Chapter 32

THE BUTTERFLIES in Kim's stomach were rapidly morphing into bats the closer they got to San Diego and Sam's apartment. Kim had wanted to meet Sam for months, and she still did, but yesterday had changed things.

Now that she and Jess had exchanged "I love you," it upped the ante of this meeting significantly. Instead of simply meeting the sister of someone she was dating, this had become about being introduced to her girlfriend's family. And that was something well outside her comfort zone. You can do this. How many times has Jess gone outside her comfort zone for you?

Jess's warm hand landing on her thigh made Kim jump.

"You okay?" Jess asked, glancing at Kim before turning her attention back to the road.

"Yeah. Just a little nervous." Kim put her hand on her stomach. Okay, maybe more than a little.

"Don't be. I'm sure you'll like Sam."

Kim put her hand on top of Jess's. "I was more worried about her liking me actually."

Jess squeezed Kim's thigh. "I promise. You have nothing to worry about."

Hope you're right. Knowing what she did about Jess's past, Kim expected Sam to be skeptical of her until she proved herself. Once Sam sees you're nothing like that bitch, she'll be fine. I hope.

Jess turned into an apartment complex. She parked and then turned to face Kim. "Hey." She leaned across the console and cupped Kim's face. Jess placed soft kisses across her cheeks, along her jaw line, and finally kissed her lips.

Kim sighed into the gentle kiss.

"Better?" Jess asked when the kiss broke.

Kim nodded.

"All right then." She turned toward the backseat. "Ready to go see Sam?"

Thor woofed, and his tail began to beat against the seat.

Jess knocked on Sam's apartment door.

Kim's stomach fluttered as the bats attempted to escape.

Her nervousness turned to amazement at her first sight of Sam. Her resemblance to Jess was uncanny. Sam's thick, black hair was shorter than Jess's but they shared the same tall, broad-shouldered build. Sam's striking blue eyes were an exact match to Jess's. She glanced back and forth between them. Although Kim knew better, she couldn't help but be amazed. They could pass for twins.

Jess grinned. "Hey, sis."

Kim turned her attention back to Sam. Sam looked as stunned as she felt.

Sam's gaze slid down Kim's body and back up to her face. "Holy smokes, Batman. She's gorgeous," she muttered under her breath.

Heat suffused Kim's face at the open appraisal.

Sam's gaze darted to Jess and she flushed. Apparently the comment had come out louder than she planned. She met Kim's eyes and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."

Jess shifted the bag in her arms to one side and then shoved Sam's shoulder. "If you're through drooling over my girlfriend, how about letting us in?"

Sam's eyebrows shot up. "Girlfriend?" she mouthed.

"Sam. Anytime," Jess said, hefting the bag.

"Come on in." Sam stepped back and let them into the apartment.

As soon as Jess let Thor off the leash, he raced to Sam and greeted her enthusiastically. She hugged him, then sent him off to the large dog bed in the corner of the living room.

Sam settled on the loveseat. Her gaze bounced back and forth between Kim and Jess.

Jess put the bag on the coffee table, then chose the couch situated catty-corner to the loveseat. She offered her hand to Kim and drew her down next to her side. Jess smiled at Kim and rested their joined hands on her thigh.

Sam stared at her sister as if she had grown an extra head.

Kim wasn't sure what to make of Sam's reaction. Jess brought Myra to meet Sam — didn't she?

"This usually much more articulate person is my sister, Sam."

"Hey." Sam mock-scowled at Jess.

"Sam. I'd like you to meet Kim Donovan, my girlfriend."

"All right." Sam threw up her hands. "Who are you and what have you done with my sister?"

Laughing, Jess turned to Kim. "I've never brought a woman home to meet any of my family before."

Wow. The bats were back, stronger than ever. The admission filled her heart with joy and fear. This was even bigger than she had imagined — for both of them.

Kim smiled at Jess. "Well, I've never been brought home to meet anyone's family. So I guess we're even."

Jess's eyes sparkled. "Really? Never?"

The delighted look on Jess's face pushed the fear from Kim's heart. She leaned over and placed a kiss on Jess's cheek. "Never."

