“Close your eyes and picture a blanket to go in this crib.”
Leticia did so.
“What color is the blanket?”
“Mint green.” A note of hope lit her response.
“There you go—you need that mint-green blanket.”
“I don’t know.” She looked around. “Baby Magazine is coming to take pictures in three weeks. They’re expecting Hugo’s work.” “Honey—nobody is expecting this.” Allie twirled her finger by her temple.
Leticia held her stomach as she laughed. “It’s awful.”
“I know!” Allie swiped at the corner of her eye. “Let’s get out of here.” She shooed the still chuckling Leticia out. “We’ll just shut the door and you can have Hugo arrested for defacing your home.”
Leticia giggled. “A headless giraffe—really?”
“I heard animal prints are in this year,” joked Allie, which had them both holding their sides.
They entered the kitchen like that and found Anthony wiping down the waffle iron. He did a double take. Crossing the room quickly, he pulled Leticia into his arms. “It’s good to hear you laugh.”
“Don’t worry, no animals were harmed in the making of this joke,” quipped Allie.
Leticia swatted at her. “Stop it. You’re going to make me go into labor.” She leaned into Anthony, who kissed her hair. She fanned her face, flushed with happiness.
Allie enjoyed the shared moment.
Mark came up behind them, entering from the hallway. His hair was just-showered wet and he smelled like pumpkins and cinnamon. Maybe his bathroom had a difference soap theme than hers. She liked it on him, though. “Are you ready to head out?” he asked.
Allie shook her head, subconsciously never wanting to leave her new friend and their beautiful home, but she managed to croak out a “Yes.” “Are you sure?” He shook his head and then nodded, teasing her. “No. I hate to leave, y’all have been so nice. But I guess every great story has to come to an end.”
Anthony slid his arms around Leticia’s middle from behind and rested his head on her shoulder. “It’s been great having you.” He gave Leticia a little squeeze.
“I have a bag of bath soaps and salts for you.” Leticia patted Anthony’s hand. He released her and she headed down the hall, punching Mark in the arm as she passed.
Mark sheepishly rubbed his bicep. His rather beautiful bicep. “What was that for?” Allie asked.
“I accidentally gave the bag she sent for you last night to George and his … date.”
“Oh.” Allie didn’t have a chance to ask when he’d seen George because Leticia came back in with a gift basket.
“This is the magnolia line, the same stuff that’s in the guest bath.” The matching bath products were wonderful. “I loved them.” “Magnolias smell great on you,” Mark added.
“You can smell the lotion?” She sniffed her arm.
He leaned in. “Only when I’m close.”
Allie was suddenly overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with his nearness, with the sheer mass of him. His shoulders were broadand rounded, and running her hands over them would be a treat. “Hmmmm.”
Anthony cleared his throat.
Allie was helpless to halt her embarrassment—mortified that she’d totally checked Mark out in front of his friends.
Herfriends.
After this morning, she’d count the Greens as more than just acquaintances. For a while, she’d forgotten that Anthony was a baseball star and Leticia was a Peruvian model. They lived in a big house and drove nice cars, but they were just people. People who made mistakes like letting a tripped-out designer have free rein over their nursery, but people who could laugh at themselves too.
After exchanging hugs and cell numbers and promises to keep in touch, Allie allowed Mark to guide her through the house with his hand on her lower back. The sensations he created with a simple touch were enough to send her mind into a fuzzy place. Within that fuzz, she believed that she belonged right where she was, with Mark, hanging out with their friends on a Saturday morning and not in her soon-to-be bug-free apartment.
