With a deep sigh, I opened the text from my mother first. Better to get it over with.
Mom: We loved meeting Chase last night. Where did you two disappear to? I was hoping you could join us for a late birthday lunch today before we leave town.
The belated gesture soothed some of the disappointment from my forgotten birthday, but it was already eleven. Lunch was not in the cards, and I didn’t want to face uncomfortable questions about Chase, since I had no inclination to invite him to join us. I could stretch the facts of my migraine a little. After all, Chase had already made me a liar by claiming our relationship was more established than it was.
Tamra: Sorry, Mom. I have a migraine. It started last night, which is why we left early. Safe travels and talk soon? xo T.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long for her response.
Mom: Of course, dear. Feel better soon. It was so nice to meet your young man! Maybe we’ll be in town for another wedding again soon? ;)
I groaned. Of course. No response seemed safest. Ignore, ignore, ignore. If I waited long enough, she’d forget.
The text from Vanessa was similar, but more knowing.
Vanessa: I hear you and Chase were enjoying the ambiance of the kitchen last night. Call me later if you need to talk. Sorry Jennifer was on such a tear ...
Tamra: Thanks, sis. I have no idea what her deal is.
Thankfully, Jennifer hadn’t texted. I’d had more than enough of her in person, thank you very much. The group texts from Gina and Vicki made me smile. Friends were the best. They cheered you up even when they didn’t know how badly you needed it.
Gina: How was the wedding with 007? Did he use his license to thrill?
Vicki: Groan. I apologize for my wife. However, I also want to know. How was it? Huh? Huh? Huh? Us old married ladies have to live vicariously through you.
Gina: Hey! Speak for yourself. I think we’re still thrilling.
Tamra: It had its ups and downs. Too much for text. Would you two be up for an afternoon coffee? I need all the advice ...
My headache was fading and commiserating with friends sounded like just what I needed to fully recover.
Vicki: Sure. Call us your fairy godmothers. Here to make sure your prince isn’t a toad.
Gina: Groan. Now it’s my turn to apologize for my wife ... LOL. Meet you at the usual place at 2?
I confirmed our coffee date, then went about my weekend chores before getting ready to meet Gina and Vicki. At the last possible moment I read the text from Chase. After telling him to get lost at the end of the night, I had no idea what he’d say. Had he taken the brush-off seriously, or realize I was upset?
He’d made a mistake, but he had also tried to defend me to my sister when I couldn’t. I’d been a full participant in the kitchen, but some of Chase’s tendencies worried me. A relationship between us wasn’t going to work if he didn’t listen.
Sexy, fun times in the bedroom were likely to be uncomfortable and unfulfilling if he couldn’t pick up verbal and non-verbal cues. Could I trust him to recognize my interests and desires?
I finally opened his text. Puss in Boots from Shrek was one of my favorite animated characters, with his swagger and adorable, pleading eyes. The fact that he’d remembered my soft spot for the movie gave me some reassurance that he was listening ... at least some of the time.
Gina and Vicki had already staked out a table inside and had their drinks, so I placed my order before joining them. My chai was giving me life as I sipped at it and moved to their table. While my headache was receding thanks to the meds, I hadn’t felt like eating, and the spices in the latte helped to settle my stomach.
Gina and Vicki watched me take a seat expectantly, taking in my jeans and T-shirt and lack of makeup with speculation. To draw out the anticipation, I sat and took a slow sip of my drink, placing it carefully back on the table before making eye contact.
Gina couldn’t wait any longer. “So?” she asked. “How was it?” She leaned in toward me, her chin on her hands.
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, not sure where to start. “Eh, it was mostly good. The wedding itself was pretty much what I expected, and it was good to see my parents. I was glad to have Chase along as a buffer with some of the extended relatives. They made me feel salty as always, but having Chase there kept the carnage to a minimum. Things only got interesting toward the end of the night.”
Vicki tipped her head and raised her elegantly shaped gray brows, waiting for me to continue.
“We were slow dancing, and I’m not sure what prompted it, but Chase shared an erotic fantasy, and we ... acted it out.”
I shared the highs and lows of our adventure in the kitchen. Reliving those moments made my skin flare with heat, then cool with embarrassment as I recounted my tale to my friends.
I shared how exciting it had been, making out with Chase in the kitchen. At least until my sister and his failed attempt to rip off my panties killed the mood.
Vicki, ever the professor, summarized the situation beautifully when I finished. “So, you and your sister are on the outs and Chase is potentially incompetent at reading female signals, even when they’re in all-caps. Is that about right?”
I nodded glumly. “In a nutshell.”
Gina shook her head. “It’s nuts all right. I still can’t believe that after the first attempt, he went back again. The man gave you a
