I‟m sure you are."
Yuri motioned to a chair, silently asking Jessica to sit. "And so they think I‟m straight?"
"No one has seen you since then. Why would they think otherwise?"
"I just assumed you would have-"
"Ousted you?" Jessica shook her head. "No. I didn‟t want to go into all that with anyone."
Yuri leaned forward. "So, how have you been?"
"Good. Wonderful, in fact. I live in Houston. I work for a law firm."
Yuri raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I am."
"You‟re kidding. You?"
"Why is it so hard to imagine that I‟m an attorney?"
"It‟s just not what I would have thought." She paused. "Did you ever get that huge office in a
downtown high-rise?"
"As a matter of fact, I did."
"Good for you." Yuri brushed the drop of water away that slid down her glass, finally asking
the question that had her most curious. "So, are you seeing someone?"
There was only a slight hesitation as Jessica glanced at her. "Yes, yes I am. A...a lovely
woman. We‟ve been together for a few years now," she said.
"That‟s great. I‟m glad you found someone."
"Yes. It‟s a...it‟s Faith," she said. "Her name. And what about you?"
Yuri shook her head. "No. Single."
"Really? Still playing the field?"
"What does that mean?"
"Well, the last time I saw you, you were sleeping with practically every girl at school, both
gay and straight."
Yuri looked away, embarrassed. "Yeah, well, I had a lot of running to do."
"Running from your guilt, perhaps?"
"My guilt? What did I have to feel guilty about?"
"Oh, please."
"What? You speak from experience?"
"Me? I certainly had nothing to feel guilty about."
"No, you didn‟t. Why should you? We were kids. I don‟t blame you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Jessica, that‟s twenty years of water under the bridge," she said, repeating SooYoung‟s
words to her. "We don‟t need to rehash it. I don‟t expect an explanation or anything." Yuri was
surprised by
the angry flash in Jessica‟s eyes.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Yuri shrugged, not certain she wanted Jessica to know just how hurt she‟d been. Like she‟d
said, they were kids. Did she honestly expect them to be together forever? Well, yeah, at the time
she did. So, she tried again to explain.
"You know, I tried to be the one to take the high road, to let you off the hook," she said. "But
let me tell you, the pain I felt that day, it still smarts," she admitted. "If I had to do it over again,
I‟d make you come to me. I‟d make you be the one to end things."
Jessica stood up quickly, shoving her chair back. "I don‟t know what the hell you‟re talking
about, but if you‟re trying to turn this around and make me the bad guy, to somehow blame me
for what happened, well...you‟re goddamn crazy as hell," she said before storming off.
Yuri watched her leave, expecting her to exit the bar altogether, but Hara intercepted her,
dragging her off to talk to another couple who had just come in. She reminded herself that Jessica
had been the class president, had been voted most popular...she‟d be expected to talk to
everyone, to know everyone. To remember everyone. But Yuri recognized the squared shoulders,
the straight back. She grinned. Oh, yeah, Jessica was pissed. She raised her glass in a silent
salute. The civil conversation she‟d envisioned had soon turned offensive, surprising her a bit.
Twenty years under the bridge, sure, but they still had a passion between.
Shame it now involved anger instead of love. Jessica finally escaped from Hara, heading to
the bar for another drink. She knew Yuri still sat at the table...alone. And damn if she didn‟t feel
sorry for her. It reminded her of high school, with Yuri on the outside looking in. That is, until
they... well, until they became friends. And lovers.
"You‟re the double bourbon? The good stuff?" He wiped the bar in front of her, smiling in that
flirty way Jessica couldn‟t stand. "Want another?"
Of course, flirting back meant you really got the good stuff.
"Twentieth class reunion. What do you think?" she asked with a wink. "Do I need another?"
"Or two." He leaned closer. "And I‟d say judging by this crowd, I better keep the bottle
hidden for you."
Instead of trying to come up with a witty reply, she dropped a twenty on the bar, hoping the
tip would suffice. He slid a fresh drink her way. "You‟re a good man. Wish me luck," she
murmured as she turned away from him, fresh drink in her hand.
Oh, and damn if her gaze didn‟t bring her back to Yuri. But this time, no, she refused to go to
her. And really, what was with the garbage Yuri was spewing about feeling guilty? Jessica knew
she had no reason whatsoever to feel guilty about anything. Hell, Yuri was the one who-out of
the blue-had decided they needed to expand, needed to see others, needed to branch out.
"Fucking bullshit," she murmured.
"Excuse me?"
Jessica turned, smiling at...Sherry? No, but damn, what was her name? Janie? She frowned,
knowing it was on the tip of her tongue.
"I‟m Debra. I wouldn‟t expect you to remember me. I-"
"We had chemistry together," Jessica said, hoping her memory was correct. At the other
woman‟s bright smile, she knew her guess was right.
"You do remember. Yes. Mr. Arnold‟s class. I missed our tenth so I thought I‟d make this one."
"Glad you did. There‟s a good crowd this year." Jessica sighed, not wanting to be rude, but
not wanting to make small talk with a woman she didn‟t know. Of course, right then, her
alternative was Yuri, who was making her way over to the bar.
"Oh, that‟s Kwon Yuri, isn‟t it?"
Jessica nodded. "Yes."
"You two were best friends, weren‟t you?"
"Yes, we were." Jessica looked around, trying to find an escape route. She wasn‟t certain she
could be civil to Yuri right now.
"Wow. She‟s..."
Jessica turned to her. "She‟s what?"
"Gorgeous. I mean, wow. Look around. Most of us look old and married. But she-"
"Excuse me?"
"Sorry. I didn‟t necessarily mean you." Debra smiled. "Are you married?"
"No."
"Divorced?"
"No."
"Oh?" Then she frowned. "I hope you‟re not one of those who forsake marriage and just live
together. God created marriage for a reason. It‟s the glue that keeps our traditional families
together. Why if it wasn‟t for marriage-"
Jessica held up her hand, stopping her. "Debra, I‟m gay. I‟m not really interested in your
family values speech." Okay, so she would be rude. "I think that‟s way overrated. It‟s bullshit."
Debra‟s eyes were wide as she took a step back. "You‟re...you‟re gay?"
Jessica nodded. "Yes. Very."
Debra took another step back, then glanced at Yuri who finally made her way over. Debra
looked between the two of them, then took another step back. "I...I need to go."
"Sure. Nice to see you again."
Debra fled and Jessica turned to Yuri. "Debra something or other." She waved her hand
dismissively. "I just told her I was gay."
"Oh. That explains the look of terror on her face." Yuri smiled. "Or did you make a pass at
her?"
"As if. She was launching into a speech on the benefits of traditional marriage and about to
go into the whole family values thing. I was about to vomit." Then she spun around. "And what
the hell are you doing over here? I don‟t want to talk to you right now."
"We haven‟t seen each other in twenty years. Do we have to
fight?"
"Why not? I do believe that‟s how we ended things twenty years ago. With a fight."
"Do you really want to talk about that again?" Yuri leaned against the bar. "Look, I was
terrified of coming here. I was actually afraid to see you."
"You were?" Jessica relaxed a little. "I was too," she confessed.
"But now that I‟ve seen you, it‟s not so bad. We‟re adults now. And that was a long time ago."
She shrugged. "Despite the history between us, we were really good friends at one time."
"So you want to forget the history, and just-"
"I just would like to visit and catch up...and not fight. We‟ve both moved on. You more than
me since you‟ve got a partner."
Jessica was about to protest then remembered her lie. God, Faith? Couldn‟t she have come
up with a better name than that? Of course, it was fitting, wasn‟t it?
"Why aren‟t you with someone?"
"I just...well, I haven‟t met the right one yet." Yuri downed the rest of her drink. "I know it
sounds trivial, but it‟s the truth. I‟ve not met anyone I want to spend my life with. I may not ever
meet her."
"And after all that dating you did?"
"I wouldn‟t really call it dating, Jessica." She turned back to the bar and held up her empty
glass, nodding at the bartender. "I finally grew up. I got tired of living that way."
"My mother says you‟re down at the coast," she said. Yuri raised her eyebrows questioningly.
"She ran into your Aunt Lou," she explained.
"Oh."
"How long have you been there?"
"About seven years. And you‟ll probably laugh but, well, I found an inner peace there. I went
to visit SooYoung, an old friend from college. I ran into her in Austin unexpectedly."
"Was she one of the ones-"
"She‟s married, got a couple of kids," Yuri said, interrupting her question. "It was there that I
realized how empty my life really was." She handed over a folded bill to the bartender. "Thanks."
She took a sip, nodding. "Anyway, being down there brought back a bunch of memories, as you
can imagine."
"Our first time," Jessica said quietly, feeling a rush as memories-still fresh-surfaced.
"Yeah. Our first time." Yuri leaned closer and Jessica didn‟t shy away from her nearness. "It‟s
something that I‟ll always hold dear to me. It was special."
"Yes. Yes it was." And for all the bad blood between them, the betrayal, the breakup, it was
special.
"You probably are sorry it was me, though," Yuri said. "I mean, your first time and all. I‟m
sure you‟ve met someone that you wish you‟d waited for."
Jessica shook her head. "At first, after you ended our relationship, yes, I did wish I‟d waited."
