Chapter 18

The tension from the conversation with Jennie lingered, but in its place was something more hopeful. They had confronted the strain that work had put on their relationship, and now they were committed to finding a way to make it work. It wasn’t just about balancing careers anymore...it was about protecting what they had, the connection they had fought to build, one slow step at a time.

The following days were calmer. Lisa made a conscious effort to prioritize time with Jennie, even if it meant scheduling their moments together the way she would an important meeting. They both knew their jobs would always demand a lot from them, but they also knew they had to make room for each other. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.

---

One evening, as Lisa sat in her apartment reviewing the latest numbers for the expansion, she received a text from Jennie that made her smile.

Let’s take a break tomorrow. How about dinner at my place? I’ll cook.

Lisa chuckled at the thought. Jennie cooking? It was rare, but whenever Jennie did, it was always a special event. Lisa quickly typed back:

Wouldn’t miss it.

The idea of taking a break...even for one night, felt like a breath of fresh air. Lisa had been running on autopilot for weeks, and the thought of spending an evening with Jennie, away from the pressures of work, was exactly what she needed.

---

The next evening, Lisa arrived at Jennie’s apartment to find the scent of something delicious wafting through the air. Jennie greeted her at the door, looking more relaxed than Lisa had seen her in days. Her usual crisp, professional demeanor had softened, replaced by a calmness that Lisa found comforting.

“You’re cooking?” Lisa teased, stepping inside and kicking off her shoes.

“I didn’t think you had time for that anymore.”

Jennie smirked, leading Lisa toward the kitchen. “I made time. And I’ve been working on a few new dishes.”

Lisa raised an eyebrow, impressed. “I’m intrigued.”

They settled into the kitchen, where Jennie had prepared a simple but elegant meal....pasta with a rich, creamy sauce and roasted vegetables on the side. Lisa watched as Jennie moved confidently around the kitchen, her movements precise but relaxed. It was a side of Jennie she didn’t often get to see, the Jennie who wasn’t always in control, who wasn’t constantly managing a team or handling crises. This was Jennie in her element, simply enjoying the moment.

As they sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily. They talked about everything except work, laughing over shared memories and teasing each other about their cooking skills. It was the kind of evening that reminded Lisa why she had fallen for Jennie in the first place. Beneath all the layers of control and professionalism, Jennie was caring, funny, and deeply thoughtful.

“This is amazing,” Lisa said, gesturing to her plate. “I think you’ve missed your calling as a chef.”

Jennie chuckled, shaking her head. “I don’t think the kitchen would survive me as a full-time chef. But I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it,” Lisa said, smiling warmly. “And I love seeing you like this.”

Jennie’s eyes softened, her smile fading into something more genuine. “Like what?”

“Relaxed,” Lisa replied, reaching across the table to take Jennie’s hand. “You’re always so focused and in control. But I like seeing this side of you....the side that lets go a little.”

Jennie didn’t pull away from the touch, though Lisa could see the faintest hint of vulnerability in her expression. “I’m trying,” Jennie admitted quietly. “It’s hard for me to let go, but when I’m with you... it feels easier.”

Lisa’s heart swelled at Jennie’s words. They were simple, but coming from Jennie, they carried so much weight. Jennie wasn’t someone who opened up easily, and hearing her admit that she was learning to let go was a sign of just how much she was willing to invest in their relationship.

“I’m glad,” Lisa said softly. “And I’m here for you. Always.”

Jennie smiled, her eyes warm as she squeezed Lisa’s hand. “I know.”

They finished their meal in comfortable silence, the connection between them growing stronger with every moment they shared. It was a quiet kind of intimacy, the kind that didn’t need grand gestures or declarations. Just being together was enough.

---

As the evening wore on, they moved to the couch, curling up together as the soft glow of the city lights filtered in through the window. Jennie rested her head on Lisa’s shoulder, her body relaxed against hers. It felt like the first time in weeks that they had been able to simply exist in each other’s presence without the weight of work looming over them.

“This is nice,” Jennie murmured, her voice soft.

“Yeah,” Lisa agreed, running her fingers gently through Jennie’s hair. “I could get used to this.”

Jennie chuckled quietly. “So could I.”

For a while, they sat like that, the only sound the distant hum of the city outside. It was a rare moment of peace, a reminder that no matter how busy their lives got, they could always find their way back to each other.

Eventually, Jennie shifted slightly, turning to look up at Lisa. Her expression was serious but soft, her eyes searching Lisa’s face.

“Can I ask you something?” Jennie asked quietly.

