“TELL US EVERYTHING AND DON’Tleave anything out,” Vanessa said when I walked into her house for Margarita Monday.
“Well, Amanda stopped by my shop yesterday. It sounds like congratulations are in order, Auntie Vanessa.”
“Oh no!” Vanessa reached for my hand. “Did she go in there and start trouble with you? I’d hate to smack a pregnant lady, but—”
I cut her off with a wave. “Thank you, but it’s not necessary. I think her goal was to rile me up, but she either gave up when she realized it wouldn’t work, or finding out she’s about to be a mom has softened her.” I smiled when I thought about the amount of money she spent on the chair, ottoman, silver tray, and tea set. I definitely came out the winner after that battle.
“I’m glad to hear that Amanda can’t upset you anymore, but that’s not theeverythingthat Vanessa was talking about. We want to know all about the new sexy man in your life.”
“How do you know he’s sexy?” Violet asked her.
“I’m a lesbian, Vi, not blind.” April rolled her eyes. “Just because I’m not attracted to guys doesn’t mean that I don’t recognize a sexy man when presented with one. Elijah is pure sex on a stick.”
I hung up my coat and headed to the kitchen where I knew a margarita pitcher awaited me. I breathed the delicious, spicy aroma of Latin food baking in the oven and fought the urge to lift the lids off the pots on top of the stove to see what she had whipped up for us. Vanessa followed me into the kitchen and poured me a drink.
“Mmmmm,” I said after a long drink. “Peach.”
“It’s your favorite,” Van said. “I figured you could use it after the crazy time you’ve had. Are you really okay?” I’d be rich and could retire if I had a penny for every time someone asked me that the past two weeks.
I helped myself to the chips and salsa Vanessa had laid out for us to munch on before dinner. She waited patiently while I ate a few and washed it down with another drink. “I’m so hungry,” I told her. “The shop was a zoo again today and there was no way that Bonnie could keep up with them on her own, so my lunch consisted of peanut butter crackers and Diet Coke.” I looked at the large clock on the kitchen wall. “That was six hours ago.” Trust me, I was glad the day went by fast so that I didn’t have to worry about what Elijah was doing in Kentucky, but a proper lunchtime would’ve been nice.
“Let me get you something with a little more substance,” Vanessa offered.
“It’s not necessary,” I told her. I didn’t want her to go to any trouble.
“Maegan, you hate feeling buzzed and you’ve never been drunk. Let me grab you some cheese and fruit to help absorb some of the alcohol until the enchiladas, Spanish rice, and refried beans are ready in ten minutes.” She pulled out a block of cheese and fruit from the refrigerator.
Van was right; I loved the taste of a mixed drink but not the side effects. I could already feel my face getting warm and that fuzzy feeling creeping in around the edges of my mind. My inner control freak started to panic, so I reached for a chunk of cheese.
“Delicious,” I said.
Van pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge and placed it in front of me. She’d be the last person to admit how much she loved to nurture, but it was ingrained in her DNA. “Smoked gouda; it’s silky and smooth.” She tipped her head to the side and studied me.
April, Candace, and Violet entered the kitchen and poured themselves a margarita.
“What’d we miss?” April asked.
“Wait for us! We want to hear all about the sex too!” Violet exclaimed.
“No sex talk yet,” Vanessa said. “I was just asking if she was really okay.”
“I’m fine, Van. Really. Yeah, parts of the last two weeks have sucked”—all three of them snorted—“but other parts were…” My voice trailed off as I struggled to find the words.
“Orgasmic,” April suggested
“Earth shattering,” Violet added.
“Surreal,” I told them. “I’m not going to give you gals the down-and-dirty details of what’s been going on between Elijah and me.” We weren’t high school kids and Vanessa’s kitchen wasn’t the locker room. What I shared with Elijah was too special to cheapen by bawdy shop talk.
“So you’re admitting that there’s something going on?” Candace pressed.
“Of course, something is going on,” I answered her.
“Something truly special from the looks of it,” Violet said, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.
They were so disappointed that I wasn’t going to give them a byplay of every orgasm Elijah gave me. A smile spread across my face when I realized I had lost count.
“Oh, would you look at that face,” April said. “She’s thinking about the orgasms she refuses to discuss. Lucky bitch.”