She chanced a quick glance into those dark eyes. "Because I hated you so much. But later, after
I‟d been...well, when I finally was able to allow someone else close, I realized that what we
shared at that young age, well, it was special. I wouldn‟t have wanted it to be anyone other than
you."
They both leaned on the bar, quiet. Jessica couldn‟t believe the vein their conversation had
taken. After months of dreading the encounter, after weeks of dredging up old memories, here
they were, talking about their past as if it conjured up no recollection of pain and heartache. It did.
Twenty years later, she could still remember the agony she felt when Yuri walked out of her life.
It was a heartbreak she was certain she‟d never recover from.
Yet, here they were. There‟d been no screaming and crying, no angry words. She smiled.
Well, the little spat over feeling guilty hardly counted. It wasn‟t like she‟d slapped Yuri or anything.
"Why are you smiling?"
Jessica turned to face her, their arms brushing. "Because here we are, having a normal
conversation, discussing something that was so painful for me, discussing it in a rational manner."
"And that makes you smile?"
"I was thinking about our earlier conversation." She laughed quietly. "Where-in the movies-
I probably would have slapped you, causing a scene."
"I see." Yuri leaned forward. "It was painful for me, too, Jessica. More so, I think."
"More? How could it possibly?"
"You had someone to go to. I didn‟t."
Jessica stepped back. "What are you talking about? Who?"
"The girl you were seeing. I don‟t remember her name."
Jessica‟s eyes narrowed. "Yuri, seriously, what the hell-"
"There you two are," Hara said, coming to stand between them, putting an arm on each of
their shoulders. "Just like old times, you two huddled off somewhere together. Catching up, are
we?"
"Catching up, yes," Jessica said. She looked at Yuri but she‟d turned, facing Hara.
"I can‟t get over how wonderful you look," Hara said to Yuri. "I bet you‟re a knockout in a
swimsuit."
Jessica couldn‟t help but smile as Yuri‟s face turned red with embarrassment.
"I did bring a swimsuit, as instructed," Yuri said. "However, I‟m having a hard time picturing
this crowd sitting around the pool, having a swim party."
"Oh, it‟ll be fun. TaeYang is in charge of the hot dogs. And like high school, we‟ll have to
sneak in beer. The hotel has a no-alcohol policy out there."
"TaeYang?"
"My husband," Hara said.
"Not the TaeYang?"
Jessica laughed. "The same."
"Oh, my God. You married TaeYang?"
Hara put her hands on her hips, staring at Yuri. "I was the head cheerleader, he the star
quarterback. It‟s a fairytale, don‟t you think?"
Jessica could tell Yuri was at a loss. The TaeYang she remembered was a conceited ass.
"They‟ve only been married a couple of years," Jessica explained.
"Everyone needs time to grow up," Hara said. "Second marriages. I highly recommend them."
She took Yuri‟s hand. "You‟re still single, right?"
"Right."
"You remember Siwon Choi?" She pulled Yuri with her.
"He never married either. Let‟s go visit."
Jessica laughed at the panic-stricken look on Yuri‟s face as Hara slipped into her matchmaker
mode. She‟d seen Siwon a handful of times over the years. She suspected he was gay-and not
out-but Hara insisted he never married because he was still in love with Jessica.
Oh, that was a trying time, she recalled. She and Yuri sneaking off whenever they could, just
to be together. And Siwon, turning into nearly a stalker as his infatuation with Jessica became
nearly unbearable. She made the mistake of going out with him once. Her mother insisted. "He‟s
such a nice boy." Yeah, a nice horny boy.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 16
Twenty-two years earlier
"I don‟t want to go out with him," Jessica insisted.
"He‟s a nice boy, honey." Her mother clasped both her shoulders, making Jessica look at her.
"I just don‟t understand you, Jessica. You‟re a beautiful girl, so popular in school, yet you spend
all of your time with Yuri. This is when you should be dating, having fun, going to parties."
"I do have fun, Mom." She‟d always been able to tell her mother anything, but this...her affair
with Yuri...no, she was too afraid. "I thought you liked Yuri."
"I do, honey."
"Mom, Yuri and I...well, she‟s not like the others. She‟s interested in college. We talk about
our future, about what we want. The others-Hara-it‟s all boys and parties and gossip."
"That‟s how it‟s supposed to be when you‟re a teenager," her mother said with a laugh. "I
always told your father you grew up too quickly. That‟s one reason I pushed you into
cheerleading."
Jessica rolled her eyes. "I hate cheerleading."
Her mother studied her for a moment. "Jessica, do this for me? Just go out with him. Give it a
chance."
"But-"
"You‟re going to be a senior. It‟ll be prom time. Wouldn‟t it be nice to have a boyfriend?"
Jessica bit her lip to keep from laughing. A boyfriend.
But she finally agreed, just to get her mother to shut up about it already. She called Hara,
saying she‟d changed her mind. She‟d go with them to the rodeo after all.
"Wear those tight black jeans," Hara said. "Do you have cowboy boots?"
"You know I don‟t."
"Okay, but wear some kind of boot, would you?" Then she squealed. "I can‟t believe you‟re
going out with Siwon. Finally!"
"It‟s not really a date, Hara."
"Of course it is. We‟ll pick you up by seven."
Jessica hung up, knowing she was making a mistake. She didn‟t want to go. She knew she‟d
have no fun. It was Friday night. More often than not, Yuri would bring pizza over and they‟d
watch a movie. And she‟d ask Yuri to stay over.
She glanced at her bed. Yuri would call her mother, letting her know she was spending the
night. She didn‟t know why they bothered with formalities. They both knew-as did their
parents-that Yuri wouldn‟t be going home. And during the night, after everyone else had gone to
bed and the house was quiet, they‟d stop pretending they were sleeping. They‟d touch, they‟d
kiss...they‟d make love.
Yet tonight, she‟d let her mother talk her into going out on a stupid date. Truth was, she
was afraid her mother was getting suspicious of all the time she and Yuri spent together. It was
actually a miracle they hadn‟t been caught yet.
She picked up the phone, dreading her call to Yuri. Yuri would be hurt. No, Yuri would be
confused. And hurt.
"Hi, Mrs. Kwon, it‟s Jessica. Is Yuri around?"
"Hi, Jessica. Yes, she‟s out playing basketball with Jeff. Hang on, I‟ll go get her."
"Thanks." She waited only a minute or two before Yuri‟s breathless voice sounded in her ear.
"Hi. What‟s up?" Then softer, quieter, "I can‟t wait to see you."
Jessica bit her lip, not knowing how to tell her. "I‟m going out tonight," she blurted. "With
Siwon." There was only silence on the other end and she waited.
"I see." A long pause, then, "Why?"
"My mother, she‟s been after me to date, she‟s starting to question why we spend so much
time together. I thought-"
"Okay. I understand."
"Do you?"
"Yes. As long as we continue to hide what we have, what we feel, then yeah, your mother is
going to wonder why you‟re not dating."
Jessica listened to her words but she was more interested in her tone. "You‟re mad," she
finally stated.
"Yeah. Wouldn‟t you be?"
Jessica pulled the phone away from her ear as Yuri slammed it down, effectively hanging up
on her. She took a deep breath. Yeah, she‟d be pissed if Yuri called and said she had a date. In
fact, she‟d be mad as hell.
So what were you thinking?
Jessica plopped down on her bed, confused as to what to do. Well, she knew what she
should do. She should call Hara and cancel. But then she‟d have some explaining to do to both
Hara and her mother. And then she‟d most likely spend the night alone anyway as she doubted
Yuri-explanation or not-would want to come over.
"Crap. Shit. Fuck."
.
"Oh, man, you look great."
Yeah, she did. But Siwon wasn‟t really the one she wanted to look great for. And after the
argument with her mother-after she‟d told her she wasn‟t going out with Siwon-she was in no
mood for compliments. She obviously didn‟t win the argument with her mother.
Hara pulled her aside, squeezing tightly on her arm. "What is wrong with you? You‟ve got a
pissed off look on your face."
Jessica ignored her question. "What are we doing here? I thought we were going to the
rodeo?"
Hara winked. "Well, Siwon was so excited that you‟d finally agreed to go out with him, he
wanted to come by The Spot and show off."
Jessica glanced around. The Burger Spot was the place in town to go if you wanted to
mingle with the cool kids. It was a teenager‟s dream, filled with video games and arcades, air
hockey and foosball and lots of fun and laughter. It was where they gathered after Friday night
football games, where they hung out on lazy Saturday afternoons or where they met up after
school for a bitch or gossip session before heading home. And it was a place Jessica and Yuri had
avoided of late, choosing instead to spend their time alone.
"Hara, I wouldn‟t really call this a date."
"Oh, my God, of course it is." Hara pulled her back toward their booth. "And I think we‟re
going to skip the rodeo and catch a movie instead."
"A movie?"
"Yeah." Hara grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. "We can sit in the balcony and make out."
Jessica slid into the booth beside Siwon, cringing as he spread his legs, his thigh pressing
tightly against hers. She moved away from him.
"Burger and fries?" he asked. "My treat, of course."
She jumped when she felt his hand move across her leg to her inner thigh. "What the hell do
you think you‟re doing?" she demanded as she slapped at his hand.
"Hey, I was just-"
"Well, don‟t," she said as she slid away, standing. "You don‟t touch me. Ever."
