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When You're Near Me

By: StormyNite



Synopsis: After Ashley Moore and Jessie Stone meet while listening to a beautiful and captivating love song, they embark on a platonic friendship, but the magnetic pull of love cannot be denied. While Jessie vowed to never open her heart again, Ashley must face her greatest fear. 

Thank you to those who helped me create this story. It's a story that will always be close to my heart.

Chapter One

Ashley Moore worked her magical fingers over the tension filled muscles of her friend. "Relax, will ya?" 

The longhaired blonde fidgeted under Ashley's expert hands. "I can't help it. I don't know why she doesn't like me." Breanne Worthington squinted one brown eye at the object of her distraction.

Ashley looked into the bright innocent eyes of her dog. "Makayla Rose, go on now. Go." The massage therapist ordered her Black Labrador Retriever. She returned her attention to Breanne. "She knows you're afraid of her. That's the trouble." 

After Makayla jumped up and left, the blonde sighed deeply. "That reminds me. Morgan wants to go to Belle's tonight. She's meeting some friends from work. Why don't you come along?"

Ashley's hands moved over her friend's shoulders as she continued the massage. "How is it that you being afraid of my dog reminds you of asking me to go to that rinky dink bar again? You know it's not my favorite place." Ashley had only been there once before about six months ago after going to a comedy club with her friends.

The thirty-two year old Breanne twisted around. "You never wanna go out. And when I do get you a date, you don't even get her number."

Ashley gently pushed her friend back down on the table. "We didn't connect. What's the point?"

"The point is you're afraid." The blonde mumbled.

The massage therapist glided her hands up the full length of her friend's back causing a satisfied groan. Ashley didn't want to get into another conversation with her friend about the blind dates Breanne would set her up on. The blonde would just push harder and she didn't want to argue with her at the moment. 

Under the gentle soothing of the massage therapist's hands, Breanne was lost temporarily in the moment, her whole body was feeling very relaxed. "God, you're good."

"So I've been told." Ashley teased as she reached for the oil again. After applying some to her hands, the massage therapist started to work on her friend's tight lower back. "Business is picking up. I'm getting more and more clients that I might hafta think about getting an office instead of working outta my place."

"I still get 'em for free, right?"

"Yep. If you get your boss to give me free dental care." Ashley teased her friend.

"Don't remind me. I've gotta go back this afternoon." Breanne grunted. "Then run back home before I go over to Morgan's. I'm so tired of having two places. Running back and forth. It would be so much easier..." The blonde let that old argument between her and her girlfriend evaporate in mid-air. 

Ashley considered herself a good friend, but was happy not to traverse that conversation minefield again with Breanne. After a few more deep massages across her friend's back, Ashley slapped her hands together. "Okay, that's it. You're all done."

The tall blonde brought the towel up around her to cover her front. "Think about it. Okay?" She headed to the small changing room.

"I'm gonna check on Makayla. Come on in to the kitchen when you're finished." Ashley gathered a few items and put them away neatly before she washed her hands. She could hear her dog whimpering outside, which meant Makayla wanted some attention. 

Ashley walked down the long hallway of her two-bedroom apartment with Makayla wagging her tail behind. The Black Lab was a smart dog and knew she would be fed soon. When they entered the kitchen, Ashley dropped down next to her dog. "You're a good girl, aren't cha? You should be nicer to my friend though."

Makayla cocked her head to the side in a questioning challenge. 

"Don't look at me like that." Ashley pet her seven-year-old dog that she got for graduation. "She means well."

Makayla barked but Ashley knew her dog didn't exactly agree with her. 

Shaking her head, Ashley smiled. "Alrighty. I'll get you something to eat now." After filling Makayla's food and water bowl, the five foot five young woman with short chestnut hair started to fix something to drink for her friend.

"Not for me." Breanne saw the two glasses Ashley had on the counter. "I've gotta get back."

It was the forlorn look on her friend's face that Ashley easily recognized from their many talks and she knew exactly what Breanne wanted. "Siddown. I know ya wanna talk about it. My next appointment's not for another hour."

The invitation was welcome and Breanne figured she would tell her boss she got caught in traffic. "It's the same old thing really." The blonde glanced at the empty glass on the counter.

Seeing where Breanne was looking, Ashley retrieved the pitcher from the refrigerator and poured her friend some lemonade. She slipped it in front of her friend before she sat down and waited. It didn't take long.

The blonde ignored the drink. "I've done everything to get her to commit but she still refuses. It's been nearly five years now. She's just so... I don't know what she wants anymore."

"Have you talked to her?"

"What good does it do?" The blonde stared at the glass she had her hands wrapped around. "She says she's not ready."

"You two love each other. At least you've found love." Ashley's own thoughts turned to her life and the few romantic interests that graced her twenty-five years of living. "I've never been in love."

"She doesn't even say she loves me anymore." Breanne wiped a tear away. "I tell her I love her all the time. It's like we're an old married couple but we're not married." The blonde rolled her brown eyes. "We're not even living together."

"She never says she loves you?" 

Breanne shrugged. "Some times after I say it first."

Ashley could easily see the tension building in her friend and figured she may have to give her another massage if she didn't do something to divert the direction of their conversation. "Maybe you two need to get away."

The blonde placed her hand on Ashley's forearm. "That's why you have to come tonight. To talk to me. You know Morgan. She's so outgoing. Talking to everyone and her friends will be there and I'll be by myself if you don't come. Please."

It was the last thing Ashley had on her mind. Going out on a Thursday night was not on her agenda. She was a homebody by nature and enjoyed curling up on the sofa with Makayla, and watching her favorite baseball team. However, she relented after seeing the imploring look from her friend's sad brown eyes. "Okay, yeah."

That answer cheered the blonde up immediately. "We'll pick you up around 7:30."

Ashley would have preferred to drive alone but knew she would become the unofficial sober chauffeur for her friends like always. "Nah, I'll stop by Morgan's place and we can leave from there." 

Breanne got up after looking at her watch. "I should get going." When she saw Ashley stretch her neck and rub the right side, the blonde said. "Too bad you can't give yourself a massage. It does wonders."

"I wish I could." The younger woman agreed.

"Oh, by the way, you comin' Monday night?" Breanne turned before Ashley had a chance to answer. "Your brother usually practices on Mondays, doesn't he?"

Ashley followed her friend down the hall to the front door. In her natural way, Ashley opened the door for her friend. "Uh huh."

"Morgan's got a game at six." The blonde turned to her friend. "They want you back on the team, you know."

Unconsciously, Ashley rubbed her neck again. "I'd like to but I dunno... with my neck." It was last January at the main four way stop in town when Ashley's dark blue Chevy truck was hit in the driver's door, spinning her truck around a 180 degrees. She walked away from the accident with several big bruises and whiplash. And ever since then, she'd had to curtail her usual activities including playing soccer for the team she had played with for the last few years. "But I'll probably stop by Monday. I was gonna go to Andrew's practice game anyway." 

"Good. See you tonight." The blonde bounced down the two steps and got into her car, but not before blowing a kiss. "See ya."

"Bye. Be careful." Ashley called out in her Texan twang. She watched her friend drive down the road as she leaned up against the porch pole. When she felt a few raindrops fall on her face, Ashley looked to the sky. The fast moving dark clouds threatened a downpour, but Ashley just smiled. She loved storms and she knew this one would just blow over, leaving behind only a light shower.

When Makayla barked several times, Ashley turned and opened the screen door. "Come on, girl. Go get a quick run." 

The black Lab stormed past her. But when Makayla didn't see her owner's friend, she just as quickly rushed back to the porch and practically jumped on top of Ashley who had sat down on the top step. Knocking Ashley back, the brunette scolded her dog. "Dad gum it, Makayla." Ashley adjusted her wire-rimmed glasses. If Ashley was upset by her dog's behaviors, it dissolved quickly as the Lab licked her face several times. Ashley struggled to get up. "Come on."

They walked back inside the apartment and Makayla followed Ashley to her small office. Through the window, she saw the rain begin to lightly shower down. A sullen Ashley turned toward her desk where her computer was located. She plopped down in her swivel chair, then her green eyes came to rest on a scroll-framed essay she had written. Ashley reached for it and stared at it for a long time. 

She thought about her friends, Breanne and Morgan's relationship and how it had changed over the last five years. What was once a hot and heavy romance now seemed to be taken for granted. Ashley chanced a quick look out the window again and saw that the rain had stopped. "Told ya so." She smiled at her dog that was contently lying on the floor next to her feet.

Then she paused a moment to reflect on her own romances. The handsome older guy in high school that she fell for so easily. That's where I learned to kiss so well. Of course, I haven't been able to showcase my skills in quite a while. There were a few others along the way, but the one that changed her life forever brought a smile to her face. Those were some of the hottest nights of my life and I ain't talkin' about the weather. She grinned at that thought. 

Ashley looked once again at the framed essay. A deep and longing sigh escaped before she read the first paragraph silently. 

My whole life, I've dreamed of a great love. Of a love that will somehow complete me. Of a love that will reunite me with the other half of my soul. Of a love that will consume me until I'm helpless to do anything but give myself to it. I have yet to find such a love, or have it find me. At times, I wonder if that kind of love truly exists. If it's not some fairy tale that we're told as young children to make us think the world is a wonderful place that's full of love and hope and fulfilled dreams. Yes, I have loved. But I have never been in love. I've never known anyone that made my heart skip a beat each time they uttered my name. Or cause me to lose my breath just by the sight of them walking into a room. Or make my knees grow weak by just one touch, whether it's a sensual one or not. Or cause the world to disappear when our eyes meet across a crowded room. Or be able to communicate with just a glance or a touch. Or felt that the safest place on Earth was in the arms of the one I love. Does that kind of love really exist? 

That pondering question hung precariously in the air.

************************

Jessie Stone leaned down and fisted her glove once. Her sharp blue eyes intent on the batter. The brief shower of rain dampened the ball field, but her team played through it. It was the bottom of the last inning and the other team had a man on third. The score was three to one in favor of her team, Belle's Cougars, with two outs.

"Pitch it in there, Sally." Krista Parker, the tall short stop yelled at their pitcher and glanced at her best friend, giving Jessie a quick wink.

Both women knew the batter favored the right side of the field and over sixty percent of the time grounded out. Jessie moved into position. 

The dark haired pitcher wound up and shot the ball low, right down the alley. The ball was struck sharply, heading directly between first and second. Jessie bolted from her position toward the fast moving ball. She dove for the ball and it was within inches of her glove when Shae Karella, their first baseman, smacked into Jessie. The ball skirted loose allowing the runner on third to score and the batter a safe position at first. 

Sally, who had covered first, was pissed. "Shae! What are ya doin'?" Her arm was getting sore and she needed some ice on it. The last thing she wanted to do was pitch another inning. 

Shae jumped up from the collision and growled at Jessie who had scrambled for the loose ball. "Fuck! You saw I had it. What the hell, Jessie?" 

Jessie stood her ground, facing the irate first baseman. "Just back off, Shae. Come on. We've got a game to finish."

"The fuck I will." Shae stepped closer. "It was in my territory."

Krista jumped in between her best friend and the irascible, but talented ball player. "Shae, it's over. Come on. Let's get this out and call it a day." She quickly searched the bench looking for their coach who was also her boyfriend. 

Steve Walters, the Cougar's coach, yelled from the dugout. "Shae! Get back on first. Sally?" He nodded to the pitcher then pointed to the mound.

Krista took the ball from Jessie's glove and threw it to Sally who was now sucking in a few deep breaths before she had to pitch again. Krista pulled Jessie around and spoke softly. "She's an asshole. Just let it go."

Back at first, Shae shot a dangerous glare at the runner before growling back over her shoulder to her teammate. "Wear a ball cap so the fuckin' ball don't get past ya next time."

When Jessie heard that last statement, she turned around slowly. She took one step, but was stopped short. Krista had grabbed the top of her shorts. Pulling Jessie back, the shortstop with dark ash blonde hair, pulled back in a ponytail, whispered. "Show her up. That will get to her more than punching her."

Jessie nodded and motioned for her friend to get back in position. After a few more moments, the team was ready to play and once again Jessie crouched down into position. 

The first pitch was out of Sally's hand, heading for home and was cleanly struck on the ground driving fast yet slightly right of second base. It was too fast for Sally to react and it was left to Jessie to haul it in. Like a gazelle, the second baseman bolted for the ball. She dove and stretched out as far as her five foot six frame would allow and came up with the ball. 

The runner on first had a big head start off and was eating up ground between first and second. Krista scrambled to cover second base. She saw Jessie twist on the hard landing and heard a thump. The longhaired blonde second baseman rolled once but came up quickly, hurling the ball to second. It was a close call, but the ball landed in Krista's outstretched glove before the runner's foot hit the base. 

Three outs and the game was over. The score was three to two. It was time to celebrate. The victorious Cougars headed for the dugout. Their coach, Steve, gave each one a high five. He was extremely proud of his team and if they continued to play the way they were, they would be a shoe-in for the play-offs. "Girls, it's on me. Drinks at Belle's. Everybody comin'?"

"Count me in." Sally yelled as she wrapped a cold rag around her arm and then slipped on a nylon jacket. 

Several other players confirmed their participation in the upcoming celebration before Shae made her challenging announcement with a wicked chuckle. "First one to get drunk gets laid."

The majority of the players rolled their eyes and quietly snickered at Shae's boast, but few were brave enough to challenge her usual crass and rude comments. The first baseman was tall and strong with a sturdy build. She didn't take any gruff, but served up plenty and often. However, the members of the team put up with it because Shae was the best first baseman in Denton, Texas and the surrounding area. 

Dusting off her jersey, Jessie ignored the first baseman. She surveyed her uniform before turning to Krista. "I gotta run home first and change."

Immediately, Krista made a couple of quick swipes at the dirty backside of Jessie's uniform shirt. "That's most of it. You don't have to change. Besides, it'll take too long."

Jessie shook her head. Since playing for the Cougars, Jessie had saved each and every one of her jerseys, all displaying the number twenty-one. They were part of her prized collection and she only wore the older ones on special occasions. "No, I need to wash my uniform first. I won't be long though. I promised your uncle I'd help tonight at the bar."

"Okay." Krista finally agreed. "See you later then. Not too long."

"Right there and back." Jessie smiled. She lived ten miles out of town and sometimes it was a pain to run back to the house before returning to town, but she wouldn't trade the serene tranquility for anything. Jessie packed up her belongings and made her way to her dark metallic gray sporty BMW.

Chapter Two 

With a huge smile on her face, Morgan Cutter tugged her girlfriend by the hand as she pulled her into the smoky bar. "Hey!" The out-going thirty-three year old yelled across the room to a few of her friends from the book factory where she worked. "They're here already." She said over her shoulder to Breanne and Ashley.

"Great." Breanne mumbled and offered her friend a glum look when she saw the large crowd gathered at Morgan's favorite circle booth.

"Wasn't my idea." Ashley shrugged. 

