"And I'm not moving on this time," Laura finished for her.

"I remember when you used to call me up practically screaming about your roommate from hell," Jenny said. "I thought you were going to have a stroke over the shower curtain."

"I remember," she said, leaning forward so her elbows were resting on her knees. "I even threatened Peter with bodily harm for ever sending her my way."

"So why?" Jenny looked down at the carpet. "Why her over all the others?"

"I've asked myself the same question," Laura admitted. "And I've tried to chalk it up to a dozen things from loneliness to some sort of misplaced caretaker complex." She chose her next words carefully, knowing Jenny would be hurt by them and wanting to minimize that as much as possible. "But the simple truth is that I love her. I didn't plan on it happening but it did and I can't change the way I feel."

"You didn't plan on sleeping with that girl in Colorado but you did," Jenny pointed out angrily, her eyes glistening. "Does Crystal know about your wandering eye or did you keep that little bit of information to yourself?"

Laura bristled at the accusing tone. "I told her," she said evenly. "And it's not the same thing. I didn't have feelings for Lisa. I love Crystal." Jenny gave a small snort and looked away. "There you go again, Laura. Don't you understand that there's more to a relationship than love?" "I know that," Laura shot back defensively. "But I think it's a good foundation, don't you?"

Jenny turned to her. "What about trust?"

"You'll never forgive me for that, will you?" Laura said, leaning back in the chair. "Jen, if I could go back in time and change what happened, I would."

"And if you had gotten home first and found that message, you would have erased it." Jenny raked her fingers through her short brown hair. "Don't you understand? After that happened, the trust was gone between us and without trust, there could be no relationship. I would always be wondering if you were telling me the truth or trying to cover up another affair. I couldn't live like that."

"Jen, I never meant to hurt you."

"Yeah but you did," Jenny said quietly.

Laura nodded and moved over to the couch, putting her arm around Jenny's shoulders. "I did," she admitted. "And there's nothing I can do to change that. I'm lucky you chose to remain friends with me. I'm sure many ex's wouldn't." She felt Jenny lean against her and tightened her grip. "You're very important to me, don't ever doubt that."

"That goes both ways," Jenny said. "I don't want to lose you from my life."

"And you're not going to," Laura said. "Being with Crystal isn't going to change that. You're still my best friend." Jenny's watch beeped, alerting them of the time. "I guess I'd better let you get ready for work."

"I didn't realize it was getting so late," Jenny said, looking at her watch. "My first appointment comes in at nine."

"Are we okay?" Laura asked as they stood up.

Jenny nodded. "Yeah, we're okay," she said. "I just have some of my own stuff to work out, that's all."

"Come over tomorrow for dinner?" Laura offered. "I'll call the boys and we can make a little dinner party out of it."

"Sounds good," Jenny said. "Now go on and get out of here. I have to hit the shower."

Laura pulled her into a quick hug. "I'll see you then," she said.

"Be good to her," Jenny whispered before stepping back.

"I will," Laura promised, knowing she was referring to Crystal. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Crystal arrived home from work to find Laura in the kitchen making dinner. "Hmm, smells good," she said as she kicked off her work boots and set her keys on the side table. "What are we having?"

"One of my mother's favorite recipes," Laura said, closing the oven door. "Creamy chicken and rice casserole."

"I hope you made a lot," Crystal said as she entered the kitchen. "My nail gun jammed first thing this morning and it took almost a half hour to clear it. I ended up working through lunch to catch up." She moved closer and smiled when she saw Laura's arms open for a hug. "It's been a long day." "Well then you go sit down and relax," Laura said. "It won't be ready for another fifteen minutes or so."

"Do I have to?" Crystal asked, enjoying the feel of Laura's body against hers. "I'm comfortable right here." Resting her head on Laura's shoulder, she inhaled the faint scent of perfume. "Yeah, this is nice." She felt the arms around her tighten.

"It does make it hard for me to check on dinner," Laura joked.

"Uh huh," Crystal said, letting her hands slip down to Laura's hips. "You said we had fifteen minutes."

"And that's not enough time for what you're thinking," Laura said, though her own hands were beginning to wander restlessly along Crystal's back.

"What makes you think I'm thinking about anything?" she teased, taking advantage of her position to kiss Laura's neck. After years of believing she had no sex drive, Crystal was surprised by the strength of her desire. Moving her hands between them, she reached for the top button of Laura's shirt.