She spun away, hearing Hara call her name. She ignored her as she headed to the back.
Stupid. Stupid.
She fished in her purse for coins, her hands shaking as she picked up the pay phone.
"Jessica? What is wrong with you?"
"Leave me alone, Hara," she said, turning her back to her. Please answer. She knew Yuri‟s
parents were out. They went out to dinner every Friday night. But what if Yuri wasn‟t home? What
if-?
"Hello," came the familiar voice on the phone.
Hara tapped her on the shoulder. "Jessica? Seriously. Siwon is-"
"Jessica? What‟s wrong?" Yuri‟s voice sounded in her ear and it was like a lifeline. She turned
to Hara. "Please, go back to the table."
"You‟re acting really weird. Really, really weird," Hara said before turning in a huff and
leaving her.
"Jessica?"
Jessica squeezed her eyes tight. "I love you," she whispered.
There was a pause. "Where are you?"
"The Spot."
"Do you want me to-"
"Yes. I want to be with you. I‟m sorry. This was-"
"I‟ll be there in five minutes."
Jessica hung up the phone, her chest feeling tight. I love you. She couldn‟t believe she‟d just
blurted it out like that. As many times as they were intimate, as much as they talked, they‟d never
said those words to each other. Their lovemaking was always guarded, calculated, planned. They
had to be careful. They had to be quiet. They couldn‟t let anyone know. Yet there were so many
times those words came to her-she wanted to shout them out-as Yuri brought her to orgasm.
So many times she wanted to say them, but was afraid. They were two girls having sex. Did I love
you belong there?
Yes, it did, she decided. Because, deep in her heart, she was madly in love with Kwon Yuri.
And despite the aloof attitude Yuri normally sported, she knew-deep in her heart-that Yuri felt
the same.
She bent her head back, staring at the ceiling as she took a deep breath, then released it
slowly. How was she going to get out of here? The booth that Hara and the gang occupied was
only six feet from the door. It wasn‟t like she could escape unnoticed. And without a scene. So
she eyed the kitchen. There was a back door.
You‟ve lost your mind.
But she pushed through the swinging doors, smiling brightly as everyone in the kitchen
turned their gaze her way.
"Back door?" she asked.
They all pointed in the same direction and she nearly ran, sidestepping the guy pulling a
dripping pan of fries from the grease. She saw the exit sign and pushed through the door, taking
deep breaths of fresh air.
True to her word, Yuri pulled up in the old Toyota her parents had bought for her. It was
bordering on jalopy status and she knew Yuri was embarrassed to drive it. Still more often than
not, she rode her bike to school.
As soon as the car was stopped, Jessica jerked open the door, then hesitated before getting
inside. She owed Yuri an apology, an explanation.
"I‟m sorry-"
"Get in. We‟ll talk later."
Jessica did, not daring to look at Yuri as she drove.
"My parents went to dinner over in Pleasanton. They won‟t be home for hours."
Jessica turned to her and their eyes met. She nodded, knowing that meant they would be
alone...for hours. Alone. No parents asleep down the hall. No siblings who might barge into the
bedroom without knocking. No need to be guarded, to be quiet. She felt her excitement grow and
she reached across the console, her left hand sliding over Yuri‟s leg, resting intimately between
her thighs. She felt Yuri tremble, heard her breath catch.
Jessica leaned back, letting her hand move deeper, pressing hard into Yuri‟s hot center.
"I‟m going to drive us off the road if you don‟t stop," Yuri said, her voice thick with desire.
Jessica opened her mouth, her breath coming in short gasps as she felt the warm moisture
pooling between Yuri‟s thighs. She left her hand where it was, feeling Yuri tighten around it. They
had been lovers for months, yet there was one thing they had not experienced. Not for lack of
desire, no. But as quiet as they had to be, Jessica knew she would not be able to remain silent if
Yuri made love to her with her mouth. Tonight she wouldn‟t have to be silent.
Yuri pulled to a stop in her normal spot on the street and they hurried from the car, nearly
running into the house. Yuri took her hand, leading her through the living room and down the hall
to her bedroom. She closed the door, leaving the light off.
They stood there together, hands still clasped, looking at each other in the shadows.
"Did you mean what you said?"
Jessica took a deep breath. "Yes." She felt Yuri pull her closer and she went, slipping into her
arms, their mouths finding each other in the darkness. She moaned, loving the way Yuri kissed
her.
"I want all of you tonight," Yuri murmured against her lips, her hands tugging Jessica‟s blouse
from her jeans. "All of you. Everything."
"I‟m yours," she whispered, unbuttoning her blouse as Yuri‟s hands unzipped her jeans. She
was soon naked and they nearly ripped Yuri‟s clothes off, both tugging down her shorts at the
same time.
Yuri pulled the covers back on the bed, then lay down, bringing Jessica with her. Jessica
didn‟t hesitate as she settled between her legs, loving the feel of skin on skin as she rested her
weight on Yuri. But Yuri flipped them over, pinning her to the bed, her mouth covering one aching
nipple, her lips tugging at it, sucking it into her mouth.
"Yuri...God...please," she murmured, grasping Yuri‟s head and holding her tight against her
breast. She opened her legs wider, giving Yuri room, feeling the steady rhythm of Yuri‟s hips as
she ground into her. Yuri‟s mouth moved to her other breast, her tongue teasing, flicking at her
nipple, making Jessica ache with a desire she hardly understood. "Please..."
But Yuri understood. She lifted her head, her dark gaze fiery hot. "I love you too," she
whispered.
Jessica felt tears sting her eyes. She cupped Yuri‟s face, pulling her up, their mouths meeting
gently now, their kiss languid, slow. Jessica pulled away, meeting Yuri‟s eyes, trying to convey
how she felt. "I‟m sorry about tonight. I never should-"
"Shhh. No. We‟ll talk about it later. I just want to love you. Will you let me? Will you let me
do everything?" She brought her mouth to Jessica‟s ear, her tongue bathing it, making Jessica
squirm. "I want my tongue inside you. Not just my fingers, but my tongue. Do you want that?"
Jessica moaned, afraid she would climax right then, just from Yuri‟s words and the very
skilled tongue that was still invading her ear. "Yes. Yes," she said. "I want that."
Yuri‟s mouth left her ear, pausing to nibble at her neck before moving lower. Jessica was
trembling and she was nearly embarrassed by the sounds coming from her. She wanted Yuri to
hurry, but she took her time, her mouth moving slowly over the breasts, then lower.
"Oh, God," Jessica murmured. "Please, Yuri...hurry."
"We don‟t have to hurry," Yuri said as her tongue left a wet trail across her belly.
Jessica lifted her hips, offering herself to Yuri. "I can‟t wait any longer. Please...do it." If she
sounded like she was begging, she didn‟t care. This was an act she‟d dreamed of for so long, and
it was about to become a reality.
She felt Yuri‟s mouth move across the hollow of her hips, nipping at the sensitive flesh of her
inner thighs. Yuri‟s hands pushed her legs farther apart, then Yuri cupped her hips, holding her
tight as she lowered her mouth.
"Oh...my...God," Jessica moaned, her hips jerking wildly as Yuri‟s tongue moved into her
wetness, delving inside her, licking across her clit, teasing her, then lips closing over her as Yuri
suckled her clit, much like she‟d done her nipple earlier. "Yuri ...oh, God, it feels so good," she
panted. "So good. Please don‟t stop. Don‟t ever stop."
Yuri didn‟t. With her mouth, she devoured Jessica-licking and sucking-holding her tight as
Jessica writhed beneath her, totally out of control of both her mind and her body. Her fists held
tight to the sheets as she struggled to breathe. The pleasure was immense and she let it wash
over her, consume her, control her. Her orgasm came much too quickly, but she was powerless to
stop it. Her scream was loud, she knew, but she couldn‟t help it. It felt so good to release it, to
finally be free to express the pleasure Yuri gave her. Her hips bucked as she came, and she
clasped her thighs tight, holding Yuri‟s mouth to her as her orgasm slowly subsided.
She finally lay limp, her body exhausted-sated. She smiled as Yuri kissed her way up her
body. She found the strength to gather her close, pulling Yuri into her arms.
"That was incredible," she whispered. "I can‟t wait to do that to you."
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 17
Present Day
Yuri finally escaped Hara‟s clutches, but not until Hara had embarrassed both her and Siwon
Choi. For all of his lovesick actions in high school, she would swear he was gay.
She found Jessica at the bar, standing alone, a flushed look on her face. She made her way
over, Jessica turning to look at her as she got nearer. Yuri nearly stumbled, the look in Jessica‟s
eyes so familiar to her. It was the look she always had after they made love. Her eyes hooded,
the blue made darker by her desire. As they stared, she saw a blush cover Jessica‟s face before
she turned away.
But Yuri‟s curiosity was piqued. She stood beside her, leaning on the bar as Jessica was doing,
their arms brushing.
"Gonna share."
"What do you mean?"
"I‟ve seen that look in your eyes before. Hundreds of times," she whispered.
Jessica laughed. "Hundreds, huh?"
"At least."
Jessica cleared her throat. "I‟m embarrassed to say, but I took a trip down memory lane," she
admitted.
Yuri nudged her arm. "Share."
"Do you remember the night my mother talked me into going out with Siwon? The night he
tried to cop a feel at The Spot?"