As the trio made their way through the crowd of people, the owner, Jack Belle, gave a short wave to one of his favorite customers, Morgan, before turning to his part time help. "Jessie?"

The part time bartender with long blonde hair placed the drink for a customer on the bar before turning to her 'adopted' uncle. "What's up?"

Scratching his neatly trimmed week old beard, Jack studied the shelf behind the bar. He shifted a couple of bottles that were sitting directly under the huge mirror centered squarely behind the twenty-foot long bar. "I'm thinkin' we need a few more bottles of Maker's Mark. And don't worry about those cases of beer. I'll get 'em later."

"I'm on my way." Jessie wiped the bar down once more before tossing the bar towel on a shelf under the counter. Right before she slipped through the back door, her best friend called to her. "Yeah?"

"Are you gonna work all night?" Krista leaned against the edge of the bar. "You gotta come celebrate with us."

"Jack needed the help." Jessie used that excuse as a way of avoiding Shae's inevitable boisterous comments all night long. 

"Sure." Krista chanced a look back over at the table where her team was gathered. She smiled when she saw her boyfriend holding court among her teammates and nodded at him. "Ya know, I think he's gay at heart. He loves being one of the girls."

"He's in the right place then." Jessie winked. "Go on. I've gotta get something for your uncle, but I'll be over in a minute."

"Uh huh. Don't be long. I told Steve we can't stay too late. We still have one more day of work this week." 

Jessie nodded. 

As Jessie disappeared into the back room, Jack wrapped an arm around his favorite niece and hugged her. "You girls did good tonight. What's that, five wins in a row?"


When You're Near Me



The twenty-nine year old short stop grinned, assuring her uncle. "Goin' to the play-offs again this year."

Jack kept a loose arm wrapped over her shoulder. "You know, I don't care about that just as long you girls are having fun." The owner of Belle's Bar had sponsored his niece's team for the last seven years, but had yet to win the championship of their division. He kissed his niece on the cheek. "Now go on back to your celebrating."

When Jessie stepped back through the door with four bottles of whiskey, she overheard Krista ask her uncle. "Did you get that song I requested?"

"In the jukebox. Number 21." Jack squeezed his niece's shoulder then grabbed the bottles from Jessie. "I've got that. You go on. Enjoy yourself for a bit."

"What song's that?" Jessie asked.

************************


When Krista returned to her team's table, she realized Jessie had not followed her and was once again working behind the bar. For a second she considered helping out behind the bar until Shae decided to go on the prowl for her nightly ritual, leaving her and the rest of the team to celebrate in peace.

After several beers, Shae had loosened up and was feeling rather frisky as she surveyed the small bar filled with numerous future conquests. When she noticed her old friend and co-worker sitting in a booth next to a pretty brunette, Shae's brown eyes brightened. "Ah, new meat." She meandered over to the booth and propped her most lascivious smile on her face. "Hiya."

Morgan jumped up and wrapped an arm around her friend. "Shae. Come on. Sit down." The shorthaired factory worker scooted her girlfriend over, but Shae decided to slide in on the other side of the booth after another co-worker had just vacated her place next to Ashley.

Shae nudged the massage therapist. "How ya doing, sweetie?" The tall woman placed an arm over the back of the booth, making Ashley very uncomfortable. "You wanna drink?" 

"No, thank you." Ashley scooted closer to Breanne, sitting next to her on her right.

Shae didn't bother to wait for an answer as she twisted around and yelled across the room. "Jack, another beer over here. Matter of fact, bring a pitcher."

It wasn't the first time that night Ashley wished she hadn't agreed to come to the bar. She was sorely in need of being saved at the moment. For some reason, she felt compelled to glance around the bar once as if searching for something familiar.

Shae turned back to her friend. "We're celebrating our big win." Then she turned her glassy brown eyes at Ashley and slurred. "I never strike out not even once and made a homerun and the winning play with..." The drunken first baseman burped, missing a few words before finishing her sentence with. "...myself." 

"All by yourself, huh?" Ashley smiled sweetly as she delivered the cocky, not so subtle, question. 

Shae was dumbstruck for a brief moment at Ashley's retort. She was pulled out of her stupor when Sally from her teamed called for her. "Be back later, doll." The tall woman gave Morgan a high five before leaving. 

Morgan climbed out of the booth. "Be right back." The dark haired woman with very short wavy hair headed for the restroom. 

Breanne nudged her friend. "So?"

"So what?" Ashley knew what was coming.

"Morgan's friend, Shae. She likes you." The blonde smiled for the first time since entering the bar.

Ashley's green eyes drifted toward the table where several softball players were celebrating. She studied the tall first baseman for a bit. Not only was she not Ashley's type, Shae's overpowering ego grated against her. But she could easily see why Breanne would be taken with her because her friend liked women that were more butch. Case in point, Morgan. The major difference between Morgan and Shae was in their personalities. While both Shae and Morgan had outgoing personalities, Morgan was not rude. She genuinely had a good sense of humor without any trace of vindictiveness in it unlike Shae. "Nah, I'm not interested."

"The least you can do is give her a chance. I'm gonna get Morgan to dance with me when she comes back." Breanne saw her girlfriend heading back to their booth. She quickly got up then leaned back down to Ashley. "Go ask her to dance."

Morgan wrapped her arm around her girlfriend's waist and headed out to the small dance floor near the jukebox.

Ashley was happy for the reprieve, but soon found a pitcher full of beer being placed in front of her. When she glanced up, she saw warm, gray eyes looking at her. "Hidy."

Jack studied her for a moment before sliding down next to her in the booth. "A pitcher of beer for your thoughts."

"I'm not drinkin'." Ashley held up her water. "Sober chauffeur."

"Haven't seen you here before so let me officially welcome you to Belle's." The broad grin on Jack's face invited the newcomer, but he sensed that the young woman wasn't as comfortable as he wished all his customers to be. He knew that some of the regulars would get rowdy from time to time, but Jack could sense oncoming trouble before it happened and generally was able to avoid it before it got out of hand. 

"Oh, I was here about six months ago." Ashley advised the owner as she steadily looked into his kind eyes. "Just don't go out much." She found Jack easy to talk with and started to relax. 

"Don't tell me you don't like my place." Jack winked at her.

"Nah, well..." Her eyes turned away from him. Ashley didn't want to hurt his feelings, yet didn't want to lie either. 

"I am personally gonna make sure that changes tonight." Jack tapped the tabletop with the edge of his fist. "What do you want?" The owner held out his arms wide. "Anything in the bar. It's yours for the takin'."

His generous offer and kind words made Ashley reconsider her initial evaluation of the bar. "Thank you, sir, but I'm fine... really." 

When one of the customers called for Jack to come and settle an argument, he placed a large hand over hers and said. " Nobody calls me 'sir' in here. You can call me Jack. And the offer's still open. If you see something you like, it's yours." He squeezed her hand. 

"Thank you, Jack. Bye." The genuine smile disappeared on Ashley's face when she noticed Shae walk up right after Jack left. She turned her head quickly to avoid eye contact with the tall woman. 

Shae stood there for a long moment contemplating her recent discussion with Sally, the pitcher, on her team. Shae had bragged to her teammate that she could bag the shy brunette before the night was over. The tall woman leaned down. "Aren't you just the sweetest little thing in the place."

Ashley only took a moment before making direct eye contact with Shae. "If you're lookin' for a 'thing', you've come to the wrong place." 

Gonna play hard to get, huh? Shae sensed the challenge and figured she was up for it. "Come on, just one dance and I'll show you some moves you ain't never gonna forget." 

Ashley just stared at the obnoxious woman.

Feeling uncomfortable under the hard look from the smaller woman, Shae finally asked. "What?"

Without missing a beat, Ashley said. "Oh, I forgot. Guess it wasn't that memorable."

"Huh?" Shae scratched her head, feeling she had just been insulted. "You gonna dance with me or not?"

"Nope." 

Steamed, Shae stood back up to her full height. "Your loss." The tall woman turned to leave.

"And you said you never strike out." 

Shae heard Ashley's cutting words, but continued to walk away, not wanting to admit that a woman had turned her down. She briskly walked past her teammate's table, even though Sally called her name. The tall woman headed to the bar and plopped down on the stool next to an older man well on his way to being drunk. When she saw Jessie, she demanded a drink. "Give me a bottle."

Sensing that something was wrong, Jessie wiped the bar in front of Shae, offering her a beer instead of whiskey. "What's wrong?"

"Bitch." Shae grabbed the mug and downed half of it. She looked back in the direction of the booth she had just left and saw the young brunette sliding out of it and spat. "Tight ass." 

Jessie searched the area in which Shae was looking and saw the back of a young woman as she walked away. The blonde bartender smiled to herself. For once you're right, Shae. She does have a nice backside.

Ashley had decided to go outside and get some fresh air after her minor run in with the tall woman, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. "Hey. Where ya going?"

Recognizing her friend's voice, Ashley turned around. "I sorda wanted..."

Fanning her face, Breanne was hot from the last two dances with her girlfriend. "I need a drink."

Ashley saw that two of Morgan's friends had joined her at their booth and they were enjoying the pitcher of beer that was now near empty. When she saw Shae leave the bar, Ashley offered. "I'll get it. Besides, I need another water. Be right back."

Breanne followed her friend as far as to their booth and then slid down next to her girlfriend. The blonde knew Morgan was nowhere near ready to leave. 

Ashley made her way through the crowd and finally secured a spot at the far end of the bar. Her green eyes studied the group as she waited to be served.

Jessie had just poured two drafts and placed them on the bar top when Krista asked for some change from the cash register. "Thought you had to leave early?"

"We are. In a minute. I wanna play a couple more songs first." Krista took the change and headed for the jukebox. Having her favorite uncle own the bar had its advantages. 

Leaning her head around, but with her eyes still watching her friend leave, Jessie asked the waiting customer. "What'll you have?" 

The strums of a guitar filled the air and a soft, feminine voice gently accosted her ears, bringing a smile to Ashley's face as she placed her order. "Bottle of water, please."

Jessie's world stopped in that moment when she heard the sexy Texan twang mingle with the music playing in the background. Slowly, her eyes found their way to the origin of that mesmerizing voice. 

Ashley turned and caught sight of the bluest eyes she had ever seen, capturing her in that moment where time stood still. A hitch in her breath jump-started the pounding of her heart and then she felt a full smile bloom on her face. 

Jessie's sparkling blue eyes penetrated the green warmth of the pretty woman's eyes sitting across the bar. Without breaking the familiar connection, the part time bartender reached haphazardly for the requested order. Finally, she was able to reach the item and handed it to her customer.

When Ashley reached up and took the bottle without breaking their eye contact, she felt a spark of electricity as her fingers lightly grazed Jessie's hand. The words from the song penetrated Ashley's clouded mind and she shyly said. "I've never heard that song before. It's beautiful. Who sings it?" 

Not wanting to break contact with the younger woman's hand, Jessie still held onto to the bottle. Listening to the words from the song, they soaked into her consciousness and found a home. "When You're Near Me."

Ashley's smile grew wider. "Funny name for a group."

Shaking her head, Jessie grinned. "No. It's the name of the song. Jackie Bristow."

"Is that your name?" Ashley teased the blonde. 

"I'm sorry. She's the singer." The blonde let go of the bottle and offered her hand. "Jessie, Jessie Stone."

Taking the hand offered, the young brunette instantly felt the connection again. "Ashley Moore."

From across the room, Krista watched as her best friend held on to the bottle of water way too long and now it appeared Jessie was refusing to let go of the young woman's hand. "Hmm..... interesting." She immediately went to the jukebox, deposited the rest of her change and hit #21 several times. 

While still holding the bartender's hand that didn't feel awkward at all, Ashley asked. "Is that a new song?"

Smiling, Jessie nodded her head. "She's from Australia. My friend requested it." The blonde realized she wasn't making sense and tried to correct her meaning. "Not my friend." Jessie glanced over toward Krista and smiled. 

Krista waved and made brief eye contact with the woman who was still holding her best friend's hand. 

Returning her eyes to Ashley, Jessie continued. "She's from here. My friend that is. I meant the singer was from Australia."

Shyly, Ashley looked deeply into sincere blue and smiled. "I know... what you meant. I like it."

A comfortable silence settled between them as the song concluded only to start up again. They both laughed in tandem when they heard the familiar song filling the room. 

***********************

For the next couple of hours, Ashley remained rooted on the barstool sipping her water. For some reason, she was willing to wait patiently for her friends for when they were ready to leave. The inebriated man sitting next to her pushed a bowl of peanuts toward her. "Want some?"

Scrunching her eyebrows together, Ashley declined the offer. 

He was about to insist when Jack cupped the man's elbow. "Come on, Davey. Cab's here." 

Ashley was relieved when the owner escorted the man outside because several times his glassy eyes squinted at her as they traveled up and down her body. She noticed shortly after that happening once that Jessie diverted his attention with another watered down drink and then made a short call on the bar's phone. When the part time bartender stopped back by, Ashley said. "Thank you."

"For what?" Jessie asked innocently.

Nodding at where the drunken older man used to be sitting, Ashley grinned. "And I thought this was a gay bar."

"It is." Jessie shifted her weight from one leg to the next and shrugged. "He stops in after getting thrown out of O'Brien's down the street. Doesn't care if it's a gay bar or not, as long as we serve him. But Jack always makes sure he gets home safely."

"I noticed you mixing his drinks." Ashley didn't say anymore.

"Well... Jack lets him put it on a tab, but he never makes him pay." The owner had advised Jessie long ago to taper the old man drinks and put it on the fictitious tab. 

When a customer called out to Jessie for a special brand of beer, the bartender winked and said. "I'll be right back." 

Ashley watched her new friend disappear into the back room. She stared at the door for a long moment and was only brought out of her musing when a hand touched her arm. 

"You okay?" Jack asked.

Suddenly back in the moment, Ashley nodded. "I'm fine." For some reason, she couldn't keep the silly grin off her face and when Jessie walked back out of the door carrying a case of beer, the smile grew wider.

"Hey, give me that." Jack rushed up and relieved Jessie of her load. "What'd I tell ya? I'd get it."

Stretching her back around in obvious pain, Jessie shrugged. "Customer wanted some beer." The blonde reached around and rubbed the right side of her lower back. 

Jack twisted around and placed the case on the back of the bar then pointed at Jessie. "You. Sit." He waited till his part time bartender agreed and pulled up a tall stool right across from Ashley. "Now stay. I've got it." He noticed the smile on Ashley's face brighten. "And you."

Ashley's eyes widened.

"Make sure she doesn't move." Jack winked and picked up the case of beer then turned to his anxious customers. "I'm comin'. Hold your horses."

Ashley gave a silent thank you to the man that had offered her anything she wanted in the bar that night. And quite unexpectedly, to the young girl's surprise, she had gotten the very wish she didn't know she had longed for. 

Jessie shrugged. "Guess we're stuck together."

