"That part never made sense, but it happened around the same time." Jess scowled. "All the sudden he started going out of his way to make my life difficult. And I've heard the same thing from other gay staff."
Kim leaned back and contemplated all Jess had told her. She sat up suddenly when the pieces came together. Could it be? Would sure explain his behavior.
"What?" Jess asked.
"I was just thinking. Maybe his wife left him for a woman. That would explain his need to chase women — to prove is masculinity."
Jess's eyebrows rose. "And explains why he hates gays all the sudden." She shook her head. "I'll be damned. I never put it together." Jess met Kim's gaze. Her eyes held respect with just a hint of trepidation. "Damn. You're good."
"Thank you." Kim smiled and buffed her nails on her shirt. "It's just a theory, but you have to admit — it fits."
"I —" The loud grumbling of her stomach interrupted Jess.
"You didn't get anything to eat after our lunch got interrupted?" Kim asked.
"Nope. Too busy."
"Don't let me keep you. You should get something now while it's quiet."
Jess looked at her watch. "Shift is over in an hour. I'll just grab something out of the vending machines to hold me over." She stood and stretched. "You want anything?"
"No. I'm good. Thanks." Kim stood and moved over to the desk to gather up her charts.
Jess motioned Kim toward her desk chair. "Make yourself at home," she said with a smile.
Kim settled into Jess's chair. She looked up at Jess and smiled. I still can't believe she gave me a key to her office. "Thanks again for the key."
"No problem." Jess reached for the door and then stopped. She turned back to Kim. "I know it's Friday night and short notice, but would you be interested in going to dinner after work?"
Wow. Two invitations to lunch this week and now this. She is getting more comfortable. Didn't even hesitate. "That would be great. Want to hit that Mexican place again?"
Jess laughed. "You're just addicted to their flan."
Kim stuck out her tongue. "And that would be bad — why?" Curiosity piqued when Jess blushed. What was blush-worthy about that comment?
Momentarily flustered, it took Jess a moment to regain her composure. She cleared her throat. "Mexican it is."
"I can head over there and put our names on the wait list while you take care of Thor."
"Not necessary. Thor's with Sam this weekend. She's off today, so she drove up and got him," Jess said.
She's never mentioned him spending time at Sam's before, at least not without her. Kim waited, wondering if Jess would offer any further explanation.
Jess shifted, looking a little uncomfortable, then straightened and met Kim's gaze. "I um... really get a kick out of Halloween and all the kids dressed up. I get a lot of trick-or-treaters in my neighborhood. Thor gets kind of spun up with all the people coming to the door." Jess looked down. "He's not used to people coming to the house." She shrugged. "I don't like to have to confine him to my bedroom. He thinks he's being punished. So he goes and stays with Sam on Halloween."
Kim moved out from behind the desk and over close to Jess. Yep, definitely a softie. "I think it's great that you consider his feelings. Too many people don't give their companions that type of consideration." Meeting Jess's gaze, she smiled warmly. "Dogs have feelings too."
"Thanks," Jess said. An endearing blush covered her face. "So what do you have planned for Halloween? Going to the party at Blane's?" The ER department staff got together for a costume party at the local bar and grill every year.
"Kids in costumes are cute." Kim shook her head. "But adults in costumes, drinking too much and acting out — not my thing at all."
Jess laughed. "I'm with you on that one. So are you going to pass out candy at your place?"
Blond curls bounced when Kim shook her head. "One of the neighbors already let me know they don't do that at my complex. That was one of the things I enjoyed in Michigan. I spent Halloween at my mom's place. Her neighborhood gets a ton of kids on Halloween."
Indecision rippled across Jess's face.
Silence that quickly started to become uncomfortable surrounded them.
Kim ended the stalemate. "You should get something to eat while you've got the chance." She turned back toward Jess's desk.
"Kim." Jess reached out and touched Kim's arm, stopping her in her tracks.
Eyebrow raised in question, Kim turned back toward Jess.
Jess took a deep breath. "Why don't you come over to my place and help me pass out candy."
Things really are changing! Although they had met outside work quite a few times, they always met up at the park or wherever they were going. Kim searched Jess's eyes. She knew what a big step this was for Jess. And for herself if she was honest. "That would be great, Jess."
A delighted smile spread across Jess's face. "It'll be fun. I'll give you directions at dinner." Jess's pager shrilled. "Duty calls. I'll meet you after shift," she said before hurrying out.
Kim sank into Jess's chair. She had never expected Jess to invite her into her home. As much as she looked forward to spending the time with Jess, she was nervous as well. Her attraction to Jess continued to grow by leaps and bounds. It was getting harder and harder to ignore. Kim sighed. She had come to value their friendship too much to risk it with an ill-timed display of her desire. Don't screw things up now.
CHAPTER 18
DING, DONG.
Jess froze, a ball of ice solidifying in her stomach. Her gaze darted around the living room, making sure everything was in place. It had been almost two years since anyone other than Sam had been in her home. Come on. This is Kim. It'll be fine. A vision of warm, caring blue eyes flashed through her mind, melting the icy feeling in her belly. She blew out a breath and headed for the door.
"Hey, Kim." Jess smiled at Kim through the screen door. A single porch light draped with cobwebs cast a pallid swath of light across the covered porch.
"Hi. Wow. The decorations look great," Kim said. "I love the carved pumpkins on the steps. They look spooky all lit up. And the skeletons and bats hanging from the eves are a great touch."
"Thanks. I loved Halloween as a kid and I guess I never grew out of it. It's still one of my favorite holidays." She couldn't help but compare Kim's genuine enjoyment of the decorations to Myra's more jaded reaction. Not to mention her patronizing comments.
Should I? Jess debated with herself... for about half a second. Her mouth quirked up in a lop-sided smile as she unobtrusively reached for a switch next to the door.
Kim's expression turned wary. Her eyes flittered around the porch.
Ah. She's getting too good at reading me. Jess slowly pushed open the screen door that separated her from Kim.
The hanging skeletons lurched to life.
The bats’ wings fluttered.
An eerie high-pitched cry emanated from overhead.
Kim ducked and did a little backward hop.
The bag in her hand dropped to the porch with a resounding thump.
Quickly regaining her composure, Kim mock scowled at Jess. Her hands went to her hips. "Very funny."
Jess grinned as she stepped out onto the porch to join Kim. "Happy Halloween."
Kim laughed. "Happy Halloween to you too." She reached down and picked up the bag she had dropped. Opening it, she peered inside. "You got lucky." She reached into the bag and pulled out a six pack of beer. "Your trick didn't break your treat."
Reaching out to accept the beer, Jess smiled warmly. "My favorite. Thank you." Jess was once again reminded of Kim's thoughtfulness. She had ordered the beer twice at their favorite Mexican restaurant. Kim had obviously taken note of that and gone out of her way to buy the beer for her. It wasn't available in local stores and had to be purchased directly from the microbrewery.