Yuri nodded. "I was pissed at you. And very hurt."
"Yes. I called you. You came to my rescue."
Yuri turned to her. "You told me you loved me. It was the first time you said those words."
Jessica smiled. "Yes. That night was a first for a couple of things."
Yuri tilted her head, trying to recall what happened. She picked Jessica up at The Spot and
brought her home. Her parents were out late and they were alone. Oh...that was the night...
She smiled wickedly. "So, you were thinking about the first time I went down on you?"
Jessica blushed anew and lifted her empty glass to the bartender, silently asking for another.
"I did not start out thinking about that. I was thinking about Siwon, actually, and Hara playing
matchmaker."
"What do you remember about that night?" Yuri asked quietly. It was a night she‟d not
thought of in years, yet it was one that held special meaning for her. Not the fact that they‟d
finally experimented with oral sex. No. But it was the night they said their first "I love you" to
each other.
"If you think I‟m going to discuss our past sex life, you‟re crazy as hell," Jessica said.
Yuri smiled. "I had the most intense orgasm of my life that night. When your mouth touched
me, I thought I was in heaven."
Jessica bumped her shoulder. "You were in heaven," she said with a laugh.
"But you know what I remember most?"
Jessica raised her eyebrows.
"I remember the look in your eyes when I told you I loved you." Yuri swallowed. "It was the
first time we were truly alone, the first time it wasn‟t just hurried sex, the first time we made love."
"Yes," Jessica whispered. "And after that, sneaking off for a quickie just didn‟t do it for us any
longer."
Yuri nodded. "Thank goodness for your grandparents‟ place."
Jessica sighed. "I can‟t believe we‟re discussing this. Actually, I can‟t believe we‟re speaking
at all."
"What? You thought I‟d still be upset and not want to talk to you? I‟m over that, Jessica."
"You‟d still be upset? What about me? Didn‟t you think I might possibly be upset?"
"Are we going to get into that again?"
"Yes. What did you mean earlier when you referred to the girl I was seeing?" She stepped
away as the bartender brought over a new drink for her. "Thanks."
"I don‟t remember her name," Yuri said, shaking her head at the bartender‟s unspoken
question. She‟d had enough alcohol for one night.
"Who? I never dated anyone. After we broke up, I was too devastated to date." She bumped
Yuri‟s shoulder again. "Not that you had that problem."
Yuri pushed away from the bar. "I was devastated too, Jessica," she said quietly. "You broke
my heart."
"Yuri-"
Yuri held up her hand, stopping her. "Let‟s don‟t get into it tonight, Jessica. I‟m suddenly very
tired. I think I‟m going to call it a night."
"Okay. You‟re right. I don‟t suppose rehashing it will make any difference."
Yuri nodded. "I‟ll see you at the pool party tomorrow."
She left Jessica standing at the bar, a confused look on her face. No, it wouldn‟t make any
difference to rehash it all. All that would accomplish would be to dig up old memories, ones that
were best left buried.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 18
Present Day
"Oh, my God!" Hara stood, then shrieked again. "Oh, my God. Look at you."
Jessica‟s gaze was pulled from her book, following Hara‟s movements. Oh, my God, indeed.
Yuri strode toward them, her bikini covered with a sheer white swim shirt, hiding nothing.
Absolutely nothing. She was tanned a golden brown, evidence of her days on the beach. Her legs
were as long as Jessica remembered, the muscles tight, defined. Runner‟s legs.
"What? Too old for a bikini?" Yuri asked as the two women stared at her.
"You look fabulous." Hara turned to Jessica and pointed. "And here I thought Jessica would
be the only one to pull off wearing a bikini."
Jessica felt her face blush as Yuri‟s eyes moved over her. There was nothing casual about her
gaze and Jessica was conscious of Yuri‟s prolonged stare at her breasts.
"You‟re as beautiful as ever," Yuri said, her voice low.
Jessica smiled. "Thank you. You look stunning." She was pleased at the quick blush that
covered Yuri‟s face.
"Take my chair," Hara said. "I need to help TaeYang get started." She walked away, then
paused, looking back at them. "Look at you. I can‟t believe you‟re both single. We‟ve got to fix
that," she said as she left them.
"Single? She doesn‟t know about Faith?"
Jessica looked away. "I suppose not." No, no one knew about Faith. Faith didn‟t even know
about Faith. She hid her smile, wondering if she should just tell Yuri the truth. There was no Faith.
Of course, how silly would that make her look? Then she‟dhave to confess as to why she made
her up in the first place.
"Why didn‟t you bring her?"
Yes, why, Jessica? She forced a smile to her face. "She‟s never been here," she said truthfully.
"It would be boring."
"Have you ever brought any of your lovers home to meet your parents?"
Jessica shook her head. "No. I don‟t make it back here all that often. Holidays and such."
"Oh? Hara made it sound like you come five or six times a year."
As usual, Hara talks too damn much. "What about you?"
"My first time back, believe it or not. You remember my parents moved to San Antonio shortly
after we started college."
"That‟s right. And your dad died suddenly. I‟m sorry."
"We had grown so far apart, especially after they divorced."
"Was it bitter?" She laughed. "Well, you know what I mean. I don‟t suppose any divorce is a
cakewalk."
"It wasn‟t really bitter because it‟s what they both wanted. I didn‟t realize how miserable
they were, I guess. But they went their separate ways and I was kinda left in the middle." She
shrugged. "Totally blew them away when I came out to them."
"Yeah, mine too. But they recovered quickly."
"And your mom never suspected us? Even after you came out?"
"No. Not that she‟s ever mentioned, anyway. Yours?"
"Oh, yeah. First thing." Yuri laughed. "My mom blamed you, because you know, good
Catholic girls like me wouldn‟t ever cross that line."
"If she only knew how many lines you crossed," Jessica said.
Yuri sighed. "Yeah, I did. Too many."
She suddenly had a sad look on her face and Jessica wondered what she was thinking of. She
also wondered if Yuri was ever going to want to talk about their breakup. Because she had
questions and needed answers. Maybe if she had some sort of closure to the nagging questions
she‟d had all these years, well, then maybe she could go on with her life. Maybe she could finally
let go of the past. Of course, that would be admitting that her life-her love life, at least-had
been on hold. Not something she wanted to admit...or acknowledge. At least not to Yuri. Because
after all, there was Faith to think about. But to herself, she could readily accept the fact that no
one ever touched her the way Yuri had. Touched her physically nor emotionally. Even now, with
twenty years behind them, she could still feel that spark, still feel the power between them. She
wondered if Yuri felt it too.
"Why did you break up with me?" Jessica whispered.
Yuri turned, her eyes filled with reflection and sadness. "I wanted to give you your freedom."
"Why? Because you wanted yours?"
"No. I never wanted anyone but you."
Jessica turned away, embarrassed by the jealousy she still felt. "Yet you slept with countless
girls, night after night?"
"I was trying to forget you. I was trying to get you out of my heart, out of my head. It was
the only way I could cope. I‟m sorry."
"Yuri, I never wanted my freedom. I never understood why you did that."
"I didn‟t want you to have to sneak around, Jessica. You didn‟t deserve that. If I wasn‟t the
one, then-"
"What the hell are you talking about? That‟s the third or fourth time you‟ve alluded to that.
Did you think there was someone else?"
"I saw you with her, Jessica. It was twenty years ago, so there‟s no need to pretend any
longer."
As much as she wanted to discuss this, to know...Jessica was too furious to continue the
conversation in a rational tone. "You‟re driving me fucking insane with these insinuations. Let‟s
just get it out and quit talking in goddamn circles," she said, her voice rising.
Yuri grinned. "Wow, you did develop a potty mouth, didn‟t you?" She stood and ripped off her
swim shirt, leaving her standing there practically naked. "I don‟t want to talk about it right now."
She strode the few feet to the pool and dove in, making barely a splash.
Jessica stared, her eyes glued to the sleek figure as she glided under the surface. It wasn‟t
fair. Not after twenty years. She should be over it by now. But damn if she didn‟t feel that old
attraction rearing its ugly head. She sighed. And who was this mystery girl Yuri kept alluding to?
Yuri was surprised by the sudden splashing around her as she surfaced. Apparently, all it
had taken was for her to get in the pool to get the others to follow. She looked around, seeing
somewhat familiar faces but not a single name would come to her. And while she was friendly
enough in high school, she realized that Jessica was really the only true friend she had. The
others were just classmates, faces in the crowd, kids she saw every singleday, yet knew hardly
anything about them. Jessica‟s friends had welcomed her into their circle-Hara, HyoMin, the
guys-but only because Jessica insisted. She had nothing in common with them. They all came
from prominent families who purchased brand-new sports cars for them, and most lived on the
newer north side of town, complete with two-story houses and pools in the backyards, Jessica
included. However, being madly in love did tend to make one overlook some things.
"Having fun?"
She spun around, surprised to find Jessica in the pool beside her. She smiled. "I don‟t know
any of these people."
"At the dance tonight, we‟ll wear nametags. That should help."
Yuri moved closer, teasing. "Do you think anyone would be shocked if the two lesbians
danced together?"
"Shocked only in that no one knows you‟re gay," Jessica said.
"As much of a tomboy as I was in high school, and now here I am, not married," she
shrugged. "Come on, who wouldn‟t at least guess?"
