Later that evening, everyone had convened in the living room to watch the movies Kathy, Lance, and Joey rented.  JC was sitting on one couch, one leg stretched out.  Jennifer sat with him, leaning back against him.  Joey had taken over another couch, sitting at one end and propping his feet up on the other.  Justin and Chris sat on the floor, a bowl of popcorn between them.  Kathy and Lance were sitting next to each other on a third couch, smiling at each other every so often.

Justin had noticed the action between Kathy and Lance.  Nudging Chris, he whispered, “Yo, Chris, check out those two.”

Chris looked over and saw them leaning in close, whispering to each other.  “Hmm…they seem awfully close all of a sudden.”

“Yeah, what’s the deal with that?” Justin asked under his breath.

“I don’t know…maybe Jen and JC are getting to them or something.”

“Oh, great,” Justin muttered.  “Just what we need…another couple who can’t keep their hormones in check for more than five minutes.”

“Hey, Justin?” Jennifer said, her eyes never leaving the screen.  “You know, when people are watching a movie, it’s not polite to talk over it.”

“Sorry,” he replied, then lowered his voice again.  “Come on, Chris, you’ve studied psychology.  You think they’re starting to like each other or something?”

“I don’t know,” the older man said, still watching Kathy and Lance.  “I mean, they’ve been friendly with each other before, so it’s not like they can’t talk to each other or something.”  But you’re right, Justin, they have been acting closer lately.  I’ll have to talk to Jennifer…she always seems to know what’s going on around here.

“I know, man, but…well…oh, never mind.”  Justin didn’t know what he wanted to say.  I’ll have to talk to Jennifer later.  She’ll understand what I’m trying to say.  He settled back to watch the rest of the movie.

**

Once the first movie finished, Jennifer stood.  “Okay, intermission.  Does anyone need anything before we put in the next movie?”

“Can we get more popcorn?” asked Chris.

“And more drinks, please,” Joey added.

“Do we have any more licorice twists?” Kathy wanted to know.

“I think we have the red kind,” Jennifer replied.  “Now let’s see…popcorn, drinks, and licorice.  Anything else?”

“Honey, you might want to bring out more napkins, just in case,” JC reminded her.

“Got it.”

“Hey, Jen, I’ll give you a hand,” Justin said as he hopped up from his place on the floor.  “You’re going to have your hands full.”

“Thanks.”  She smiled, picked up the empty bowl of popcorn, and walked into the kitchen with Justin.

Once inside, Jennifer started pulling items out from various cabinets.  “Could you get the popcorn going?” she asked without turning around.

“Sure.”  Justin poured kernels into the popper.  “Uh, Jen?  I’d like to talk to you about something.”

“Oh, yeah?  What’s that?”  Piling napkins and paper cups on the counter, she turned to look at him.

“It’s about Kathy and Lance.”

Hmm…first Joey, then Justin? Jennifer thought to herself.  Sounds like Kathy and Lance are getting a little more comfortable together.  I wonder if I should expect Chris to talk to me soon.  “What about them?” she asked, hopping up to sit on the counter.

“Well, have you noticed how close they’re getting lately?”

“A little,” she replied, not wanting to say too much.  “Why?”

“I don’t know,” Justin said, a little hesitant.  “I mean, first you and JC, now Kathy and Lance?  It’s like everyone’s pairing up and…”

“Justin,” Jennifer said quietly, laying a hand on his arm, “tell me something, okay?  And don’t worry about me telling anyone.”

Justin took a deep breath.  “Okay.”

“Do you feel kinda…left out because you haven’t found anyone special yet?”  Jennifer hoped her words didn’t offend Justin.

“Yes…no…I don’t know…”

“Oh, honey,” Jennifer said, taking his hand in hers.  “You feel like the group atmosphere is changing, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” he admitted.  “You know, before, when you and Kathy hadn’t been in our lives yet, it was just us five guys.  Then when you and JC hooked up, it changed the group a little, because he kept talking about how great you were and how you two had so much in common,” Justin paused to study his hand in Jennifer’s, “but it was okay, you know?”

Jennifer nodded, studying Justin’s face.  “Go on.”

