Passenger Princess

Renee was lost in her thought trying to decide if this short fling could become something good, or was it just that? A fling. She was swishing her cup around when she heard Jakes voice, "Renee, did you hear me?" Forgetting she never answered him she decided on the truth. "Honestly Jake, I am ready, we need a fresh start. A new life, but there is one problem. I found myself...." Renee stopped herself, questioning herself one more time. ".. These last few days I have not felt alone, I found comfort in a way I did not expect, and I would hate to leave it but this opportunity..." she put her head down knowing it sounds crazy, could feelings be there? Jake grabbed her unsettled hands and held them, his warm grip easing her anxious movements. He sighed, "Renee, I know what you're trying to say, and I understand. The thing is, I do care about you. I have for a long time and never said anything because, well, I represented Leo for a reason. He was powerful and fearful, and I fell for his quiet and shy wife who was kind to anyone and would bring us drinks and cook our meals when we had home meetings. I lied about the bagel; I remember years ago when I heard you ask Leo to bring your cream cheese home and made the point it was the vegetable one. I remembered it, he never did. Then when he died and I was foolish enough to do his dirty work for money I was too embarrassed to speak to you after it..." Noticing he was going on and on he stopped and stood, "I'm sorry, you should take this opportunity, and start over and live the life you want, the life you deserve" Jake smiled, but it wasn't his usual happy smile. "Jake...." Renee had no idea how he felt or that he paid attention to her all that time years prior, flustered she smiled. "Jake, you should have spoken up especially sooner. Leo was a manipulative bastard I know that more than anyone. Can we make a deal?" she asked about making a huge mistake asking this. Intrigued Jake raises his eyebrow, "what do you have in mind?" he asked. Renee was hesitant, but she felt the best way to treasure time together she asked, " Would you want to help me move and get settled? It would be nice knowing one person until I know the name of the neighbors." When she said it aloud it sounded poorly thought out and something out of a weird horror film but when she started to tell him to pretend, she said nothing he shocked her with his response.



"Renee, I would love that. I am familiar with that town too. I know the perfect spot for pizza, which I think your boys will love." Jake did not expect that, but he was excited. Renee was in shock at his response when her phone rang, it was Nate. "Hey mom, LJ will not eat his food he wants pizza, can you bring some home?" With a laugh Renee promised her boys pizza from their favorite spot, Little Pans. Its pizza did not live up to the name, it was big and tasty. Still laughing she turned to Jake, "it's ironic you say pizza, would you care to join us for dinner tonight? They sucked me into buying some tonight and I would love for you to join." Renee feels there is a risk in this but thinks it is worth it. Jake takes a minute to answer her, unsure if he should be drunk tonight and seeing Renee still dressed in his T-shirt. He could feel his face turn red, " I don't know if that would be a good idea if you're dressed like that all night." he said adding, " plus with this around" pointing to the alcohol in between them. Renee blushed, forgetting that fast about her lack of clothing right now. She had an idea, " Lets test the idea, if you make it to the house without wandering hands, or mouth, you can join us for dinner. If you wander, then you leave me at the doorstep." she said hoping he goes for it. She wanted to talk more, and spend more time with him, " oh god am I really that lonely?" she asked herself. Waiting for an answer she finished her drinks and rinsed her glass in his sink, when she was putting the glass on the dry rack, she felt his body against hers. She could feel the heat radiating off him, his firm chest against her back but before she got distracted by what else she felt Jake spun her around, kissing her softly. He brushed the hair out of Renee's face staring at her, kissing her again this time with tongue, lifting her to the counter. Renee let out a giggle wrapping her arms around him kissing him, "Jake, I really wish we had more time than this." not realizing what she had said he looked at her, taking her chin in his hand and kissing her on the head, " maybe this is all the time we are allowed, I will cherish it, always" he said bringing her down to the floor again. "You have a deal; I will try to behave myself." With a grin he walks to the door waiting. Renee, still struck by his words, hurried, and followed " if you can then you get pizza on me" she smiled and walked out the door he held for her.



They arrived at the pizza place and ordered everybody's favorite, "So far you have done good." Renee laughed going to grab the pizzas. Jake stopped her and took them instead "You are not about to carry these 4 more blocks instead you can carry this" he handed her the bag that had the whiskey in it. Renee took it but could not help but try to remember when he grabbed this and put it in a bag, was it when she cleaned her cup, or when she was stunned by his words? They headed out of the shop and turned to go the way of her apartment, talking about how they will travel to Oklahoma from Virginia. "We can take turns driving and when we are to exhausted, we can stop for rest and food" Renee said, Jake had a look on his face, one she had not seen yet, "what are you thinking?" she asked. Jake did not want her to drive any, he wanted her to enjoy the ride, and stopping for a rest means getting a room, would that be a clever idea? "Let's make another deal," he said smiling. "I will drive the whole way, you be my passenger princess, and if you see any sight-seeing spots, a nice hotel or food you tell me under one condition." He had a smile that was devious, Renee could only imagine what this condition was, letting her curiosity win she replies fast, " I will make it fun by agreeing to the deal blindly." "He did want to cherish this time, so why not let him take the wheel and I meet the 'conditions' when it is time for its" she thought to herself. Renee grabbed her keys as they approached her door only to be greeted by LJ almost running over for pizza, "Mom tell me you got bacon and pineapple with extra cheese and extra bacon". Renee laughed at her son, catching him so he did not fall, "yes son I got the heart attack pizza you love. you really need to watch the bacon; pork is not good for you on that level." With some laughs she poked him in the belly and ushered him inside, holding the door for Jake. Renee could not help but admire this man, this beautiful man who has paid attention to her for so long, knew her interests, and a bonus her pleasure spots.



Renee shook the images out of her head and followed them inside heading straight to the kitchen to grab some plates out of a box, " well we are out of paper plates and thankfully we didn't fully unpack." Everyone laughed as Nate and LJ set the table while Jake was setting the pizzas on the counter. Renee leaned back, watching the 3 guys working on their task thinking to herself, " I could have gotten used to this maybe." Jake walks over and pinches her thigh, and winks, " come eat, after earlier I know I'm starving, I bet you are." Renee blushed, pulled from her thoughts, " I'm coming let me grab them some soda, and get use cups and ice for this..." she grabs the bottle of the same Irish whiskey from earlier. Jake helps her and they return to the table to enjoy some not so Little Pan pizza, their last helping of it before their move.