Page 44 of Love Like This

“It’s mine. You can’t have it. Well, maybe I’d share if you keepdoing that. Lord help us all. Sweet mercy in heaven above. Yes. I approve.Right there is amazing.” Spencer pushed firmly on what she knew were thesensitive pressure points on the ball of the foot, which prompted a loud moanfrom Hadley. At the sound, every part of Spencer went into hyperalert. Bloodrushed from her head, her limbs, to…other parts. But the sounds didn’t stop there.As Spencer massaged her feet, her ankles, her calves, Hadley continued to gifther with little noises of pleasure that did powerful things to Spencer’s mindand body. Wicked things. And they made her want to do a few corrupt things toHadley in return. She reached the top of Hadley’s calf with its expanse ofsmooth skin while the soft music played and her blood pressure climbed. Herfingers itched for more, and not in any capacity to resist, she slid her handbeneath the fabric of the blue dress and boldly caressed Hadley’s lower thigh.Their eyes connected as the massage continued. Hadley’s lips parted and shedrew in a shaky breath, making Spencer aware of the fact that she wasn’t alonein her growing arousal. They were off the rails now, and Spencer was okay withthat. Keeping her eyes on Hadley, she slid her hands up another inch. Hadley’seyes fluttered closed just in time for the loud beeping of the egg timer.

“Dinner is ready,” Spencer said quietly, withdrawing her handsfrom Hadley’s leg reluctantly.

Hadley nodded wordlessly, as if back from a dream, and acceptedSpencer’s offered hand to help her up from the couch. When they stoodface-to-face, a hint of a smile hit. “That was quite a massage.”

“Wasn’t it?” Spencer said, still shocked at herself for havinggone there, but a little proud at the same time.

Hadley nodded. “I can’t say I’ve had one like that. Disneyland onfire, that was good.”

“Glad to hear it. Why is Disneyland on fire?”

“It’s an expression.”

Spencer laughed. “Can’t say I’ve heard it.”

“That’s because I made it up. Just something you wouldn’t expect.Disneyland is a happy place. There would be no fire. Why would there be?”Hadley pointed at the couch. “That massage was just as rare.”

“Okay,” Spencer said, smiling at the random parallel. “Maybe wecan do it again sometime soon. I’ve been told I have good hands.”

Hadley swallowed noticeably.

“Let me guess? Tiny oceans of wonder? Is that a relevant phrasehere?”

“More like kittens marching into battle.”

Spencer chuckled. “There’s so much to learn. In the meantime, howabout dinner?” Spencer headed to the kitchen and took stock. What she foundthere deflated her recent confidence. The hens looked dry and a tad overcooked.The potatoes had lost their shape and perhaps she’d taken the salad out tooearly because the leaves had a slight wilt. “Damn it.”

“What’s wrong?” Hadley said, coming up behind her. She placed herhand on the small of Spencer’s back again, which helped almost immediately. Shesoftened into the touch like magic. She could use a Hadley with her at alltimes. What an incredibly useful skill.

“Apparently, I’m no Rachael Ray. I clung to that delusion earlieras I made dinner preparations. It’s proven false.”

Hadley scoffed. “I’m sure what you’ve made for us will bewonderful. The fact that you went to the trouble at all goes a long way in mybook.” She glanced around suspiciously. “Music, candles, a massage, and ahome-cooked meal. Hmm. Am I being romanced right now?”

Spencer considered her answer and went for it. “Yes. Yes, you mostcertainly are. Is it working?”

“Uh-huh,” Hadley said, then scooped up the serving bowl ofpotatoes and carried it to the table. Spencer dimmed the lights to betteraccentuate the candles and carried the rest of the food to her small diningarea, now clad with a tablecloth, of all things.

“Wine?”

“Yes, please!”

Spencer took a look at the options she’d picked up at Kendra’ssuggestion. “White or red?”

“Always white. It’s just so much more fun. Wouldn’t you say? Ifeel like it has more friends, too. It gets along with so many of the foods.”

“Interesting. All right. All right. Fun and friendly wine comingup.” She poured two glasses of a moderately priced Sauvignon Blanc into a pairof wineglasses and carried them to the table.

“To keeping an open mind,” Spencer said, holding out her glass ina toast.

“And to changing the minds of others,” Hadley said, with atriumphant smile.

Spencer shook her head and sipped her wine, which was surprisinglyrefreshing. Maybe white really did have some fun points on red.

As they ate, she had trouble keeping her eyes off Hadley, who,whether it was good or not, seemed to be enjoying her food. She really was aneasy person to please, and you didn’t run into too many people with thatdescriptor in Spencer’s line of work.

“What attracted you to fashion?” Spencer asked, dabbing her mouthwith her napkin. “I can’t believe we haven’t covered that.”

“I can tell you that easily.” Hadley didn’t hesitate. In fact, herwhole face lit up at the subject matter. “I love the effect the rightcombination of clothes can have on someone. It gives me the biggest rush whenpeople find their meant-to-be clothes. I leave at the end of the day thrilledwith my job.” She sat taller in her chair. “Have you ever noticed? I’m nottalking about how they look either. That part is sheercherry-on-top-of-the-sundae. It’s more about how the clothing makes them feel.When a woman, or anyone for that matter, wears something she feels attractivein, it can change her whole outlook on life, or more importantly, on herself.Make her day better. I love helping with that process.”

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