Page 88 of Forever Endeavor

“So do you. I can’t believe you shaved it off.”

Sonny chuckled as he smoothed his fingers over his bare upper lip. “What do you think?”

“I’ll admit, I’d grown attached to the ‘stache, but I’m really fond of this new look,” she said. “I seem to recall wanting to find out what it’d be like to kiss you without it.”

“Still curious?” He grinned.

Her heart thumped as she smiled back. “Like you wouldn’t believe.”

He laughed. “I’ve really been looking forward to seeing you today, Billie.”

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since I found out I’d be coming back,” she paused, “actually, ever since I left.”

“Are you in a hurry? Do you have someplace else to be?”

She shook her head. “Bernice invited me to the farm for dinner, so I’m in no rush.”

He nodded. “Good. I was hoping we’d have a chance to talk later.”

“I’m free right now, if you like.” She pushed her chair back to stand. “Care for some coffee and pie?”

Sonny

“So, Cal and Liona are still going strong, and now I hear Yvette hooked up with the FedEx guy? Gee, I leave for a few months and suddenly, Janus Lake becomesLove Island.”

He laughed. “Yeah, there’s definitely something in the air. What about you? Other than the book, any big life changes?”Please say no. Please say no. Please say—

“No, not really. Except that I discovered a cure for the common cold, was appointed secretary of state and married Bradley Cooper. We now live on a ranch in Wyoming with our six beautiful children. You?”

“Same old, same old. Completed the Iditarod in record time and NASA asked me to be the first man on Mars. I would’ve said yes, but I’ve been on a world tour with Metallica.”

They both laughed. “Nice,” she said, slicing through lush layers of lemon meringue. “Seems we’re both living the dream.”

“Yup. Living the dream,” he repeated.

“I did sell my house a couple of weeks back,” she said. “I guess that counts as a major life change.”

“Definitely major,” he agreed. “Good for you.”

“I’m pretty proud of myself. Onwards and upwards.” She closed her lips around a forkful of pie and smiled.

“I’m proud of you too. The house, and especially the book. It really does sound amazing, and I promise, I’m going to read this one cover to cover, not just flip to the juicy parts.”

“You’ll find several thanks to my vivid imagination and a photographic memory.”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “Now I’m definitely intrigued.”

“As you should be. You helped with some very vital research.”

“Um, pardon the interruption, kids,” said the smartly-dressed older woman who came in with Billie. “I wanted to say goodbye before I left. I’m heading back to the city.”

“Carmen, I’d like you to meet Sonny Hayes,” Billie said. “Sonny, this is my publisher, Carmen Draper.”

She extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure, Sonny. I’ve heard a great deal about you, although from the description I’d been given, I have to admit that I was looking for a handsome gent sporting a lip sweater.”

Sonny laughed as they shook hands. “I had one until very recently.”

“Well, they do say that a man without a mustache is like a cup of tea without sugar.” She then winked at Billie before parting. “Of course, mustache or none, I’m quite certain you’re Billie’s cup of tea exactly as you are.”

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