“A Uhaul. That's funny!” Jenni giggled. “So lesbians move fast. ”
“That’s not what we're talking about!”
“Okay, but I mean, well, you have options! You can have Travis!”
Jenni was almost jumping up and down with excitement. “Katie, I’m so happy!”
Katie felt her stomach tighten nervously. “I don't want options right now. I just…” She trailed off.
“She's gone, Katie. ”
“I know. But I just can't forget her and move on. Even if I do…”
Katie wiped a tear from her eye “…even if I do have feelings for Travis. I don't want to talk about this. ”
Jenni sighed. She reached out and touched Katie's shoulder gently.
“I just want you happy. Is it wrong for you to be happy?”
Katie shook her head. “I don't know if I can be without her. I loved her so much, Jenni. When I met her I just knew she was the one and when I met Travis-” She closed her eyes and shook her head.
“What, Katie? Tell me. ”
“It felt…similar. Not exactly the same. But like he was important to me. To my future. Maybe I’m just admitting it to myself now, but-“ She couldn’t continue. Her emotions swirled up and she tried to focus herself.
Jenni saw the tears in her eyes and threw her arms around Katie, nearly crashing them both into the ground. Katie grabbed hold of her and they hugged each other tightly.
“It’s okay! It’s okay. At least you know that you’re not alone and that people do love you. And he’ll wait until you’re ready. You know that. ”
“I'm so grateful I have you,” Katie whispered. She kissed Jenni’s cheek and clung to her. “You're a good friend. ”
Jenni stroked her hair and looked at her intently. “I love you, but I don't want you hurting so we'll drop this for now. ”
Katie nodded, smiling. “Okay. For now. ”
Travis walked up, looking a little grim, his hands in the pockets of his lightweight jacket. Katie couldn’t help but notice the bags under his eyes or his slightly mussed hair. He was carrying so much on his shoulders and she wanted to hug him. “We're going in today.
According to what's left of the Internet there is a bad storm heading this way. Some survivors in a school several counties away are reporting that it's very, very bad. T
hey lost power and had to go to their backup generator. ”
The women looked toward the row of generators, that up to this point they hadn't had to use, and winced.
“So, we're going in. Get ready. ” His gaze lingered on Katie.
“I'll change and get Nerit,” Katie answered. She had this deep desire to hug him and let him know it was okay. That they would both be okay, but she couldn't let herself. Not yet.
He nodded and walked on to inform the others.
Jenni smacked Katie's shoulder. “He is so into you. Don’t keep him waiting too long!”
Katie turned and glared at her. “You said-”
“Gawd, yes, but-” Jenni threw up her hands. “He’s so hot!”
Katie laughed despite herself and smacked Jenni’s shoulder. “Lay off. Okay? For now. For me. ”
“Fine, but we will talk about this later. ” She kissed Katie hard on her cheek and strode off.