Page 43 of Sticking Out

Marta’s smile widens and she gets a devilish look in her eyes. “Mmm, mmm. Good for you, girlfriend.”

We all laugh at that, and Conner asks, “On that note, where’s the lounge?”

I give him a nudge. “This way.”

As Marta watches us walk away, her eyes no doubt peeled to Conner’s perfect backside, he shakes his head at me. “You could have warned me.”

“I thought I did.” He laughs. “She’s something, huh?”

“Yeah, I like her.”

“Well, she did say you could drop her your number.”

“I still might,” he teases and lifts his chin an inch.

“Yeah, well good luck with that.”

He throws his arm around me again and pulls me against his body and I really love when he does that. Buster walks gently, even though he’s excited to get into the lounge to see all his beloved elderly friends.

We reach the door, and step in, and when Mrs. Fraser sees Buster and holds open her arms, we walk over. “Buster, my buddy. I’ve been waiting for you all day.” Buster, being the best boy, lays his head on her lap, and she pets him. “Is he allowed a treat?” she asks.

“Of course.”

I glance at Conner, who’s smiling as he watches the encounter, and it really does make me feel like I’m doing important work. He can do important work too, if he’s open to the idea. I’m just not sure how or when to broach the subject. Maybe I will tonight. I have the brochures at home, and we’ll be there because the furniture is going to be delivered.

“Stop hogging Buster,” a male voice calls out from the other side of the room and I look over to find Mr. Johnson sitting there snarling. He’s always grumpy and while not even Buster can put a smile on his face, I know Mr. Johnson loves the visits.

“Want to go see Mr. Johnson?” I ask Buster, and he starts toward the elderly man with his arms open, a treat in his hand.

As we approach, out in the hall, a woman chuckles. It carries through the room and when I turn back, not feeling Conner behind me, I see him standing perfectly still, his face paling as he angles his ear toward the door. What the hell is going on? Does he know the woman who is laughing? If so, why does he look like he just saw a ghost?

16

Conner

“Did you have to buy the biggest, heaviest sofa in the store?” I ask as I lift the end to put it in position.

“It’s not that bad.”

“Says the girl who’s not lifting it.”

“Here let me help.”

I shoo her away. “No, you could be pregnant, and I’m not going to risk you straining yourself and hurting the baby.”

She rolls her eyes. “You’re going to have me on bedrest for nine months, aren’t you?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

She puts her hands on her curvy hips, looking so damn adorable I want to rip her clothes off and christen this sofa. We did, after all, talk about all the fun places to have sex, and I think new furniture might be the best.

“I have a job, you know. I can’t just lay in bed for nine months. I’d go insane.”

“You can if I tie you there, and you won’t go insane because I’d entertain you.” A little gasp catches in her throat and her cheeks flush. “Oh, you like the idea of that, do you?” I put the sofa down, pull her to me and kiss her lush mouth.

“I never said that.”

“Not in words, no.” I break the kiss and she crinkles her nose. “What, you didn’t like the kiss?”

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