Page 40 of Lipstick Kiss

“He got close,” Freya said.

“Did he kiss you?” Erica asked, all swoony.

“No, well, no more than the usual head kiss, but it seemed this one was in slow motion, and we were chest to chest with his arm wrapped tight around me.”

Heidi put her hand on Freya’s knee. She felt grounded, and her heart was slowing.

“You’ve been in love with him for forever. Why are you freaked?”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve mooned over Luke Turner,” Freya said.

“Granted, it might be a few years, but you two are thick as thieves,” Heidi said.

“I know, but he has never held me like that before. It felt intimate.”

“And he didn’t kiss you?” Erica pushed.

“No. Luke wants to meet for dinner tomorrow to go through some papers for our latest puzzle. Some family thing. Did you know he can throw clay and make pottery?” Freya asked Heidi.

“No, is he good?” Heidi asked.

Freya chuckled at her question and then reddened as she associated it with sex.

“Was it like a scene from Ghost?” Erica asked, gushing with hearts in her eyes.

“Oh man, you’ve been in movies too long. But yes, it was kinda intimate too. Fingers sliding together. Luke was as close as you would be on a motorcycle behind me. I was mesmerised by his skill.”

Erica shifted on her seat and said, “Maybe I should get Archer to pottery class.”

Freya harrumphed. “Can we focus, ladies?”

“It sounds like he might be into you when you’ve stopped being into him. Timing sucks. Just tell him you don’t like him being this touchy-feely,” Heidi said.

“Well, I didn’t say that,” Freya hedged.

“I knew it. You’re hot for him. Just think, if you two get married, we’ll be neighbours. We’ll all be neighbours raising our families. Our kids will be cousins and grow up together. The cottages will be filled with laughter,” Erica said.

Her wistful musings had her staring off into the distance.

“Slow the hell down, hormone lady,” Freya said. “He may not be into me.”

Erica and Heidi shared a look.

Heidi broke the staring contest and brought her eyes to Freya. “I bet that ring on your finger stays there when you say your vows to Luke Turner. You heard it here first.”

Erica nodded, tears dripping down her cheeks, and swung her back to the bed with stirrups.

“How long do these hormones last?” Freya said to Erica.

“Until menopause, apparently, then they turn to rage hormones. Embrace the happy tears while you can.”

They all laughed at Erica’s over-the-top emotion.

Chapter Thirteen

Luke

“Did Jason cook this?” Freya said, pointing her fork to the thermos bowl.

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