Page 8 of Not Your Enemy
It was partially about the sudden shift in Jade. Was she just trying to use me to get back at Jana somehow? I wasn’t sure what to think. Then there was the fact that despite my better instincts, I felt something blooming for her. A fact that would make Jana freak out and made me feel guilty for even going there. All I wanted to do was talk to my best friend, but she wasn’t available, nor would she be empathetic to my plight.
As I closed my eyes, I could feel the ghost of Jade’s hand running through my long auburn hair, tangling it around her soft fingers. Itsent lightning through me; just the simple interaction felt so forbidden and wonderful all at once. Just like before, as I focused on that touch, I drifted off to sleep.
We had so much left to do. Thankfully, as I hoped it would, a night of sleep gave me a clearer mind. So what if Jade flirted with me? It didn’t mean anything, and Jana would never even know about it. Not to mention that before I arrived here, I was so scared she’d hate me. Shouldn’t I be thankful that we are getting along so well? I mean, how could Jana expect me to get this favor done for her if I didn’t befriend her sister at least somewhat?
Feeling lighter and back to my focused self, I got ready for another busy day. While I put my makeup on, I thought about Jade’s comment about me seeming high-maintenance. I simply enjoyed wearing and doing things that made me feel confident about myself. Something I struggled with in my younger years. Since I worked from home, it could put me in a bad headspace if I just stayed in loungewear and my I just rolled out of bed face.
Jade was very direct and honest, while Jana was more about just making people feel good. Kind of like the other day when she told me how cute I looked when I knew it was bullshit. But it wasn’t necessarily fake with her, more that she never wanted to hurt your feelings. We were similar in that way. I was usually quieter than she was, but I hated making people feel bad, and we often hyped each other, and those around us, up.
Wanting to switch it up, I made French toast for breakfast. I’d hoped Jade would enjoy it, but seeing as I had no complaints so far, I figured she would. Just as I placed the first piece of toast on the skillet, my phone rang.
“Hey stranger,” I picked up Jana’s call, cradling the phone between my shoulder and ear.
“Hey Lib! Sorry I’ve been so busy lately. I’m on my way to work now and was hoping I could catch you.” I could hear faint sounds of traffic around her.
“You got me,” I said with a giggle.
“Well, you know how things are going with me—same old work stuff. Tell me about you!” she commanded happily.
“Oh, well. It’s been fine; we’ve knocked out a couple of rooms and stuff on the first floor. Not sure which room is the plan for today, Jade hasn’t come down for breakfast yet.”
“You two have been having breakfast together?” She asked, her voice sounding a tad annoyed.
“Well, yeah, you did realize that we’d have to work together to get this done, right?” I was being more intense than necessary. Not projecting at all or anything.
Closing my eyes, I inhaled the creamy, cinnamon scent of the toast before flipping it.
“I guess you’re right. Sorry. I just can’t help but feel a certain way about her. It’s not your fault, Lib, I know you are MY friend at the end of the day.”
I mentally kicked myself for feeling anything negative toward Jana. She was such a good friend to me, and doing this for a couple of weeks wasn’t that big of a deal. As long as things stayed innocent with Jade, everything would be fine.
“That’s true. You know you’re stuck with me for life, girlie,” I teased her with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
“Better be!” she laughed back.
We kept talking for a while about nothing in particular. What we wanted to do for our girl’s trip this year, when we were going back to the outlets together. She’d be footing my bill as one of my solids, which she didn’t know yet, but I knew she’d be fine with. I could hear Jade enter the room after a few minutes and instantly felt awkward. If I cut off the call, it would be suspicious to both of them.But I also knew that Jana would feel uncomfortable having Jade in the background of our conversation.
“When you get back in town, Lib, we need to go to The Lantern. My boss wants me to network with some people who frequent there. Not to mention, the last time we went, that bartender couldn’t keep her eyes off you.” Well, I guess it was good she wasn’t trying to talk about Jade, but I also didn’t want to talk about a one-night stand of mine.
“I’m thinking one of my solids may be not having to go there,” I said, trying to be vague.
“I thought you said she was good in bed; did you lie to me?” she asked playfully.
“No, I didn’t, but…you know what, fuck it.” I didn’t know why I was being so weird. So what if I saw Rayne again? It would probably be a lot of fun. My anxiety was unwarranted. Did I not just tell myself earlier that I needed to be neutral? If either of them had a problem, they could deal with it themselves.
“That’s my girl! Besides, I may or may not have had some luck that last time myself. You remember Kyle, huh?”
“Oh, how could I forget? Doesn’t he still send you flowers every blue moon?” Feeling more like myself, I finished the toast and plated it for Jade and me.
“Yeah, but he just needs to accept that I can’t have a relationship right now. I mean, hell, I can barely talk to you. I don’t have time for a clingy man.” I laughed because she hit the nail on the head there. “But I wouldn’t mind running into him and having a little fun.”
“You may need to find someone else, Jan; he may propose this time,” I teased while pouring two cups of coffee.
“Whew, maybe you’re right!” she agreed with a giggle. “It was so good to talk to you, Lib. I’ll try to call you tonight, I promise!” I couldhear the desperation in her voice, and I again felt bad for any of my negative thoughts toward her.
“It’s all good, Jana. I know you’re busy.”
“That’s cause you are the best! Love ya!”