“Good. Let’s get you dressed.” Without asking, Eli moved over to Bridget’s bag and rifled through the clothes until she found something and tossed it at her. “Want help?”
“Why am I getting dressed?”
“It’s mid-day.”
“And I have nothing to do. I could just sit down here all day.”
“Nope. I won’t let you. Do you want me to strip you or are you going to do it?”
Groaning, Bridget grabbed the clothes. “Let me try this time.”
“Okay. I’ll be out there if you need a hand.”
Pouting, Bridget took her time changing from one pair of baggy clothes to another. She spent nearly thirty minutes in her room before wheeling herself to the bathroom. She was still half asleep, no caffeine in her system to help wake her up, and when she came out of the bathroom, she stopped short.
Jerica sat in the La-Z-Boy facing the television. How long had she been there? More importantly, what the fuck was she doing there? At a loss for words, Bridget stared directly into those beautiful hazel eyes, much like when Jerica had shown up the day before. She had no idea what to say or do in that moment.
Eli snickered from the bottom of the stairs, a coffee mug to her lips. “You have a guest.”
“I can see that, asshole.”
Laughing, Eli walked up the stairs and left them alone. Bridget faced Jerica again, still unsure of what to do or say. Jerica stood up and moved to the couch. “Want to talk?”
“What is there to talk about?”
“Well, I made a two hour drive up here, I’d think the least you can do is talk to me.”
Sighing heavily, Bridget scooted her way around the couch and eased herself onto it. Jerica sat next to her, close. Their thighs touched, and Bridget clenched her hand tightly in her lap to prevent herself from reaching out. With her jaw tight, she stared at the blank television screen, trying to come up with something to say or do or just something, anything so they weren’t sitting there in awkward silence.
“I know yesterday didn’t go like you thought it should,” Jerica stated.
“That’s an understatement.”
Jerica reached and turned Bridget’s chin up so they had to look at each other. “Yeah, but here’s the thing, nothing really goes to plan, does it? And while yesterday might have been a bit more adventurous than I’m used to, I enjoyed my time here. With you.”
Bridget narrowed her eyes, not sure whether she wanted to believe Jerica or not.
“I like you, Bridget. I told you that yesterday, and things don’t have to be perfect for me to like you.”
Bridget mulled through that one. Had that been her issue the entire time? “Why did you come here today?”
“Because I had an inkling you weren’t going to answer my texts or calls if I tried to get hold of you that way.”
Snorting lightly, Bridget nodded her agreement. “Probably.”
“Do you often ghost dates like this?”
“I…” Bridget stopped and pivoted from what she was going to say. “I don’t often have dates.”
“Well, I for one want a second date, and since I’m here, why don’t we do it right now.”
“I don’t have anything planned.”
“Bridget.” Jerica’s gaze softened, and she reached over, her hand covering Bridget’s clenched fist. “You don’t have to plan something fancy for a date to happen.”
“But…”
“No. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and it doesn’t have to be a production.”