"Well, if you‟re just dying to out yourself to everyone, I‟ll be happy to dance with you."
Yuri playfully splashed water at her. "I don‟t think we‟ve ever danced together, have we?"
"Well, we danced the night of the prom. Remember?"
"Oh, yes. You were beautiful. The dance didn‟t last long, if I recall."
"Then there was the night out at my grandparents‟ pond where you sang to me while we
danced."
Yuri couldn‟t resist as she moved closer, nearly pinning Jessica to the side of the pool. "Isn‟t
that the night we got very adventurous and tried to-"
Jessica covered Yuri‟s mouth with her hand and grinned. "Don‟t you dare say that out loud."
"I think I pulled a hamstring, didn‟t I?"
Jessica laughed. "How did we ever come up with that idea?"
"You were on your period, but you didn‟t want to waste an opportunity-"
Again, a wet hand covered her mouth. "I remember. You don‟t have to say it. But I think I
enjoyed the prom dance more."
"Me too." Yuri moved away, enjoying being near Jessica far more than she should. "I think
we would have died if not for your grandparents‟ place though."
"I know. And honestly, I can‟t go out there without..."
"Thinking about us being together?" Yuri finished for her.
"Yes."
"Are they still alive?"
Jessica shook her head. "No. They‟ve been gone years now. They died eight months apart.
They had four children, so the place and the land was supposed to be divided, but no one really
wanted that and no one wanted to buy from the others. They ended up keeping it together, just
selling enough acres to have money to remodel the house and put in a pool. None of my mother‟s
siblings live near here, so when they come, they usually stay at least a week. It‟s turned into quite
the vacation getaway. And it‟s where we do Christmas each year. It‟s a shame it took them dying
to bring everybody together."
"But your mom has the upkeep on it?"
"Yes. After a big weekend, they‟ll just hire someone to clean it, but the pool has turned into
the biggest headache. My father hates it. That‟s his chore to keep it clean."
Yuri dipped her head into the water, then slicked her hair back from her face. "And how are
Mark and Krystal?"
Jessica leaned closer. "Mark is a big flaming queen and lives in San Francisco. Krystal is a
gynecologist and she‟s in San Antonio."
Yuri burst out laughing, causing those around them to turn and stare. "Mark is a queen?"
"He pretends to be bi so mom and dad can still hold out hope for marriage, but yeah, he‟s a
big homo."
"And Krystal is a gynecologist? Wow, lucky gal," Yuri said with a grin.
"Perhaps a profession you should have gone into," Jessica teased. "Speaking of which, what
did you end up doing?"
"Advertising."
"Really?"
Yuri took Jessica‟s hand and pulled her into deeper water, away from the others. They were
bouncing on their toes, necks just above water. "Remember how I liked to draw?"
"Yes, you used to sketch all the time. I thought you‟d be an artist. You had the temperament
for one."
"Funny."
"Sorry. Go on."
"Well, I never really knew what I wanted to do. I was just taking classes, hoping something
jumped out at me. SooYoung talked me into taking some marketing classes. I got introduced to
advertising there. But the business side of things didn‟t interest me like the design did. I got a job
doing ad design in Austin at one of the top firms and I was happy enough there."
"Collecting a paycheck without a whole lot of responsibility?"
"Pretty much. But my personal life sucked," she admitted. She saw the questions in Jessica‟s
eyes but she wasn‟t prepared to admit that she was still trying to chase Jessica‟s memory away at
the time. "That‟s when I ran into SooYoung and took a trip down to Corpus. I fell in love with the
place. SooYoung worked for a marketing firm and got me a job, but it was just a job. Nothing I
enjoyed, certainly. One night I was over at their house for steaks and while Sammy-that‟s her
husband-was doing the cooking, we were downing a couple of bottles of wine. We decided to
start our own advertising agency."
"Oh, wow. That‟s wonderful."
Yuri moved, guiding them back into the shallow water again. "Yeah. A few lean years at the
beginning, though. But we‟re doing good now. We actually have enough business to employ
another designer, so I‟m not strapped with it all. SooYoung pretty much handles the accounts and
business side of things. It‟s worked out good for us."
"That‟s great. You love your job now, right?"
"Yeah. I can‟t see myself doing anything else. What about you?"
"Oh, no. I hate my job."
"The attorney part or the job part?"
"Both. Unfortunately, I‟m very good at what I do and they pay me accordingly. Our firm
specializes in the oil and gas industry."
"Oh, no."
"Yes. I‟m afraid so."
"What‟s your specialty?"
"Loopholes."
"Writing them or finding them?"
"Both."
"Wow. Tiffany would hate you."
"Tiffany?"
"She‟s a wildlife biologist. She and TaeYeon run a private sanctuary down close to Aransas.
She‟s always fighting with your oil and gas folks over drilling rights, environmental protections,
things like that."
"Friends of yours?"
"Yeah. TaeYeon has a beach house in Port Aransas. I actually met her jogging one morning."
Jessica made a face. "You jog?"
"Yes. I still bike some too, but mostly take a run."
"I hate running. My workout partner loves it. We trade off. I prefer to bike."
Yuri laughed. "So this weekend, you aren‟t going to hit the trails."
"There are no trails in Calloway." She moved closer. "But tell me about your friends."
"TaeYeon and Tiffany? They‟re crazy in love. They‟re my closest gay friends, although I don‟t
get to see them that often. From my place in Corpus to the refuge is over an hour and a half drive.
I get out there probably twice a month or so, depending on the season. Sometimes they‟re too
busy. Spring and early summer are nearly impossible to get together."
"What does TaeYeon do?"
"She‟s a photographer. Does an awesome work." Yuri reached out and brushed a water
droplet from Jessica‟s face. She was surprised by the darkening of Jessica‟s eyes. "Beautiful," she
whispered. "I had forgotten how brilliant your eyes are. Like an indigo bunting."
"A what?" Jessica asked, her voice low.
"A bird. A tiny little blue bird. They migrate through by the thousands."
Jessica smiled. "You‟re a bird-watcher? Seriously?"
Yuri laughed. "Hardly. Only what I‟ve learned from Tiffany. I‟m kinda like TaeYeon. She‟s an
extremely talented wildlife photographer, but she couldn‟t name a bird to save her life." Yuri was
surprised to feel Jessica‟s hand touch her arm, even more surprised to feel her fingers wrap
around it.
"You‟ve changed. You seem much more introspective."
"You mean as opposed to an eighteen-year-old obsessed with sneaking off and having sex
with you?" Yuri pulled herself out of the pool and sat along the edge, her legs dangling in the
water. She looked down at Jessica. "Or were you referring to my antics in college?"
"Both, I guess." Jessica moved closer, standing between her legs. "I really need to talk about
that, Yuri. I‟ve hated you all these years and I don‟t want to hate you. But I was just left with so
many questions." Yuri felt the fluttering of her stomach as Jessica‟s hands clasped around each of
her ankles. "Can we please talk about it? Please?"
Yuri wasn‟t sure what it would accomplish to talk about their past, but obviously they had
two different versions of their breakup. Because in all honesty, Yuri had hated Jessica, too, all
these years. But the woman she saw now wasn‟t the young teen she‟d fallen in love with, and she
wasn‟t the girl who had broken her heart either. Jessica had grown into a beautiful, confident
woman. And much like the young teen she‟d been, she was still able to turn questions into
commands...ones Yuri was never able to refuse.
"Okay. We‟ll talk. How about after hot dogs, we take a drive?" Yuri suggested.
"Thank you."
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 19
Twenty years ago
"What‟s your hurry?"
"You know what my hurry is," Jessica said, ignoring the slower pace Cheryl tried to set.
"Oh, yeah, you haven‟t seen her in like three hours," Cheryl teased. "However did you stand
it?"
Jessica grinned. "I‟m in love. I can‟t help it."
"I can‟t believe you two have been sleeping together since high school and you still have the
hots for each other. It‟s crazy."
"Not crazy. We‟re going to be together forever."
"Yeah, right."
"We are," Jessica insisted. Why wouldn‟t they? She and Yuri were perfect for each other. Best
friends and lovers. They never argued. They talked and laughed and made love. She took a deep
breath. Boy, did they make love.
"There‟s tall, dark and beautiful now," Cheryl said. "I‟ll catch up with you this afternoon. And
hey, thanks for talking with me earlier."
"Yeah, okay," Jessica said, but her eyes were already locked on Yuri. Something was wrong.
There was sadness in her eyes that Jessica had never seen before. She waited for her, searching
her eyes. "What‟s wrong?" she asked.
"We need to talk," Yuri said. She shifted her feet nervously, then shoved both hands into the
pockets of her jeans.
"Okay, but what‟s wrong. Did something happen? You look so sad. Did someone-"
"Come here," Yuri said, pulling her to the side, away from the sidewalk as students rushed by
on their way to class.
"Yuri, you‟re scaring me."
"I‟ve been...I‟ve been thinking," she said. "We‟re so young. We haven‟t really, you know, had
an opportunity to get to know other people. I think-"
Jessica grabbed her arm and squeezed. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Maybe we need to take a break."
"Take a break?"
"Hang out with other people for awhile. You know..."
