Jennifer walked through the back door of her home twenty minutes later. She noticed Kelsey sitting at the kitchen table reading the daily paper. She looked drawn, and Jennifer couldn’t help but worry about her sister’s pregnancy. She hung her handbag over the back of a chair and shucked her jacket off, then hung it in the hallway closet. Coming back into the kitchen, she was about to ask Kelsey how she was feeling, but Kelsey spoke first.
“Hey. Did the superhero rescue you?”
Kelsey’s grin annoyed the hell out of Jennifer. “Ha ha, very funny. You damn well know Riley came out to help me. She says hi, by the way.” Her mind drifted to how close Riley had been standing in front of her, flirting with her. Jennifer couldn’t shake the lingering tension. Heat suffused her skin, her body trembled. How could a little harmless flirting turn her into a jumbled mass of nerves? It was Riley’s fault, obviously. She had that way about her. The tilt of her head, slight smirk on those moist lips, and a voice coated in promises. It was a play Riley knew well. Jennifer was both annoyed and thrilled from having Riley direct it at her.
“You look a little flustered. Anything I should know about?” Kelsey asked with a knowing smile.
“Nope.” She was not about to admit to her sister how turned on she had been just looking into Riley’s eyes.
“So, what was wrong with the car?” Kelsey asked as she folded the newspaper up.
Jennifer sat in a chair opposite her, running her hand through her hair. “Apparently the fuel-sensor thingy is broke. Riley said she’ll fix it for me when I can take the car in to the garage.”
“Well if anyone can fix that heap of crap you drive, it’ll be Riley.” She giggled. “She’s good with her hands.”
Jennifer narrowed her eyes. The thought of Riley being with Kelsey in that way made her nauseous. “And how would you know that?”
“I have my sources, Riley being one of them.” She giggled again. “Don’t look so angry. We have never crossed that line. She’s like my sister and that would be just icky. She tells me about her sexcapades, same as I tell her about mine.”
Relieved, Jennifer replied, “Yes. She isn’t shy about bragging.”
Kelsey’s face turned serious, her gaze boring into Jennifer’s. “You know, she doesn’t sleep with that many women. I don’t think she’s been with anyone for about a year.”
Jennifer shook her head. “And you’re telling me this because?” She did not want to think about Riley in bed with anyone, especially herself, but the images flashed through her mind without warning.
“Just in case you were wondering.”
“Why do you keep on insisting I like her?”
“Because I think you do.”
Jennifer looked away, afraid her feelings would be clearly written on her face. She did need to talk to someone about her attraction to Riley, and although she didn’t want that someone to be Kelsey, she could think of no one else to trust with the information. As far as everyone knew, Jennifer was straight, Kelsey included, but Kelsey already thought she had a crush on Riley, so she wouldn’t be so shocked if she knew the truth. She had never discussed her sexuality before with her sister and Jennifer had no idea how she figured out her crush, but she had. Obviously she had picked up on something that Jennifer didn’t realise she was putting out to the world.
Taking a deep breath to fortify herself, she said, “If I tell you something, do you promise not to tell anyone? And certainly not Riley.”
“Of course.”
Jennifer nodded, satisfied Kelsey would keep her secret. “I think you may be right.” Another deep breath. “I am finding myself somewhat attracted to her.”
“That’s great!” Kelsey clapped her hands, her face blossoming into pure happiness. “I bloody knew you liked her. This is so cool. My sister and best friend getting together.”
This was a mistake. If she wasn’t careful, Kelsey would turn into full wedding-planning mode, and that was not going to be happening, not with Riley.
“Hey, slow down. Just because I have a slight attraction to her doesn’t mean I’m going to act on it. You know what she’s like. She flirts relentlessly with everyone she sees. There is no way she could be in a monogamous relationship. And I’m too old to be messing around for fun.”
Kelsey shook her head. “I think you’re being too hard on her. And you’re only thirty-two, not exactly old. You could do with having a bit of fun. You’ve been so serious the last sixteen years, working and looking after us. Why don’t you go out with her a few times and let your hair down a little?”
“Not going to happen. I have my career to think of. And how awkward would it be when she moves on to someone else? It’s bad enough I have to see her around here all the time. It would be even worse if we hooked up.”
Kelsey narrowed her eyes. “Why do you assume she would move on to someone else? I’ve been telling you for years she likes you. You’re like the Holy Grail to her.”
“Has she told you that?”
“Not in so many words. But she is my best friend; I know her. I’ve seen the way her eyes follow you around, and she waits on your every word. Even when your every word is a dig at her.”
“Exactly. I never say anything nice to her. She’s not going to think I like her. In fact, she keeps telling me how much I hate her.”
“And yet she still looks at you like the sun shines out of your backside.”
“You’re being ridiculous. I think your hormones are playing tricks on you.” Not wanting to talk about her stupid attraction to Riley any longer, for fear Kelsey would combust with excitement, she changed the subject. “How are you feeling, anyway?” Jennifer stood and came around to Kelsey’s side of the table, where she placed her hand on Kelsey’s growing bump. She was showing now, and Jennifer couldn’t wait to meet her new niece or nephew in a few months’ time.
“I’m fine. A little tired, but all good.”
“What did the doctor say?” Jennifer asked carefully.
Kelsey looked away for a moment. “He said my blood pressure is a little high, but nothing to worry about.”
“You did go to the doctor, didn’t you?” Jennifer knew her sister. She knew that when Kelsey got a particular look on her face, and couldn’t meet her gaze, it usually meant she was lying.
“Of course I did. I didn’t want to, but with you and Riley going on at me, it was easier to go than have to listen to you both moaning.”
Jennifer wanted to believe her, but something wasn’t right. Her mind raced with possible problems and she had a thousand questions to ask Kelsey. She held back, deciding to give her the benefit of the doubt. There was no way Kelsey would cover up any issues with her health where her baby was concerned. Jennifer was overreacting and chalked it up to her stress over her situation with Riley.
“We’re just worried about you. You’re having a baby. You need to make sure you’re healthy.”
“And I am. I promise.”
Jennifer stared into her eyes for a few moments. Kelsey didn’t look away once. Satisfied her sister was being honest, she nodded. “Good. I’m going to go have a quick shower and then I’ll cook dinner. Have you eaten yet?”
“No, I was waiting for you to get home.”
“Please make sure you don’t tell Riley what I said,” she pleaded. “It’s a slight attraction that will disappear the minute she opens her mouth again.”
“She does like getting on your nerves, doesn’t she?”
Jennifer turned and walked toward the stairs. Kelsey’s voice trailed behind her.
“I’m telling you, it’s true love.”