Theaters & Barbecues
Kate imagined most people probably felt the sting of jealousy after their ex started seeing someone new. However, she imagined most people would center that jealousy around the ex, not their new partner. Sadly for Kate, she was the apparent exception to the rule.
She had expected it to hurt when she heard Jack had started dating a fancy doctor named Juliet, but it was surprisingly hollow - until she met Juliet. She’d run into them at the movie theater, oddly enough, while she was there with Jack’s sister Claire a few months after the breakup. “You broke up with Jack, not me,” Claire had told her, which nearly brought her to tears at the time. It was tough enough losing Jack, but it would have been almost unbearable to lose one of her best friends along with him.
Kate’s first glimpse of Juliet on Jack’s arm nearly sent her spiraling. Not only had he moved on so quickly, but he’d moved on with the most beautiful person Kate had ever seen. Blonde waves cascaded around her shoulders and down her back, like a modern-day Rapunzel. Her eyes were a piercing blue, and her legs seemed to go on for miles. Beyond that, something about her radiated into the space around them; Kate never put much stock into astrology and “vibes” the way Claire did, but even she had to admit Juliet had a presence, and she was drawn to it. Maybe there was something to that stuff, after all.
“Hey, it’s good to see you,” Jack had greeted Kate in a friendly tone, almost as though the two years they’d spent together hadn’t happened at all. Had she not known better, she might have believed they didn’t.
“Yeah, you too.” Kate tried her best to maintain composure, but she wasn’t sure how she was doing. At least if she was being awkward, the others would think it was about Jack, they wouldn’t know she was actually near melting at the sight of his new girlfriend.
“What are you seeing?” Juliet asked Kate. Her voice sounded like her throat was perpetually coated in honey. It had a gentleness that matched the warmth seeming to radiate from her.
“The new Ryan Reynolds one,” Claire answered for them, and Kate realized she had been too lost in thought to respond for a few seconds.
“Oh, I’ve heard it’s good, you’ll have to let us know,” said Juliet.
They’d gone their separate ways, and Kate had spent the entire movie replaying every moment in her head, and fantasizing about what it would be like to make out with Juliet in a darkened theater…it irked her that Jack was probably finding out right then. It also irked her that she was so transfixed by someone she’d met for all of thirty seconds, not to mention the whole ‘dating her ex’ bit. It was an impossible fantasy, but she couldn’t help herself.
It’s just a crush, lust at first sight, you’ll get over it, she told herself. And you’ll probably never see her again, anyway. The universe, however, seemed to have other plans.
—
Jack was, on paper, the most perfect match Juliet ever could have envisioned. He was also a doctor so he understood her unpredictable schedule, he was chivalrous and quick-witted and easy to talk to, and she had a great time whenever she was with him. He made her feel safe, they felt like a power couple - which was why she found it so strange that she couldn’t kick the feeling something was missing.
Then there was Kate.
Jack had told her about his ex, what a force of nature she was, and how they were two puzzle pieces that just didn’t fit no matter how badly they wanted to. He’d described her, stating she was “nearly” as beautiful as Juliet, but when they ran into her at the theater, Juliet immediately realized he hadn’t done her justice by a long shot. Kate was gorgeous in an effortless-looking way, with a beautiful smile and a smattering of freckles that perfectly complimented the rest of her features. It sent a shudder through her that honestly frightened her a bit. Why was she attracted to her boyfriend’s ex, and moreover, why had she never felt that way toward Jack?
Juliet spent the entire run of the film they went to see thinking about the beautiful brunette in the next theater over. When Jack leaned over to kiss her, she hated herself for momentarily wishing his lips were Kate’s. It’s just a little physical attraction, it doesn’t mean anything. Jack is perfect for you, you’re perfect together. You’ll never see her again, anyway…
—
The next month, Jack’s parents hosted a barbecue. Jack asked if Juliet felt comfortable attending, he wanted her to meet the rest of his family and friends, and she agreed. Since the movie theater incident, Juliet had (mostly) put Kate out of her mind, and things had progressed nicely with Jack. They hadn’t slept together yet, he was patient and she appreciated how he never pressured her, but they spent almost all their free time in each other’s company and she was happy. That’s what was important, wasn’t it? Fleeting moments of attraction weren’t as meaningful as the compatibility she felt with Jack. Right?
When they arrived at his parents’ giant Los Angeles home, Juliet’s nerves kicked up to a 10, but she took a deep breath and squeezed Jack’s hand as they walked inside. “They’re gonna love you,” he assured her. Everything would have been fine, except when they met everyone out back, Juliet spotted a familiar head of dark hair and all hope of rational thought left her. Kate.
—
Kate knew she was likely to see Juliet at the barbecue, but Jack’s parents had insisted she join them, and Claire had reassured her it wouldn’t be weird. If only she knew how weird it really was.
