Ill Take Forever

tomorrow would be good for me. How about you?' Kyle said into the phone. He listened for a moment then finished, 'Fine, I'll pick you up at seven.'
    Jenny stared at him as the penny dropped. 'Naomi?' she hazarded as he turned from the phone.
    'Yes. She's up for the weekend again.'
    Jenny turned and went back to the stove. Carefully she turned the burgers and prepared the buns. She would not let him know how much disappointment she felt. All week he'd left her alone, with no explanation, and then Naomi called and he drops everything to be with her. Jenny wouldn't be expressive like he thought and have him guess how she felt. She only had to hold it in for a little longer, just until he left.
    'There are sodas in the fridge,' she said brightly, 'I'll run and get the insulated bag.'
    She fled the room and hurried to the hall closet, tears sparkling in her eyes. She dashed them away and retrieved the bag. Taking a deep steadying breath, she pasted a smile on her face and went back to the kitchen.
    When the meal was packed, she handed him the carry-all with a bright smile, one which did not reach her eyes.
    'Are you all right?' Kyle asked, pausing before he left.
    'Sure, have fun. Thanks for letting me sit in on part of the stakeout, I've never done that before.' She looked only as high as his chin.
    He leaned down to kiss her lightly, but Jenny refused to meet his eyes. She held her breath, wishing for the moment to end, for him to leave, only wanting to be alone.
    'I'll be back,' he said, leaving by the back door.
    Jenny turned to watch him go, his tall body moving easily, his long stride covering the ground rapidly.
    She hugged herself tightly, trying to ease the ache in her heart, as her eyes filled and her throat grew tight. She'd known all along he wasn't for her, but it didn’t alter the fact her foolish heart thought differently. She loved him. She knew that, for all the good it did her. Loved him as she had Johnny. No, differently from Johnny, but nonetheless stronger or lasting for being a second love. A last love.
    Like her first love, one that she couldn't have. Sadly she watched him out of sight, then turned and walked blindly up the stairs as the tears spilled over and ran down her face. Would it have been too much to ask to find a man who would love her as much as she loved him?
    Jenny stayed in her room the next morning until she heard his motorcycle leave. It was late when she ventured forth, but she hadn't wanted to see Kyle. After she had eaten, she called April.
    'How about going to the river? We can lie in the sun and swim,' Jenny suggested. Anything to get her away from home and the thoughts that wouldn’t let go.
    'Sounds like fun. I'll bring a lunch. Want to go into Strawberry tonight? That new Ryan Reynolds movie is playing,' April said.
    'Let’s make a day of it. I'll drop Shasta off at my folks' after the river, then pick him up after the film.'
    'Is Kyle coming too?' April asked.
    'No, he's busy today.' Jenny scarcely felt a pang as she said it. Maybe she’d get over him sooner than she thought, learn to go on as before. She hadn't known him for long. Long enough, her heart reminded her.
    Arranging to pick April up at her place, Jenny hung up and hurried to get ready. She wished she could confide fully in her friend, but to do so would blow Kyle's cover and maybe endanger his assignment. She wouldn't let personal concerns threaten the assignment. He could trust her!
    Besides, April would probably advise Jenny to take what was offered while the going was good, and worry about the future tomorrow. While great friends, sometimes their outlooks differed.
    It was therapeutic lying in the hot sun beside a tributary to the American River. When they got hot they would plunge into the icy water, swim until they were cold, then climb out to bake again in the sun. Shasta loved chasing after sticks and would swim and retrieve until he was panting with exertion.
    The film was entertaining, though Jenny found herself speculating as to where Kyle and Naomi were and what they might be doing. Again and again she had to drag her attention back to the story on the screen.
    After dropping April at home, Jenny went to her parents' home to pick up Shasta.
    'Did you enjoy the movie?' her father asked when she came in.
    'It was okay.’ She hoped no one asked for a recount, she wasn’t sure she remembered enough to tell what I had been about. ‘Hi, Shasta, ready to go home?'
    'Stay for some cocoa, honey,' her