"Holy smokes," Sam said in an awe-filled tone.

Sam admired the spectacularly lit poinsettia trees that lined the walkway as she made her way back to where Kim and Jess waited. The botanical garden was wreathed in thousands of Christmas lights, turning its rainforests and bamboo gardens into a holiday wonderland.

Sam rounded the corner and spotted Jess and Kim sitting on a bench together. Jess's arm was draped around Kim's shoulders. Thor lay at Kim's feet with his big head resting on her knee. Sam grinned. Jess wasn't the only one enamored of Kim. Not that Sam could blame the big dog or her sister for that matter. Kim had turned out to be a delightful surprise.

Despite Jess's glowing praise of Kim, Sam had been a little worried. You should have known when Jess agreed to you meeting her. Kim had quickly put her fears to rest. It was clear that Kim cared deeply for Jess. While she was thrilled for her sister, Sam was a bit surprised at the envy that niggled at her. You're not girlfriend material, forget it. But now, seeing Jess with Kim, a small part of Sam began to wonder if that might not have to be true.

Sam pushed the thoughts away as she approached Kim and Jess. She smiled and passed out the cups of hot cider she was carrying.

"Thanks," Kim said.

"Yeah. Thanks, sis."

Sam nodded and sat down next to Jess.

Conversation lagged while they enjoyed their cider and the beautiful plants around them.

Sam got up and tossed her empty cup into a nearby trashcan and then sat back down next to Jess. "So what did Jess get you for Christmas? She never did say."

"A mini-fridge and —"

"You've got to be kidding?" Sam snorted. "She bought you a refrigerator... for Christmas?" She rolled her eyes at Jess and nudged her in the side. "Kim got you a cool portable video game console and you got her a refrigerator. What were you thinking?"

Jess's head dropped, and she muttered something under her breath.

Kim put her hand on Jess's thigh. She leaned forward and caught Sam's gaze and glared.

Sam flinched. She could swear she had seen Kim's eyes spark flames. Whoa. Okay, I got it. No picking on Jess.

"Actually, it was an incredibly thoughtful gift," Kim said. "Every time I put food in the refrigerator in the staff lounge, it disappears. Then I'm stuck with food from the vending machine." Kim grimaced. "Or going hungry. It's very busy in the ER and not always possible to get to the cafeteria. So a mini-fridge for the office was the perfect gift."

Jess shot Sam a "so there" look.

You're a lucky woman, Jess. Sam grinned at Jess and gave her a thumbs-up.

A gust of wind swirled the leaves on the ground around their feet.

Kim shivered.

Jess glanced up into the darkening sky. "We should probably head back to your place, Sam. Kim and I still have a two-hour drive home."

"Why don't you stay the night? You guys can help me eat all the goodies Mom and Aunt Edna sent. And we haven't gotten to play my new video game yet." She looked at Kim beseechingly. "Please."

"Jess?" Kim met Jess's gaze and raised an eyebrow.

Before Jess could reply, Sam took Thor's leash out of Kim's hand. "Talk it over. Thor and I are going to check out the lights," she pointed to an area about twenty feet away, "over there."

Sam walked over to the lighted display with Thor. She turned back and could see Kim and Jess in conversation but not hear what was being said.

She patted Thor. "Looks like you've got yourself a second mom."

Thor woofed as if agreeing, making Sam laugh.

Finally, Kim nodded and Jess leaned forward and kissed her.

Sam had noticed the easy physical intimacy between them earlier. She had been surprised to see it. The ease with which Kim breached Jess's personal space was one more thing that convinced her how very special Kim was. Sam had been out many times with Jess over the years in social situations. Jess always had an aura about her that seemed almost a physical barrier, keeping women at arm's length, literally and figuratively.

"So what's the verdict?" Sam asked when they walked up.

"We're staying," Jess said.

"Great." Sam turned to Kim. "Wait until you try the double chocolate fudge brownies Aunt Edna sent."

Kim's eyes lit up.

"You just said Kim's favorite word, chocolate," Jess said. She wrapped her arm around Kim's shoulders and hugged her.

Sam grinned at Jess. That's where you're wrong, sis. It's clear as day that her favorite word is "Jess."