Free Lexington Connection by M. E. Logan Page B

there?”
    “No.”
    “Then why don’t I put you to bed?” Diana said quietly. “You’re exhausted. You need to sleep. You go home, you’ll be alone. You don’t need that tonight.”
    “That’s what I told everyone, that I needed to be alone. Otherwise they wouldn’t go away.” Jessie was relaxing without even realizing.
    “Yes, you needed to get away.”
    “Nicki may call.”
    “She has your cell phone number. You brought it, didn’t you?”
    “Of course.”
    “Then let me put you to bed. I’ll hold you. You can sleep. I’ll wake you in the morning so you can be at home when Nicki comes home.”
    Diana stepped backward off the loveseat and pulled Jessie to her feet. Jessie was pliant; Diana led her into the bedroom. Jessie stood unmoving beside the bed, her eyes closed. With tender care, Diana undressed her.
    “Bathroom,” Jessie said in a tired voice. Diana pointed her toward the bathroom and Jessie obediently padded her way. Diana pulled out a nightshirt, knowing it would be a little short for her. Any other time she would think it was alluring; tonight, she just wanted to tuck her in.
    Jessie returned, drooping with exhaustion. Diana helped her into the nightshirt, pulled back the covers for Jessie to crawl in. Jessie stretched out, sighing as she relaxed against the fresh sheets, her arms stretching out and under the pillows. Diana sat on the bed beside her.
    “When did you sleep last?” She brushed Jessie’s hair back.
    “Ahhh, I slept some Wednesday night, but not much. Nicki slept with me; she cried herself to sleep.” She reached out for Diana.
    “Who was there for you?” Diana asked rhetorically.
    Jessie squeezed her hand. “I was hoping you would come.”
    Diana smiled as she examined Jessie’s fingers. “I guess you called me.”
    “And you came.” She sighed again and her breathing evened out, signifying she had fallen asleep, still holding onto Diana’s hand.
    Diana watched over Jessie, the light from the bathroom shining on her enough that Diana could see how exhausted she was, how she relaxed as she slept, her hand reaching out for Diana’s. Every time Diana tried to withdraw her hand, Jessie gripped it tighter until finally Diana gave up. The light was still on in the other room, the television gave the soft murmur of modern jazz. She couldn’t leave Jessie but she wasn’t sure she could sleep either. She bent down and kissed Jessie’s shoulder.
    Watching over her that night, worried about her, she slowly came to the realization that she loved this woman. At some point, sometime when Diana hadn’t even noticed, she had crossed the point where Jessie was just a fine contact for bed sports. Diana was truly concerned about what happened to her, wanted to take care of her, wanted to be with her.
    Whoa,
she caught herself.
This is not good.
At the same time, as she watched Jessie sleep, holding on to her, she could think,
This is wonderful.
    ***
     
    “I’ll be fine,” Jessie assured Diana the next day. She covered Diana’s hands holding her face. “I had a good night’s sleep, thanks to you.” She kissed Diana lightly on the lips. “Don’t worry about me.”
    Easier said than done
. Diana searched Jessie’s face. Jessie did look better; the circles under her eyes weren’t as dark. She still looked like she had cried a lot, but the exhaustion was gone. Diana released Jessie, glancing at the clock, going around the room, gathering her belongings.
    “I’m so sorry I can’t stay,” Diana apologized for what must have been the umpteenth time. “I’ve got a deadline this trip. I’ve carved out as much time as I dare.” She shook her head. “I hate leaving you.”
    “Oh, and has it been easy every other time?” There was a twinkle back in Jessie’s eyes. She grabbed Diana’s hand and pulled her close. Standing together, face to face, holding hands, Jessie turned serious. “You don’t know what last night meant,” she whispered. “I know we’ve had great