Page 118 of Walk on the Wilder Side

“Later. When Rachel is safe, I’m going to give you all the kisses I’ve been saving up while I’ve been gone.”

“Deal.” He grinned.

Marge pulled Roxie back to standing. “Damn, girl. I missed you.”

“Wow!” Roxie teetered on her feet. “That was some reunion!”

“Nah,” Marge said, slipping an arm around her waist. “That’s me reminding you that I love you, and I’m not going to be your roommate.”

“What?” Roxie furrowed her brow.

Marge shook her head. “I just mean that we’ve been in a rut, and it’s my fault. But the rut is over. We’re going to get the romance back in our marriage, and I’m gonna show you every day how damn much you mean to me.”

Roxie flushed red. “Oh, Marge. I haven’t wanted to say anything, but I’ve been missing the romance too.”

“We aren’t roommates, Roxie. We’re not platonic friends. I loved what I had with Percy, but I don’t want that with you. Let’s make a vow right here and now not to let the romance slip away.”

Roxie took a deep breath then tossed her arms around Marge’s neck and kissed her so deeply, I could feel it right down to the tips of my toes.

When they finished their kiss, Roxie looked back and tipped her head. “Marge! What happened to your face? Oh, my God! Does it hurt?”

“Surfboard. Kangaroo. Doris. Tree,” she said, pointing to each wound. “It’s a long story, and I can’t wait to tell you all about them.”

Roxie made a face then shook her head. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”

“Alice!” Alejandro called as he came down the hall with Axel beside him.

“Alejandro!” she cried back, rushing off toward him.

Doris and Axel ran toward each other, and as the two couples folded into their embraces, my heart soared to see their happiness.

“I smell like an airplane. I apologize,” Alice said as she finished kissing Alejandro. “And snowmobile exhaust. It’s still permeating my entire being. Sorry, but I don’t care. I’m kissing you anyway.”

“Is that what that smell is?” He chuckled and smelled her hair. “Snowmobile exhaust?”

“Long story,” she responded.

“I imagine it is, Cariño. It always is when you ladies are together.” He swiped a hand through her hair and kissed her again.

Alice broke the kiss and her eyes lit up. “Hey! This is my first time kissing a man in a hospital!”

“What?” he asked.

But instead of answering him, she turned to us and pointed at him then said, “First time! I had another first!”

“Yes, you did!” I grinned back, laughing.

“And my first time kissing a man smelling like a snowmobile. Two firsts!” She lit up like a light as Alejandro stared at her looking confused.

“Do I want to ask?” He slipped an arm around her waist.

“No. Just know that I loved my first kiss in a hospital, and my first kiss smelling like a snowmobile.”

“Well, then I am happy to hear it, Cariño.”

They kissed again, and meanwhile, Doris was smothering Axel with a barrage of small kisses that never seemed to end. Finally, he gave her one big one, then she fell into his arms and hugged him tightly.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Axel. I can’t believe you came to a big city just for me.”

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