We’d crept out of Amelia’s apartment like thieves. My legs had trembled so badly that we’d agreed I shouldn’t drive. Instead, we’d left my van on the street and he’d driven me home himself. The entire way, he’d never let go of my hand.

“I should go up,” I said softly. “In case she’s watching… she might have waited up…” I blushed pointlessly in the darkness. “Gran still keeps pretty close tabs…”

“So would I,” he said, lifting my hand up to kiss it. He turned it over, pressing his mouth to my palm and I felt my head go deliciously swimmy again. “We got our evening together after all… the first of many.” He kissed my lips and I could feel the pulse in his swollen lower lip. “We’ve just started something that will need finishing… Again.”

I wanted to stay with him, more than anything I’d ever wanted in my whole life, but I slipped out, keys in hand. He waited until I’d closed the door before he pulled away. And I watched him go, feeling the denim of my jeans rubbing against my oversensitive flesh. I climbed up the stairs in the darkness and smiled to myself, remembering he had my lacey pink panties tucked safely in his pocket. For later…

Sunday

“You’re sure you’re up for this, Amelia? If you want to reschedule, we can do it… If the bride doesn’t mind, that is.” I wondered briefly what I was offering. It was nine in the morning, the day of the bridal shower… But I could hear her shaking her head over the phone even as I spoke.

“Not a chance,” she said, matching her confidence with her words. “Thanks to you and Chris last night, I’ve got this now. It was just the shock of it yesterday, that’s all. I’m usually so much stronger than that.” I smiled, listening to her. She did sound better.

“Cliff and I had just talked about actually moving back in together a couple of days ago… and then this. It caught me off guard, that’s all. But I’m done with him and his secrets… done for good this time. And what better way to celebrate than a party full of decadent treats and a hunky male stripper.” She laughed and I couldn’t help joining in. Amelia was as naturally charming as her brother…

“Okay then,” I said, cheerfully. I’d awakened feeling excited and energetic, ready to take on the world myself. I thought back to the reason why… and felt my cheeks burn. “So, we’ll see you at three and get set up. Plenty of time before the guests arrive…” I was busy thinking out loud. “I’ll have to get a ride over to pick up the van.” I blushed again, helplessly. “Chase drove me home last night after you went to bed… The van didn’t seem to want to start…”

She didn’t seem to notice I was making excuses and I breathed a little easier, relieved.

“Promise me something, okay?” she asked, sounding odd. My heart started to speed up.

“What…? What is it…?”

“Just don’t come before two, okay? Promise me?”

“...Of course, Amelia,” I answered, swallowing my curiosity. “I promise…”

Reese stood, tapping her nails against a plastic container of Swedish meatballs. “No van. It’s after one and we need to start packing this stuff up. Soon. And no van…?”

“Relax,” I told her, wishing I could take my own good advice. “She made me promise, and I trust her… Tam’ll just drive me over and I’ll have the van back before two thirty… We’ll be fine.”

Reese made a grumbling sound under her breath but continued to work, packing flatware and linen cloths into a wheeled crate. “So… how was last night? You know I’ll never make it through the day without a report.” Her eyes were bright, curious. She tucked a stray hair away from my face. “Where did he take you,” she asked softly, “and more importantly… did he get you there…?”

I blushed furiously in answer.

“Well, that’s a yes,” she said smiling for the first time this morning. “So why the hell didn’t you stay the night? I had it covered with your grandma. And you’re welcome… again.”

“And I appreciate it,” I replied, brushing a spot of lint off one of her long black sleeves. We were both in black slacks and button-down shirts. Very professional, even by Gran’s strict standards. “There was a last minute change of plans, is all. We ended up having dinner with Amelia, at her place. She was exhausted… and went to bed early…”

“And you two did it with her in the other room?” her voice was whisper-soft but intense, her eyes wide. “I haven’t given you enough credit…”

I tucked my chin over her shoulder, close to her ear, smiling in spite of myself. “I didn’t… We didn’t… at least not yet. And don’t go saying anything to Tam. I still need to keep up some kind of professional appearance.” I paused a second. “But just between us, it was amazing. He was amazing. He is amazing…” I sighed and she looked at me, seeing more than I was even telling. “I’ve never felt like this in my whole life, Reese. It’s not just the way he… well, you know…

It’s that he’s so kind… to his sister, to me. He’s not like other men. He’s different and exciting and…, he touches me. And not just that way… He touches me here,” I put my hand on my chest. “There’s just something so special about him.”

“I’m happy for you, Em,” she said, giving my hand a squeeze. “I was married six years and I never got touched. Not like that.”

She grinned and let me go, as a car horn beeped outside. A second later, it sounded again, and we headed together for the window.

Waiting outside on the street was a shiny new silver van, with a huge pink bow on the hood.