Page 57 of Noble Neighbor
Arf. Arf.He turned around and plodded away, Luciferkeeping pace beside him.
Donning yoga pants, fleecy sweater, and thick socks, Sunny slipped her cellphone into a pocket and made her own plodding way downstairs.
Tabitha perched on the bottom post, watching in silence.Condemning silence. She shot the feline a glare. “Don’t judge, Tabitha.”
She disarmed the alarm and opened the door for the now desperate hound, taking a moment to breathe in the crisp morning air and admire the magnificence of fall’s colorful bounty before turning to the coffee machine.She needed a double shot of java before facing Oliverand reinforcing the “no expectations” rule.
Mug in hand, a blanket draped over her arm, Sunny settled herself on an Adirondack on her front porch. She winced as her butt hit the cold canvas cover of the cushion and shifted side to side, sticking corners of the blanket under her.
Unlocking her phone, she called up the texting app.
Sunny: You up?
It only took a few of moments before he replied.
Oliver: Good morning *sunshine*
Oliver: And yes, I’m … up *eggplant*
She couldn’t help the amused tug of her lips.
Sunny: Had your cornflakes already?
Sipping coffee, she waited for his reply.
Oliver: Nope. But I’ve developed a taste for eggs sunny side up.
She snorted, spewing coffee, and needed to set her mug and phone down to wipe the splatter.
Oliver: Sunny?
Oliver: Don’t overthink last night, sweetheart. It was beautiful, and something I really want to repeat.
It was beautiful. So beautiful it scared her.
Oliver: Please don’t say never again.
Oliver: Sunny. Look up.
“Damn,” she cursed out loud, moving her gaze towardOliver’s house. From her vantage point, she could see his deck. He stood in the open French doors of his office.
The cell rang in her hand. She inhaled, answering on her exhale. “Hey.”
“I know you’re scared, Sunny. But before you shut this, whateverthisis, down, hear me out.”
Heart pounding, she placed a trembling hand against her chest. “I’m listening,” she whispered, staring across the distance at him. It took little to imagine his intense look.
“I loved Christie, dearly, and our marriage was happy, and our sex life was great. Her death devastated me, Sunny. You’re the first woman I’ve been with sinceher. And last night … it blew my mind. I never imagined feeling even a tenth of that same intensity with another woman. I’d like … more.”
Tears burned her sinuses, and she sniffled. “I can’t give you that, Oliver.”
“Can’t give me what, Sunny? Lay it on the table, baby.”
“I cannot take this” — she bit out a mirthless laugh — “whateverfurther. For me … it’s sex only. Great sex, yes. Mind-blowing sex, even, but …”
She swatted at the wet trickling down her face.
After a long sigh, Oliver softly stated, “He must’ve hurt you something terrible.”
