Page 99 of Riding the Waves

“Verity needs me to go and help with the cafe.”

“That’s okay,” Amy said. “We’ll have plenty of time to hang out now that I live here.”

“It’s not that,” Scarlett said. “I was going to visit Tara at the bookshop, but I won’t have time now.”

“Oh.” Amy paused, hoping Scarlett might say more. When she didn’t, curiosity got the better of her. “Was it a work thing you needed to speak to Tara about?”

“No.” Scarlett hesitated. “A sex question. I’ll ask her another time.”

“Anything I might be able to help with?” Amy asked, intrigued, but also not at all sure she knew what she was getting herself into.

Scarlett looked momentarily surprised, then the creases in her brow softened. “Maybe.” Her gaze fell to her lap before coming back to Amy. “I read this thing in a book … in a sex scene … I’m not sure if it’s a regular thing that a lot of people do … or …”

“If it’s a weird kink?”

“Yes. And I don’t want to ask Fraser in case it’s a really weird thing and I freak him out.”

“Okay, tell me what it is,” Amy said.

Scarlett opened her mouth, then clamped it shut again as her eyes flicked to the door where Damian was standing with his jaw hanging open. “Were you eavesdropping?” Scarlett snapped.

“No!” He held his hands up. “You were talking loudly ... and I heard someone mention sex, so of course my ears pricked up.”

“Go away!” Scarlett made a shooing motion.

He laughed. “I’ll go, but can I mention that you’re talking loudly and there are innocent children not far from you.”

“Oh.” Scarlett swept her gaze down the garden and grimaced. “Maybe I should wait and ask Tara.”

“Whisper it,” Amy said, leaning close.

Scarlett’s words tickled her ear and she tried to keep a straight face and not react too strongly. Over Scarlett’s shoulder, Amy watched Damian cover his face with his hand – an action that did nothing to hide his amusement.

“What do you think?” Scarlett asked, straightening up. “Is it a weird kink or normal sex stuff?”

Amy nodded slowly. “Definitely fine to discuss that one with Fraser. I imagine he’d be quite happy about it.” She paused and twisted her lips to one side. “Could you send me the link to the book? I might like to check it out.”

“Yeah.” She flashed a grin and smoothed her dress over her leggings as she stood. “I need to go to the cafe now.” She shouted goodbye to Billy and Marty before leaving.

Damian’s eyes looked like they might fall out of his head when he sat beside Amy. “What obscenities was Scarlett just whispering in your ear?”

“That was a private conversation.”

“Please tell me.”

“I’m not telling you.” Amy cocked an eyebrow. “But if you’re very good, I might show you later.”

He blew out a long breath. “What time do these kids go to bed again?” He checked his watch. “Is four o’clock too early?”

“A little bit, yes.” She moved onto his lap, a rush of joy hitting her as she kissed him.

“Disgusting!” a cheeky voice interrupted them. Billy stood beside them, grinning from ear to ear. He stuck his tongue out, then ran away.

“Right!” Damian shifted Amy off his lap and took off down the garden. “I’m coming to get you,” he shouted after Billy.

Joyful squeals rang out as Damian teared around after the two of them. Then they were a tangle of writhing limbs on the grass as they wrestled and tickled each other.

Amy couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she watched them play.

With the last of the sun’s rays beating down to bathe everything in a warm glow, she could have sworn she’d never felt happier.

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