“I’m not sure,” Presley said. “We haven’t gotten that far yet.”
“About that,” I said. “I haven’t had a chance to mention this, but when I talked to Phoenix earlier, he suggested spending the week out of town. You’re off work, Ariel’s out of school, and the club would cover all expenses.”
“I don’t know,” Presley said. “Going out of town isn’t out of the question, but I don’t know about letting the club pay for it. We were planning to spend a few days with my parents in themiddle of the week. If we move those to the beginning or the end of the week, I can arrange something for the other days.”
“We can work out the details when we get to my house,” I said. “We’ve got plenty of time.”
“We also have a surprise for you at Ink’s house,” Presley said.
“We do?” I asked.
“We do,” Presley laughed.
“Yes, we do,” I said. “As you can tell, I’ve put a lot of thought into it.”
“I can’t wait,” Ariel teased.
“You don’t have to,” I announced. “We’re here.”
Ariel squealed with excitement when she saw my mom sitting in the recliner in my living room. “Ms. Manning! Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” Mom said. “I’m old, but I’m tough.”
“You’re tiny, and Silas is huge,” Ariel countered.
“It’s a good thing your mom’s around in case I need her, isn’t it?”
Ariel nodded. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
“Well, now, I think I’m ready for bed. Ariel, would you mind helping me with a few things?”
“Of course not. What do you need?” she asked.
“Nothing really,” she grinned. “They’re going to discuss things and make plans. I find that stuff boring and thought you might too. Here’s your chance. Get away while you can.”
“Mom, I’m going to help Ms. Manning,” Ariel announced.
Presley laughed. “I heard.”
“Let’s do the boring stuff,” I said to Presley as Mom and Ariel left the room.
“I don’t want to,” she whined. “I’m so tired.”
“I know,” I said and gently massaged her shoulders. “But you need to call your parents before it gets too late.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” she said and headed for my bedroom. “I wish I could soak in your tub again, but I’m afraid I would fall asleep.”
“I’ll watch you and make you get out if you start to fall asleep.”
Presley laughed. “I’m not sure if that’s sweet or pervy.”
I playfully slapped her ass and gave it a squeeze. “I’m sweet or dirty. Never pervy.”
“You made pervy sound hot. I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
“Call your parents so I can watch your face and not stare at your naked body submerged in my tub.”
“Take it from a nurse. If you’re watching someone breathe, you should watch their chest, not their face.”
