Page 20 of The Last Date

* Oakley *

Watching Sasha’s expression shift was so hilarious it was tricky to keep from laughing.

“You must be Sarah,” I said, turning to her friend to shake her hand. “Thank you for letting me crash movie night. I won’t stay and interrupt you – I just wanted to bring by some snacks for you ladies.”

“What are you doing here?” Sasha asked. “I mean, it’s great to see you, but how did you…”

“Honestly, you girls share too many details online,” I chuckled. “There aren’t many people with the last name Eams around here, and her mother posted her phone number on a half dozen charity websites.”

I held out a large brown paper bag to Sarah. “Herbed breaded chicken poppers with three kinds of sauce, buttermilk biscuits, fresh pita with garlic and rosemary hummus, and little parmesan chips.”

“Wow, thank you so much,” she said, carrying the bag to the huge coffee table. “Why don’t you stay a while and help us put a dent in it?”

“No, thanks, this is ladies’ night,” I said, leaning in to kiss Sasha’s cheek.

“Wow, thank you.” She glanced back to the table, where Sarah was already pulling out their mini feast.

“Thank you so much, Sarah,” I said, smiling over to her. “I’m going to steal Sasha for two minutes.”

“Go right ahead,” she laughed.

Taking Sasha’s hand, I pulled her outside and around the corner so that we were completely hidden from view.

“God, I missed you, baby,” I nearly growled, pinning her against the brick wall as I kissed her softly, deeply. The feeling of her lips on mine made my heart jittery, and every inch of my skin hypersensitive.

Just when I wanted to start tearing her clothes off, I forced myself to pull away, trailing my fingers around the back of her neck and into her hair as I placed our foreheads together.

“How are you, angel? Tell me what you’ve been up to.”

“This is why I wish I had your number,” she said, staring at me intensely. “Yesterday I sold thirty-two paintings.”

I blinked. “That seems like a lot.”

“It is. It’s a gallery record. And it was all to one client.”

“Wow,” I said. “You’re incredible.”

I peppered her face with kisses, my lips wandering around her cheekbone, temple, skimming over her lips without stopping.

“Why are you such a tease,” she moaned.

“Because you love it.” I was careful to say the word ‘love’ very slowly and clearly as she watched my lips form the word. “You do, don’t you, gorgeous? Love it when I tease you?”

“A little,” she admitted. “But please – can I at least have your number? Why can’t I contact you?”

Suddenly she grabbed my left hand, examining my ring finger.

“I’m not married,” I chuckled. “I would never keep a secret like that from you, Sasha.”

“Will you take my number at least?” she begged.

“Sure,” I said, pulling out my phone.

I took a photo of her gleaming eyes looking up at me, then we made a new contact together, titled “Sasha my sweet girlfriend.”

“I’m going to leave now so that I don’t interrupt your movie more than I already have,” I said.

“Honestly, you could come in and watch with us if you like,” she said eagerly.

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