Page 43 of (La)Crosse My Heart

I sigh, feeling like he'd helped me unpack a few of the burdens I'd been carrying around. I’m falling for Clark and fast. But is it just because he’s the complete opposite of Dan? Or because I haven’t given him credit for being an exceptional human before?

That’s going to have to be tested before anything happens.

19

Clark

"You can do this," I say to myself in the mirror. We're a couple of days past the detective-show-watching conversation. I’ve been through the pain of getting two suits tailored for me as well as more mock interviews with Jessa behind the camera. I don’t know what it is, but when she’s there, I can relax so much more.

I’m in the green room at the recording studio in Chicago for STX. I’d taken Jessa’s suggestion and wore a suit when we walked in today. The directors seemed to be impressed by the change in my attire, which I hope will trickle into my ability to speak the lines I’m given.

I've got an obscene amount of makeup on, and I have to make a few faces just to make sure I'm still in there. The Man in the Makeup Mask.

I’ve changed into my Lancer uniform. There’s a ball and stick and I pick it up, tossing the ball into the air and catching it, trying to push down the nerves.

"Are you ready?" Jessa asks, walking into the dressing room. She's dressed a little fancier than her usual business suits and looks beautiful.

"As ready as I think I'll be."

“You’ll be amazing. You’ve already improved. I’ll be right there behind the camera, cheering you on.” She smiles widely and it makes me more grateful for her.

And then, thinking about the camera again, I walk over and pull Jessa into my arms. She's stiff for several moments and then relaxes into me, molding right into my body.

She tightens the pressure, and I wonder if she knows how much I need this.

When we pull back a bit, we're so close I could plant a kiss on her soft lips.

"Remember, the only people you need to worry about teasing your words is you. Be like the little boy from the camp. Fearless about what you have to say. You are a superstar athlete. Are most of the people who attacked you before watching everything from their couches, not doing anything on their own?"

I blink at her and nod. I'd never thought of it like that before.

Without thinking, I lean over and press my lips to hers. It's quick and light, but I want to continue, although I'm not sure how she feels.

We pull back and she looks at me with starry eyes, like she's trying to figure out what just happened.

"Denton," a voice calls just outside the door. "You're needed on set."

I don't want to let go of Jessa. I want to keep holding her and just enjoy this moment for a while longer, but I've got to do this hard thing to pay the bills and build a small reserve for the future.

She gives me another hug before releasing me. "You can do this. I believe in you."

20

Jessa

What the crap just happened?

Did I really kiss Clark Denton? I guess technically he kissed me. And it was the best kiss I’ve ever had, although short.

It wasn’t some kind of routine done out of obligation, but there was a promise in it.

I'm in a sort of fog as I walk toward the cameras and get into position so I can be the background support Clark needs. I'm not really sure I'm doing a good job of anything right now.

Was there a moment I thought we would kiss on my couch at the new house? Yes. But I hadn't even given it a thought for today being a good kissing day.

And we didn't even get that much into the kiss. Like it was a good, simple kiss.

But it was way more impactful than any kiss with Dan ever was.

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