Jessica dropped her arm. "You want to break up?" she whispered. Her chest was so tight she
could hardly breathe. "Is that what you‟re saying?"
"Yeah. You know, we‟re young. We should...branch out. Experience life."
Jessica couldn‟t contain her tears any longer. "Are you serious? You want to be with someone
else? You want to sleep with someone else?"
"Jessica, I‟m doing this for you," Yuri said. "Please don‟t cry."
"You‟re doing this for me? Well, that‟s just bullshit," she said, her voice loud. "What happened,
Yuri? We were together last night. You told me you loved me. We made love last night and you
said you loved me. Suddenly today, you want to break up?"
Yuri took her hands and held them tightly. "I do love you," she whispered. "And I want you to
be happy. And I want you to be able to do what you want." She stepped away and Jessica saw
she was fighting her own tears. "I‟ll never forget you."
Jessica was speechless as she watched Yuri walk away... walk away and out of her life.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 20
Present Day
"I never would have pictured you for a Bimmer," Yuri said. "At least not a sedan. Maybe a
ragtop."
"I just bought it last year." Jessica grinned. "BMW is not really my style. I had a truck before
that."
"My, aren‟t you the lesbian," Yuri teased.
"Right." Actually, Jessica could play the girlie-girl when the occasion called for it, but she liked
being the sporty lesbian, something she wasn‟t when she was younger.
"I can‟t believe how much Calloway has changed."
"I know. Past our hotel, it‟s really crazy. It‟s almost like another town."
"But we‟re heading where?"
"I thought you‟d like to see the old high school," she said.
Yuri raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean old?"
"It‟s a middle school now. They built a new high school a few years ago." Jessica turned off
the highway and slowed, going down the old strip. "Remember that?" she asked, pointing.
"The Burger Spot. Damn, is it still open?"
"Yeah. But since the high school moved, it‟s not the hangout like it was when we were here."
"It was never really my hangout anyway," Yuri said. "I wasn‟t one of the cool kids."
"Only because you didn‟t want to be."
Yuri laughed. "Neither did you."
"No. I only wanted to be with you," she admitted.
Yuri nodded. "And vice versa."
Jessica took a deep breath as she turned down the street where the old high school had been.
The building was the same, but it appeared much smaller now. She drove around the back where
the practice fields used to be.
"A baseball field?"
"It‟s not the school‟s. They built a new field up north. This used to be the practice field,
remember?"
"Of course I remember. There was a lovely hidden spot behind the bleachers. We used to-"
Jessica laughed. "I know what we used to do there." She pulled to a stop. "This field is used
for Little League mostly." She opened the door. "You want to walk around?"
"Sure."
They were silent as they walked past the baseball field and headed to the tennis courts. They
appeared to be the same courts that were there twenty years ago, the surface showing signs of
age as cracks snaked through the concrete. Jessica stopped, ready to talk.
"Tell me why."
Yuri looked past her, her gaze going to the old school. Jessica wondered if she was thinking
about the breakup or taking a trip down memory lane, remembering their time together here in
this building.
"I knew you had another lover," Yuri said finally. "I was trying to spare you from having to
sneak around."
Jessica frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Yuri shrugged. "I don‟t remember her name. Some cute little short chick. Blond. You had a
class together. You went to lunch nearly every day with her."
Jessica had tried to erase that time from her memory so she had a hard time recalling anyone
she knew back then. "Cheryl?"
"Yeah. I think that was her name."
Jessica felt her anger surface. "You thought I was sleeping with Cheryl? That‟s why you broke
up with me?"
"Look, I didn‟t believe it at first, but people kept telling me it was true." Yuri paused. "So one
day I waited for you after your class...I saw you together."
"Together? You‟re out of your mind. Cheryl was crazy about ...oh, what was her name?"
Jessica closed her eyes, trying to remember. "Amanda something or other. I was trying to give
her pointers, trying to help her, trying to get her to ask Amanda out. When she finally did, it didn‟t
go well."
"Amanda? Who do you think first told me about you and Cheryl? It was Amanda. They were
best friends."
"What? Are we talking about the same Amanda?"
Yuri walked closer. "Amanda told me right where you‟d be, what time, everything. And there
you were. You were hugging. Then she pulled you to the side near some shrubs, and you kissed
and hugged again." Yuri shook her head. "Wasn‟t just a friendly hug, Jessica. It was a full body
I‟m about to jump your bones hug."
Jessica clenched her fists, surprised at her anger. "You have got to be kidding me. You broke up
with me because someone told you I was sleeping with Cheryl? Did you ever think to ask me?"
Jessica poked Yuri‟s chest with her finger. "God, your communication skills always did suck." She
turned away. "I was so in love with you, I never even looked at another girl, much less
entertained the idea of sleeping with one." She turned back to Yuri, holding her eyes. "You were
my world. I loved you," she whispered. "And I was floored when you came to me with your little
speech about needing to see others, needing to spread our wings, needing to experience life. I
was devastated. I thought I was going to die. Hell, I wanted to die." She took a step back, away
from Yuri. "Every time I turned around, you were with someone else. And I hated you. I hated
you so much."
"Jessica, look, I‟m sorry if-"
"No. I‟m so pissed at you right now, I don‟t want to talk to you." She spun around and
headed back to the car, her pulse pounding so fast, so loud, she was afraid she might have a
stroke right there. She thought I was cheating on her? "Fucking unbelievable," she muttered.
"Jessica, wait."
"For what? Wait for what?" She stopped, glaring at Yuri. "Why couldn‟t you talk to me about
it? Why couldn‟t you ask me? You ended our relationship based on a rumor?" She took a deep
breath, trying to curb her anger. "Were you that insecure about us, about our relationship?"
"Jessica, you were a cheerleader. You were popular. Your parents gave you a brand-new
sports car when you turned sixteen." Yuri looked away. "I came from the south side of town. My
parents got me a beat-up Toyota when I was seventeen. I-"
"You didn‟t think you were good enough?" Jessica‟s anger disappeared as fast as it had come.
She finally understood. "I‟m sorry." She walked closer, pulling Yuri into her arms and holding her
tight. "I should have seen that. But you of all people should have known that none of that
mattered to me."
"She drove a Corvette. She-"
"Oh, Yuri. She was hardly even a friend. You were my world. I fell in love with you. You. I
didn‟t care who your parents were or where you lived. I didn‟t care what kind of car you drove. I
never cared about any of that."
Yuri looked away. "I was always awed by the thought that you wanted to be with me," she
said. "You could have had anyone. Anyone in high school, certainly in college. So when Amanda
said that Cheryl, the rich kid from Dallas, was sleeping with you-"
"You believed her."
"I believed her. I didn‟t at first, but it all added up. You had a couple of classes together.
You went to lunch with her. You met up at the library. She called you all the time."
"Which is what people do when they have classes together and they study." She shook her
head. "All these years I‟ve tried to figure out why. I thought maybe I was lacking, maybe you had
your eye on someone else. Hell, maybe you did want to spread your wings. God knows you slept
with enough girls after us."
"I was stupid. I should have talked to you. But Amanda and Cheryl-"
"Set us up," Jessica finished for her. She saw it now. All the attention Cheryl used to pay her.
All the touching, the impromptu hugs, the phone calls. Yes, she could see Yuri getting suspicious.
Yuri nodded. "Cheryl wanted you. It turns out Amanda wanted me."
Again, Jessica felt a stab of jealousy. "Well, at least one of them got their wish."
Yuri grabbed her arm when she would have turned away. "I‟m sorry, Jessica. You‟re right.
My communication skills sucked. I was lost without you. And so I tried to forget you."
"By sleeping with everyone within-"
"Yes."
Jessica pulled away from her. "It was two years before I would let anyone touch me. And
even then, it was a disaster." She laughed quietly. "I even tried guys, thinking...well, I don‟t know
what I was thinking," she admitted. Talk about disaster.
"Guys?"
"I know. It was stupid." She looked away. No, what was stupid was that after twenty years,
she was still trying to forget Yuri. And her sexual encounters were still disastrous. Of course, there
was Faith, she recalled, trying to find some humor in the situation. Good old Faith.
"So, do you hate me more or less now?"
Jessica tried to smile. "I‟m not sure. Of course, I guess you were right about some things."
"What do you mean?"
"We were awfully young. We were the only partners either of us had ever had. I guess it
was crazy to think we‟d actually stay together. I mean, college and all. Chances are, we would
have met someone else and ended up breaking up anyway."
Yuri nodded. "We‟ve both changed. I‟m sure we would have grown apart."
"Yeah. Of course. And if I‟d stayed at college there, I‟d have been a teacher." She laughed.
"Now that would have been a disaster."
"So see? It all worked out. You‟ve got your job, your fancy office. You‟ve got a partner in your
life. I‟ve got...I‟ve got a thriving business and a small group of very good friends. And I love living
on the coast." Yuri shrugged. "See? It worked out."
"Did it?" she whispered. She had a job she hated and an imaginary lover she created so Yuri
wouldn‟t know she was still single. Yuri at least had a job she loved, in a city she loved. But she
too had no lover. Had it really worked out?
"Come on. We have a few hours before the shindig tonight. I‟d love to see your mother."
"Mom?"
"Yeah. Do you think she‟d mind?"
"No. No, she would love to see you." Jessica paused at the car. "Let me just call her. Make
sure she‟s home."