Even though she was prepared for it, seeing Juliet walk in holding hands with Jack was almost too much. The last month had done nothing to quell her desire, and she wasn’t even ashamed of it anymore. It was only in her head, anyway, who was it hurting? She could have whatever fantasies she wanted, it wasn’t as though she was going to pursue them.
She told herself it was better to keep it a fantasy; she didn’t really know Juliet, and maybe if she did she wouldn’t like her as much. The fantasy would be ruined. Best to let it remain in its idealized, fictional state and pine away until it faded away. And it would fade eventually, she was determined on that point. She had to move on…just not quite yet.
“Hey, Jack. Juliet,” she greeted them as coolly as she could manage.
“Hey Kate,” Juliet replied, warmly as ever.
It melted Kate instantly, and she wondered if they could tell. “Perfect day for a barbecue.”
“As long as my dad doesn’t set the roof on fire again,” Jack joked.
“Oh my god, I forgot about that,” Kate said with a laugh. Christian had singed the overhang one year when he’d turned the gas on the grill up a little too high. They’d gotten rid of the overhang after that. “I think he learned his lesson, though.”
“Well, there’s a fire blanket in the garage now, just in case,” Jack said, laughing along with her.
The ice was broken, and Kate relaxed a bit, though she couldn’t help thinking how beautiful Juliet looked in her sundress.
—
While Kate and Jack reminisced about barbecues past, Juliet stewed. She should have been grateful they were getting along; it made things less awkward, except the more Kate and Jack interacted with one another, the stronger Juliet’s jealousy grew. She wanted Kate to laugh like that at something she said. She wanted Kate’s hand to graze her arm, not Jack’s. It wasn’t as though they were being flirtatious, at least she didn’t think so, but she knew she shouldn’t be feeling any of those things, which made her stew even harder about it all.
Focus on your boyfriend, why don’t you? Forget about Kate. Forget that Jack knows what it’s like to kiss her…touch her…be touched by her…
“How do you like yours, Juliet?” Kate asked.
“What?” Juliet had been so preoccupied that she hadn’t heard whatever led up to the question. “Sorry, I was–”
“Distracted by ‘Wonderwall?’” Jack asked, referring to Claire’s boyfriend playing guitar in the background.
Juliet chuckled politely, as did Kate. “I was just saying,” Kate explained, “Most people prefer their burgers more medium rare, but by the look of it, we might have to deal with well done.”
“Oh, medium rare is the only right way,” she agreed, spotting a distracted-looking Christian near the grill, not seeming to notice how quickly the meat was cooking.
“Jack, you’d better do something before we’re all eating hockey pucks,” Kate joked.
Jack laughed. “Okay, okay, I’ll be right back. Wish me luck.”
“Save our lunch!” Kate encouraged him. “Mine’s a veggie burger anyway, but still, you cook those things wrong and they’re inedible.”
“You’re a vegetarian?”
“Since I was like, 12,” Kate confirmed. “I went on this kick about the mistreatment of animals, and then just never phased out of it.”
Great, now she’s finding ways to make herself even more adorable. “That’s a pretty impressive commitment. I don’t know if I could give up bacon,” Juliet half-joked.
“I was never a fan of it much, anyway, so I wasn’t really giving anything up,” Kate said humbly.
“So you haven’t eaten meat in–what, 15 years or more?”
“Fishing for my birthday?” Her little grin was frustratingly attractive. “It’s May 23rd.”
“That’s coming up soon,” Juliet commented.
“Yup, the big 3-0.”
“Anything special you’re wishing on your candles for?”
“I can think of a few things.”
Was Juliet imagining it, or was Kate looking at her the same way she worried she was always looking at Kate? Ravenously. It was her imagination. Wishful thinking. Had to be. “What do you like?”
“Piña coladas.”
“And getting caught in the rain?” This was getting out of hand. She was flirting with her boyfriend’s ex. It had to stop. Luckily, Jack rejoined them at exactly the right moment. She took it as a sign.
“The burgers have been saved,” he declared proudly.
“My hero.” Juliet kissed his cheek and Kate seemed to recoil, but she was definitely imagining that, too.
“You’re a regular Clark Kent,” Kate said. “I’m gonna go check on Claire. It was nice chatting with you, Juliet.”
“Yeah, you too.” What on earth had just happened? She was reading too much into it. Kate was a social person, she was just being friendly. Juliet was the one overstepping the line, and she resolved to take several steps back and appreciate the perfect partner she had in Jack.
The rest of the day went without a hitch; she socialized with his parents, who seemed to approve very highly of her. She met the rest of his friends and family, including talking a bit more to Claire. Kate was around, but they didn’t speak to one another directly again until Kate stated she was heading out.
