Page 20 of Unexpected Adventures
She takes my hands in hers. “Yes, Abby. I really love him.”
“So, what’s next? Are you guys going to move in with each other? Are you thinking of marriage? What?”
“Slow down, you sound like Mom. That is, if Mom knew about Jim.”
“Mom doesn’t know?”
“No, not yet. I wanted you to know first. I wanted you to meet him before I told anyone else.”
I sit back, silent, taking in the weight of what she’s said, of what she has been going through. “Oh, Denise, I just want you to be happy. If he makes that happen, then that’s all that matters.”
She smiles. “Simple as that?”
“Simple as that.”
Denise springs forward, embracing me as best she can. When she sits back, she gives me a questioning look. “Now, about you and Shaun.”
“What? There’s nome and Shaun.”
“Oh, yes there is. I saw the way you two were with each other… first on the deck, during karaoke, then just now in the sunroom. There’s chemistry there you cannot deny.”
“There’s definitely chemistry. And it’s combustible. That man can kiss!”
“I knew it!”
“So, he can kiss. He’s still practically a stranger. And I’m only here for a few days.”
“But he also lives in San Francisco, remember? What you start here, you finish there.”
“I don’t know, Denise. This is…”
“It’s the start of something that could be absolutely wonderful. It’s about time you found someone.”
“Who says I need someone?”
“Everybody needs somebody. Isn’t that what Bryan Adams says?”
“Yes, he does.” I laugh, and before you know it, we’re breaking into a duet together.Once we conclude our spontaneous concert, we’re laughing ‘til our bellies ache like when we were little girls.
“We should probably get some sleep, don’cha think?” I say, trying to catch my breath.
“Probably. Abby, thank you for coming down. I’m so glad you’re here.” She stands, pulling me with her, giving me a tight, Denise-style hug.
“Me, too.”
“And tomorrow, we’re going to have some real sister time. I’m going to spoil you!And you’re going to show Shaun more of what there is to know about Abby.”
“Denise, there really isn’t much more to show him. I’m a simple girl with a simple life.”
“You’re wrong. You’re special. And he’s going to know it.”
“Whatever you say.” I just barely resist rolling my eyes.
“Good. Now that that’s settled, good night.”
She kisses my cheek and makes her way into the bathroom. “Feel free to turn off the lights. There are some nightlights in place that’ll activate when the room dims.”
I do just that. Two nightlights glow, ensuring that Denise won’t stumble over furniture.As I settle myself in bed, my thoughts go back to Shaun and the kiss we shared in the sunroom.Yes, there’s definitely something there. An attraction unlike any other I’d ever felt for a guy. I mean, a man. Because there’s no doubt that Shaun is a man.
But how do I tell my baby sister, who says she’s in love, and who is in a sexual relationship with a man, that her big sister is nervous as can be?
How do I tell her I’m still a virgin?
Is that still possible in today’s society, you ask? Yes. Yes, it is. Am I a freak of nature? I don’t think so, but then again, I don’t think like most people. Hey, the right guy just hasn’t come along. Yet.
That thought lingers as I slip into a peaceful slumber. A slumber filled with tantalizing kisses from a handsome stranger with ice-blue eyes.
