He nodded and started walking around the lobby looking at the retail displays.
Of course, the computer was moving slow, and not bringing up the database as it usually would.
Or maybe I was impatient.
That was probably it.
“I’m sorry, this system is being a pain,” I said.
“I told you it’s been acting up all day,” Autumn added. “It might be doing an update or something.”
“Well, we’ll have to get it sorted,” I said. “This is unacceptable.”
“You’ll figure it out,” Mom said, and turned back to Joanna.
Joanna leaned over to my mother and whispered something in her ear while I fought with the computer.
My mother stood up straighter. “Really?”
Joanna nodded.
“What are you two gossiping about?” Autumn asked.
Mom blinked. “Nothing.”
I sighed and glanced at the two of them who were pretending to be innocent, but I knew neither of them was.
“Winter, I got this,” Autumn said. And with a few clicks, she had the system moving again.
I raised my eyebrow.
“I learned a trick or two today fighting with it. If I go out and come back in it snaps out of it.” She looked at Joanna. “Joanna, we can go ahead and get you booked for the next few months, standing, so you’re all set for a while.”
“Oh, yeah, let’s get that set up.” She pulled out her cell phone, and the two of them started going over dates.
I walked from behind the desk, leaving Autumn and Mom to finish up, and crossed to Shaun. “Thank you,” I said. “We could have made an arrangement; you didn’t need to come in to bring me that.”
“I had an errand to run this afternoon anyway.”
“Oh?” I asked. “More steaks?”
Mom and Joanna started to walk by, and on impulse, I took Shaun’s arm and guided him away from the doorway.
He covered my hand with his.
I felt that electric shock run through me. That one that went all the way to my toes and made everything hum and vibrate.
The one that seemed to bring out my long-dormant wanton side. I had been so into everything last night. It had been different. I had thought, at the time, that I might as well have fun with it because it wouldn’t wind up being anything.
And here I was, today, feeling it again.
And wanting it again.
“I wanted to see you,” he said.
I smiled, feeling myself blush. Because I wanted to see him again too.
And do other things.
