When her tongue slid between his lips, it took him apart. He was distantly aware that they were making out in a parking lot. Losing control in public wasn’t part of his plan for the day. Then again, he hadn’t gotten much further in his plotting than finding her, and this was so much better than that.
She pulled away, studying his face. Jefferson had no doubt his pupils were blown out.
“You smell it, don’t you?” She lowered her nose to her shoulder, sniffing. “Conch fritters?”
He put his face to her hair, breathing in. “I promise you I’m not thinking about fritters.”
She sighed in his arms, like her main worry in life had been resolved. “I don’t understand why you aren’t running the other way. You haven’t exactly seen me at my best. Or even as me, most of the time.”
“You were always Libby to me. I don’t think you ever tried to hide that.” He stroked her back, fingers pressing along the sides of her spine. “I know where you come from. I know you take your coffee with cream, and you snack when you’re nervous. I know you’re kind to strangers and you like to make wishes. I know the difference between your real laugh and when you’re pretending. I know what it feels like to wake up next to you.” He raised his hand to cup her cheek. “That seems like a pretty good start.”
Her eyes were wet when she tipped her face up for another kiss. “I know something,” she whispered against his lips.
“What?”
“My roommate isn’t home.”
That was all Jefferson needed to hear. “My car’s over there.”
“It’s kind of a pit,” she warned him. “And I don’t have a hot tub. Or a laser light show in the bathroom.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Yeah,” said Keoki’s booming voice, as he stepped out the back door of the trailer. “It is a relief. You two are a health code violation waiting to happen.” He turned his attention back to the phone propped between his cheek and shoulder. “They came up for air. Okay. Nice doing business with you. Mahalo. Here.” He held the phone out to Libby. “She’s going to run my story in her paper.”
Libby was still frowning as she held the phone to her ear. “It’s Hildy,” she reported. “I’m supposed to put her on speaker.”
It looked like she regretted the decision when the words, “I hope you have your clothes on, sex fiends,” blared from the phone.
“We’re in a parking lot,” Jefferson told her.
“Like that would stop you. You’re welcome, by the way.”
“Thank you,” Libby said, before adding a hesitant, “You’re really going to run the story about Keoki?”
“Front of the Living section. Sunday edition. I’m saving Tutu for my magazine, so don’t get any funny ideas. But I wasn’t talking about that. You can thank me for playing matchmaker.”
“I would have gotten here eventually.” It was a mild protest; Jefferson liked to give credit where it was due.
“Like what, a message in a bottle? You’re too old to play the waiting game, JJ. The modern world moves fast.”
“Actually,” Libby cut in, “about the magazine. I really want to start at the bottom and work my way up.”
“That’s between you and JJ. You’re both consenting adults.” Hildy cackled at her own joke. “Seriously, how bad do you missme right now? Don’t you wish we could all go get some shave ice and shoot the breeze?”
“It’s not the top item on my agenda.” Jefferson’s eyes met Libby’s.
“Okay, horndog. I get it. Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll be in touch soon. I’ve got ideas for days. We’ll figure out the job stuff later. Ciao, lovers.” With a smackingmwah,she ended the call.
Libby blinked a few times before passing the phone back to Keoki, who exchanged it for a large paper sack.
“What’s this?” she asked, looking at the sealed paperboard cartons stacked inside.
“Dinner.” Keoki winked. “And breakfast.”
Jefferson took hold of her free hand as they started toward his car. They kept stealing glances at each other, making sure this was really happening.
“One more thing,” Libby said, when he let go to dig out his keys.
