Page 94 of Ask Me Something

Chapter Nineteen

We spent the afternoon snorkeling and swimming and then took a long luxurious bath together before arriving for our dinner reservations. Brian hadn’t once tried to back out of the plans for the evening or the singing. Could’ve been male competitive pride, but more likely he’d figured out how he was going to embarrass me via the microphone. I could only guess what crazy song he was planning to pick.

At dinner that evening, they seated all four of us, Tami, Lester, Brian, and me, at a corner table of the restaurant.

“We’re celebrating our fifteen-year anniversary. The three kids are with the grandparents,” Tami revealed when a champagne bottle arrived.

“Congratulations,” Brian said, toasting them.

I instantly felt terrible. “Are you certain you want us joining you this evening? We don’t want to impose.” To make fifteen years was something not many couples did anymore. Suddenly I worried, both about intruding and the faking it thing. The game was quickly losing its appeal.

Tami smiled. “We’ve had only each other all week long. This is exciting for a change, especially on our last night. You guys are so much fun.”

And there it was. Even amongst my closest friends, I’d never be considered a lot of fun or the type ever to let loose. But Mary Beth had possibilities. The idea was thrilling. I let my hand wander to Brian’s thigh, happy that the tablecloth and darkness would help conceal what I was about to do.

“What are you doing, muffin?” he whispered.

I smiled at that absurd term of endearment. “What does it feel like, lamb chop?” I got the satisfaction of his intake of breath when I rubbed him through his slacks.

“I thought you weren’t into public displays,” he ground out, tensing when my fingers unbuttoned his top button.

“Oh, I’m not, but Mary Beth is. She’s quite assertive when it comes to her man.”

“Remember turnabout is fair play.”

I shivered in anticipation of what that might mean for later tonight. Then I looked up to see Tami studying us across the table. I removed my hand, too embarrassed to continue with an audience. Damn, Sasha was back and overriding Mary Beth’s minute of brazen confidence.

“Sorry to stare, but you two have this amazing chemistry. I guess since we’ve been together fifteen years, Lester and I seem dull to y’all,” Tami sighed.

I wasn’t sure how Lester would’ve felt being called dull on his anniversary, but luckily he’d made his way to the men’s room.

“All you need is one night to rekindle the magic. You have to keep it fresh, Tami. Buy some toys if you have to,” Brian commented.

I swatted him, horrified that he would suggest something that private. “We just met them. Stop.” He merely laughed it off. Yeah, I definitely wasn’t letting loose like Mary Beth would.

“I’m sorry if I offended you. But I could have a little talk with Lester,” Brian hinted.

Tami’s eyes got wide. I was about to swat him again when she practically lit up like a Christmas tree. “Oh, my goodness, that would be wonderful. I love my husband, but we’ve got to spice things up. And you two—Man alive, you both are so hot for one another.” She blushed and then looked at Brian. “Was it love at first sight with her, and you never stopped loving her all those years you were apart?”

I sipped my champagne, not knowing what he would to say to that.

He contemplated the question and then smiled. “I reckon I have a hard time remembering when I didn’t love her.”

* * *

Arriving at the bar,I could see them setting up for karaoke and decided it was time to give him an out. His earlier words had put me off my game and suddenly I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear another fake love declaration. It made things weird. Plus Brian was much too relaxed not to have something up his sleeve—and with a microphone. Lord help us.

“We could say you strained a vocal cord or that singing is a painful reminder of a career gone wrong,” I offered.

He only smirked. “Afraid I’ll embarrass you in front of the entire bar, Mary Beth?”

I rubbed my hands on his chest. “Keep in mind we’re here for five more days. If you choose to humiliate me, I may not want to face anyone here the remainder of the time.”

He kissed me playfully. “There’s always the thought of holing up in our room.”

Now I knew he was definitely up to something. “I’d allow you to bow out gracefully.”

“Not a chance, snuggle bunny. I’m in it to win it.”

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