“Well, now you and JC are together, so it’s like his attention is split between you and the group.  That’s tough as it is, but now, with Kathy and Lance possibly getting together…well…I don’t know…” his head drooped, frustrated because he couldn’t find the right words to say.

“Justin, look at me.”  She tilted his face so he looked directly at her.  Trying to read what was in his eyes, she said, “Try to tell me what you’re feeling.  Don’t worry about how you say it, just say it.”

“I guess it’s two things.  One, I feel like the group might drift apart slowly, you know, because of the divided attention and stuff, and two…I don’t know…I guess I’m a little jealous of JC and Lance for finding great girls like you and Kathy.”

Jennifer placed a hand on Justin’s cheek.  “Kathy and I aren’t going to split up the group, Justin.  That’s not why we’re around.  JC and I are in love, and if anything, it’ll help him put more emotion into his singing.”

As if he needs it, Justin thought to himself.

“And Kathy and Lance haven’t even gotten together yet.  But seriously, though, we’re not out to break you up or anything.  I mean, look, we’re all friends, aren’t we?”

“Yeah,” he agreed.

“See?  Nothing’s going to change.  And as for finding that special person,” she continued, “you’ll meet someone eventually, it doesn’t just happen.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Jennifer smiled.  “I will tell you one thing, though…if I weren’t with JC right now, I’d be taking a second look at you.”  She leaned over to kiss his cheek, and he blushed.  “Come on, let’s go watch another movie.”  They grinned at each other and, gathering everything up, walked back into the living room.

**

After the second movie ended, everyone remained in their places, just trying to relax.  Jennifer sighed, closed her eyes, and leaned back in JC’s arms.  “Hey, how about some music?” she suggested.

“Better yet, how about dancing on the deck outside?” JC said to the group.  “That way,” he added, whispering in Jennifer’s ear so only she could hear him, “I could see which is more beautiful – the stars in the night sky, or the twinkle in your eyes.”

Jennifer turned her head and beamed at her boyfriend.  “You are so romantic.”  JC grinned at her, then leaned down to kiss her cheek.

“Save it, you two,” Joey said to the pair.  “Come on, let’s go outside.”

Kathy, Lance, Justin, Joey, and Chris headed toward the back door.  Jennifer and JC stayed on the couch for a little while longer.

“Honey,” Jennifer began, playing with JC’s fingers, “have you noticed anything different about Kathy and Lance?”

“Not really, but I haven’t been looking…why?”

“Well, it seems like both Joey and Justin have noticed something going on between our two friends.”

“Yeah?”

“Mm hmm.  They both have talked to me about it today.  I’m expecting Chris to talk to me about it soon.”

“You think he’s noticed, too?”

“Well, if Joey and Justin have noticed, it’s not like Chris wouldn’t have himself.”  They thought in silence until Justin poked his head in.

“Hey, you two, were you ever planning on joining us?” Justin asked.

“Be right there,” JC replied.  Justin just shrugged and left.

JC stood and extended his hand to Jennifer.  “I hope you’ll grant me the first dance,” he said with a smile.

“The first and the last, and many in between.”  She took his hand, and they walked toward the back door.

It was a clear evening, and the moon shone brightly.  Jennifer and JC walked out onto the deck to find everyone sitting around, listening to the music flowing out of hidden speakers.  A slow song was playing, so Jennifer thought, hmm…maybe everyone’s a little uncomfortable because there are four guys and only one girl out here.  Oh, well, yet again, I’m left to get things going.  She turned to JC and asked, “Shall we dance?”

He smiled.  “I would love to.”  Sweeping her into his arms, JC led Jennifer into a slow waltz.

Jennifer looked up at him, a bit surprised.  “When did you learn to waltz?”

“While we were on tour.  I remembered watching you at a party, dancing a waltz with your grandfather, and thinking, ‘She looks so perfect like that – a long flowing dress, your hair left down, waltzing around the room.’  So, while we were on tour, I talked to one of our choreographers, and he taught me how to do it,” he explained.  “How am I doing?”

“Wonderfully.  I am so impressed.  I can’t believe you learned just for me.”

“Well, I learned for myself, too, but my initial reason was for you.”

“Either way, thank you.”  She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, then rested her head on his chest.  They continued dancing until Chris spoke up.