Ashley flashed her green eyes and then blushed at her own comment. "And what a nice place to be stuck."

Jessie's blonde head did a double take, wondering what the younger woman meant, but it was soon forgotten when their eyes met again. 

Krista was reluctant to interrupt the enchanted interlude, but did anyway. "Jessie?" She snapped her fingers in front of her best friend. "Jessie?"

"Huh?" Her blue eyes were still locked on to green as the song continued to play in the background. "I think the jukebox is stuck or something. It keeps playing that same song."

Ashley leaned closer as she played with the label on her water bottle. "I know."

Krista looked back and forth between the two mesmerized women. She turned to Ashley. "Since my friend won't introduce us. I'm Krista Parker." The ash blonde with a ponytail stuck out her hand and nodded toward Jessie. "Her best friend, but you couldn't tell... not the way she's ignoring me."

Somewhere in the pleasant midst of the soft music and probing blue eyes of the bartender, Ashley felt her attention was being beckoned. Seeing the outstretched hand in front of her broke their contact. "Oh, I'm sorry." The brunette cocked her head at the woman demanding her attention.

"Krista Parker. Glad to meet cha. Like I said before when neither one of you were listening, I'm her best friend." She took Ashley's hand. "And now I gotta say goodbye." 

"Bye." Jessie hurried a short glance at her friend before returning her eyes to Ashley. What is it about her? She seems familiar. 

A bit embarrassed for not noticing Krista earlier, Ashley's green eyes turned downward briefly as she sucked in a calming breath then looked up bravely at Krista. "It's nice to meet you." 

Morgan, who was holding on to her girlfriend's hand as they approached the bar, interrupted them. "Jessie? Heard you made the game winning play."

The second baseman shrugged off the compliment. 

"We need you on our soccer team as fast as they say you run." Morgan nudged Ashley. "Right?"

"Right." Ashley easily agreed. Earlier, the brunette had inspected the blonde's long legs quite thoroughly. 

Tired of being ignored, Krista pretended to be annoyed. "I'm outta here. I can get this kind of attention from my boyfriend." She turned to Jessie. "See you at work in the morning."

Jessie nodded. When Morgan ordered a bottle of water for her girlfriend, Jessie jumped up and pulled a muscle in her back again, grabbing it. She hurriedly retrieved the bottle and gave it to Morgan. "Here you go."

"Thanks." Handing Jessie a couple of bills, Morgan then looked at Ashley. "You ready?"

"Uh huh." Seeing Jessie still rubbing her back, she felt bad because she had seen her doing it earlier and got lost in the song and those blue eyes. "I'll be right there." Ashley said to her friend then waited for Morgan and Breanne to leave. When she was alone with Jessie, the massage therapist pulled out a card and handed it to the hurting woman. "Here."

Jessie took the card and perused it. "You?"

Smiling, Ashley nodded. "Call me." She stood up and was about to leave when she hesitated and caught those blues eyes again and promised. "You won't regret it."

With that, the brunette walked away, leaving Jessie to ponder the meaning of the beautiful young woman's words.

Chapter Three

Tapping her mechanical pencil on the desktop, Jessie stared at the business card again. It had been like that all morning. The blonde was completely distracted, and she was behind on her paperwork. Every time she sat the card down and concentrated on her bookwork, it didn't take long for her eyes to return to the pretty purple lettering that spelled out Ashley Moore's name. She repeated the phone number several times to herself and had once inserted the number in the accounts receivable column. 

Krista pushed open her friend's office door wide and entered without knocking. "They're arguing in the shop again." She cocked a thumb over her shoulder and pursed her lips together, waiting for Jessie to respond. 

"I'm just supposed to push numbers around here. Why do I always get involved in personnel matters?" Jessie sent a mock glare at her friend and co-worker.




When You're Near Me



"Cause you're so cute." Krista stuck her tongue out before she turned on her heel and left, knowing full well that Jessie would be right behind as she called over her shoulder. "Besides you're the office manager."

"The operative word being office." It was useless. Her friend wasn't listening anyway so she followed Krista out the door, but not before picking up the card and taking it with her. 

They walked down the long hallway to the shop area. Krista leaned up against the metal railing at the top of the four-foot high stairs and crossed her arms. "Here she is."

The three shop workers waited patiently for Jessie to say something. She took a long moment to look each one of them in the eyes before she spoke. "Okay, here I am. Who's first?"

They all started to speak at once. 

"See." Krista offered a smug smile. "I told ya."

When one hand came up, the three jabbering men stopped in mid-sentence. "Why don't you go first, Pete?"

"Arnie needed the part and I told 'em if he got here first, it was his. First come, first served." He shot his two arguing buddies a satisfied grin and folded his arms. 

Jessie rubbed her temple when the two men on either side of Pete started to quarrel again. "Pete?" Having got his attention again, she asked. "Where was the part?"

He didn't want to answer that question, so he scratched under his ear and looked up to an unidentified spot on the ceiling.


"In the reserve bin?" Jessie asked.

"First come, first serve." Pete reminded her, but refused to look her in the eye.

"Joe? How long does it take to make another part just like it?" 

For some reason, Joe stood silent as if the question Jessie asked was foreign to him.

The blonde cocked her head slightly. "This is a machine shop. We make parts for our customers, right?"

"Uh huh. That we do." Joe finally answered and then smiled, slightly embarrassed for staring at her.

"So how long to make another one?" 

"Couple of hours." Joe hated being asked questions, but somehow didn't mind it so much from the pretty blonde. He was the kind of guy that liked to work with his hands and be left alone. He had only joined in the argument with Pete and Willie after he heard that Jessie had been called to settle it. 

Jessie turned to Krista. "When's the guy from Stockard's suppose to be here?"

Krista shrugged. "Couple of hours."

Tapping the card against her lips, Jessie pretended to weigh both answers for effect. "Let's see. Two hours to make one. Two hours before the guy gets here to pick it up. Do ya think it's possible if we got on it right now, it would be done in time?" 

"What about the paperwork?" Willie insisted the matter get settled. "Just cause Arnie is Pete's bowling buddy don't mean he gets..." Willie glared at Pete. "First come, first serve."

"He's one of our best customers." Pete countered.

"Yes, he is." Jessie agreed before addressing their best machine specialist. "What do you say, Joe? Can you get it done in time?"

"Sure, miss." Joe grinned. "I'll do my best."

Jessie smiled at him and winked. "I know you will." 

"Alright gentlemen, back to work." Krista said then assured Willie. "I'll fix the paperwork and get you a new copy of the order." Krista followed Jessie back though the door to the office area.

Pete nudged Willie, but teased Joe. "I think she's sweet on ya, Joe."

After forgetting about the recent paperwork argument, Willie joined in on the fun. "It's Joe that's sweet on her." 

The tall, lanky man shook his head and walked away eager to complete the job the pretty blonde requested of him.

Krista walked up to the receptionist's desk and sat on the edge. "She saved the day, Diane."

The sixty-five year old Diane chuckled. "The boys at it again?"

"Not really." Jessie glared hard at her friend. "Just a mix up." The blonde strolled over to her friend and tapped her on the arm. "One the personnel director is supposed to take care of."

Polishing her fingernails on her sleeve for effect, Krista shot Diane an impish grin before she looked at Jessie. "I did. I got you."

"Very funny. I've gotta get back to work now." But Jessie stood there, seemingly distracted as she fiddled with the small card in her hands. 

Krista had seen her friend toying with the card all morning, but had yet found the time to talk with Jessie about it. "Diane? Can you cover for me?" The ash blonde woman nodded toward the very distracted Jessie.

"Sure, but if you go to lunch bring back something for me. Anything will be better than what I brought today." Diane picked up the ringing phone as Krista maneuvered Jessie back to her office. 

"I don't need an escort." Jessie complained. But her friend wouldn't leave her alone and when they entered her office, Krista plopped down in the chair directly in front of her desk and propped her feet on the edge. 

"So what gives with you today?"

Letting out a deep breath, Jessie sank in her seat behind the desk. "Nothing. Listen, I've got lots of work to do, okay?"

"Uh huh." Krista grinned, but didn't budge. "You gonna tell me about that card."

Jessie was unconsciously tapping it lightly against the accounting book. "What card?"

Staring at the card in her friend's hand, Krista took another tactic. "Then tell me about the girl."

"What girl?" Jessie sounded defensive.

"You know. The girl last night at Belle's." When Jessie frowned at her friend, she continued. "Cute brunette at the bar... green eyes."

"With golden flecks right around the..." It came out before Jessie had even realized she was speaking.

"That'd be the one." Krista grinned, happy she was on to what was distracting her friend. "I noticed you two playing handsies."

"You can leave anytime." Jessie started to put the card down, but it refused to leave her fingers, so she slipped her hand down on her lap away from Krista's dark prying eyes. 

Krista was never one to hold back what she thought when it came to her best friend. "I think you like her."

That comment produced another hard glare being thrown at Krista. "Not going there again." Jessie considered the subject closed, but her eyes glanced down at the name on the card. 

Krista noticed where Jessie was looking and teased her. "You're gonna burn a hole in it."

Suddenly, the blonde leaned forward over her desk in a mock attempt to slap at her friend, but Jessie soon realized that was the wrong move. "Ouch." She grabbed her back again, rubbing it.

"Still hurtin', huh?" Krista moved around the desk in order to try and help her friend. "Uncle Jack said you were lifting those cases when he told you not to."

Jessie welcomed her friend's hand trying to relieve some of the pain near her lower back as she leaned forward over the desk. "That's from the game yesterday." 

When the blonde reached around again to massage her back, Krista took the opportunity to grab the card Jessie left on top of her desk. "What do we have here?"

Jessie reached for the card, but she pulled her muscle again. The blonde rolled her eyes as her friend read the card.

"Have hands, will travel."

"It doesn't say that." 

"Ashley Moore. Massage therapist." Krista chuckled. "What do you think she means by 'Moore'?"

"That's her last name." 

"Oh, and there's a number at the bottom along with the address." Krista flipped it over. "Looky here on the back."

Jessie groaned. She knew what was coming.

"Must be her cell phone number. Or her digits." Krista teased her friend. "Did you make a note of it for yourself?"

"Give it to me!"

"Hey. Maybe that's what the 'more' stands for. She can give it to ya." Krista knew she had pushed her ailing friend too far when a sad look came over Jessie's usually bright blue eyes. "Here."

"Thank you." A sullen Jessie took the card and fondly held it in her hands as a faraway look crossed her face.

Krista sat on the edge of Jessie's desk and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I know." She studied her friend for a long moment. "That was a long time ago, Jessie. And I know..."

"As you said it was a long time ago." Jessie wanted nothing better than to drop the long unspoken subject.

"Still hurts though." Krista sucked in a deep breath before reaching down and lifting Jessie's chin up. Their eyes met in quiet understanding. "You have to let go of it once and for all." When Jessie started to look away, Krista's hand held her friend's face in place. "I know you never forget your first love but..." She sighed. "...Jessie, she made her decision."

Jessie jerked her head away. "And it didn't include me."

Feeling sad for her friend, Krista agreed. "I know. But you did the right thing by moving here. At least physically you got away. Emotionally though, I don't think you ever left." 

"I won't go there again." Jessie said staunchly. It hurt too much. Her blue eyes turned even sadder. Nine years is a long time to hold on to a lost love.

"Then what are you going to do?" When Jessie chanced a glance at her friend in question, Krista continued. "Ashley Moore."

"I don't have to do..." The look in Krista's eyes made her stop so Jessie shrugged. "I could always use another friend. After all, you're such a good example of how wonderful friends can be." The blonde sarcastically teased her best friend.

Krista jumped up off the desk. "Then friends it is. Not that she could take my place. Who could?" The smug ash blonde walked to the door and turned. "Call her."

"Why? I'm sure we'll run into each other again. She was with Morgan and her girlfriend. And Morgan's a regular at Belle's, so I'm sure she'll come..."

Krista cut her friend off. "Back?" When Jessie just stared at her, Krista pointed at her own back. 

"Oh! My back." Nodding, Jessie agreed. "I could use a good massage." Remembering Ashley's words, Jessie smiled. She did promise I wouldn't regret it.

Pointing to the phone, Krista winked.

Jessie waited till her friend had left before grabbing the telephone and punching in the digits from the card. "I wonder." 

************************

When she heard the telephone ringing, Ashley ran back into the house from the front porch. She had been distracted all morning and nothing seemed to be going right that day. Just as she picked up the phone, Makayla bounced in front of her, almost causing her to trip. "Hey!"

"Ashley?" Jessie wondered if she had dialed the correct number.

The brunette woman swore when she heard her own name that her heart skipped a beat. "Hey." She said in a softer tone as she sank down on the floor next to Makayla. "Sorry about that. My dog nearly knocked me over."

"You're okay?" 

Ashley smiled. "I am now."

"This is Jessie Stone. You said to call."

"Yeah. How's your back? Still giving you problems?"

"That's what I called about." Jessie stared at the card remembering the kind and innocent eyes of the massage therapist. "I was wondering if you could work me in."

Excited, Ashley said. "I can take you right now."

The blonde's eyes widened and Jessie gulped. "You can?"

It was then that Ashley realized the subtle sexual undertones in what she said. "I mean. You could come now... if you wanted." When the older woman didn't say anything for a moment, Ashley moaned. "Oh God, I'm sorry. I meant..."

"It's okay." Jessie smiled at the massage therapist's innocent words that precariously offered more. God, Krista. Now you've got me thinking that way. "No."

"Oh." Ashley was disappointed. "I thought you called to make an appointment."

"I did." Jessie hurried her words. "It's just that I've got a lot of work to get done this afternoon. Would tomorrow morning be okay?"

"When?" Ashley wasn't normally an early riser, but she would happily greet the morning sunrise if it meant seeing Jessie again. 

"Say around ten maybe."

"I'll be here." Ashley grinned. 

"See you then." 

"Bye." When she heard Jessie hang up the telephone, Ashley looked at Makayla's questioning eyes. "We're just friends." Her dog didn't buy that and neither did the pounding of her heart.

For her part, Jessie was struggling with a heart that had been cloistered far too long. When she ran a finger over the raised purple letters on the card, a single heartbeat pounded loudly, demanding to come out. 

Chapter Four

Jessie down shifted into second as she turned the corner on her way to Ashley's house early Saturday morning. She was running late since she had changed several times before deciding on wearing a pair of khaki shorts and one of her old purple and white jerseys. When she pulled the car to a complete stop in front of the massage therapist's apartment, the blonde chanced a quick look in the mirror. Seeing her hair in a bit of disarray since she left the top down on her BMW Z-3 convertible two-seater, Jessie ran her fingers through her long hair and wondered if she should have pulled it back in a ponytail. The barking dog on the front porch caused her to drag her eyes away from the mirror. "Too late to do anything about it now." 

Ashley saw the sports car stop in front of her apartment and waited patiently until Makayla demanded to be let out of the door. The brunette used that as her opportunity to walk out on the porch. When the blonde got out of her car, Ashley waved. "Hi."

