“I was fairly adept at stoop ball and hand-clapping games,” I said. “In my neighborhood it was all about Spaldings.”
“Those pink rubber balls?”
“Just so you know, you use your hands, not your feet. You’d be surprised how much coordination you need to toss the ball, clap in front and in back, and then catch it.”
“You’ll have to teach me.”
We were both quiet, enjoying the cool night air. I looked up at the heavens; the glittering stars were mesmerizing. When I looked down, Teddy was smiling at me, his eyes sparkling as brightly as the stars.
“What’s that grin all about?”
“I can’t stop thinking about seeing you in that revealing bathing suit . . . and,” he took a deep breath, “fantasizing about what’s underneath.”
I felt my cheeks blush as he stepped closer, taking the cigarette from my hand and tossing it into the bucket. He looked into my eyes as he pulled me into him, firmly placing one hand on the small of my back and the other across my shoulders. He kissed me, slowly, passionately, deliciously. My tongue played with his. Our rhythm was instantly and perfectly in sync, our bodies seamlessly folded into each other. I didn’t want him to let go, ever.
My mind reeled. I knew how stupid this was. I pulled away, both of us flushed. I was shocked, scared, and elated. I tried to pry myself from his arms, but he held me securely, possessively.
“I’ve been wanting to do that since the first time I met you.” Our faces were close as he confessed his feelings.
“If I remember correctly, your first impression of me was of an overwroughtmum.”
“Did I forget to add the word hot in front of that? My bad.” His eyes crinkled when he smiled.
I sighed in the pleasure of his words and the scent of his body. He smelled like summer—suntan lotion and sweat. The opposite of the expensive colognes Ronnie had started to wear once he made partner—the smell of his success. “Well, you’ve proven me right, you’re indeed the most charming rogue I’ve ever met.”
His smile was beautiful, but tonight his face was radiant, practically glowing. I couldn’t stop myself even if I wanted to, and at that moment I didn’t want to. He was taller, broader than Ronnie, and I was on tippy toes, wrapping my arms around his sunburnt neck. I had forgotten how enjoyable kissing was, just kissing when done passionately.
Teddy nipped my ear and whispered, “Now what?”
Half of me was ecstatic and the other part was terrified. I wrapped my arms around his waist, putting my head against his chest. The pounding of his heart mimicked mine. I wanted to scream yes. I wanted to cry no.
He looked deeply into my eyes. “I wasn’t looking for this, and I know you weren’t either. We can go back to the way things were, but now that I’ve kissed you, I don’t want to stop.”
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to think. All I wanted was his mouth on mine.
Lying in bed, I couldn’t help but wonder about Teddy’s timing, confessing his feelings for me the night before Visiting Day. I was going to see Ronnie tomorrow. Was it intentional? It didn’t matter. I had allowed it to happen. Was it payback for his late nights and weekends at work and for standing me up? Or was it the thrill that Teddy was attracted to me? He made me feel like I was the smartest, sexiest woman he’d ever met.
24Greece Lightning
Sunday morning, Visiting Day, I was stationed between the parking area and the football field, delivering parents to their children. I kept an eye out for Ronnie. As the stream of cars lessened, I walked up and down the rows of cars looking for him, wondering how I’d feel when I saw him after five weeks apart. I felt my cheeks blush, thinking about kissing Teddy.
I found him sitting in the car glued to his cell phone. I tapped on the window, and he held up one finger.
Even though it was the one day out of eight weeks that he could see his children, he was, of course, on a business call. Not to mention it was Sunday. I shrugged, making a face at him that I was sure showed my disappointment, and walked off.
“Lori, Lori, wait up.”
I stopped and turned around, my hands on my hips.
“Sorry about that. It’s so frustrating. I have no reception here. I don’t know how you handle it.”
I wanted to say I like that we can’t easily speak, but instead I said, “I find it liberating.”
He slipped his phone into one of the many pockets of his cargo shorts, gave me a perfunctory kiss on the cheek, and said, “You’re looking well.”
I could tell by the purple circles under his eyes how many billable hours he must have been logging. Usually when we were apart, it was because Ronnie was on a business trip. This was the first time that we’d been separated because I was away. We stood awkwardly staring at each other.
Ronnie looked over my shoulder, breaking our silence. “Where are Zelda and Hazel?”