“Uh, the song’s over, you two,” he called out.

“I don’t care,” Jennifer replied.  She was comfortable where she was.

“Come on, Jen, let me dance with your boyfriend,” Kathy said jokingly.

JC chuckled as Jennifer looked up.  “Fine,” she sighed, “but only because you’re the only other female around here, and I don’t want to have nightmares about these other guys dancing together.”

Everyone laughed as JC walked over to dance with Kathy.  Jennifer stood, noticing that Lance kept watching Kathy, even while she was dancing with JC.

Chris came over to where Jennifer was standing and tapped her shoulder.  “Would you like to dance?” he asked her.

“It would be my pleasure,” she answered.  She placed her hand in Chris’s, and they began to move to the music.

“Uh, Jen?” Chris spoke after a moment.

“Yeah?”

“Can I talk to you about something?”

Oh, here it comes.  “Sure…what about?”

“It’s about Kathy and Lance.”

Not wanting to give anything away, Jennifer acted like she didn’t know anything.  “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’ve noticed some things lately.”

“Like what?”  Goodness, why doesn’t he just come out and ask if they are together?

“Oh, you know, those signs you usually see when two people like each other.  Whispering stuff to each other, grinning at each other, that kind of stuff.”

“Okay, let me see if I understand.  You’ve been noticing this kind of thing happening between Kathy and Lance, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So what do you need to ask me?”

Chris paused, not wanting to say the wrong thing.  “Um, do you think there’s something going on between them?”

Jennifer just smiled.  “What makes you think I would know anything about that?”

“Well, you seem to know everything that goes on around here, so…”

Jennifer laughed.  “Maybe I know a lot of what goes on around here, but I don’t know if there’s anything going on with them yet.  Besides, even if there is something going on, it’s their business, not ours, right?”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“You know I’m right, Chris.  For now, let’s just see if anything happens.”  Well, Kathy, looks like you and Lance have been sniffed out.  Let’s see how you two handle this.

**

For the next song, Justin and Kathy were dancing together, and Lance was still watching her.  Jennifer walked over and sat next to him.  “Lance?” she said, interrupting his thoughts.

“Oh, hey, Jen,” he replied.  “What’s up?”

“Not you, that’s for sure.  Come dance with me.”

“I don’t know,” Lance said hesitantly, still keeping his eyes on Kathy and Justin.

“Oh, come on.  I’m not that repulsive, am I?” she joked.

“Of course not!”  Lance turned to her, ashamed she would believe that.  “I’m just…”

“You know, if you keep making excuses, I’m going to think you don’t like me.”  Jennifer pouted, pretending to feel hurt.

“You know I like you, Jen.  You’re a great person.”

“Then why won’t you dance with me?  Am I a bad dancer or something?”  She tried to hold back her laughter, but the look on Lance’s face made it really difficult.

“You’re an awesome dancer!  It’s just that…”

Jennifer couldn’t hold it back anymore and burst out laughing.

Lance raised an eyebrow at her.  “Making fun of me?” he asked.

“Oh, you know I only did it to get your mind off of things.  Lighten up, Lance, and come dance with me.”  She pulled on his hand to get him to stand up, and they started dancing.

While dancing, Jennifer noticed Lance continuously glancing back at Kathy and Justin.  Jennifer sighed and took Lance’s chin in her hand.  She turned his face to hers and said, “You know, looking at the person you’re dancing with is the polite thing to do.”

“Sorry, Jen.  I don’t know what’s come over me.  I just feel like I should be the one dancing with Kathy, not Justin.”

“Okay, did you try asking her to dance?”

Lance looked sheepish.  “Not really.”

Jennifer took a deep breath.  “When you want to dance with someone, it helps if you ask them,” she explained, a mocking tone to her voice.

“Give me a break, Jen.”

“No, you give me a break, Lance.  I see the way you’re looking at each other; I can see it in your eyes that you want to be with her.  Stop waiting for things to happen and take charge of the situation!”

Lance just stared at Jennifer, taking in everything she said.  Finally, he said, “I’ve been doing this all wrong, haven’t I?”