"Hey." Jessie called back as she walked around the car and briefly studied the barking black dog.

Seeing the bit of hesitation in Jessie's approach, Ashley yelled. "Come on up. She's a good dog." But Ashley hooked a finger under Makayla's collar just in case. 

In a determined stride, Jessie walked confidently up the sidewalk. When she was just five feet shy of the first step, Makayla slipped away from Ashley's hold and jumped down the two steps toward Jessie. The large dog bounced up on the blonde. "Whoa there!" Holding the dog that was now standing on her hind feet, Jessie smiled under Makayla's wet welcome.

Ashley hurried down the steps and tried to disengage her dog from the blonde. "Sorry. She likes you."

The black Lab got in one more lick before the brunette was able to pull her off of Jessie. "It's a good thing for me then." The blonde dabbed at her wet cheek before crouching down and petting Makayla. "What's her name?"

"Makayla Rose." Ashley marveled at how well the two of them were getting along so quickly. Dogs had a good sense about people and obviously Makayla immediately liked the blonde. 

Jessie played with the happy dog, but spoke to Ashley. "We had several dogs when I was growing up. Mostly Shelties though." 

"They're good dogs, too." Ashley silently studied the blonde as she gave Makayla the attention she was craving. Jessie's long hair ran about three inches past her shoulders. She was definitely a blonde. Ashley noted her hair was sprinkled with many different shades of blonde. The brunette watched Jessie tuck a strand of hair around her ear in order to avoid her dog's wet tongue. "Come on, Makayla. You're getting her all wet."

When Ashley said that, Jessie looked up and as their eyes met, they both smiled. The blonde sucked in a breath before standing. A sharp pain in her back muscle produced a grimace on the blonde's face that Ashley immediately noticed.

"Come on. I need to get you on your back... now!" Ashley turned around immediately, slightly embarrassed by her words. God, everything I say to her has some kind of... I'm not gonna think about that right now. I'm a professional. So.... act professional. But her mind flooded with images of Jessie's long sexy legs. God, help me.

Jessie followed obediently, with Makayla wagging her tail as she trotted along. "Yes, ma'am." 

After Ashley got over her initial embarrassment, she turned to Jessie, "I meant to ask you beforehand on the phone, but are you wanting a full body massage, or just work on your back?"

After much deliberation, Jessie finally answered. "Just my back... for today, at least. It's really bothering me." With a nod, Ashley accepted the answer.

When they walked into the massage therapist's workroom, Ashley turned to Jessie, after picking up a large white towel. She started to open her mouth, but caught herself first. Think before you speak. "Usually, most of my customers get..." The brunette looked away from Jessie's intensely blue eyes before continuing. "...undressed. It works better that way."

The blonde stepped closer and took the towel from Ashley's hand. Their fingers brushed past each other. "I kinda figured that." That's when Jessie ventured into dangerous territory when she asked. "You do know I pulled the muscle in my back?" Ashley nodded so the blonde continued. "Well, when you said... I should get on my back, I was just wondering..."

"I just meant." Ashley rolled her eyes, now embarrassed for the second time. "Oh, I don't know what I meant."

Seeing the brunette's face turn red, Jessie smiled. "I'm just teasing ya."

Ashley immediately squinted her eyes and shot the blonde a mock glare. Pointing to the small changing room, the massage therapist demanded. "Go!"

Not only did Jessie jump at the command so did Makayla and both of them ended up in the changing room. 

Ashley laughed when she saw her dog enter the room with Jessie. She took a brief moment to shake off her distracting thoughts before preparing what she would need for the massage. The brunette placed a long clean towel over the massage table and then decided at the last minute to light two vanilla candles. She grabbed for the bottle of oil, but it slipped out of her hand. As Ashley leaned over she called to Jessie. "You 'bout ready?"

"Right here."

Coming directly from behind her, Jessie's voice startled Ashley. "Oh!" The brunette turned around. "You're fast."

The blonde shrugged. "Doesn't take long to pull off a jersey."

Ashley could tell Jessie wasn't wearing a bra under the towel. The thought of the purple and white softball jersey with the number 21 on the front and back covering bare skin brought a smile to Ashley's face. No bra, huh? 

Sensing something devious running through the brunette's mind, Jessie asked. "What's that smile for?"

Awakened from her mind's sexual detour; Ashley dismissed the blonde's question. "Never you mind. Now, on the table."

"Hold on. First, I wanna know about that." Jessie grinned.

Scrunching her eyebrows together, Ashley asked. "About what?" 

Holding onto the top of the towel she had wrapped around her, Jessie used her other hand to turn Ashley. Slightly lifting the back of the brunette's shirt, Jessie pointed at the massage therapist's lower back. "That."

"Oh, that. It's a tiger." Ashley readily answered. It was when Jessie stooped down that the brunette sucked in a deep breath. "It gives me courage." Exactly what I need now with her so close to my... professional. I'm a professional. Just keep telling yourself that.

Jessie studied it for a long time. "I like it."

"Okay. Enough of that." Ashley turned around and waited until the blonde stood. "I think you're avoiding getting on that table. What's the matter? Don't you trust me?"

Immediately, Jessie thought of what her best friend had said when she was holding the massage therapist's card. Have hands, will travel. "You tell me?"

Ashley cocked her head. "There's only one way to find out." 

"Okay, okay." Jessie climbed on the table, lying on her stomach. "I didn't know if you wanted me to take off my shorts, too."

That thought produced a question in the brunette's mind. Since she wasn't wearing a bra, I wonder if she isn't wearing... The brunette shut her eyes briefly and barely whispered. "Professional."

"Excuse me?" Jessie twisted around to look at the younger woman. 

The massage therapist was too flustered to talk so she gently slid the towel away, revealing Jessie's bare back. Ashley gulped. The smooth, silky skin deliciously covered the nicely shaped back. Her eyes roamed over the blonde's upper torso like a well-seasoned traveler. She wiggled her fingers in anticipation. 




When You're Near Me



Makayla's barking knocked the brunette out of her stupor. She quickly grabbed the heated oil, applied it to her hands, rubbing them together before embarking on the most heavenly journey her palms and fingers had ever traveled. 

Jessie's steady breath hitched when Ashley touched her. The blonde focused on her breathing, trying to regulate it so the massage therapist wouldn't notice. 

Of course Ashley did and that observation brought a satisfied grin to the brunette's face. 

The blonde tried to get her mind off the soothing hands that were sending shivers throughout her body. "So you always wanted to do this?"

Ashley's hands ran the length of the blonde's torso, sighing. "Oh, yeah."

The sound of the brunette's voice when she answered that question caused Jessie to wonder if Ashley was talking about massages or something else. So Jessie decided just to relax and enjoy the soft hands of the massage therapist as she worked her magic. 

Makayla watched Ashley intently as she massaged the blonde. Ashley's hands found their way to Jessie's neck, rubbing lightly at first then gradually increasing the pressure until she heard the blonde moan. The massage therapist's hands engaged in a sexual dance as they traversed the smooth skin that blanketed the well-formed muscles below it. Strong, yet feminine, in every way. "You work out?" Ashley asked quite suddenly.

"Hmmm?" Jessie purred under the pleasant ministrations she was receiving. 

"I suppose playing softball and lifting those cases at work... by the way, it'll be a good idea to stop doing that. Lifting the cases, I mean. At least until you feel better." Ashley didn't want anything happening to Jessie's beautiful back that she had just decided to personally care for. 

The blonde's eyes remained closed as she drifted away from consciousness. "Mmm...."

Pleased with the desired effect she was giving the blonde, Ashley congratulated herself. "I am good."

That you are. 

When the blonde didn't respond, Ashley added. "If I do say so myself." Her hands moved over the blonde's shoulders where she just as lovingly spread the same healing feelings. Ashley's fingers probed lower along both sides of the blonde's body and finally came to rest near the small of Jessie's back. Her hands paused only a moment as she envisioned a tattoo there. When she continued her ministrations, Ashley suggested. "You should get a tattoo here yourself." She thought for a moment. "Maybe a tribal one. I think it would be very sexy."

Blue eyes jumped wide open upon hearing that comment. "You do?"

"Yep." Ashley was beyond caring about what she was saying at the moment. Her hands were enjoying their work way too much. 

"I dunno. Never really gave it much thought." Nine years before when Jessie had suggested to her then girlfriend that they get matching tattoos, that's when her world began to crumble. The lack of enthusiasm to her idea resulted in her girlfriend confessing that she wanted out of their relationship. "It's kinda a permanent thing."

"That it is." Ashley agreed, but sensed an underlying sadness in the way Jessie said it and decided to tease the blonde, hoping it would ward off the gloom in her voice. "Don't tell me you're a 'love 'em and leave 'em' kind of gal?" The massage therapist felt the blonde immediately tense up. Uh oh, struck a nerve. "Nah, I don't get that from you."

Jessie relaxed somewhat by that comment. 

"Wanna talk about it?" Ashley tentatively asked.

The blonde sighed. "Long story."

"I've got time. I charge for the massage, not by the hour." Ashley leaned down, catching a brief glimpse of the blonde's eyes and winked. 

Jessie chuckled. "And I thought you were giving it to me for free?"

"Well, I did offer. So the first one's free."

"I can't allow that. I was just kidding." The blonde assured the massage therapist. 

"It's okay. Business has been good lately. As a matter of fact, you don't happen to know of someplace that I could lease to expand my business. Downtown area?" Ashley quizzed her client.

"There is an office complex across the street from where I work. Occasionally, it has openings." Jessie suggested. "And if you did get a place there, I wouldn't have to go far to get a massage."

"So you're satisfied with my work, huh?" Ashley combed the length of Jessie's back with the very tips of her fingers, eliciting the expected moan from her client. 

Jessie sucked in a deep, relaxing breath and sighed. "Completely."

The massage therapist's hands stilled, but remained on the blonde's back. "Well, I'm done."

Yet, neither woman moved. Long moments passed with both women deep in thought before Jessie finally spoke. "Do you think it would be a good idea to get another massage? The seasons not even half way over so..."

"Yep and I'll set you up every week if you want." Ashley reached for her appointment book, but realized her hands were still oily. "Ah. When can you come back?"

Jessie held the towel in front of her as she rose. "I work all week and my softball games are on Thursday."

Seeing Jessie sitting there half-naked was distracting the brunette so she suggested. "Why don't you get dressed? Then we can see about when's a good time to come..." She swallowed hard as her eyes fell on the blonde's chest. "...again." Ashley quickly turned around and started to put away the oil. 

Jessie noticed where Ashley's eyes had roamed and the blonde smiled. She sure embarrasses easily. The blonde jumped off the table and headed to the changing room. "Be right back."

Ashley washed her hands and replaced the towel on the table. She reached over and blew out the two burning candles. When the massage therapist leaned back, she felt a pull in her neck. Ashley cocked her neck and began to rub it. Once again, she was jolted by the sound of a voice directly behind her.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." Ashley turned and met the soft, caring eyes of the blonde. "It's just my neck. Gets a catch in it every once in a while." 

"Turn around." Ashley did as she was instructed. "Now I'm not saying I'm any good or anything but..." Jessie placed both her hands on either side of the brunette's neck. "...I am a fast learner." The blonde proceeded to move her fingers and hands the same way the massage therapist had done on her.

Ashley easily fell into the seductive gentle soothing strokes of the blonde's hands on her neck. "You should do this for a living. God, you're good."

Jessie leaned in next to the brunette's ear. "So I've been told."

Those words echoed in the brunette's mind and she laughed. "That sounds like something I would say."

When Ashley turned around to face the blonde, Jessie's hands remained in place. Their eyes met again and something very familiar transpired between the two women without a word said. 

It took a bark from Makayla to break the spell.

Jessie backed up. "I'm... when did you say I should come back?"

"Anytime."

"I'm not your only customer, you know." Suddenly, a dark thought crossed the blonde's mind. She began to wonder about Ashley's other clients.

The only one that counts. "Maybe not. But I do have a few special clientele and if you're good..." Ashley winked. 

"According to you, I am." Jessie teased back.

Ashley pursed her lips and cocked an eyebrow. "I haven't created a monster, have I?"

Jessie stepped closer and asked seriously. "Have you?" The blonde wetted her lips, moving ever so slightly forward. 

The intense heat she felt from being so close to the blonde was nearly her undoing. The brunette broke the tense filled moment by chuckling before she tapped the blonde on her shoulder lightly and slipped past Jessie. "Puhlease..." The pounding of Ashley's heart begged for what was about to happen between them. But it was fear that pulled her back from the desired precipice that she had longed dreamed of. 

The blonde snapped from her trance as Ashley brushed by her. What the hell was that? I am not going there again. Jessie turned just in time to see Ashley walk out of the door. "I'm sorry. I..." But the brunette was halfway down the hallway when she finished. "...don't know what I was doing?"

Makayla stared at the blonde with an inquisitive look on her face. 

The blonde propped her hand on her hip and accused to the dog. "You know, you could've stopped me. Any other time you've barked."

After Ashley and Jessie agreed upon a time for her next appointment, the brunette walked the blonde to her BMW. "Cool car."

"Thanks." Jessie stopped near the passenger door. "Listen, I don't know if you like softball but..."

"I do." Ashley quickly confirmed. "I played a little in high school. Mostly basketball and soccer though."

Jessie shook her head, trying to decide if she should ask the brunette or not. "We got a game this Thursday at Dunsing Field. You could stop by if you're not doing anything."

"Why Jessie Stone are you asking me out on a date?" Ashley teased the blonde.

Surprised by Ashley's question, Jessie immediately answered. "No!" 

Oh. 

The brief sad look that crossed the brunette's face did not go unnoticed by Jessie. "I'd like to be friends. And I thought... well, never mind." Jessie started to turn away.

"Hold on. I'd like that, too. " Ashley stepped closer then peeked around Jessie. "Do your friends get to drive your car?"

Jessie laughed. "If they're good."

"Oh, I can be good." Ashley winked. "It's just a question of how good you want me to be?"

The blonde produced a counterfeit glare at Ashley. "I was talking about how good a driver they are."

Ashley glanced sideways at Jessie, offering the blonde her best innocent look. "And I wasn't?"

The bantering back and forth between the two women came naturally. They both enjoyed the light-hearted exchange, but did wonder at times the real meaning behind each other's words. "So will you come Thursday or not?"

Ashley nodded. "If you let me take you tattoo shopping?"

Jessie realized the brunette wasn't one to give up so easily when she had something on her mind. She walked around her sports car and slid in. "We'll talk about it Thursday." With that Jessie started her car, slipped it into gear and accelerated down the road with a smile on her face.

Ashley crossed one arm and let the other one rest on it as she tapped her lips with one finger. "Yes, we will." Her smile matched that of the blonde. 

