Page 32 of Best Laid Plans
“Would you like to grab dinner sometime?”
Although I didn’t exactly feel the world turn on its axis when Carrie introduced us, there’s a part of me that realizes this is what needs to happen. My goal is to date. To put myself out there. Going to dinner with Lori would be exactly that. It might also help me move on from Brooke. I have to admit it’s an ego boost that she is asking me out and sexy that she has the confidence to do it.
“Yeah. I’d like that.”
19
Brooke
Ever since I got my own place and moved out of Ellie and Josh’s house, I’ve become accustomed to knocking when I come over. I used to live here and I still have a key, but figure after all the years of me living here, they deserve their privacy now. But, when my hands are full of grocery bags to cook dinner and no one is answering the door, I figure my key use is warranted.
“Ellie?” I slip off my sandals by the door and proceed down the hallway toward the kitchen. When I get to the doorway, I find Ellie and Josh there. Their casual ‘hey’ seems forced. I think Josh just zipped up his pants, and I’m pretty sure Ellie’s shirt is on inside out. They were totally just having sex in the kitchen. Possibly on the table where we’re going to eat dinner, no less.
I scrunch up my nose. I think I can actually smell sex in here. Gross.
I’m getting a killer bicep workout with these grocery bags, so when Josh moves to take them from me, I gladly accept.
“You guys remember I was coming over to cook dinner, right?” I look between them.
“Yeah, of course.” Ellie pulls her loose hair back into a ponytail.
After setting the groceries on the counter, Josh moves back to kiss Ellie’s temple.
“I’m going to go change out of my work clothes.”
She smiles up at him lovingly, “Would you wipe off the patio table after? I think it’d be nice to eat outside.”
Yeah, so we don’t have to think about what just happened on the kitchen table.
“Of course.” He drops another kiss, this time on her lips.
When he’s gone, Ellie turns to me.
“Josh just got home.”
“Does he always greet you with his dick?” I waggle my eyebrows.
She blushes, “Was it obvious?”
“Uh, yeah, I think I was only a few seconds shy of missing the big finish.”
We both laugh as she moves to start unpacking the groceries. She’s positively giddy, which should be the norm after having sex with your husband, but I know all the rounds of IVF and failed attempts to get pregnant have put a strain on their sex life. She hasn’t shared specifics, but I know it’s been challenging to find the intimacy in something that has become so clinical. I’m glad to see them in a good place.
“What’d you do today? Besides have a quickie with your husband on the kitchen table.”
I’m happy for Ellie and Josh, that someone is getting some action, because right now, my vibrator is working overtime. I started the oral hormone medication a few days ago and I’m starting to feel the effects. I’m achy and tired, yet my sex drive is off the charts. If this is a preview of what pregnancy might be like, I’m a little nervous I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.
Ellie smiles and hands me a glass casserole dish from the cabinet. “I watched the girls next door for a few hours this morning, then cleaned the house. How was work?” She volleys back to me.
“Good. I just finished staging the model for the Highlands Place Apartments on 38th. It turned out amazing.”
Ellie uses the can opener to remove the lids of the canned goods, then slides them on the counter to me when she’s done.
Chicken taco casserole is my favorite dish that my mom used to make. Besides my taco salad specialty, it’s the only thing that I can make because it involves dumping canned ingredients, cream of chicken soup, Rotel, and condensed milk, into a dish. I buy the precooked chicken because I have no idea how to cook chicken, and no one needs to get E. coli poisoning, then its sprinkle cheese and crushed up nacho cheese Doritos on top.
My mom grew up in the Midwest where her mother made a lot of casseroles. Hot dish is what they called them. Throw everything in, heat it up and voila, hot dish.
I haven’t really shared my new raging hormone status with Ellie. The point of me being her surrogate is to alleviate stress, so I’m not going to burden her with all the details.
