Page 6 of Salace

“It’s not you, Kasey,” she says softly.

Then what is it?

“Do you wanna talk about it?” I press cautiously.

“Not right now,” Aimee replies with a sigh.

“Okay. Well, if you want to, I’ve been told that I’m a pretty good listener. I mean, never take my advice on anything–I suck at that—but I’m awesome when it comes to letting people get things off their chest.”

Aimee smiles. Shefinallysmiles at me, and I’m happy that I was able to catch at least that much out of the corner of my eye.

“Thanks.”

I nod as I decide exactly what she needs to cheer up. Glancing into the side-view mirror, I take a deep breath, then pull a U-turn and race to the other side of town where my favorite ice cream shop happens to be.

We can do the girl thing for the rest of the afternoon until she feels comfortable enough to talk about what’s bugging her.

JULIA

Istare at the leaves and brush that still need to be cleaned up around the yard. I’ve let it go—the yard. I draw in a long breath and exhale a deep sigh. I shouldn’t have to do this. This is paid-labor kind of work that I never had to worry about until Mac left me and made sure that my alimony payments cover the absolute bare minimum. I trudge to the garage and haul out a couple rakes—because apparently one is meant for raking around plants without destroying them, and one is for the lawn. And a pair of gloves, because blisters are disgusting.

The sun, high in the sky, beats down on me as I work. Sweat beads on my forehead, occasionally dripping into my eyes. I take a break and chug the nice cold vodka tonic in the shade to refresh and refuel me. I’m hot, so I strip off my shirt and toss it on the lounge chair as I pass by, wearing only my bikini top underneath. As I rake, sweat trickles between my breasts. A car pulls into the driveway. The sun has shifted, moved lower toward the horizon. I’ve refilled my glass at least three times since starting this project and glancing around the yard, I’m barely even half done.

I take a seat, take a drink, take a break. I catch Aimee from the corner of my eye through the patio doors. She goes straight upstairs. Little shit could, at the very least, offer to help—it’s her home too. I swap rakes so I can get under a couple flowering bushes, but then decide a quick recline in the shade might be nice.

* * *

The fence gate creaks. I snap my head toward the sound.

“Kasey?” I toss my forearm over my brow and squint across the yard.

“Ms. H. What are you doing?”

I plant a hand on my hip. “Yard work. Everything okay? Did you forget something? Aimee’s upstairs.”

He shakes his head as he approaches. “You shouldn’t be doing this alone. It’s a big yard.”

I pinch out a laugh. “Well, it won’t do itself and it’s just me, so…”

Kasey stops short of pressing himself flush against me, his eyes trained on the beads of sweat traversing from my neck to collarbone to cleavage. His fingers wrap around the rake, grazing my gloved hand in the process. “It’s hot. My mom always says to hydrate.”

I suck my bottom lip between my teeth and watch as his forearm flexes as he pulls the rake to him.

“Your mom sounds smart.” I pull the gloves off and drop them on the ground. “Can I get you something?”

Kasey nods. Grabbing my empty glass on my way in I refill my vodka tonic, add a hefty amount of ice to it and make one for Kasey. He’s removed his shirt, tucked it into the waistband of his shorts. The muscles in his back contract and release as he rakes quickly and efficiently. He has a glow about him in the late afternoon sun that makes him look like some kind of god. I carry our glasses outside, leave mine on the side table and bring his to him.

“Here. You deserve this,” I say, holding out the glass with a smile.

Kasey grins, revealing those straight, white teeth and takes the glass. He tips his head at the sky and gulps. Then sputters. He coughs a couple times.

“Ugh, that’s not water,” he says.

I stifle a laugh and cock my head at him. “I thought you deserved more than just water.”

His smirk returns. “Are you trying to get me drunk Ms. H?”

“Oh,” I say, and swat at his glistening chest. “Live a little. Let loose. Relax.”

---