Page 28 of Fall of the Trident
“Hell yes.I know, at least I think, I’d be your first since your wife passed.It took me years before I could sleep with a man again after losing John, so I understand.”She searched his eyes for a reaction.Did she see anticipation there?
“No, you don’t understand.I’ve been going slow, believing it’s what you wanted.”His eyes twinkled.“I wasn’t ready to take you up on your offer that first night because we were both a little drunk.Had you asked me the next night, or any night since then…or day…we would have been naked and in a bed before you had a chance to change your mind.”
Emboldened, she asked, “Would you like to come over for supper Friday night and stay for breakfast?”
“I would love to, but I have a plane to catch.”His regret was palpable.
“Yes, you do.I need to go make those arrangements.”She slowly let out her breath.
“When I get back, we’ll have supper…and breakfast.”He lightly brushed his lips over hers as though to seal the promise.
Two hours into Genevieve’s birthday party, she hugged Marta.“I can’t thank you enough for coming over and helping me.I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Sure you could have.It just wouldn’t have been this fucking fantastic.”Marta was extremely pleased that she was able to re-create Chef Jorge’s magnificent stuffed mushrooms and cold smoked salmon salad.
“I’m sorry Trevor couldn’t have been here.”Gen refilled chip baskets as Marta topped off bowls of dip.“I saw you talking with Val, and she seemed particularly pleased.”
“I gave her the inside scoop on her ex.”Marta raised her eyebrows.“Did she tell you that Chet was flying her and the children to meet his parents next weekend in Montana?”
“Oh.My.God.No.I’ll have to have a talk with her.How dare she tell you a secret before me?”Both women laughed.
“Don’t come down on her too hard.I think it was a last-minute decision they made today.”Marta continued, “Val is busting with happiness.I guess this offer to meet the parents surprised her.She said things were moving very fast with him, but it all felt right.”
Genevieve gave her a small smile.“When it’s right, you just know it.”She cocked her head to the side.“Does it feel right for you?With Trevor?”
Marta nodded.“Yes.Very much so.For me, being with him is very comfortable.And fun.I don’t think I’ve laughed this much in years.”She reconsidered.“Hanging with the Cougar Club excluded.”
Nodding Genevieve agreed, “We just have way too much fun together.I’m so excited about our annual Napa Valley trip.It’s only three weeks away and I’m already mentally packing.I can’t wait for?—"
“The hot air balloon ride.”They said in unison.
Both women squealed like little girls.
Val and several other members of the Cougar Club joined them.“I heard hot air balloon ride,” Kate, the loudest and most boisterous of them, repeated.“We’re all excited.”She looked around the kitchen.“What else needs to be done?”
“Nothing,” Genevieve declared.
“Good, then you need to quit hiding in the kitchen and mingle.”Kate all but pushed Genevieve out of the kitchen area.Val handed their host a glass of wine, and Marta grabbed one for herself.Clair, the best cook of the bunch, strolled forward with a birthday cake with so many burning candles, Marta was surprised it hadn’t set off the smoke alarms.
The ladies started singing happy birthday to their friend and deep voices joined in.Evan moved to Genevieve’s side and put his arm around her.He dropped a kiss on her temple and whispered something in her ear only she heard.
Gen’s blush spoke volumes.She turned to her new husband, which was really her old husband, and threw her arms around him and kissed him.
When she turned to face the crowd, she announced, “We’re going to Puerto Vallarta for Christmas to a fancy resort.”
“That means all of you are going to have to manage without me for a week.”Evan, who still had his arms around his wife’s middle, kissed the crown of her head.“Clair, what kind of cake did you bake for us this time?”
The shy woman looked up at the commanding man.“I baked four different kinds.”She glanced around at all the men in the room.“This one is rum cake because I know that’s Genevieve’s favorite.Cougars, if you’ll pull the other three out of the refrigerator, please.I made an amaretto chocolate cake with mousse and berries on top, the white one is Italian Wedding cake, and the big one with the cream cheese frosting is red velvet.”
Moans harmonized from men and women.
Genevieve nodded and the Cougars started cutting cake.Marta sliced into the amaretto and began plating.
“Looks like my timing is perfect.”
Marta’s heart leapt.She knew that voice.She didn’t bother to hold back her smile as she scanned the crowd.He walked straight to her, cupped his big hands around her face, and kissed her in front of his officers and her friends.
The world around her fell away as he took the kiss deeper and deeper.