Chapter Five

Andrew Moore kicked the ball hard through the legs of his opponent. The ball scooted across the field to his best friend, Mitch Sullivan, and he waited for Andrew to get in the open before kicking it back to him. Andrew hurried his step and with one sure foot on the ball, kicked it straight into the net. 

Ashley jumped upon seeing her brother score the game-winning goal. After congratulations from his teammates, Andrew searched and found where his sister was in the stands and nodded to her. The Hot Shots walked off the field with another victory for their team. 

Mitch came running up beside him, happy to have assisted with the goal. "Hey, are we cool or what?"

Andrew's face beamed. "We're cool." They gave each other a high five. 

Mitch followed his friend as Andrew made his way to where he sister was waiting. "Can you hang around for a while?"

"I think so." Andrew nodded. "You need a ride? Ashley's taking me home later."

"Nah, but mom said she'd be late picking me up." As they approached Andrew's sister, Mitch's gray eyes focused on the pretty brunette. "Hi!" 

"Hey, Mitch. That was a nice pass." Ashley smiled at him as he tried desperately to hide his embarrassment.

Seeing his best friend smitten with his sister, Andrew shook his head before giving Ashley a hug. 

"You did good, bubba." Ashley squeezed him tightly.

Her slightly taller brother said. "Thanks. I had a good teacher." 

Ashley did show her younger brother several moves and practiced with him for years, but the handsome Andrew had a natural talent for knowing where the ball was heading and getting a good foot on it. "Aww, that's sweet."

When Ashley released him, she mussed his short hair. "Hey!" He pretended to be annoyed. "Mitch's mom won't be here for awhile. You care if we go watch some of the other teams?"

Ashley saw in which direction her green-eyed brother looked and noted that a couple of young girl's team were preparing for their game. "Sure. I was gonna stop by and watch Morgan play anyway. It's already started. So meet me there. Okay?"

Andrew nodded. "See ya." 

"Bye."

The fourteen-year-old dark haired boy stared for a long moment at Ashley before Andrew bumped him. "You coming?"

Ashley watched her brother and his best friend run across the field and she smiled. Even though there was ten years difference between them, they were very close. Andrew would sometimes spend weekends at her place and she always tried to make all of his games. When she heard a loud cheer from a crowd behind her, Ashley turned and saw Breanne jumping in the bleachers. "I guess Morgan made a goal." She stopped by the concession stand before joining her friend in the stands. "Here." Ashley handed Breanne a coke while she sipped her Dr. Pepper. "What's the score?"

"Thanks. Morgan's made the only goal." Breanne watched her partner negotiate around another player and pass the ball half way down the field to one of her teammates before it was kicked away. "Uh oh."

Ashley settled in to watch the game. With each play, she wished that she could be out on the field with her old teammates. 

While there was a short lull in the game, Breanne took the opportunity to ask about what happened at the bar last Thursday night. "Shae asked about you."

Ashley stared straight ahead at the players on the field, not wanting to have any particular conversation. "Okay."

Breanne looked at her friend. "I don't get it. Everyone I set you up with, you don't like?"

Ashley twisted around. "That's not why you wanted me to go Thursday, was it? To meet Shae?"

"No." Breanne said honestly. "But..."

The brunette sighed. "You know I don't go for that type. She's too butch for me. Besides..."

Breanne rolled her eyes. "Besides what? You could at least give her a chance."

Ashley's eyes turned back toward the field as she rubbed her temple. She prayed a headache wasn't on the horizon. 

When her friend remained silent for a long moment, Breanne asked. "So what's with you and that Jessie girl?"

Ashley shrugged. "She's nice."

Breanne ducked her head down to get a closer look at Ashley's face. "You like her? You know, like that?"

Ashley chanced a quick look at her friend. "She wants to be friends. And I gave her a massage the other day."

Some movement on the field drew Breanne's attention away for a moment. "I asked Morgan about her."

Ashley shot her friend a curious look.

"She works in a gay bar where she could get lots of dates, but doesn't." 

The massage therapist turned to her friend and asked seriously. "And that means what?"

Breanne shrugged. "Probably nothing, I guess."

"Breanne. You're gonna tell me anyway, so..." Ashley knew her friend well.

Even as she watched her partner chasing the ball on the field, Breanne spoke to Ashley, but what she said about Jessie applied to Morgan as well, at least in her mind. "She's one of those that will never commit. Oh, she wants you around when it's convenient, but..."

As Ashley heard her friend's complaint fade away, the brunette knew Breanne's last comment was directed at Morgan. "You said she didn't date."

Breanne casually dismissed her friend's comment and stared off into space as she continued. "...when it comes to really being there in the relationship, forget it."

"She just wants to be friends anyway." Ashley sighed, not really agreeing with what she said next. "And I'm okay with that." 

When Morgan came running off the field, Breanne stood up. "What's wrong?" 

Morgan jumped on the bleachers, stepping up until she reached her girlfriend. "You got a Band-Aid?" The dark haired soccer player sat down and held out her hand to Breanne. It was bleeding. 

"What happened?" She searched in her purse.

Morgan was intently watching the game. "Snagged something sharp, don't know. Can you hurry up?"

Ashley leaned forward and said. "You guys are playing good defense, but you need to push it hard on the left. That's their weak side."

Morgan laughed. "That's why we need you back. What do ya say?"

In deep thought, Ashley said. "Maybe... one day."

"Come on, Bre!" Morgan was shaking her hand. "Hurry up."

Breanne wrapped the Band-Aid on quickly, and when her partner jumped up, she nearly yelled. "Morgan!"

Turning around quickly, the dark haired woman impatiently asked. "What?"

Breanne's face contorted in frustration at her partner's inattention to her. Her lips pursed together as she let out a heavy sigh.

Recognizing that look, Morgan dropped her shoulders, rolled her head, then ducked down before soundly kissing her partner. Breanne brought her arms up around her lover's neck and held Morgan in place for a long moment before finally letting go. Then just as quickly as she arrived, Morgan bounced down the bleachers and back onto the field.

Several people in the crowd gawked at the display. Ashley felt a bit embarrassed by all the attention her friends drew with that kiss. The brunette rubbed the side of head and looked away, trying to avoid the staring eyes of the onlookers. It was times like these that Ashley severely wondered if she would ever be that open with her partner in public. This fear haunted her and she questioned herself if it would be the sticking point that would keep her from finding true happiness with a woman. 

They watched the rest of the game in relative silence as they waited patiently for Morgan to bid her friends farewell before joining them at the bleachers. Morgan enjoyed the company of good friends and was always the center of attention with her out-going personality and sense of humor. 

"Hey, girls. What do you say we celebrate?" Morgan grinned, then gave Breanne a wink.

"Count me out." Ashley said. "Andrew's with me."

"Hi!" The young man stepped up next to his sister. "Guess you're ready, huh?"

Ashley wrapped her arm around her brother. "Yep, perfect timing."

"Next time, maybe." Morgan said to Ashley then turned to Breanne. She slid her arm around her girlfriend and whispered in her ear, which made Breanne smile. 

Breanne turned her imploring brown eyes at Ashley. "Why don't you come by after you've dropped Andrew off?"

Shaking her head, Ashley declined. "Nah, we're gonna stop and get something to eat before I take him home."

Morgan kissed Breanne on the cheek before she said. "I'll meet you at the car. I gotta talk with someone first, okay?"

But Breanne never had time to answer before Morgan rushed off. Her curious brown eyes trailed her partner until the shorthaired woman reached one of the players on her team. "Ashley... please?" She finally tore her eyes away from Morgan.

"Sorry, but how about Thursday? We could go back to the bar." Ashley suggested with a small, hopeful smile on her face.

"I don't know. Morgan will probably want to but..." Breanne was tired of going out all the time and having to share her girlfriend with the rest of their friends. 

Ashley thought her friend was going to turn down her suggestion until a thought seemed to occur to Breanne. 

"I'll call you. Or better yet, I'll stop by on Wednesday. I could use another massage. Having to lean over those patients all day at work hurts my back." 

"Alrighty. See ya Wednesday." Ashley turned to her brother. "You ready, sport?"

"I was born ready." He winked at his sister and ran to her truck.

"Bye. Take care." Ashley said to Breanne and waved to Morgan before she followed her brother. She was hopeful that if Breanne mentioned the bar to Morgan, they would be going there Thursday night. It wasn't like Ashley couldn't go alone. But the brunette wanted to cover her options, just in case. 




When You're Near Me



Andrew yelled out the driver's side window of his sister's dark blue Chevy truck. "Can I drive?"

Ashley shook her head and opened the door. "Move over, bubba. You'll get your turn soon enough. Just one more year."

Andrew reluctantly slid to the passenger's. "So where we going to eat?"

"Your choice." Ashley grinned and knew exactly the place he would choose. She started her truck and pulled out. She had only driven a couple of miles before Andrew turned to her with a serious look on his face.

"Ashley?"

"Yeah?"

"Your friends. Morgan and Breanne." Ashley nodded so he continued. "Are they, ya know, a couple?"

Andrew had met her friends a few times before in passing at the soccer field or when they had ran into each other in a restaurant, but he had never spent that much time around them. Slowly, Ashley glanced over at her brother and confirmed. "Yes, they are." When he didn't answer for a long moment, her green eyes returned to the road.

Finally, the young man nodded and said. "I figured as much." 

"So... you okay with that?" She held her breath as she waited for his answer.

"Yeah. That's cool." His attention soon turned to food. "So I get a whole pizza to myself, right?" 

Ashley met his impish grin and mirrored one back at him. "If you think you can handle it."

They both laughed as Ashley drove down the road to Andrew's favorite pizza place.

*************************

The telephone call left Ashley disappointed. She let out a heavy sigh that Breanne picked up on. "What's wrong?"

"Nothin'." Ashley reached up to the cabinet, pulling out a couple of glasses. "You want something?"

Breanne thought about it for a moment. "Don't have time." 

Ashley replaced the glasses in the cabinet before she turned. "You talk with Morgan about Thursday?"

The dental assistant was digging in her purse. "Yeah, she's working late. At least that's what she says." Breanne chanced a sly look at her friend. "You wanna grab something to eat, then maybe take a ride or something? I hate waiting at home while she's working."

The brunette crossed her arms and leaned on the kitchen counter. "Nah. I told Jessie I would go to her game Thursday." Besides, Ashley really didn't want to make an obligatory drive-by the book factory while her friend pretended not to be looking for Morgan's car in the parking lot.

"You sure?" Breanne cocked her head. When Ashley declined with the shake of her head, the older woman pursed her lips. "She did say we might go Friday or Saturday night." 

That bit of news piqued Ashley's interest even though she didn't know if Jessie would be working at the bar either one of those nights. "Friday sounds good. Let me know, huh?"

Breanne finally retrieved her keys. "Yeah, sure." 

The massage therapist followed her friend out the front door and watched Breanne drive away before she went back inside where she was met by Makayla. The black Lab followed Ashley to her small office. When Ashley dropped down in her chair, she pulled the appointment book out and stared at Jessie's name. "It's funny how you can miss someone you just met." 

Makayla barked once and seemed to pick up on her mistress's mood. 

Ashley flipped the book back on the desk and pet her dog. "At least tomorrow's Thursday. What do you think? Should I go to the game or not?"

Makayla gave the brunette an enthusiastic bark. 

For the first time that day, Ashley let out a happy laugh. 

************************

The game was in full swing at the bottom of the second inning. Shae Karella was in the batter's box. Jessie pulled out a bat and studied it for a long moment. She followed Shae in the batting order, and for some reason wasn't anxious to get up on deck. 

"Hey!" Krista bumped her friend. "Unless you're expecting that bat to hit on its own, you better get out there."

Jessie looked around the bleachers, for what seemed like the hundredth time since well before the start of the game. Again, she didn't find what she was looking for.

Krista put both her hands on her friend's shoulders, guiding her out of the dugout, then pushing Jessie forward. "She'll be here."

Jessie turned around. "What?"

Krista stepped closer and whispered. "They're gonna walk Shae, so go up there and hit a homerun. When Ashley shows up, you can tell her all about it."

The blonde was about to deny that her mind was on the pretty brunette when the umpire called to the next batter. Sure enough, Shae was on first, not happy that the other team wouldn't pitch to her. As if in slow motion, Jessie walked up to the box. Before she stepped in, the blonde took a couple of practice swings. She chanced one more look into the bleachers and frowned. 

"Jessie!" Her coach Steve yelled and clapped his hands together. With Shae on first and their pitcher on second, the coach knew they had a good chance of putting a score on the board to get out in front. "Come on. We need a hit." 

When the rest of her team cheered her on, Jessie stepped into the batter's box and braced herself for the first pitch. But her focus was off, so the first ball sailed past her for a strike. She stepped out, looking at her coach.

Steve nodded, showing Jessie that he had complete confidence in her ability to put the ball into play. Neither side had scored yet due to the outstanding defense from both teams. "Just put it in play, Jessie."

The blonde took up her batter's position in the box and waited. The pitch was low and outside and fooled Jessie enough that she chased it. 

"Strike two." The umpire yelled.

Again, the blonde stepped out and closed her eyes, trying to focus on the game at hand. But her mind was elsewhere. When she called Ashley the day before and cancelled her appointment because of an emergency at work, Jessie moped around the house all evening, without really knowing why. It wasn't until just before the game that the blonde realized she missed seeing her new friend. And when Ashley hadn't showed up at the start of the game, Jessie was distracted with wondering if she had done something wrong. 

"Batter up." The umpire's words brought Jessie back to the present moment.

The blonde sucked in a deep breath and stepped in the box once more. She heard the roar of her teammates encouraging her as she struggled to get comfortable. She cocked her bat back. The pitcher wound up and just before she released it, Jessie heard a distinctive voice call to her.

"Come on, Jess. Get a hit!" 

Jessie's composure settled immediately and a determined look framed the knowing smile that formed on her face. As the ball came whirling down the lane, the blonde's eyes were glued to it. With a smooth swing of her bat, Jessie hit the ball solid and it raced past the shortstop. 

Shae had a good lead off first and was rounding second as Sally headed home. The throw from left field was strong, but it curved off to the right of the catcher as Sally crossed the home plate. Shae made it to third while Jessie was standing safely at second with a double. 

With her hands cocked on her hips, the blonde sucked in a deep breath, looking to the stands where the crowd was cheering her efforts. But her blue eyes lasered in on the smiling brunette jumping wildly and clapping her hands. Jessie's smile brightened and that's when she unconsciously delivered a small wave to her friend. 

"Way to go, Jess!" Ashley yelled and returned the wave along with a grin. 

On her way to the batter's box, Krista tracked where Jessie was looking and saw the brunette. Smiling, she mumbled. "That's one way to get motivated."

It was a tight game, but in the end, the Cougars came out on top with a score of one to nothing. After a short spontaneous victory hug by all of the team members, several players began to disburse, since two other teams were readying to play the next scheduled game. As usual, the coach invited everyone to Belle's for a drink in celebration of their win.

Jessie quickly made her way over to where Ashley was sitting in the stands. She looked up. "Hi."