“Of course,” Lisa replied, her heart skipping a beat at the sudden change in tone.

Jennie hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do you ever think about the future? About where this where we are headed?”

Lisa blinked, caught off guard by the question. They had been so focused on navigating the day-to-day challenges of their relationship that they hadn’t really talked about the future, what it would look like for them, both professionally and personally.

“I do,” Lisa said honestly, her voice steady. “I think about it a lot.”

Jennie’s gaze didn’t waver, though Lisa could see the uncertainty flickering in her eyes. “And what do you see?”

Lisa exhaled slowly, choosing her words carefully. “I see us figuring it out. I see us making this work, no matter how complicated it gets.”

Jennie’s lips quirked in the faintest hint of a smile. “You make it sound easy.”

Lisa chuckled softly. “It’s not easy. But nothing worth having is.”

Jennie’s smile grew a little wider, though her eyes remained thoughtful. “You’re right.”

There was a long pause, and then Jennie spoke again, her voice softer now. “I want this to work too, Lisa. I want us to work. But I worry... about the future, about how we’ll balance everything.”

“I know,” Lisa said gently, reaching out to cup Jennie’s cheek. “But we’ve made it this far, haven’t we? We’ll figure out the rest.”

Jennie leaned into the touch, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again, her gaze steady. “I trust you.”

Lisa smiled, her heart swelling with affection. “And I trust you.”

With that, Jennie leaned in, her lips capturing Lisa’s in a slow, deliberate kiss. It wasn’t rushed or urgent just a quiet promise, a reminder that they were in this together.

When they finally pulled away, Jennie rested her forehead against Lisa’s, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too,” Lisa replied softly, her heart full.

---

The next morning, Lisa woke up in Jennie’s arms, the sunlight streaming through the curtains. It was a quiet, peaceful moment, and for the first time in a long time, Lisa felt completely at ease. The conversation from the night before had settled something inside her, she knew they were both committed to making this work, no matter what challenges came their way.

As Lisa lay there, watching Jennie sleep, she couldn’t help but think about the future. They still had a long way to go both with their careers and their relationship but they were building something real, something strong. And no matter how complicated it got, Lisa knew they would face it together.

With the expansion in full swing and their relationship solidifying, Lisa felt like she had finally found her rhythm. Work was still intense there were always new challenges, unexpected obstacles, and last-minute changes but she had grown into her role as a leader. Her team was thriving, the partnerships were strong, and the investors were pleased with the progress.

But as the pressure mounted at work, Lisa and Jennie were also growing closer in ways she hadn’t anticipated. They had found a delicate balance between their professional lives and their relationship, and while it wasn’t always easy, it was working.

However, the reality of their situation was always there, lurking in the background. The expansion was nearing a major milestone, and with that came the possibility of more travel, more time apart, and more demands on their time. Lisa had been preparing for this for months, but now that it was becoming real, she couldn’t ignore the impact it would have on her and Jennie.

---

One evening, after another long day at the office, Lisa and Jennie sat in Jennie’s living room, quietly sipping tea. The city lights twinkled in the distance, casting a soft glow over the room. It was one of those rare moments when they could both just relax, but Lisa could feel the weight of the upcoming changes hanging over them.

“I’ve been thinking,” Jennie said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Lisa turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “About?”

“The expansion. The travel. Everything that’s coming up,” Jennie said, her tone thoughtful. “I know it’s going to get harder for us to spend time together.”

Lisa nodded, her stomach twisting slightly. She had been thinking about the same thing. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that too.”

Jennie’s gaze was steady, but there was a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. “How do you feel about it?”

Lisa sighed, setting her cup down on the coffee table. “Honestly? I’m nervous. I know we’ll both be busy, and I don’t want us to drift apart.”

Jennie’s expression softened, and she reached out to take Lisa’s hand. “We won’t. I won’t let that happen.”

Lisa smiled, squeezing Jennie’s hand. “I won’t either.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the unspoken fears lingering between them. It wasn’t just about the travel or the workload, it was about the fear of losing the connection they had fought so hard to build.

Jennie leaned back, her eyes thoughtful. “We’ll just have to be more intentional. Make time for each other, even when it’s hard.”

Lisa nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. “We will. We’ll figure it out.”

Jennie smiled softly, her eyes filled with quiet determination. “One step at a time?”

Lisa chuckled, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Jennie’s lips. “One Jennie-approved step at a time.”

As they sat together, the future looming ahead of them, Lisa knew that no matter what came their way, they were ready. They had built something strong, something real, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

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