I let her rest for a bit before gently taking her hand. "Come on. Let's get cleaned up and then I'll change the sheets.”

I wound up having to carry her in my arms to the shower. With her head pillowed on my shoulder, I realized that we hadn't even kissed tonight.

“Mmm... smells really good, Jen." I closed my eyes and just inhaled the wonderful scent. Tonight was Jen's meatloaf night. It was just one of the nice things about moving in with my good friends: I LOVED meatloaf night.

And on top of that, it was a football Saturday, the Last week of regular season College football. Kevin and I spent the day half-buzzed on beer as we watched our alma mater win their Last game to finish 9-2 and qualify for a bowl game.

Between the buzz and the thrill of a late fourth-quarter comeback, I didn't think this day could get much better. Then the smell of Jen's meatloaf hit my nostrils and I realized that there really is a heaven out there somewhere. It was all I could do to wait until she was done.

Two hours Later, I let out a Loud belch and patted my belly in blissful contentment. "Jen, you are amazing!"

“Pssht," she waved a hand at me. "You always say that."

"Jen," Kevin said in a dead-serious voice. "You are aMAZing!" He leaned in and smiled as she said it, and Jen blushed a deep rosy color.

“Hey! You didn't react like that when I said it!" I complained.

Jen laughed as Kevin scooted his chair over and began raining kisses along his girlfriend's neck and shoulder. She looked at me. "You just don't have that effect on me." She Laughed again when his lips found a particularly ticklish spot.

“*Scuse me, dude," Kevin informed me as he got out of his chair and began tugging Jen back towards the bedrooms.

“I have to properly show this woman how much I appreciate her cooking.”

The two of them Laughed and managed to stumble towards their room while still groping at each other.

“You know you're supposed to wait an hour before physical exertion!" I hollered after them, my words falling of deaf ears.

I smirked, and then cut another burp. I really did love Jen's meatloaf.

But the longer I sat at the table alone, my euphoria bled away to be replaced by a sad melancholy. Interspersed with the moans of pleasure leaking out of Kevin and Jen's bedroom were delighted giggles and a general sense of happiness. I was jealous. I wished it was me in there.

Not that I had any designs on Jen. Sure, she was attractive. But I was never attracted to her in that way. We just didn't have that kind of chemistry. No, I was jealous of their loving relationship, of the bond they'd built together over the years.

In the time that I dated E-Beth, then Amber, and now Brianna, the two of them had stayed together. One might say I was the lucky one, bedding a variety of sexual partners instead of remaining faithfully monogamous with one soul mate. But as I felt the emptiness in my gut, despite the full belly, I considered that they were really the lucky ones.

Just last night, Brianna and I had consummated our Sudoku bet. We completed the trifecta in one session, and by the end of the night her bedsheets were completely soaked with mingled sweat, oil, and cum. I don't think I'l. ever forget the sight of her shiny, reflective body prostrate before me, both her pussy and asshole dilated wide with my creamy white jism dribbling out.

And yet, on this wonderful Saturday night, I found myself alone and doing the dishes. And later that evening, when I crawled into bed, I did it alone. No soft body was there to share her warmth. My arms ached, not from muscular pain, but from the desire to hold someone tenderly and cuddle.

Not for the first time, I looked out the window to see the moon and the stars. I wondered where Amber was right now. I wondered if she would ever return my phone calls.

I still loved Amber passionately.

And I missed her terribly.

I woke up Sunday morning, alone in bed.

This was not a new thing. I'd gotten rather used to it over the past few months. My dating life with Brianna was still in its early stages, with perhaps one evening or two a week spent together. But used to it or not, the situation was a Little disappointing nonetheless.