Ashley scooted closer to the edge. "Great game."

"Thanks. You comin' to Belle's?" The blonde was hopeful her friend would agree.

"Are you working tonight?" The brunette asked.

"Uh huh." Jessie confirmed. "I usually do on Thursday's after the game and Fridays."

Even though Ashley wanted to go, she declined. "I... I don't think so." She knew the part-time bartender would be busy, and Ashley didn't want to sit alone. 

"Oh. Okay." The blonde was disappointed, but tried to hide it. Jessie stood there for a long moment until she asked. "You coming down or staying up there?" 

"Down." Ashley stood up, looking for a clear path down the bleachers, but she soon realized that she was boxed in. She looked down at Jessie and shrugged.

"Here." Jessie reached up. "I'll give you a hand."

The bleacher seat was only five feet from the ground. Ashley scooted closer, leaned over, then took Jessie's hand before jumping down. Ashley slipped down next to Jessie, who was still holding her hand. The brunette steadied herself as she stammered from the close contact. "Thank you." 

Standing very close to each other, Jessie barely whispered. "You're welcome." Her hand was beginning to perspire as she stared into the brunette's bright, green eyes. The blonde swallowed hard before she spoke. "I..."

"Hey, Jessie. Can you help with the equipment?" Krista yelled for her friend. "Steve's got to run by the bank. I'm gonna take him. Just throw it in the back of his truck, and we'll pick it up later."

"Yeah, I'll get it." The blonde stepped back from Ashley and nodded. But her eyes remained on the brunette. "Wanna help?"

"Sure." Ashley offered a shy smile and followed her friend.

Krista smiled at the brunette. "Hi, Ashley. You coming to Belle's?" When the brunette shook her head, Krista slapped her best friend on the back. "Thanks. See ya later."

Jessie immediately dropped down near the equipment and started sorting it. Ashley was by her side, tossing the extra balls in the bag as the blonde stuffed another bag with the bats. After that, Jessie stood up and hiked it over her shoulder, but dropped her glove. She leaned back down and picked it up. When she did, Jessie felt her muscle pull tight in her lower back. "There it goes again." 

Ashley noticed the blonde's face contort when she pulled her muscle. "Here. Let me." The massage therapist dropped her bag and moved around Jessie quickly, then began rubbing the affected area. 

Two smug self-proclaimed jocks walked by and one of them snorted. "Queers. Don't know what they're missing, huh?" He let out a hideous laugh at his own comment.

Immediately, Ashley pulled her hand away, backing up.

Concern flushed on Jessie's face when she saw the brunette drop her eyes and look away. The blonde could tell Ashley was upset. "You okay?" Jessie took a small step closer.

Rubbing her temple, Ashley nodded, but refused to look at her friend. 

When Jessie touched the brunette lightly on the arm, the blonde felt Ashley tense. "Hey?"

"I'm fine." Ashley quickly grabbed the bag she had dropped and offered Jessie a tentative smile. 

Quietly, they carried the equipment to Steve's truck and deposited it in the back, before Jessie secured the vehicle. When it was obvious the brunette wasn't going to speak, Jessie sighed. "They were just jerks, Ashley. You'll run into 'em every now and then."

Ashley licked her lips nervously. The brunette reached in her pocket and pulled out her strawberry chapstick, applying it to her sensitive lips. 

Jessie's eyes zeroed in on those same lips and stayed glued there for a long time. 

"I know." Ashley finally said. 

"Don't worry about 'em. They were here last week and gave Sally and her partner a hard time." Jessie knew her friend was upset about the comment.

"The pitcher? Sally? She's gay?" 

"Yeah. Nearly half the team is." Jessie started to name some of the players and finally said. "And me." The blonde ducked her head lower to meet Ashley's eyes. "You knew that, right?"

"Uh huh." Ashley figured that Jessie knew she was gay, but refused to bring it up herself at that point. "Well, I guess you need to get going?"

When Ashley turned toward her truck, Jessie grabbed her arm. "Wait."

Ashley's clear green eyes proffered the unspoken question she feared the blonde would ask. 

Jessie smiled and asked. "I thought we were going to talk about that tattoo?"

Relieved, Ashley's face broke out in a genuine smile. "That's right. You promised."

"I always keep my promises." She said seriously before Jessie cocked her head and declared with an impish grin on her face. "But as I recall, we said we'd talk about it."

Ashley's mood brightened and she bounced slightly on her feet. "So talk."

The blonde pondered her next words. "I could use another massage."

"Definitely."

"And if we did it Saturday morning, I suppose... " Jessie grinned. "Unless you have something else to do this weekend, we could maybe, and I said maybe, check out some."

"It's a date." The words came out before she knew it. But Ashley was so happy she didn't care. 

***********************

That night at the bar, Jessie worked hard. It wasn't the bartending part that overtaxed her. It was having to avoid dancing with the several women that asked her to trip the light fantastic. The blonde didn't oppose dancing. As a matter of fact, she rather enjoyed it. However, this night, there was only one person on her mind and that brunette was nowhere to be found.

At home, Ashley sulked around wishing she had said yes to Jessie's invitation. She hadn't heard from Breanne yet about going to the bar on Friday night. So for both women, Saturday couldn't come soon enough.

Chapter Six 

Ashley hurried out of Morgan's car and opened the front passenger's door for Breanne. "Come on." She could hear the music playing from inside the bar. Every since Breanne called her a couple of hours ago, informing Ashley that they had decided to go out, the brunette was on cloud nine.

"What are you so excited about?" Breanne would have preferred her girlfriend open her door for her, but that hadn't happened in ages. She saw Morgan march up to the front door of the bar, then turned and stared at her. The dental assistant lingered outside the car, making Morgan and Ashley wait.

"Honey, you comin' or what?" Morgan was anxious to get inside and see her friends. 

Breanne waited a moment for her girlfriend to escort her inside. When she realized Morgan wasn't going to budge from the bar's entrance, she dropped her shoulders in frustration.

Ashley picked up on her friend's disgruntled mood. The brunette walked back, slipping her hand behind Breanne's elbow. "Come on. It'll be fun."

"If you say so." The older woman rolled her eyes. The upbeat mood her girlfriend was in did not bode well for Breanne. Morgan was ready to party, which always ended up with them exchanging harsh words. 

Morgan led the way into the bar with Breanne and Ashley following behind. It was Friday night and the place was crowded, as usual. Morgan immediately searched for a table or a booth. She saw a couple of her friends from work and waved. "Hi!"

"Over here." Shae yelled.

The shorthaired woman made a beeline for her friends, leaving Breanne and Ashley in her wake. 

That pissed Breanne off.

Astutely, Ashley gently guided her friend to the booth where she deposited Breanne next to Morgan, who was already engaged in a hearty conversation with her friends. The booth was full so Ashley looked around for an empty chair. As she turned around, the crowd of people seemingly moved to either side of the room, opening a clear path to the bar where Ashley caught sight of Jessie. 

Behind the bar, Jessie had just finished making a frozen margarita and was just about to pour it in a glass for one of the customers when something made her look up. Her blue eyes immediately caught sight of Ashley looking at her. That moment in time froze for all eternity and the rest of the world disappeared. 

"Hey!" A customer complained as the liquid flowed up and over the glass, spilling on the counter and her arm.

"Oh!" Jessie immediately grabbed a towel and started to clean up the mess. "Sorry." The blonde chanced a quick look back in the direction of Ashley, who had a huge smile on her face. Seeing that, Jessie couldn't help but mirror one right back at the brunette. 

Ashley's eyes never left Jessie as she said to Breanne. "I'll be back in a minute."

A bit embarrassed for spilling the drink, Jessie mentally chastised herself as Ashley approached the bar. 

Ashley saddled up to the bar, claiming an empty stool. Suddenly, she was a bit nervous when Jessie turned and walked toward her. 

"Hi." The blonde smiled.

"Hi."

"You want something to drink?" Jessie leaned slightly over the edge of the bar. 

"Water, please." Ashley couldn't help but chuckle as she added. "In a bottle."

Jessie cocked a teasing eyebrow. "Oh, so you don't want to chance it, huh?"

"I saw what you did to that girl." Ashley teased the part time bartender. "You got her all wet."

Out of nowhere, a flirting thought chased through the blonde's mind. Jessie dismissed it, though it took a lot of effort on her part. It seemed that when she was around Ashley, her mind easily traveled down a sexual avenue. Jessie grinned. "Water it is then."

Ashley watched Jessie walk away and couldn't help but notice how good the blonde looked in her low rider blue jeans and pretty blouse that stopped just above the beltline. She was yanked out of her lustful musings when a boisterous woman slid up to the bar next to her.

"Jessie! Another one." The tall redhead wiggled her eyebrows at the bartender, then swung her head around and saw the brunette. "Ten bucks I can get her to dance with me tonight."

The foul smell of beer out of the redhead's mouth pushed Ashley back a distance. The brunette turned her attention away as she mumbled. "I doubt it."

But the redhead bumped Ashley hard. "Hey, I was talking to you."

When Jessie heard Shawna's loud voice yelling at her, the blonde knew trouble wouldn't be far away. She had successfully avoided the redhead, not only last night, but for the last three months. Jessie had tolerated Shawna up until now, but when she turned and saw the redhead leaning close to Ashley, the blonde had had enough. "Shawna! What do you want?" Jessie quickly closed the distance to where Ashley was sitting.

Ashley's green eyes flared at the redhead and she was close to saying something, except for Jessie's interruption. 

"I wanna 'nother drink." The redhead slurred, then leaned over the bar and said, "And a nice, slow dance with you." 

Ashley grunted loudly her disbelief at that ever happening. At least, she hoped Jessie wouldn't give the inebriated woman the time of day, let alone a dance. 

Swinging her head back around to the brunette, Shawna demanded. "What'd you say?"

"I..." Ashley started, but Jessie reached over the bar and lightly touched the brunette's arm. The sensations that touch sent through Ashley's body stirred up long dormant feelings. 

"Shawna?" That got the redhead's attention away from the brunette. "Come on around the bar. I've got something for you."

A lascivious grin popped up on the redhead's face as she swaggered around the bar just in time to be met by Jack. "Hey." The redhead protested. 

Jack escorted the drunken woman through the back door. He finally was able to take her back outside to the alley where he always had his heart to heart talks with special customers.

"What's he going to do with her?" Ashley asked then added. "Not that I care really, but..."

Jessie grinned. "Just a friendly reminder about the rules and etiquettes that all customers have to follow here at Belle's."

"Which are?" 




When You're Near Me



"Don't bother the help." 

Nodding, Ashley mused. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Don't worry. You're no bother." Jessie said, then realized her remark may have been taken as cavalier. "I didn't mean..."

"It's okay. I know what you meant." Ashley assured her friend.

When another customer demanded her attention, Jessie excused herself. "Be right back." It only took a few moments for the bartender to serve up the requested drinks before she returned to where Ashley was sitting. "I'm surprised to see you here tonight. You didn't say a word yesterday."

Feeling full of courage, Ashley teased. "And what word is that?"

"That you were coming." Their eyes met for a brief moment before Jessie grinned again. "You know what I mean."

"Yeah. I do." Ashley's attention was diverted for a moment when she heard a loud roar across the bar. Obviously, Morgan and her friends were having a great time. When Ashley saw Breanne's glum look on her face, she sighed. Turning back to Jessie, the brunette excused herself. "I need to check on my friend."

Jessie nodded. "No problem. I'll be around."

"I'll be back in a bit. You never did get my water, ya know." Ashley winked at her friend before she left.

"Sorry." Jessie called after the brunette as she watched Ashley walk away. Jessie's blue eyes seemed transfixed on the sway of the brunette's sexy hips packed inside those tight blue jeans. The bounce in Ashley's step was hypnotic. Shaking her head from the sexual musings, Jessie noticed Jack walk though the back door. "Everything okay?"

"Yep. I had one of her friends take her home." Jack was a fun-loving guy and wanted all of his customers to have a good time, but not at the expense of the help. He dropped an arm over Jessie's shoulder and whispered. "Davey just came in. Give him the usual."

Jessie nodded. 

Last week, when Jack called a cab for Davey to get home, the older man caused some trouble, so the cab company informed the owner of Belle's not to call them anymore. Jack had on occasion taken some of his customers home, but he didn't relish the idea. "Hey, you see Krista tonight?"

"She called. Said she might stop by later. Steve's got a cold or something." Jessie cleared the bar of several dirty glasses before allowing her eyes to seek out Ashley again. When she did, Jessie saw the brunette sit down next to her sullen-looking friend.

Ashley could tell that Breanne was in a foul mood. It seemed that Morgan was paying little attention to her girlfriend. "How ya doing? Need something?" Ashley asked.

"A new girlfriend." Breanne spat, but not loud enough for Morgan to hear. 

It seemed Shae had brought a new girl to the bar and Morgan was devoting more time to the very fem newcomer than Breanne. 

Ashley wanted to be sympathetic to her friend, but she also wished Breanne would just loosen up and have some fun. "Ask her to dance?"

But instead of that question, Breanne leaned over to her girlfriend. She tugged on Morgan's shirtsleeve. "Can we go home now? I'm bored." Breanne was tired of pretending to have fun all the time.

"What?" Morgan's dark eyes glanced at her girlfriend. "We just got here."

"I wanna go home." Breanne whined.

Morgan shifted closer to her girlfriend and quietly whispered in a harsh voice. "We didn't get here until late because of you and now you wanna go?"

"Yes." Breanne's brown eyes glared at her partner. She couldn't take much more of Morgan flirting with the new girl. Her jealous mind was working overtime and it had worn out her last nerve. 

Morgan scooted back and met her girlfriend's glare with one of her own. "Fine. You go!"

That sent the dental assistant over the edge. Tears formed in her eyes and Ashley had to move fast. "Breanne. Hey." The brunette gently tugged at her friend's arm. "Come on. Let's go outside for a bit."

Fuming, the older woman was led away as Morgan turned back to friends. 

When they were outside, Ashley tried to console her friend. 

"What does she think I am?" Breanne yelled.

Ashley knew that both Morgan and Breanne had their faults. Yet, it was like both of them could only see their side and blame the other for the direction their relationship was heading. "Just calm down, okay?"

"I don't care anymore." Breanne was in tears. 

Touching her friend's shoulder, Ashley pulled Breanne into an understanding hug. "Let me go talk with her. You stay here, okay?" When Breanne didn't answer, the brunette sucked in a deep breath then walked back in the bar. She headed directly up to Morgan. "Hey."

Laughing at some joke Shae told, Morgan finally turned then asked. "Where is she?"

"Outside." 

Morgan looked at Shae. "I'll be back in a sec." The dark haired woman motioned for Ashley to follow her. When they reached the front door of the bar, Morgan turned around. "I know what you're going to say. But I can't take much more of this."

Ashley pursed her lips, not know what to say exactly. 

"I just wanna have some fun. I like being around people." Morgan shrugged. "She knew that when we met."

