“Mandy,” he whispered as he placed a few more kisses while she leaned her head to give him better access to her sensitive skin, wanting more. She wondered if it was just another dream—a vivid dream. One she never wanted to wake from.
Lowering her to the ground slowly, he trailed kisses across her neck. His hands skimmed her breasts. Instantly, she regretted wearing the comfortable, thick sweatshirt and wished she was naked. Wished they both were naked.
A vibration between their bodies made her jerk away. What was that? His arms left her body as he swore to himself, taking his phone from his pocket. Amanda knew it was the reason behind the vibration. The swearing must be because of his instant regret about what had happened between them.
Running his hand through his hair, he answered the phone. “Math?”
She turned and watched him listen to her brother. He wasn’t looking at her, and when he did, he turned away so that she couldn’t hear what they were talking about.
Whatever just happened, he regretted it already. Sadly, he was not as affected by it as she had been, but then again, he didn’t have pregnancy hormones coursing through his body. Nor did he have a sexy woman in his arms. He must have realized it was just Amanda.
Loudly she told him, “I’m going to book club. Just let yourself out.” Slipping on her shoes, she headed out the door, down the stairs, across the street, and up Ruth’s stairs. Yes, she was out of breath when she got to Ruth’s door. Once again, she decided to start exercising. A short run shouldn’t take that much out of her. Or maybe she was still out of breath from Hue touching her? Either way, she should start exercising.
She kicked her shoes off as she knocked on the door and went inside, calming herself as best she could. Ruth knew she was coming but still looked surprised she was there. It was book club. It didn’t matter that she was half an hour early.
Ruth and Anderson were in the kitchen making snacks for the afternoon. Well, actually, Anderson was making snacks. Ruth was organizing the alcohol selection from a barstool, but mostly she watched him cook. Both looked her way as she walked into the apartment.
“Hi, guys.” Ignoring their confused looks, she took off her coat, glad she wasn’t outside very long since she could barely zip it anymore. And sadly, winter was only just beginning.
“Hi, Mandy, you’re early.” Ruth tapped the stool beside her.
“Yes, I didn’t want to start watching the football game, so I came over. Hope you don’t mind.” She shouldn’t have come over this early. She didn’t want to make small talk with these two. But Hue had been in her apartment, and where else would she have gone? Add to that she in no way wanted to talk to Hue right now.
Ruth shook her head. “No, you can come over whenever you want to. You can watch Anderson cook with me.”
“I never get to watch Anderson cook.” She looked at the man as she sat down.
“Now I’m going to get nervous and mess up.” Anderson smiled at the two women, though he didn’t really look at Amanda. He only had eyes for his girlfriend.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Ruth asked, pointing at the alcohol bottles already on the counter. Book club meant drinking, and the assortment of bottles showed just how much.
“Sorry, I’m on call again. But if you can make it look like I’m drinking, I won’t get all the questions from everyone. I mean, if they know half of us aren’t drinking, they might get self-conscious about it.” It had been months of excuses about not drinking, too many months now.
Ruth nodded in agreement. “I guess. Just Coke then?”
“Yes, thanks. What are you doing tonight, Anderson?” Amanda turned her attention to Ruth’s boyfriend, taking the conversation away from alcohol.
“Since our man numbers are getting up there, we’re trying a poker night on book club night. I’ve invited Rafferty as an extra.” Anderson worked with Rafferty Brooks at the insurance office. Rafferty was
another one of her sister Kit’s former classmates. He was also in Ruth’s, but everyone in town knew the two of them did not get along. Even if they both got along with Anderson.
“Sounds interesting. Is Ruston playing?” she asked in interest. Ruston had just married Hazel and was the preacher at Amanda’s church, which meant he might not be one for gambling and card games.
“It’s at his house,” Anderson said with a wink.
“Do you have to make food for that, too?” Amanda asked as Ruth handed her the glass of pop.
“Yup, these are to-go, and those are for here.” He pointed at the separate groups of snacks.
“We’re lucky to have you, Anderson. Ruth would serve us burnt toast.” Amanda looked at her friend.
“I would not,” Ruth argued with a smile. “I would simply not make anything.”
All three laughed at her answer. Ruth had spent most of her adult life avoiding cooking and had been successful in her endeavor.
“What is so funny?” Rafferty Brooks came into the house without knocking. He left his coat on but came over to the kitchen.
“Ruth’s cooking skills,” Anderson said as he closed the lids on containers with his to-go food.