“No,” Jennifer said, softening at his words.  “You guys are going out on a date, and that’s a good step forward.  Now you just have to keep going forward.  Don’t take one step, then wait for your feet to take the next one for you.”

“You’re right.  Yet again, you are right.”

“I know.”  Jennifer smiled up at Lance’s face.  “Just think, if it weren’t for me, you two wouldn’t be at the point you are now.”

Lance frowned at her words.  “Jennifer, what are you talking about?”

Oh, no.  “Uh, I meant you wouldn’t know what to do about Kathy if I wasn’t here for you to ask, right?”

Lance frowned again, but then thought, that’s true.  I do owe her that.  “Okay.  Anyway, thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”  Whew, escaped that one.  Jennifer and Lance continued dancing until the song ended.

“Thanks for finally dancing with me,” Jennifer teased him.

“I’m sorry I was kinda out of it at first,” Lance apologized.

“That’s okay.  Now go ask Kathy to dance.”  She nudged him in Kathy’s direction.

“I’m going, I’m going!”

Jennifer watched as Lance went over to where Kathy was standing.  She was laughing at a joke Justin told her when Lance tapped her shoulder.  Lance gestured to the “dance floor”, and Kathy smiled and nodded.  Jennifer was still watching them when JC came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“What are you watching?” he whispered in her ear.

“Kathy and Lance,” she whispered back, never taking her eyes off of them.  “They are so cute together.”

“I guess, but I think we’re cute together, too.”  JC began nuzzling Jennifer’s earlobe.  She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his body against hers.  They remained in that position even as Joey came over to them.

“Excuse me, JC,” Joey interrupted, “but I would like to ask your beautiful, charming, intelligent girlfriend to dance.”

“I have a girlfriend like that?  Where is she?” JC joked.  He and Joey began laughing as Jennifer elbowed JC in his stomach.

“Joey, I would love to dance with you.  Maybe my stupid, inconsiderate dork of a boyfriend needs some time alone.”  Jennifer took Joey’s hand, and they began dancing.

JC just watched her move across the deck.  You won’t think I’m stupid and inconsiderate after our date tomorrow.  He grinned to himself, then walked over to sit down between Justin and Chris.

“Well, guys, looks like we’re the wallflowers for the moment,” JC said.

“Guess so,” Justin replied quietly.

JC and Chris looked at each other, baffled at Justin’s soft words.  “What’s up, man?” Chris asked.

“Actually, Chris, I need to talk to JC alone.  Would you mind…” He trailed off.

“Hey, that’s cool.”  Chris just shrugged good-naturedly.  “I’ll just go tease Lance about his dancing ability.”  He grinned devilishly and walked away.

“So what did you want to talk to me about?” JC asked after Chris was out of earshot.

Justin took a deep breath.  “What’s it like to be in love?”

JC was taken aback by Justin’s blunt question.  “It’s great, I guess.  Is that what you’re looking for?”

“Well, I guess what I mean is, what’s it like to be in love with Jennifer?  I mean, she’s like the perfect person to be with; she’s pretty, smart, and has a great sense of humor.  She always seems to know what you’re thinking, and she can always make you feel better when you’re down…” Justin trailed off, afraid he might have said too much about JC’s girlfriend.

JC just looked over at Jennifer.  “I don’t know, Justin.  I mean, sometimes, I just look at her and think, ‘How did I get so lucky?  How could she have not found anyone before me?’  I know I’m fortunate to have her in my life, and I thank God every day for sending her to me.”  JC stopped and looked back at Justin.  “Why are you asking me this?”

“Oh, nothing…I just wanted to know how it felt to really be in love,” Justin replied.  He thought back to the scene in the kitchen – Jennifer holding his hand, then kissing him on the cheek.  Why couldn’t it have been me instead of JC?  “She’s great, that’s all.”

“Don’t worry, man, you’ll find someone for yourself someday,” JC assured his friend.  “It just happens.”

“I guess so.”

JC looked over at Jennifer again.  “Excuse me, Justin, but I’m going to dance with my girlfriend.”  Justin only watched as JC stood up, walked over to Jennifer, and took her into his arms.  Jennifer turned to smile at him, then laid her head on his chest as they began dancing.

Justin sighed and looked away.  Why couldn’t it be me instead of JC?