"The fact that you're trying to undo my shirt?" Laura said, though she made no attempt to stop Crystal's progress.

"It's hot in here," Crystal said as the button came free and exposed bare flesh. She heard Laura's sharp intake of air and smiled to herself, knowing her wandering hands were the cause. "I love you," she whispered, releasing another button and kissing the exposed vee of skin. Tracing the lace e.g.of Laura's bra with her lips, she slipped her tongue out to taste the soft swell of skin.

"I love you too," Laura said, her voice huskier than usual. Her grip tightened, pulling Crystal's hips against hers. "And you're the reason it's hot in here."

"Do you want me to stop?" Crystal asked, tugging the shirt free from Laura's jeans. She was answered by Laura's mouth coming down upon hers, the kiss adding fuel to the fire burning inside.

"No," Laura murmured between kisses. "Don't stop."

"What what about dinner?" she asked, her hands sliding up Laura's back to toy with the bra fastening.

"Keep that up and we won't be eating dinner until ten o'clock," Laura said, her own hands sliding under Crystal's shirt.

Closing her eyes as she received another one of those wonderful kisses from Laura, Crystal used her fingers to release the two hooks that held the bra together. Now with nothing to impede her progress, she flattened her hands and moved them around to the front, gently cupping Laura's breasts, her thumbs gently moving back and forth over the hardening nipples. She answered her lover's moan with one of her own when she felt her bra being unhooked. Reluctantly she broke off the kiss. "The couch," she suggested.

"The couch," Laura agreed, gently nudging Crystal toward the living room.

Crystal was grateful for Laura's steadying arms around her when the back of her legs bumped against the couch. Raising her arms, she allowed Laura to lift off her shirt and bra, smiling tolerantly when the writer folded the clothes and set them on the nearby chair. "You know," she said as her hands pushed the shirt over Laura's shoulders, "You worry too damn much about keeping everything neat."

"I know," Laura said as she folded her own shirt and bra, placing them neatly on top of the others before taking Crystal in her arms again. "It's one of my little quirks."

Crystal slipped her hands beneath the waistband of Laura's jeans, pulling her closer. "I suppose since you're so insistent on folding our clothes, we should just get them all off and out of the way right now."

"I like that idea," Laura said, her hands moving to the button of Crystal's jeans.

"Me too," Crystal said, feeling the button of her jeans being undone while Laura's lips sought out her own. She moaned softly when she felt her jeans being lowered along with her underwear over her hips. Laura's hands squeezed and fondled her rear, sapping all strength from her legs. "I can't stand up any longer," she managed between the breath stealing kisses. They stayed together as Laura lowered her to the couch, the writer's warm body covering her own. Her legs pinned by the jeans still halfway up her thighs, Crystal began squirming to try and push them down.

"You're gonna knock me off the couch," Laura warned.

"I can't help it," she said, "I can't stand feeling trapped."

"Sorry," Laura said, rolling off and reaching for the waistband of the jeans. "Let me."

Crystal felt vulnerable as the last of her clothing was removed and she was left lying on the couch, naked to the daylight. Laura turned back from folding the clothes and knelt next to the couch. Looking up at her, Crystal knew now why her need to touch and be touched had been so strong. It was more than mere desire, it was the want, no, the need to connected in an intimate way with the person who held her heart. "I love you," she whispered, blinking away the sting of emotion in her eyes. Reaching up, she cupped Laura's cheek and guided her closer until their lips were only inches apart. No further urging was needed as Laura took control and closed the remaining distance.

The fear of being defenseless and exposed vanished under the loving kiss. Crystal felt the gentle touch of fingers caressing her abdomen, moving in ever growing circles while Laura's kisses continued to leave her breathless. Following the line of Laura's spine, she ran her fingers down the bare back until she reached the denim covered hips.

"Mmm," Laura hummed as she moved from Crystal's mouth to her jaw. "You're so beautiful

" Crystal could only arch into the gentle series of kisses down her throat, her body tingling with the realization of where those lips were headed. She moaned and squeezed the jean covered rear when Laura's roaming fingers found her triangle of curls. "So soft" the writer continued, touching Crystal's nipple with the tip of her tongue.