"Okay. Great."
Jessica walked a few steps away from the car. Her mother answered on the second ring.
"Hey, Mom. You remember Kwon Yuri?"
"Of course, honey." Her mother laughed. "We just talked about her, didn‟t we?"
Jessica rolled her eyes. "Well, she‟s here. You know, for the reunion. She wants to see you.
Do you mind if we drop by?" She glanced into the car, seeing Yuri watching her.
"Oh, good. Bring her by. It‟ll be nice to see her again."
Jessica cleared her throat. "Okay...and just so you know, I‟ve been seeing Faith for, well, for
the last several years."
"Who?"
Jessica bit her lip. "Faith." She glanced back to Yuri, hoping she couldn‟t hear.
"Faith? Well why haven‟t you brought her around?"
"Mom, just work with me here, okay?"
"You‟re seeing someone and you don‟t even bother to let us know."
"Mother...just go with me, okay. Jesus. How hard is it?"
"What are you talking about?"
Jessica sighed. "We‟ll be right over."
"Wow. So many memories here," Yuri said as she stared at the house.
"Did you go by your old place?"
She shook her head. "No. My own house was so sterile. My dad was gone all the time. My
mom, well, I don‟t know what she did. But here, here it was a normal house, with kids and
laughter. I love the time I spent here."
Jessica led the way up the walk. "Yes, nearly every weekend."
"Yeah. Fighting for pizza with Mark and Krystal. Then going to your room and locking the
door." She grinned. "And then-"
"I remember exactly what happened. We don‟t need to go there."
Yuri laughed. "So I shouldn‟t tell your mother?"
"That we were having sex two doors down from them? Let‟s don‟t." She knocked once, then
opened the front door. "Mom?"
"In the kitchen, honey."
"It doesn‟t look the same," Yuri said as they went toward the kitchen. "Didn‟t there used to
be a wall there?"
"Yes. She likes to redecorate, remodel, change things around. I‟m surprised they haven‟t just
sold and built a new house as much as she likes change."
Her mother smiled broadly when she saw Yuri, immediately pulling her into a hug. "Oh, my
goodness, look at you," she said. "You‟re absolutely beautiful, Yuri. My, my, but you turned out to
be a looker."
Jessica laughed at the blush Yuri now sported. But Yuri recovered quickly, kissing her mother
on the cheek.
"You look as lovely as I remember, Mrs. Jung."
"Oh, you‟re too kind. But you always were a charmer. Wasn‟t she, Jessica?"
Jessica‟s eyes flew to Yuri‟s. What did she mean by that comment? But she nodded, "Yes, she
was a charmer, all right."
"I made us some refreshments. Let‟s go out to the patio. It‟s not so terribly hot today."
Jessica eyed the pitcher. "I forgot to tell you," she said to Yuri. "My mother has turned into
an afternoon lush."
Her mother laughed and waved her hand dismissively. "Call it what you want, honey, but
your father likes it." She poured three glasses. "He says it makes me wild."
It was Jessica‟s turn to blush. "We didn‟t need to know that."
"Sex after sixty is quite good, Jessica."
"And we really didn‟t need to know that." She picked up one of the glasses, then motioned to
the patio. "Shall we?"
They settled under the ceiling fan on the patio and Jessica watched as Yuri surveyed the
backyard, her gaze landing on the pristine pool. She wondered if Yuri remembered the nights
they‟d sneak down after everyone was asleep. They‟d shed their clothes and slip into the dark end
of the pool...touching, kissing. And sometimes, when the kissing and touching wasn‟t enough, Yuri
would lead her from the pool into the shadows, making love to her as Jessica struggled to stand,
struggled to keep quiet as she climaxed.
She caught Yuri‟s eye, holding her gaze, knowing she was reliving the same memories as
Jessica.
"Tell me what you‟ve been up to, Yuri," her mother coaxed.
"I run into Lou every once in a while. She says you‟re down in Corpus."
"Yes. I‟ve been there several years now. I love it down there. I should thank you for allowing
me to go on vacation with you way back when. That was my first introduction to the coast."
"That‟s funny how that worked out, isn‟t it? I don‟t believe Jessica has been back down there
since you two were seniors."
"Really?" Yuri looked at her. "Why not?"
"Well, I‟ve just been busy," she said. She sipped from her drink, hoping they weren‟t
expecting more of an explanation.
"Yes. I suppose when you‟re in a relationship, you have to take the other person into account.
Does she not like the coastal area?"
Her mother frowned. "She who?"
"Faith," Yuri said.
"Oh, yes, Faith. Of course, we‟ve never met her. You‟d think-"
"Mother," Jessica said sternly, "Yuri doesn‟t want to hear about Faith."
Yuri leaned forward. "I‟d love to hear about her. I‟m wondering what kind of woman finally
captured your heart."
"Yes, so would I," her mother said.
Jessica felt her face turn red and she picked up her glass again quickly. "I don‟t care to
discuss my love life in front of my mother, thank you very much."
"So you‟ve not met her?" Yuri asked her mother, ignoring her.
"No. In fact, just today is the first I‟ve heard of her."
"Oh, good God," Jessica said. "Can we talk about something else?" She grabbed the bridge of
her nose and squeezed. Inventing Faith was a mistake, no doubt. But bringing Yuri over to see
her mother? What were you thinking? She drained the last of her margarita and held up the glass.
"Who wants seconds?"
"My, talk about a lush," her mother murmured.
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 21
Present Day
Yuri stood naked in her room, eyeing the clothes she‟d laid out on the bed. While the dinner
and dance wasn‟t deemed formal, Hara advised it was a dress-up affair. However, this was
Calloway. Not all "dress-up" rules applied here. Especially if you weren‟t all that fond of dressing
up in the first place.
The black jeans with the nice leather boots is what Yuri wanted to wear. What she knew she
should wear was the fancy suit SooYoung had picked out for her. Would it be considered a fashion
faux pas if she mixed the silky turquoise blouse of the suit with the tight black jeans? Yuri decided
she didn‟t care. She wasn‟t really a suit kind of gal. She was simply letting SooYoung play dressup with her when they‟d gone shopping.
She glanced at her watch, knowing she had another half an hour before they were to meet at
the bar for pre-dinner drinks. Then dinner and dancing. And a brunch tomorrow for those who
wanted, then they would all disperse and go on with their lives. Of course, Yuri hadn‟t spent much
time talking to anyone other than Jessica and a few short conversations with Hara. She‟d had a
brief-and awkward-encounter with HyoMin, the girl famous for her swim parties. Yuri didn‟t
recognize her as she was just a few ounces shy of three hundred pounds now. Divorced with two
kids, she still lived in Calloway. That was the extent of their conversation and Yuri escaped back to
the safety of Jessica‟s company.
Which was ironic, seeing as how she‟d been dreading meeting up with Jessica again. She
couldn‟t believe they‟d actually discussed the breakup. More than that, she was shocked by
Jessica‟s claim that she and the cute little blonde hadn‟t been lovers. Oh, Yuri believed her. Jessica
had no reason to lie about it now. She just couldn‟t believe she‟d let herself get set up like that,
let herself believe it was true, let her insecurities catch up with her. Jessica claimed to have hated
Yuri all these years. Well, the feeling was mutual. Yuri had lived with the thought that Jessica had
cheated on her, had lived with the feeling that she wasn‟t quite good enough for Jessica, whether
it be sex or whatever. All these years she believed that Jessica had found her lacking and had
turned to someone else.
All these wasted years.
Well, at least Jessica had been able to finally move on. If she and Faith had been together a
handful of years, then maybe she‟d found her true love. It was odd though that she hadn‟t even
introduced Faith to her parents.
Yuri sighed. Yes, all these wasted years. She‟d like to think that maybe now-now that they‟d
cleared the air about what had happened-she‟d be able to move on and perhaps let someone
into her life again, into her heart. Not that she‟d been intentionally keeping them out, she just
hadn‟t given anyone a fair chance. Because in the back of her mind, in the back of her heart, she
was still comparing everyone she met with Jessica. She was still trying to find that magic she‟d
had with Jessica, even though she knew she‟d probably never find it again.
.
Jessica stared at herself in the mirror, wondering if she dared to wear the black strapless
dress or not. She had to admit it looked wonderful on her, clinging to her curves, the front cut low,
revealing far too much cleavage for Calloway. She spun around, grinning at her reflection as the
dress lifted, exposing her tanned thighs. Yeah, she dared.
Mainly because she wanted to see Yuri‟s reaction.
But that was wrong, wasn‟t it? Because there was Faith. And what kind of message would
that send?
I don‟t care.
Yes, truth was, she didn‟t care. Because there wasn‟t Faith. However, did she really want to
play with fire and actually flirt with Yuri? That could be very dangerous.
"Oh, hell," she muttered as she grabbed her cell. She was about to call HyoYeon but put the
phone down quickly. Why was she calling HyoYeon for advice? HyoYeon would encourage her, not
try to talk some sense into her. "Why does she have to be single? And why does she have to be
so damn gorgeous?"
~~~ *** ~~~
CHAPTER 22
Twenty years earlier
"You look beautiful, honey."
Jessica rolled her eyes as her mother surveyed her after
hooking the string of pearls around her neck.
"So does this mean you and Siwon are dating?"
