“Yes, no, I forgot, but I am hungry,” she admitted, smiling. She looked at Ted a moment, and her smile turned into a leer. She raised an eyebrow and wiggled her finger.
“No, I’m not kissing you. You’re going to make us late,” he said firmly. “You still need to take a shower. May I recommend a cold one?”
“How hospitable of you,” Mia said, disappointed.
“You only have yourself to blame. If you weren’t out here throwing rocks at angels, then we would have more time not showering.”
“You’re probably right,” Mia said and took his hand. The two walked back to the house.
~
Mike nodded in the direction of the bar’s entrance. Mia and Ted walked in. Mia was dressed in, what Mike knew, was probably one of two dresses that Ted hadn’t burned. He also knew it was a gift from Angelo. He would have to speak to her about the faux pas of wearing a gift from another man in front of your husband. He suspected that Ted was oblivious to this. To Ted, Mia was dressed and probably on time. Burt stood up as Mia and Ted approached. Mike got to his feet until Mia sat down.
“I thought we’d have a drink. It’s going to be a few minutes before our table is ready,” Burt explained.
Ted looked at Mia and asked, “What would you like?”
“Surprise me,” Mia challenged.
Ted smiled mischievously and leaned over to the waitress and whispered their order. She giggled and walked quickly to the bar.
“Am I going to regret this?” Mia asked.
“Oh, most certainly,” Ted said.
Mike looked at the two of them. If it wasn’t for the sex vibe that was rolling off Mia in waves, he would suspect the two of them were in an adolescent mood.
The waitress came back with a draft beer and a tall drink with several umbrellas decorating the mysterious icy brew.
Mia giggled and stood up so she could take a sip. “Okay, it’s very fruity and, OMG, lots of rum, more rum and, yes, still more rum. I’m not driving home.” She sat down hard.
Burt shook his head. “Ted, you’re going to have to hold her hair back if she drinks any more of that,” he warned.
“Don’t worry, one’s enough,” Ted said. “Okay, now that we’ve been primed with alcohol, you can tell us why the two of you asked us here. Not that we mind double dating with you two but…”
“Ted, you probably don’t remember this, but five years ago, we asked you to join PEEPs,” Burt began.
“Really, has it been that long?” Ted asked.
Mia watched the men with interest. She could feel the comradery between the three. Sure, there had been times when Ted and Mike were volatile, and a lot of that was because of her. But tonight, the three PEEPs men were enjoying the company and the stories each were telling.
Mia had managed, finally, to persuade Ted that there was enough time to make love before getting ready for the dinner. Mia was still feeling waves of emotion and needed to be made love to again by her husband. The rum hadn’t calmed her down; it had made it worse.
“Mia, I hope you don’t feel excluded,” Burt said, putting his hand briefly on hers.
“No not at all. It’s nice to hear these new versions of the old stories.”
“The main reason for this dinner is to celebrate Ted’s five years. The second reason is to offer Ted a full and equal partnership.”
Mia looked at Ted. She could tell that he was touched by the offer, and no doubt, that immense brain of his was calculating his share of the PEEPs coffers against the risk that came with a partnership if he agreed.
“We don’t need your answer tonight,” Mike said. “We’ve made enough to pay off my mother, and I’ve never been comfortable with having the lion’s share, so Burt, you, and I will share the burden of PEEPs equally. Talk it over with the missus, and let us know soon. We’d like to have the paperwork drawn up before the end of the month.”
“Sure. I’m flattered, and I’ll let you know tomorrow before the PEEPs meeting,” Ted said.
“Good, then let’s have a steak and enjoy the evening. Mia, can I order you a proper drink?” Mike offered.
“Yes, please,” Mia said on her best behavior.
A hand fell on her lap, and she pondered for a moment whose it was. She enclosed her hand around the familiar hand of Ted and smiled.
The hostess came over and told them their table was ready. Mia almost said that she was hungry but was tired of everyone telling her that she was always hungry. She simply stood up and put a hand on the table for support as a wave of dizziness hit her.
Mike, anticipating the effect of the rum drink, took her arm in his and escorted her through the bar to the table while Ted glared at the two of them.
Burt smiled. At last, things were back to normal.
~
Cid had just checked on Brian when he heard Ted and Mia drive up. He and Murphy were at odds as to why Mia had been gone so long that afternoon. Murphy said, when he had left Mia, she was in a good mood.
Cid found himself thinking about Ted. He knew that Ted had been carrying a heavy load of guilt. He hoped that the couple’s rather loud but hurried lovemaking was a sign that they had worked out the last of their problems.
Ted was Cid’s best friend, but in the short time he had known Mia, he had come to love her as a sister. He became as protective of her as Murphy was. Mia had accepted Cid as he was. She was the first, aside from Ted, to recognize his worth. If she and Ted broke up, he would definitely have a problem on his hands.
Maggie barked and did the Ted’s-home dance of joy in the foyer.
“Shush, girl, you’ll wake Brian,” Cid
