Page 40 of Sweet Love at Bayside
I’m going to bed wishing you were in my arms, but I hope you had fun with Violet. Take a look at the kitchen and bathroom plans and let me know if you want revisions. Can’t wait to see you tonight. Wear something that can get wet and dirty, and bring extra clothes.
Now you’re thinking naughty thoughts.
I bet you’re blushing, too.
Love that.
So, so much.
Xo, R.
She’d texted him earlier, and promised he’d begenerouslycompensated. Desiree wanted to blame Violet’s influence on that racy comment, but this was allher, and it felt good to own it. Although her sisterhadtaken great pleasure in teasing her last night about their “rooftop romp.” So much so that by the end of the evening, Desiree was not only no longer embarrassed by it, but she was also tossing teases into the pot. They’d definitely bonded last night. They might not be besties, but they were making progress. Violet had even agreed to help her organize their mother’s studio, which Desiree was thankful for. She wasn’t looking forward to facing it alone.
She tossed a piece of cooked egg to Cosmos, who was curled up on his bed by the door to the patio, tuckered out from their earlier walk. They’d wound through the quiet back roads, bringing memories of when Desiree and her grandmother had taken walks together in the early mornings. She’d always been an early riser, and this morning, after their walk, she’d gone down to the Wellfleet Market and picked up groceries. She’d chatted with a few women at the market, and noticed a sign for a yoga class taking place on the beach. Emery would love that. Life there was small-town quiet, just like back home. But nothing compared to the sights and sounds of Cape Cod Bay.Or the sights and sounds of Rick, she thought as she dished her eggs onto a plate, added a few blackberries and a garnish of twisted orange slices.
“What is that scrumptious smell?” Violet stretched as she ambled into the kitchen. She leaned over Desiree’s shoulder, smelling of mint toothpaste. “Have enough for me?”
Desiree snagged a piece of toast from the toaster, set it on the plate and handed it to Violet. “Brie and blackberry omelet. Enjoy.”
“Someone’s been busy this morning.” Violet carried her plate to the table as Desiree served herself. “Did you pick the flowers? They’re a nice touch.”
“Rick left them on the porch, along with the drawings for the kitchen and baths.” She’d used the glass bottle as a vase. The pretty flowers brightened up the whole kitchen.
“Wow, he’s really going for boyfriend of the year, isn’t he?”
“He’s definitely a thoughtful guy.”And an amazing kisser, listener, toucher…
Violet took a bite of the omelet and her eyes widened. “Mm. Des, this is incredible. What other hidden talents do you have besides picking up hot guys and cooking?”
She handed Violet a cup of coffee and sat down to eat. “I’m hardly talented at picking up hot guys. Rick was a fluke.” The best flukeever, but still a fluke. She’d never actually tried to pick up a man, but shewasa talented cook. “My father taught me to cook. We used to watch the Food Network and choose recipes to try, and on weekends, I’d make fancy breakfasts for us. Now the only person I get to make fancy breakfasts for is Emery. She takes full advantage, showing up at my house at the crack of dawn every few weeks and claiming she’s emaciated because her fridge is empty.”
“The more I hear about her, the more I like her. You should invite her up.”
“Maybe.” As much as she loved Emery, her first thought was that if she was entertaining her friend, she’d have less time alone with Rick. Selfish? Yes, but just this once, she wanted to be.
They reviewed the plans and called Rick to let him know they were perfect. He said he’d get them to Rob, and after making Desiree blush about her compensatory comment, they ended the call, and she and Violet ventured up to the studio.
“I don’t see why you’re always blushing.” Violet stood in the middle of the studio, surveying the mess. “Sex is rejuvenating. It’s like the fountain of youth. And not just sex, but all that comes with it.” She laugh-snorted. “See how I did that? All thatcomeswith it? The weight of a man’s hard body pressing down on you, the look in their eyes when they’re just about to lose it. Nothing in this world can bring couples closer together than an act of pure, raw passion.”
“Trust,” Desiree said without thinking.
“Well, duh. Even if you’re just having sex and there are no emotions involved, you have to trust the guy. But when there are emotions? Passion can take a couple from zero to love in a heartbeat.” Violet shrugged. “So, you shouldn’t be embarrassed because you’ve slept with the guy.”
“I told you last night that we haven’t done that.” Desiree crossed the room, no longer thinking about the uncomfortable feelings her mother’s studio evoked. Her hammering heart had nothing to do withthat, and everything to do with the desires she’d been trying to tamp down since she’d spent the night with Rick. She didn’t want to tamp them down anymore, and Violet’s diatribe all but opened the gates. Desiree wanted to run them down and let her inner sexy girl come charging out.
“I don’t see what’s wrong with this,” Violet said, snapping Desiree out of her fantasy. “Why does she need drywall or organization to work? She’s an artist. This feels fantastic to me. Inspiring, without any confines to stagnate her thought process. I say we leave it as is.”
She went to the corner of the room and disappeared through a doorframe Desiree hadn’t noticed the first time she’d gone in. “I guess you didn’t check this closet when you were looking for signs. Come help me. That big wooden thing in the back is a sidewalk sign. See the hinges at the top? It folds out, and you can paint the store name on the sides.” She frantically tore open a big cardboard box.
“What is all this stuff?”
Violet’s jaw dropped open. “Pottery supplies, all brand-new! Clays and glazes, stains, tools.” She pointed to the equipment in the back of the closet. “That’s a kiln, and behind it? Those are pottery wheels. One’s motorized. And that shiny one has a kick wheel. I get off on kick wheels.”
They dragged the sign, machines, and supplies into the room, and Violet began emptying the box.
“Aren’t you worried about using her stuff?”
Violet scoffed. “She tricked us into coming here. As far as I’m concerned, it’s all fair game.”