"We‟re not dating, Mom. I just agreed to go to the prom with him, that‟s all." Another
decision she was certain to regret but not going to the prom simply wasn‟t an option. She‟d
already been voted Miss Calloway and was in the running for prom Queen. She hoped her very
public chagrin over the Miss Calloway title-and her insistence that she did not want the prom
Queen title-would get everyone to vote for Hara. In fact, she‟d campaigned for Hara.
"Is it true Yuri‟s not going?"
Jessica bit her lip. "Yes."
"Did no one invite her? I find that hard to believe. She‟s such an attractive girl."
"She got invited. But the prom‟s not really her thing." No. It wasn‟t Jessica‟s thing, either. Yet
here she was, dressed in a formal gown, wearing her grandmother‟s pearls, waiting for Siwon
Choi to pick her up.
"I just can‟t understand how the two of you could go all through high school without having a
boyfriend. It‟s just not normal. Everyone should want to go to their prom."
It was a theme of conversation that Jessica had been trying to avoid for the last two years.
She‟d made up countless excuses and reasons as to why she didn‟t have a boyfriend, but it still
fell on deaf ears.
"So I should be like everyone else?" she asked. "I want to go to college and make something
of my life. But you want me to date one of the boys here in Calloway because it‟s normal? You
really want me having sex with any of these boys?"
"Who said anything about sex?"
"Well, what do you think happens on dates? They sneak off and have sex." Jessica couldn‟t
believe she was talking to her mother like this. The last thing she wanted was to get into
conversation about sex. After all, they‟d never really had the sex talk. And judging by the blush on
her mother‟s face, they weren‟t going to have it now, either.
"So you‟re saving yourself for marriage. That‟s how it should be. I‟m very proud of you."
Jessica hated lying to her mother. Saving herself for marriage? No, there would be no
marriage. Not to a man, anyway. She and Yuri were both heading to San Marcos for college.
There, they could be themselves. They could be open with their relationship. They would meet
others like them and not feel so isolated, so alone. No more sneaking off. No more lying.
That is, if she could get through the night. She‟d made it plain to Siwon that she was going
with him as a friend, not as a date. And she‟d already told Hara that if he attempted anything, she
would leave.
.
"Oh, my God. You look beautiful."
Jessica smiled at Hara. "No, you look beautiful. You look like the prom queen," she said with
a wink.
"Well, sorry, sweetie, but I heard through the grapevine that you and TaeYang won."
"Me and TaeYang? I hate this crap. I don‟t want to be the fucking prom queen," she
protested, perhaps a bit too loudly.
"Look on the bright side. At least it wasn‟t Siwon who won. He‟d definitely think you two were
a couple then."
"That‟s a bright side?"
"What‟s the big deal? You dance with TaeYang, take a few pictures, let everyone gape at you,
smile like you love it. Easy as pie."
"I know you don‟t understand, but I can‟t do it." In fact, she was nearly in panic mode. She
was so certain she‟d done enough to get Hara voted prom queen.
"You have to do it."
"The hell I do."
Hara grabbed her arm as she turned to go. "You can‟t just leave. Have you lost your mind?"
"Why is this happening to me? I‟m not a cheerleader anymore. I‟m not supposed to win this
crap. You‟re supposed to win."
"You‟re nice. They like you."
"You‟re nice," she said convincingly.
"I‟m a snob." Hara pulled her closer. "If you run away every time you go out with Siwon, he‟s
going to get a complex."
"That was a year ago."
"Exactly. And you haven‟t been out with him-or anyone else-since then." She paused as
she stared across the room. "Oh, God, look at HyoMin. She‟s practically naked. Did she think
wearing something like that would get Seth back?"
"Is she still hung up on him?"
"Yes. He‟s a loser."
Jessica rolled her eyes. Anyone who broke up with anyone in their group was labeled a loser.
She was so ready for high school to be over. A few more months, then freedom. She and Yuri
could escape this little town and be together without having to pretend going to the prom was the
best thing in the world. In fact, right now, she didn‟t care if Siwon got a complex or not. She
didn‟t care that her mother would be pissed. And she didn‟t care what any of her classmates
thought. But she wasn‟t going to suffer through the pageantry of the naming of the prom king
and queen and then the subsequent slow dance afterward. She wasn‟t going to do it.
"Look, I‟m feeling sick. Nauseous," she clarified.
"You‟re not sick."
"Trust me, I‟m sick. I‟m going to vomit." She squeezed Hara‟s arm. "I‟ll let Siwon know, then
I‟m going to call my mother to come pick me up."
"She‟s going to be pissed."
"Not if I‟m sick." She also knew her mother wasn‟t home. They‟d gone over to the Parker‟s for
dinner and cards. Mark and Krystal were sleeping over at a friend‟s house.
"I can‟t believe you‟re doing this."
"I‟ll let Mrs. Ashmore know, don‟t worry." Mrs. Ashmore held the crown jewels for the king
and queen to wear after the announcement.
After a quick explanation to Siwon-who then gallantly offered to take her home-and to Mrs.
Ashmore-whose genuine dismay told Jessica she really did win-Jessica slipped into one of the
offices to pretend to call her mother. She called Yuri instead. Thankfully it was Yuri who answered
and not one of her parents.
"Can you come get me?"
"What‟s wrong?"
"I‟m going to win stupid prom queen," she said.
"I told you so."
"So you did. Will you come get me?"
"Can you just leave like that?"
"I‟m sick."
"Okay. My folks are here though," she said quietly.
Jessica smiled. "Mine aren‟t. Mark and Krystal are gone too."
"I‟ll be there in five minutes."
Jessica felt a thrill as she hung up the phone. She knew she looked good, knew the dress she
wore clung to her curves. And she wanted nothing more than for Yuri to see her in it. Actually,
she wanted nothing more than for Yuri to strip it off of her. She closed her eyes, wondering if
she‟d always feel this way, wondering if the thought of making love with Yuri would always send
chills across her body in anticipation. She decided that, yes, it would always be this way.
She went back out, but not before plastering a sickly, pathetic look on her face. Mrs. Ashmore
was waiting.
"My parents aren‟t home. I forgot they were going out to dinner. I called Yuri instead. She‟s
going to take me home."
"Okay, dear. It‟s a shame Yuri didn‟t come tonight. She‟s such a pretty girl. I heard that
several of the boys asked her."
Jessica shrugged. "Yuri plays basketball. I don‟t think she owns a dress."
Mrs. Ashmore laughed appropriately, then patted her arm. "Would you like me to wait with
you?"
"No. She just lives about five minutes from here."
"Okay, dear. I hope you feel better." She looked around them conspiratorially before leaning
closer. "I just wanted you to know that you won. Hara was runner-up, so she‟ll get the traditional
dance."
"Thank you. And if I felt any better, I‟d stay for it, but I feel like I could throw up at any
moment." She covered her mouth as if to prevent just that and Mrs. Ashmore turned away with a
hasty hope you feel better.
Jessica left through the side door of the gym, hoping to call as little attention to herself as
possible. No one appeared to notice her departure and she let out a relieved breath as she
escaped outside into the cool spring air. She was walking back toward the front of the gym when
she spotted Yuri‟s car. She waited and watched as it crawled past the entrance then around to the
side. As always, Yuri seemed to know exactly where she was.
She pulled closer, then stopped. Yuri got out and leaned across the top, her gaze raking over
Jessica‟s body, sending chills down her spine.
"You look beautiful," Yuri whispered. "Like a princess."
"Thank you."
"You would have done the prom queen proud. Sure you don‟t want to stay?"
Jessica shook her head. "I‟d rather be with you."
Yuri nodded and walked around the car, holding the door open for her. "Your chariot, my
queen," she said with a bow.
Jessica laughed quietly as she got inside the old Toyota that Yuri hated. As soon as they were
out of the parking lot, Yuri‟s hand found hers.
"You really do look lovely, Jessica. As beautiful as I‟ve ever seen you."
Jessica squeezed her hand. "I wanted to look beautiful for you, not for them, not for Siwon."
She shivered when Yuri brought her hand to her lips and kissed it, her tongue darting out for a
brief touch, letting Jessica know what was to come. She shivered again as she imagined all that
tongue would do to her.
Jessica‟s house was dark and quiet, as she expected. As soon as the door was closed, she
was in Yuri‟s arms, her mouth opening to her kiss.
"God, I love you," Yuri whispered.
"I‟ll always love you." Jessica‟s hands found Yuri‟s breasts, loving the way Yuri moaned when
she touched them. But she pulled away. "Let me leave my mom a note so she won‟t comeinto my
room when they get home."
"Okay. Hurry."
Jessica did, scribbling out her lie before leading Yuri upstairs to her bedroom. Once there,
Yuri turned on the lamp, her gaze again lingering on Jessica.
"May I have this dance?"
Jessica smiled. "You can have every dance."
There was no music except what they heard in their hearts-their souls-but they moved
slowly together, their bodies pressing close, their feet shuffling on the carpet without rhyme or
reason as they had their prom dance. And as if on cue, Jessica lifted her head, finding Yuri‟s
mouth waiting. Their dance ended as their passion ignited and Jessica‟s beautiful prom dress was
tossed on the floor as an afterthought, her only concern at the moment was Yuri...and all she was
about to do to her.
~~~ *** ~~~