“What? Everyone is raving about this one, we can’t keep it in stock. Take control of your pleasure!”
“With a vibrator from mysister?” I hissed. I finally picked my head up from the table and looked at her. “That’s so creepy!”
“Chels, I just thought maybe you’re a little lonely. It’s been a long time since you were with someone.”
Sure, it had been a while since I’d been in a relationship, but it wasn’t like I was sexless. In the two years since my boyfriend Jake Monahan had cheated on me with my friend Lauren I’d gone out on a few dates. Even hooked up with a couple of guys. And it wasn’t like Jake had been the great love of my life; we’d only been dating for four months when it happened. Lauren wasn’t a close friend, but we’d hung out enough to have a bunch of photos of us together at parties and restaurants. Despite my nonchalance about it, the whole thing left me feeling pretty raw about relationships. For now, I was happier on my own.
“I’m fine,” I said a little too loudly.
“I know you are, but Le Rush can help you be even finer. Trust me.” Taylor winked.
“Ugh, this conversation is over, thank you,” I said, crumpling the top of the bag down and shoving it in my backpack.
We walked out side by side, nearly the same height thanks to Taylor’s footwear. She hadn’t surrendered to the sensible, pregnancy-swollen feet shoes yet but at least she was out of her usual heels, opting instead for a platform boot that gave her a good three inches.
Taylor drew me into a tight hug once by our cars. “Go see Mom. Let her talk,” she said into my ear.
I closed my eyes and hugged her back, letting my head rest on her camel cashmere shoulder. “I will.”
We pulled apart and Taylor shivered, drawing her coat closed over her belly. “We’re in for a long winter.”
“Bring it on,” I cheered. It was another way we differed. Taylor was a summer girl and I thrived in the dark of the cold seasons. It was better for snuggling up on the couch, with a dog or two nestled close and a good book for company.
“Hey, love you,” she said over her shoulder. “And Chels?”
“Yeah?”
“Take Le Rush for a test drive soon, okay?”
I felt my face go hot. “We’re never talking about that again, got it?”
Taylor laughed and waved as she climbed into her car, making it clear that I wasn’t going to hear the end of it.
chapter eight
I was still coming to terms with the fact that I was on enemy turf as I pulled up Patricia Gibson’s driveway. It was tucked away on a twisty Bucks County road, so camouflaged by trees that I passed it twice.
The house was up a gentle rise, a typical stone farmhouse that looked like it hadn’t changed in over a hundred years. Not the sort of genteel spot I imagined Andrew growing up in, but then again, I wasn’t sure exactly what sort of home life could’ve created him, other than a frat house.
Patricia came out waving both hands at me and looking overjoyed, in a navy beanie and oversized khaki farm jacket. She pointed to a parking spot near the garage and as I eased to a stop I took a quick look around to make sure Andrew hadn’t arrived. There was no sign of his Jeep, which meant there was a chance that I could complete my mission without running into him. My hands shook a little as I grabbed my stuff and I blamed the tremor on goat-related stress.
“Welcome,” Patricia called to me as I headed toward her. “We aresothrilled you’re here.”
I was sure there was one Gibson who wasn’t.
“I’m excited to give this a try,” I said as I climbed the porch steps. I touched the black treat bag clipped to my jeans. “I did my research so I have some animal crackers and tortilla chips ready to go. I know they’re not super-healthy options, but I figured I needed to bring my A game the first time I’m meeting them.”
“Ooh, they are going toloveyou.” Patricia beamed at me. “Why don’t we chat for a few minutes before I bring you back to meet them? Let’s sit on the porch, it’s not too chilly today. I made some hot chocolate for us.”
The way she said it left no doubt that I was about to have hot chocolate whether I wanted it or not. Which of course I did, though I felt weird about delaying the work I was there to do. My goal was to avoid any unnecessary time behind enemy lines, but I could already tell that Patricia was going to make my mission impossible.
I sat on one of the black slat rockers and picked up the hardcover book on the table next to it.Frankenstein? We were certainly heading into the right season for it. My annual Howl-o-Ween bash was just a few weeks off.
Patricia hustled out carrying two steaming mugs as I placed the book back on the table.
“I just finished readingA Vindication of the Rights of Womanby Mary Wollstonecraft.” She nodded toward the book as she handed me a mug. “I wanted to see if the mother of feminism impacted her own daughter’s work.”
I thought I knew a lot about books, but I was stumped. My expression must have made it clear.