“Juliet, would you mind walking her out?” Jack asked, “I need to help my dad with cleanup.”
“I know my way,” Kate protested.
“I know, but I want to make sure you get to your car okay, I saw you had to park a couple blocks over.”
“How chivalrous,” Kate said, and Juliet couldn’t tell if it was sarcastic or genuine.
“I can walk you,” Juliet agreed, “Someone has to protect you from all the middle-aged suburban dads and their lawnmowers.”
“Don’t forget the leaf blowers,” Jack chimed in. “Dangerous business.”
“Don’t burn the house down while we’re gone,” Juliet said to him, placing a gentle kiss on his lips before walking back to the patio door.
—
Kate followed Juliet. It had taken all her energy to pry herself away earlier, and now Jack of all people was pushing them together. It wasn’t good for her and she knew it, but even though Juliet had obviously noticed and rebuffed Kate’s flirting, she still couldn’t help wanting to be around her. Juliet was magnetic, and Kate didn’t possess the energy to fight it. At least Juliet didn’t seem mad at her about it, unless she was going to chastise her now that they were alone. Maybe she should, and then Kate could finally let go of this ridiculous attraction and move on with her life.
“So what do you really want for your birthday?” Juliet asked as they made their way through the house.
Kate pondered for a moment. “Honestly, I don’t know if I want anything. I mean, I don’t need more stuff, but maybe an experience or something. Claire mentioned wanting to get pedicures together, so I have a feeling she’ll arrange that.”
“I don’t really care for pedicures, but I get them for the health benefits.”
“I don’t like them either, but I like spending time with Claire,” Kate confessed. “I always thought she’d be my sister one day. I’m just glad she didn’t write me off when I–”
“When you left her brother?” Juliet asked in a gentle tone. Kate didn’t feel judged by the question. “Claire seems like a great person. You do, too.”
“I do?”
“Well yeah, you accepted me right away, even though I–”
“Stole my boyfriend?” Kate teased. Juliet laughed, and Kate thought she could listen to that sound all day. “No, why wouldn’t I accept you? You’re smart, funny, gorgeous–he deserves to be happy, and he seems really happy with you. That’s all I ever wanted for him.”
A few moments passed in silence as they walked toward Kate’s car. “Why’d you leave?” Juliet finally asked.
“Did he ever give you that whole ‘puzzle piece’ speech?”
Juliet laughed softly and nodded, “Yeah.”
“It’s like that. My edges don’t match with his. I can’t cut myself to fit, and neither can he.”
“That makes sense. Do you ever regret it?”
“No,” Kate answered immediately. “It hurt, but it was the right thing.”
“Well, I’m glad you two can still be friendly, and I’m glad I got to meet you, too. I felt really insecure at first, whenever he talked about you.”
“Then you met me and realized I’m the least threatening person on the planet?” Kate joked.
Juliet laughed. “No, actually when we met at the theater, it got even worse. He undersold you.”
“Undersold me?” Kate repeated, amused.
“He said you were ‘almost’ as beautiful as me, but he lied. Or he’s blind.”
Kate was the one who laughed now. What a ridiculous thought! How could Juliet not know how stunning she was? How could she possibly think Kate was the more attractive of the two of them? Maybe that insecurity ran deeper than Juliet let on. “You are gorgeous, as I believe I previously mentioned. But I appreciate the compliment.” She hoped Jack told Juliet how beautiful she was every day. She’d have to be sure to tell him to, otherwise, because Juliet deserved to hear it.
“You’re welcome.”
“This is me,” Kate said, gesturing toward her black Honda Civic. “Thanks for the escort.”
“We didn’t even run into a single suburban dad.”
“Maybe next time,” Kate joked. Under any other circumstances, she’d have thrown all caution to the wind and gone in for a kiss just then, but they were in the one circumstance that made that impossible.
Instead, Juliet surprised her by going in for a hug. Kate returned it, perhaps holding on a second or two too long. She could smell sandalwood and some kind of flower as they embraced, and she knew that scent would now register in her brain as Juliet’s.
For a split second as they pulled away, she forgot herself. Her face was so close to Juliet’s that their noses practically touched, but she quickly snapped out of it and pulled back as though hit with a jolt of electricity. She cleared her throat. “Sorry, I think I’m more tired than I realized,” she said, trying to save herself from the embarrassment.
“It’s okay, I am, too. Drive safe, Kate.”
Juliet was so nice to her, and she didn’t have to be. It made Kate like her all the more, which in turn made her hate herself all the more. How could she go on pining after someone else’s partner? She knew she had to keep some distance between them, for her own sake. It had been long enough, maybe it was time for Kate to start dating someone else, too. Maybe that would help get Juliet out of her head once and for all…