Page 41 of Party Favors
Wren couldn’t stop kissing Amanda. They’d slept wrapped up in each other and hadn’t gotten out of bed for anything besides bathroom breaks, even though it was almost noon. Lazy morning make-out sessions were Wren’s favorite, but these kisses reeked of desperation. At least on her part. It was their last full day together. Tomorrow at this time, Amanda would be at the airport.
Wren was so scared of what she’d say if they stopped kissing. She was so scared she’d beg for more and complicate things to no end.
That was the last thing she wanted to be for Amanda—another complication. Not when Amanda was running from all the complications and expectations in her life already. Not when Wren had promised her a fun, stress-free party for New Year’s Eve.
Amanda lightly bit Wren’s lip and pulled back with a sigh. Her face was scrubbed clean of makeup and her hair was in a messy braid. She seemed fresh and newly formed. Wren felt like she was getting to see a side of Amanda that was secret andhers.
“Do you think it’s possible to accidentally sleepwalk through life?” Amanda whispered.
Wren rubbed her thumb over Amanda’s bottom lip. “Sleepwalking is accidental by nature. I don’t know anyone who goes to bed and thinks, ‘Man, can’t wait to dump food out of the fridge and pee in my closet tonight.’”
Amanda giggled. “Is that what happens when people sleepwalk?”
“Probably. It’s your metaphor, hon. What are you really asking?”
“I don’t want to be unhappy in my job forever. I’m not sure how I got so stuck. It’s just that working for Ellis International Products was what was expected of me. My life selling bulk glassware was carved out before I was old enough to have an opinion.”
“Well, new year, new you, Amanda. It’s always possible to change course.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
Wren tucked a strand of golden hair behind Amanda’s ear. “It’s okay to find other ways to have a fulfilling life. Work that job you maybe don’t love, but after work,outside of work, have hobbies and relationships and friends who fill that hole in your heart.”
Amanda nodded. “I want it all, though.”
That shouldn’t have made Wren’s heart beat the way it did. “You deserve it all,” she said, trying to instill passion and certainty into her.
“It’s scary to think about a big change.”
“You’re braver than you give yourself credit for.”
“You think so?”
Wren cupped Amanda’s cheek. “I know so.”
Amanda’s phone trilled with an incoming text, and they both jumped.
“I’m normally attached to my phone, but I keep forgetting about it,” Amanda said. “Having too much fun with you.”
“Same. I’m obsessed with my phone because you’re on the other side of it. Now you’re right in front of me.”
That had been too honest by half and sounded ridiculously romantic. It was true, though.
Amanda’s eyes flared. “And you’re right in front of me.”
They stared at each other for a few long seconds before Amanda lunged at her, rolling her under. As Amanda kissed down Wren’s body, Wren had the foolhardy thought that this felt like more than sex.
Of course it felt like more than sex …for her. Itwasmore than sex for her.
It was making love, what with the long stares and the needy kisses and the joy. Last night, even with the bossiness and the ogre dildo and the conference table, there had been a tenderness to the whole deal.
Wren couldn’t remember the last time she’d made love. Couldn’t remember the last time it had felt like love and not simply infatuation or pent up energy or horniness.
But as Amanda took her apart so sweetly and innocently with her mouth and hands and a bit of battery power, Wren knew that at the very least she was falling for Amanda.Hadfallen for Amanda. And it was scary as fuck.
Two hours later, after a quick rinse in the shower and cleanup in the conference room that they’d skipped the night before, Wren found Amanda standing out in the snow behind their cottage.
She was wearing several layers of clothes, her arms wrapped around her chest, and gazing up at the sky. Wren put on her boots and coat and trudged out there. It was snowing lightly. One of those perfect, storybook snowfalls, the flakes fat and fluffy.