"Yeah, but you're in a relationship and you have to take into consideration her feelings as well." Ashley reasoned.

Morgan grunted. "If I did that all the time, we'd never go out."

Being more of a homebody herself, Ashley could understand that about her friend. However, she also knew that getting out every once in while was important. "Not all the time. Though she's feeling a little left out right now. Maybe if you took her home, she'd feel like you want her."

Morgan rolled her eyes. "What do I have to do? Tell her all the time?"

"Yes." Suddenly, Ashley realized that that was exactly what Breanne needed. In order to feel loved, her friend need to be told, while Morgan was more of a person that needed to be shown. Breanne did that by doing lots of little things for her partner. 

The dark haired woman thought for a long moment. "Okay. Fine."

"She's waiting outside." Ashley nodded toward the front door. 

"Let's go then." Morgan reached in her pocket for the car keys. When Ashley didn't follow her, she turned back around. "You coming?"

The brunette bit her lower lip before turning quickly around to the bar area where she saw Jessie nod then smile at her. Ashley smiled back. She turned back around and said to Morgan. "No. I'll get a ride home."

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah." 

Morgan shrugged. "You mind telling Shae and the rest that I'll see them next week."

"Will do." Looking through the window, Ashley watched Morgan walk over to her car. The dark haired woman hesitated a moment before taking Breanne in her arms. She saw them kiss, then Morgan opened the door for her girlfriend.

Letting out a deep sigh, Ashley turned around. She dreaded her next move, but had promised Morgan. The brunette felt Shae's eyes crawl up her body as she approached the booth. "Hey."

Shae jumped up, stepping closer and waggled her eyebrows. "You came to get me, huh? 'Bout time." 

Backing up, Ashley cleared her throat. "No. I just wanted to tell you Morgan left with Breanne. Said she'd see you next week."

Shae shifted her body from one foot to the other. "That still leaves you and me."

Nodding to the new girl, Ashley asked. "What about her?"

"Babe, I've got more than enough for both of ya." Shae licked her lips as she waggled her eyebrows again.

"Nah." Ashley easily dismissed the tall woman. The brunette maneuvered around Shae, heading straight to the bar. What you got, I ain't buying. 

"Your loss." Shae called after the brunette.

Ashley heard the smug woman as she walked toward Jessie at the bar and knew she wasn't missing a thing. A huge grin appeared on her face when she sat down on the barstool.

Handing the brunette her water, Jessie noted the mysterious smile. "What's that for?"

"Just happy." 

"Uh huh." The blonde didn't know what produced that genuine smile, but it made the bartender happy, too. "Where are your friends?"

Ashley removed the cap on the bottle. "They left." When Jessie cocked an eyebrow in question, the brunette explained. "They had a little disagreement."

"Oh, okay." Jessie paused then in a softer voice said. "I'm glad you decided to stay."

Shyly, Ashley met happy blue eyes. "Me, too. Though I'm gonna have to find a ride home. I came with them."

"No problem, I..." The bartender was interrupted when a young woman walked up to Ashley and asked her to dance. The blonde held her breath for a long moment until she heard Ashley decline. 

The dejected young lady walked away. 

"You don't like to dance?" Jessie asked.

"Yes, I do. Just not in the mood right now." Ashley sipped her water. 

Jessie nodded. "Well, I better get back to work."

"Okay." Ashley was content to sit while Jessie served several customers. Everyone seemed to like the bartender, and she noticed several of the customers, both men and women, flirting with Jessie. But each time, Jessie shrugged off their advances with such ease that the suitor didn't know they were being rejected. 

During the evening, several women asked Ashley to dance, but each time she politely turned them down. Jessie kept a close eye on her friend, noting that Ashley didn't dance all evening. Every chance she got, Jessie spent as much time as she could talking with the brunette. 

"Jessie?" 

Jolted from her musings, Jessie nearly dropped the glass in her hand. "Huh?"

"Why are you so skittish tonight?" Jack asked. When Jessie shrugged, he continued. "Davey's gonna need a ride home."

Jessie hoped he wouldn't ask her.

"Think you can close up by yourself?" Jack asked as he surveyed the remaining customers in the bar. "I'll clear them out before I take Davey home."

"Sure. No problem." Jessie was relieved. She didn't think Jack would ask her to take Davey home, but that remote possibility caused concern for one brief moment since Ashley was still there. The blonde knew Ashley would need a ride home.

Jack collected Davey and advised the last few patrons it was time to pack it up. 

As the owner of Belle's herded the last of the customers out, Ashley frowned, knowing it was closing time. When Jessie walked over, the brunette asked. "Guess I should get going?"

"So, you're not gonna help me close up shop?" Jessie winked. 

Ashley's face brightened. "Yeah, I can help. What do you want me to do?"

In a flash, it crossed Jessie's mind to say. Just sit there and look pretty. She quickly shook that thought off. The blonde briefly wondered why her mind continued to stray in that direction. Instead of answering Ashley because she was afraid of what she might say, Jessie locked the front door after Jack left and turned off the outside lights. 

At first, Ashley thought the blonde was ignoring her. "Well? Do you want me to do something or just sit here and look pretty while you do all the work?" 

When Jessie heard that comment, her mouth dropped open but nothing came out. 

Not sure what came over the bartender, Ashley jumped off the stool. "Maybe a little music, huh?" The brunette walked to the jukebox that was already playing a soft country song. She perused the song selection. "What's your favorite number?"

"Huh?" Jessie was confused. 

Ashley turned. "Your favorite number?" A thought occurred to her. "Never mind." She just as quickly turned back around, dropped in a few coins, and pushed two numbers. 

Jessie stared at the back of the brunette as Ashley leaned over the jukebox. She couldn't take her eyes off of the young woman. It was something about the way Ashley moved, the way she talked that made Jessie feel captured every time they were near each other. 

Ashley noted that several songs were ahead of the one she selected to play. Cocking her hands on her hips, Ashley turned then looked steadily at Jessie. "Now. Where do we start?"

Jessie figured she better get her mouth engaged before she lost complete control of her feelings. But all she could do was point at the tables.

Ashley grinned at the silence-struck woman. "We're going to play charades, huh?" The brunette walked directly up to Jessie and when she was within inches away, Ashley took the bar towel from the blonde. "I'll be needing that."

Jessie finally shook away the dazed look on her face. The blonde grabbed several glasses from the table along with some napkins. When she tried to reach for one more glass sitting on another table, a long lock of hair fell across her face. Jessie tried to blow it out of her vision, but it just fell right back where it was. 

Smiling, Ashley saw her friend's dilemma. The brunette reached over and lifted the stray lock, tucking it behind the blonde's ear.

Jessie felt a shiver echo through her body as the brunette's finger brushed over the edge of her ear. "Thanks."

Their eyes caught in that single moment and something very familiar fell into place. "You're welcome."

Finally, they both returned to their work at hand. It didn't take long for the two of them to clear the tables and wipe down the bar. Jessie knew Jack would come in early and sweep up as along as she restocked some of the whiskey bottles. 

************************

The bartender dug into the cooler, pulling out a bottle of water. She held it up. "One for the road?"

Ashley took the offered bottle of water. "Thanks. You mind if we sit and listen to the music for a bit?"

"Sure." Before Jessie pulled up a barstool near the corner of the bar, she grabbed a bottle of water for herself. Sitting across from each other, both women sat there until the blonde held up her bottle. They clicked their plastic bottles together.

"What are we toasting?" The brunette asked with a raised eyebrow.

Jessie shrugged before she said. "Friendship."

Ashley nodded before taking a sip of her water. Not quite sure what to say, she fell easily into the soft music playing in the background. 

"You have fun tonight?" 

Ashley nodded, only allowing a brief thought to cross her mind about the tension between her friends. "How long have you worked here?"

Taking a deep breath, Jessie remembered her first night working for Jack. It was after the first game of the season. "Ever since I started playing ball for the Cougars. Seven years." It dawned on her that somehow time had slipped away without her taking much notice. 

When Ashley recognized the words to the song that started to play, she smiled. "That's the song I like."

Jessie listened to the familiar song a moment then decided to ask. "What kind of mood are you in?" 

Ashley cocked her head. "Why?"

"Are you in the mood to dance?"

Ashley nodded, adding a shy smile.

"Come on." The blonde jumped off the barstool and waited. "Well?" 

In a bold stroke of confidence, the brunette took Jessie's hand, leading her slowly to the small dance floor near the jukebox. Ashley's right hand dropped to the blonde's hip, pulling Jessie closer. The brunette placed her other hand on the blonde's opposite hip just above Jessie's waistband. 

Jessie dropped her head slightly, smiled, then looked into Ashley's inviting green eyes. Her hands slid up Ashley's arm, coming to rest near the top of the brunette's shoulders. 

When blue eyes met green, Ashley's pounding heart accelerated. The brunette sensed the warm, familiar feeling that being near Jessie gave her. 

As the music played, Ashley guided the blonde easily across the floor. Their bodies were so close they could feel every motion, every nuance as they swayed to the song playing. 

Jessie leaned in closer, allowing her cheek to brush against the side of Ashley's face. The soft music and mesmerizing touch of the brunette's hands on her hips stirred long forgotten sensations throughout her. Their bodies moved in tandem, fitting perfectly together with each beat of the music.

The brunette slipped her hands around Jessie's back as she luxuriated in the softness of the blonde's body next to hers. A satisfied moan escaped as Ashley sighed in deep contentment. 

Their bodies moved as one vessel, sailing away on a sea of hopes and dreams. Jessie moved back slightly to look deeply into Ashley's eyes. The flecks of gold embedded in the brunette's green eyes captured Jessie as she tried to maintain control of the way she was feeling. In that moment, the world slipped away and nothing and no one else existed beyond the feel of Ashley's arms around her. The blonde felt her heart lay open to the brunette and she briefly wondered if she should try and hide what she was feeling. Slipping her head back against Ashley's face, the blonde realized she never wanted to let go. 

Ashley swayed to the side, bringing the blonde with her as they continued to dance to the song, 'When You're Near Me'. The brunette gently rubbed her cheek up the side of Jessie's face as her eyes fell closed. She tightened her hold on the blonde, wishing that the night would last forever. Ashley knew she was on the edge of a precipice. Baby, here I go.

Lulled into the sensual siren voice of the singer and the soft, seductive touch of her dance partner, Jessie silently echoed the words from the song. I've fallen deep in your spell.

As the song ended, their bodies slowed, but refused to move away from each other. Finally, Ashley pulled back just enough to gaze into Jessie's dreamy, blue eyes. The brunette chanced a brief look at the blonde's lips. Seeing Jessie lick her lips, Ashley swallowed hard before ever so slightly moving forward. The magnetic pull both women were feeling compelled them to move closer. Every tingling sensation of their over-sensitive bodies sprang about in chaotic merriment as their lips inched closer and closer, until suddenly the blaring sound of the next tune wafted through the air as the jukebox played the hit song, 'YMCA'. 

The spell was broken as they both stepped back. Conscious of what almost happened and the nosy interruption, Jessie looked at Ashley in silent understanding before both women burst out in laughter, breaking the comforting tension. 

************************

Jessie turned off the engine after pulling up in front of her friend's apartment. Neither woman moved as they sat there in the car, both deep in thought. The brunette pondered what had transpired between them on the dance floor, while Jessie wondered about the implications of their near kiss. 

As Jessie gazed at Ashley's profile silhouetted against the bright moonlight, the blonde felt herself falling. It scared her and exhilarated her entire being all at once. But the sullen expression on the brunette's face prompted Jessie to ask. "You okay?"

The brunette only nodded slightly as she looked thoughtful for a long moment, contemplating Morgan and Breanne's relationship. Their love had traveled a long and winding road that was once filled with passion now dulled into accepted tolerance as each of her friends busied themselves with their own wants and desires. Ashley asked herself if she was ready to face that kind of challenge in a relationship and prove her love for another would never be destroyed. Realizing that Jessie was looking at her, she offered the blonde a small smile that did not reach her eyes. 

"What's on your mind?" Jessie asked after noting a far away look in her friend's eyes. 

"Nothin'."

"Uh huh." Jessie wasn't convinced.

Ashley thought back to the circle booth her two friends had occupied earlier in the evening at the bar. She remembered the hurt look on Breanne's face as Morgan engaged in a lively conversation with Shae and her new gal pal. The brunette gave a nonchalant shrug. "Wondering how two people who used to love each other can end up hurting each other so much."

Nodding thoughtfully, Jessie asked. "Your friends?"

"Yeah." Ashley let out a deep sigh. "When I first met them, they were so in love." The brunette turned in her seat and looked directly into Jessie's blue eyes. "You wouldn't be able to tell it now."




When You're Near Me



Not knowing what to say, the blonde touched Ashley's forearm. 

"Oh, they have their good moments. Don't get me wrong." Ashley explained. "But it's like they forgot how to care for each other. Like they forgot the most important thing in a relationship."

Jessie ducked her head slightly as her eyes asked the unspoken question. Her fingers brushed lightly over Ashley's skin. 

"Love." 

Jessie jerked her hand back and quickly looked away, as painful memories flooded her mind. Shaking her head, desperately trying to push back the haunting, hurtful memories of her first love, the blonde renewed her vow. Never again! 

Ashley immediately sensed the change in her friend. "You okay?"

The blonde twisted around to face forward in her seat. She grabbed a hold of the steering wheel with both hands. Without looking at Ashley, she noted. "It's getting late."

Recognizing the obvious cue being sent her way, Ashley hesitantly asked. "Did I do something wrong?"

Feeling bad now, Jessie let go of the death grip on the steering wheel. Hastily, she shot a look at the brunette. "No." Wanting desperately to lighten the mood, Jessie teased. "I've got an early morning appointment with my massage therapist and she might not like it if I'm late."

"I see." Ashley played along. "Maybe she'd consider pushing the appointment back a couple of hours if... she got something in return for the inconvenience."

Jessie smiled at that comment. "Oh, and exactly what do you think she'd want?"

Ashley crossed her arms before bringing up a thoughtful finger to her lips. "It will have to be something good. Maybe go tattoo shopping?"

"Uh huh." Jessie knew she was being set up.

"Or maybe... just spending the afternoon together doing something fun." Ashley suggested. 

"Oh, alright." Jessie pretended it would be a difficult task to do that. "I think I could probably handle it though."

"Oh." Ashley lightly slapped the blonde on her arm. "You're gonna love it."

"If you say so." Jessie winked, before she suggested. "Guess it's time to walk you to the door."

The blonde started to get out of her car, but Ashley held her back. "No. That's okay. Because if you did, then I'd have to walk you back to your car and then you'd walk me back to my door. Well, you get the picture."

"Uh huh." Jessie grinned. "Are you naturally stubborn?"

Ashley let out a happy laugh. "If I agreed to your suggestion, I wouldn't be being very stubborn, now would I?"

