“Let me shampoo it.”
To my surprise, he stepped out of the shower and returned with a bottle of the exact brand of shampoo I used. I briefly wondered if he’d somehow retrieved the bottle that was in my suitcase, but that didn’t make sense. My luggage remained inside of his trunk.
I didn’t get the chance to ask before he spun me around and commenced washing my hair. I couldn’t help it that time as moans spilled from my lips at the way he massaged my scalp to perfection.
“You’re going to make me forget I’m no longer on sabbatical and that I’m back home,” I groaned.
Without missing a beat, he leaned over, kissed my shoulder, and said, “That’s the plan, baby.”
CHAPTER17
Mia
A week after returning to Williamsport, I strode through the doors of the Italian restaurant with a lightness in my steps I couldn’t hide even if I wanted to. I was meeting my sister and best friend for lunch, and after a couple of months of only video calls, I couldn’t wait.
Not to mention that after lunch, I was due to head over to the location of my café. I was slated to open my coffee shop in two months and couldn’t believe how quickly everything was moving.
“There she is,” Sharise said as she stood. Her dark brown, assessing eyes moved over me from head to toe.
I waved and went in to hug my sister first since she was closest. But she pulled back. Again, she looked me over.
“Carlene, are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Sharise asked without taking her eyes off of me.
“Hmhm,” Carlene said, moving to stand next to my sister. She, too, gave me the once over. “Looks like someone who has been getting dicked down regularly.”
I gasped and covered my mouth like I was the one who said it. “I can’t believe you,” I whisper-yelled, glancing around at the other patrons. None of them paid us any attention.
It was the middle of the lunchtime rush hour, and everyone else was more concerned with their business lunch or getting their food and heading back to their offices.
“She’s not lying, though,” Sharise added.
“You two could at least give me a damn hug and say hello before you start in on me.”
They both cracked a smile. Sharise was the first to pull me in, followed by Carlene.
“That’s better,” I said before settling into one of the chairs at the window table my sister always chose because she knew I preferred window seats.
“Sharise already ordered the spinach and onion personal pizza for you,” Carlene said.
“You’re the best,” I told my sister.
“Now, give us all the nasty details,” Carlene said, leaning in.
“Excuse you?” I played coy while I unfolded the cloth napkin and laid it across my lap.
“Girl, don’t play with us,” Sharise added on. “You’ve been back home for a week, and this is the first time either of us is seeing you.”
Our waiter brought over our salads. Carlene hesitated before adding, “And I only have another thirty minutes before I have to get back to my office. I have meetings all afternoon. Spill,” she insisted while cutting into her salad.
I rolled my eyes. “Not much to tell. You both already know I met someone while in Mexico.” I gave a one shoulder shrug, despite how difficult the words were to get out. Everything in my body rebelled at how I downplayed the relationship between Brutus and me.
But I wasn’t ready to confess to anyone the depths of what I felt for him.
“And he just so happens to live here in Williamsport, too,” Sharise pointed out. “It has to be fate.” She grinned wide.
My sister had earned her PhD in biochemistry and taught for a few years at Williamsport University before giving up her career to become a stay-at-home mom. To say she was somewhat of a hopeless romantic would be an understatement.
“I don’t know about all of that,” Carlene interjected. She twirled her fork in the air, looking at me contemplatively. “But you do have a new glow about you.”
