Aunt Irene said, “We’re having a nice time. Enjoy your dinner, and I’ll keep Yummy for a while. He’s good company.”
I smiled and agreed. On the way home I thought Aunt Irene should get a pet, too.
I’ll take her to the shelter this week to find a sweet pet. She must get lonely, too.
#######
Clark arrived shortly after I returned from Aunt Irene’s. He carried a brown bag, but wouldn’t let me see what was inside. He pulled a small white bag out of the brown one and placed it in the fridge. He set the brown bag on the counter.
“No peeking,” he grinned and put his arms around my waist. “I’m glad they didn’t keep you at the station. I’m starved.” He kissed the top of my head and smiled again.
I pulled out of his arms and replied, “Good, you set the table while I run upstairs and change.” I took off before he could argue. I returned a few minutes later dressed in light pink sweatpants and a matching top.
“There’s the Annie I know,” Clark said. “That’s much better than the dark blue business suit.”
“Don’t worry,” I said. “I only wear that suit when I inherit tons of money and get arrested.”
Clark’s laughter filled the house and for the first time all day, I truly relaxed.
After dinner, we sat in the living room. Clark said he enjoyed dinner, but from the way he ate I knew that before he said anything.
He sat next to me and turned me so my back was to him and began to massage my shoulders. I had no idea how tense I was or how relaxed a simple massage could make me feel.
When Clark stopped massaging my shoulders, he kissed my neck sending shivers—good ones—down my spine and said, “Time for dessert.”
My mind raced trying to think of what to say when I turned and looked at him. He smiled and said, “What’s wrong? You look like a deer caught in my headlights.” He laughed as he stood and walked to the kitchen.
“Don’t come in here,” Clark called from the kitchen. I could hear plates and glasses clinking. He returned with a plate of mini chocolate éclairs, a bottle of amber liquid and two liqueur glasses. He set the plates and glasses on the coffee table.
“Betsy at the Bake Shop told me these are your favorite dessert and this is my favorite dessert liqueur.” He poured the golden liquid into a small glass and handed it to me.
I bit into my favorite éclairs and took a sip of the liqueur. It slipped down my throat like honey. I expected it to burn, but it was smooth as silk. I took a longer sip and another bite of éclair.
“This is delicious. It’s exactly what I needed after my harrowing day. I expected to have a bologna sandwich for dinner tonight.” I giggled. “I don’t like bologna.”
Clark laughed and refilled my glass.
#######
I opened my eyes, and the sun was shining in my bedroom window.
Annie, never mix éclairs and liqueur again. I don’t remember coming upstairs and why is Yummy still asleep? He usually wakes me before this. Oh, he must still be with Aunt Irene. If he is, who or what do I hear breathing?
I felt the bed move and an arm dropped across my waist. I screamed and sat upright.
Clark yelled and jumped off the bed. “Annie, what’s wrong?”
“Umm look around. You, me, us, my bedroom.” I dropped my head into my hands.
Clark nodded and smiled. “You don’t remember.”
“Remember what?” I asked not sure I wanted to hear the answer.
“You were a bit tipsy last night and needed help getting up the stairs,” Clark began. “I helped you settle under your quilt and you grabbed my hand and asked me not to leave. You were afraid the police were coming back.”
“Uh huh,” I mumbled.
“You wouldn’t let go of my hand. I slipped off my shoes, pulled out my belt so I could lie down, and climbed over you to get to the other side of the bed while you gripped my hand.” He was smiling again.
“Okay,” I whispered. I think I’m going to have a headache. I’m embarrassed. I don’t remember.
“Annie,” Clark said softly. “Look at us. You’re still wearing your sweats and are under the quilt. I’m still dressed and slept on top of the quilt.”
I looked around, and he was right. Now, I’m more embarrassed. I looked at him and tried to talk. “Umm, we’re adults. I mean I’m not a child. When umm if … I just don’t want to be drunk and not remember. I need coffee, and I have to get Yummy from Aunt Irene’s” I hopped off the bed and headed for the bathroom.
I could hear Clark chuckle as I closed the door.
Chapter Thirteen
When I walked into the kitchen, Clark was wearing his shoes and belt. A pot of coffee was about ready, and the toaster popped up revealing four nicely toasted frozen waffles.
“Sorry for the simple breakfast, but it was all I could find. You need to shop. We could shop together at the mega-market after our dinner.” He pulled the waffles out and placed them on a warm plate.
“The market is over twenty minutes from here. Won’t you be tired after dinner not to mention it’ll be a bit late for shopping?” I said as I spread soft butter across a waffle.
“Nope, they’re open twenty-four hours and we’ll already be out.” He smiled a knowing smile. He’s up to something.
“We will?” I wondered out loud.
“I usually buy a lady dinner before we sleep together, but this time I have to do it in reverse. We’ll find a nice spot for dinner out of town where we’ll be away from prying eyes.” He sat down and stared at me.
“We did not sleep together,” I stammered.
His eyebrows raised. He smiled and winked.
“Okay, we slept together but we didn’t “sleep” together.” I gulped half my orange juice at one time.