Chapter Seven

Through a restless dreamed filled sleep, Jessie finally pulled her eyes open and met the late morning sunlight seeping through her huge bay window. Throwing off the covers, she turned to see her digital alarm clock. "Oh, my God." Jessie jumped out of bed and grabbed her telephone. Dialing the number quickly, she anxiously waited. 

A sleepy voice wafted through the telephone. "Hello."

"Ashley?" Jessie hesitantly asked.

The brunette yanked her covers up and around her as she turned on her side. "Yeah."

"Do you know what time it is?"

Ashley popped one green eye open and noted the time on her clock to be noon. "Oh, my God." 

"Exactly." Jessie laughed. "Looks like we're both late for our appointment."

Ashley bolted up. "You're still coming, right?"

The blonde sat back down on her bed. "Of course, why wouldn't I?"

Relieved now, Ashley stretched out and yawned. 

"That's cute." Jessie smiled.

"Oh!" The brunette was going to chastise her friend, but instead she asked. "Why are you late anyway?"

"Restless night."

Wondering exactly what the blonde meant, Ashley asked. "You asking or you telling me you had a restless night?"

"Both?" The blonde wondered why Ashley had slept late.

"Me, too." Ashley admitted. "But then again, that's usual for me."

The brunette's answer didn't settle well with Jessie, but she decided to change the subject for now. "I need to shower so... how about I get there in say an hour?"

"Sounds good. I'll see you then." When Ashley heard Jessie say her good-byes, the brunette replaced the telephone, rolled over and fell back to sleep. It would only be Maykala's barking that would rouse her not more than fifteen minutes before her client arrived.

The blonde tossed off her clothes on the way to the master bathroom. The bathroom, much like the rest of the rooms in Jessie's house was huge. It had two sinks and one large mirror centered over the sinks. The blonde grabbed a towel from the closet, opened the walk-in shower door and switched on the water. Once the water warmed, the blonde stepped in and was deluged by four showerheads located at different levels. Usually she enjoyed a long shower, but this morning was in a hurry so she quickly washed and then dried off.

The blonde grabbed a pair of blue jean shorts and a white blouse with red printing on it that said 'born to be blonde'. Jessie was the anti-blonde. She was smart, quick, had an engaging personality and her blonde hair was natural. She put all those that carelessly told blonde jokes to shame. 

Running down the circular staircase, Jessie grabbed the keys to her car and headed out the door. On her way to Ashley's house, the blonde reminisced about what had happened last night at the bar and she tried to reconcile that with the dreams that kept her from a sound sleep. Too many memories pounded her mind and she wrestled with the feelings being near Ashley stirred inside her and those of another dark-haired woman that had won her heart so many years ago. In some ways, Jessie knew she was headed down that same path. The one that led to heartache, but she was helpless to do anything about it because being near Ashley exhumed so many wonderful feelings that were rare in her life. Though this time, it will be different. We're friends and that's the way it will stay. While her mind vowed one thing, her heart contemplated another.

Roused from her sleep by Makayla, Ashley looked at her clock again. Scrambling out of bed, she jabbed a hand on her hip. "Why did you let me go back to sleep?" She didn't wait for an answer as Makayla followed her to the bathroom. By the time she reached the door, Ashley was naked. "Good thing I can shower fast." While she jumped in the small shower, the Lab waited patiently at the door's entrance. Within ten minutes Ashley had washed, dried and was walking naked back to her bedroom. The brunette shrugged when she couldn't decide what to wear. When the doorbell rang, she froze then stared in the wall mirror. "I can't let her see me like this!" The brunette's overactive mind drifted down a dangerously sensual lane and she smiled. "Well, I could but..." When Makayla just stared at her, Ashley jerked her head toward the bedroom door. "Go on. Tell her I'll be there in a minute."

Makayla scampered out the bedroom, down the hall and to the front door, barking all the way. 

Hearing the Lab barking, Jessie walked over to the front window and peeked in. The dog met her at the window and licked it. "Hey. You gonna let me in?" The excited dog barked again and wagged her tail. 

Ashley threw on a pair of shorts and a dark green T-shirt. She was at the door, opening it, when she saw Jessie tapping on the window at her dog. "Well, you coming in or what?"

A brilliant smile met the brunette standing on the front porch with wet hair. "You're all wet." Jessie also noted that the brunette's T-shirt was on inside out and several damp spots on the front of it. 

Ashley cocked her hands on her hips as Makayla pushed open the screen door and sat down beside the brunette. She raised a defiant eyebrow at that comment from the blonde.

"Hey!" Jessie smiled, then winked. "It looks good on you." 

Blushing slightly from the compliment, Ashley dropped her hands. "Thanks."

Jessie walked up to the brunette, paused briefly and whispered in Ashley's ear. "You greet all your clients this way?" Then quickly went inside. 

Ashley was temporarily confused by the blonde's comment until she dropped her head and saw her T-shirt. She threw her hands up to her face and groaned. "I'll get you back. Just wait and see." She vowed before an impish smiled appeared on her face as an idea popped into her head. Ashley turned on her heel and walked inside the apartment. "Go on back and I'll be there in a moment."

Jessie headed for the massage room with Makayla hot on her heels while Ashley took off in the direction of her bedroom. Once she dried off a bit more and changed shirts, the brunette marched back down the hall, determined to get over her embarrassment. Ashley knocked on the door. "You ready?" All the massage therapist heard was her dog barking. She opened the door and peeked in. The blonde was lying on the massage table; face down, sleeping with only her blue jean shorts on. This woman is going to be the death of me yet. Summing all of her professional demeanor in check, Ashley walked in, confident in her abilities. 

When the brunette's hand touched her client's back, Jessie moaned slightly. Suddenly, in her light sleep, the blonde remembered parts of a dream she had the night before and smiled. 

Ashley noted the smile and went about her work, thankful the blonde was dozing. For the next thirty minutes, the massage therapist expertly worked on the blonde's back, loosening the tight muscles and lulling her client into a deeper sleep. When she was finished, Ashley hesitated to wake Jessie. For a long moment, she stared at the seemingly sleeping blonde until one blue eye popped open. 

"Hey, I paid for the full hour." Jessie joked. 

"What would you know? You were asleep the whole time I was working on you." Ashley grabbed a towel.

The blonde lifted up slightly. "Not the whole time." 

When Jessie winked at the brunette, Ashley wondered if the blonde noticed how precariously close her fingers drifted just beyond the waistband of the blue jean shorts. A bit startled, the brunette quickly turned and felt the right side of her neck muscle twitch. "Ouch." She rubbed the muscle, trying to ease the small spasm. 

The blonde jumped off the table, tucking the sheet around her and immediately started to rub Ashley's neck. 

"Thanks." Ashley twisted her neck, trying to loosen the creak in her neck.

"You need a massage." Jessie suggested. 

"Hmm.... I think you're right."

Dropping her hands on the edge of the brunette's shoulders, Jessie guided Ashley around and nudged her toward the table. "Here. Hop on."

Ashley complained, twisting around to look at the blonde. "I can't do it myself."

"I know. I'm going to do it." When Ashley cocked a suspicious eyebrow at Jessie, the blonde dropped her chin slightly. "What? You don't trust me?"

"No, it's just that..." But Jessie cut her off. 

"You lay down and I'll get dressed." Jessie moved around the brunette and headed for the changing room. "And take off your top." She ordered the massage therapist. 

"Yeah, right." Ashley snorted. The brunette stood there for a long moment.

From behind the changing room door, Jessie called out. "Makayla? Is she doing what I said?"

The Lab barked once. 

"I'll take that as a no." Jessie laughed before she continued. "Ashley? Don't make me come out there and...." The blonde let that threat die on her smiling lips.

"Alright already." Ashley slipped off her top and sports bra, tossing them aside. She grabbed a sheet and climbed on the table. "I'm ready." As I'll ever be. The brunette glared at her dog. "Traitor."

Jessie came around the table on the left side of the brunette, rubbed her hands together and asked. "So what do I do first?"

After Ashley instructed her on a few essentials required for a massage, Jessie set her hands to work, relieving the pain and stress that had been building up in the brunette's neck and shoulders. 

"Mmmm...." Ashley moaned. "That feels great. Why don't you quit your job and work for me? I'm thinking of expanding my business, you know."

"Yes, I do." Jessie's hands traveled down the middle of the brunette's back. 

When the blonde's fingers traversed dangerously too close to Ashley's waistband, the brunette's green eyes popped open. Uh oh! Paybacks. But Ashley was feeling too good to complain and decided she deserved the consequences of her roaming hands. However, Jessie stopped just short of crossing that imaginary borderline, much to Ashley's dismay. 

"Finished." Jessie leaned down. "Feeling better now?"

"Uh huh." Ashley lifted up. "So?"

Jessie raised her eyebrow.

"Work for me? There's plenty of fringe benefits." When Jessie's eyebrow jumped even higher, Ashley continued. "Free massages anytime."

"Is that free massages for you or me?" The blonde shot a counterfeit suspicious look at the smiling brunette. 

"Me, of course." Ashley's grin widened. 

"That's what I thought." Jessie walked around the table. "Now get dressed. We've got lots to do this afternoon." The blonde left the room without saying another word. 

*************************

After Jessie and Ashley went out for a late lunch, they discussed what they were going to do next. When the blonde suggested they go to a movie, Ashley was reluctant. "I don't know. I really sorta promised Makayla I'd take her to the park." 

Makayla barked in agreement. 

Always quick to solve a problem, Jessie proposed another option. "Alright. We'll rent a movie or two and take Makayla with us to my place. I've got about ten acres and she can run to her heart's content." Jessie ducked her head down a bit. "Besides, I'd like to show you where I live. I think you'd like it."

Ashley immediately warmed up to the idea. "Sounds good. I'll have to take my truck though." The brunette looked at Jessie's sports car, parked outside her apartment. "Not sure she'd fit."

"Of course she would." When Ashley wasn't buying that idea, Jessie understood. "You follow me then."

Anywhere.

The smile on Ashley's face prompted the blonde to ask. "Why are you smiling?"

Ashley shrugged. "Just happy."

"Me, too." Jessie agreed and Makayla echoed her approval with a loud bark and wagging tail. 

***********************

After selecting a couple of movies, Ashley followed Jessie's car down the long driveway of a gorgeous two-story log cabin that was surrounded by large Oak trees and had access to a big lake in back. When she stopped her truck in front of the cabin and let Makayla out, the Lab ran up the three steps to the covered porch then back down. Her bright eyes surveyed the open valley to the west of the cabin and paid astute attention to a few birds chirping off in the distance. 

"Go on." Ashley encouraged her dog. With that Makayla took off, determined to search this new place and stake her claim up on it. "This is just great. I love it."

Happy that Ashley was pleased, Jessie touched the brunette's arm. "Come on inside."

Swinging around, Ashley nodded. "Okay." She walked up the three steps and took some time to check out the porch. "You spend a lot of time out here?"

Jessie pointed to the west side of the ten-foot wide porch that nearly encircled the whole cabin. "In the evenings when the sun sets. It's quiet and peaceful."

Ashley's green eyes sparkled at the place the blonde had pointed. It was the perfect location to enjoy the evening coming to a close. And with the open valley to the west, the brunette thought it was also be an ideal place to watch a storm brewing. "Show me the rest."

The blonde reached out and took the brunette's hand. "Follow me." 

When they walked through the front door, Ashley's eyes widened as she took in the large open area. The cabin was made up of basically three elements. There was lots of wood, stone and glass. It was perfect. It had that light rustic look complimented by dark shades of furniture. The carpet was a deep forest green and she noted the unburned logs in the fireplace. 

Jessie tugged at her arm again. The blonde led the way into her huge kitchen with shiny hardwood floors and light-glazed cabinets with plenty of counter space. "Well? What do you think?"

"I think that if I could cook, I'd love it even more." Ashley laughed.

Jessie rolled her eyes.

"What?" Ashley was curious about the blonde's reaction.

"I figured I'd be the one doing all the cooking." They laughed together at that remark.

"What about the rest of the house?" This time Ashley grabbed Jessie's hand. "I wanna know where that circular staircase goes to." 

As Ashley led the blonde up the staircase, Jessie gulped. Her eyes were glued to the mesmerizing sway of the brunette's hips. And for the life of her, the blonde faintly realized she had made an absolute vow about something, but couldn't quite remember what it was. 

At the top of the staircase, Ashley took in the large open area before heading straight to the huge bay window that was facing west. "This is perfect."

Jessie chuckled. "You keep saying that."

Ashley turned around and gave the blonde a hard teasing stare. "That's because it is." Then just as quickly noted the padded seat across the bottom of the window and smiled. 

Pointing to the only door in the master bedroom, Jessie said. "That's the bathroom."

The brunette glanced in that direction before walking back over to where Jessie was standing near the balcony. She glimpsed over the banister overlooking the living room and entryway. "What can I say?"

"I know it's perfect." Jessie grinned.

Ashley shot the blonde a teasing indignant stare and lightly slapped Jessie's arm. "Well, it is."

"Come on." The blonde reached over and pressed her hand on Ashley's shoulder. "We better go check on Makayla. And I'll show you the lake."

Chapter Eight 

After a light dinner, they watched one of the movies they had rented. Jessie noticed that Ashley was intently focused on the movie and wondered if the brunette was enjoying it. When she asked her, the brunette barely tore her eyes off the screen to answer. That concerned the blonde for a moment, but Jessie decided to remain silent for the rest of the movie. 

When the film was finished, Ashley adjusted her wire-rimmed glasses and sighed. Makayla jumped up from the floor and rested her chin on the brunette's leg. Ashley pet her dog and offered Makayla a small smile. 

"You okay?" Jessie hesitantly asked her guest. 

Ashley nodded. "Thinking about the movie."

The blonde scooted closer on the couch. "And?"

The brunette stared at the now black screen on the television. "It was a love story and I do love them, but..." She let out a deep sigh. "I sometimes wonder if that kind of love truly exists. Like the fairy tales we've been told when we were little to make us think that the world is a wonderful place and everyone lives happily ever after."

Jessie jacked her leg up on the couch as she moved even closer to the brunette. The blonde touched Ashley's arm and lightly let her fingers glide over the brunette's skin. "I think..." Jessie dug deep past her own heartache to a time when she held such strong faith about one day being with the woman of her dreams. "...if you truly believe it, your dream will come true." 

Very much aware of Jessie's touch on her arm, a reflective Ashley turned to look directly into the blonde's blue eyes. "Has yours?"

For one instant, Jessie started to fall into a deep, dark recess of a love gone wrong and the horrible heartache that chained her heart, but she saw the probing, almost pleading question in Ashley's eyes and summoned the absolute faith that lay dormant inside her. "I believe it will... one day."

Outside the thunder clapped and a flash of lightning lit the room. Makayla immediately ran to the window and started to bark. 

Not feeling like she would be much company, Ashley reluctantly suggested. "I guess we should get going."

That startled Jessie from her musings. "Why?" 

"Storm's coming in."