Bonus Kisses - Freya Barker Page 0,55

me no doubt she has a pretty good idea of what has me in a good mood. “Yup.”

“I’ll make it happen.”

“Much appreciated. Oh, and, Lisa? Can you get me Mrs. Myers’ phone number?”

Taz

I’m not sure why I’m so nervous about tonight.

I’ve had butterflies in my stomach all morning while getting the house clean. Not that it was dirty, but with the dogs being their rambunctious selves, there’s bound to be slobber and hair somewhere. Scrubbing the laundry room and the fridge may have been a little over the top, though.

It’s my own fault I’m running a bit late getting to Express Liquor in Winona. They carry a decent selection and I make sure to stock up a little. This means I have my arms full as I half-run out of the store, wanting to get home so I can get started on dinner, and barrel right into someone, dropping half my load on the pavement.

“Shit! I’m so sorry,” I exclaim, first looking at the disaster at my feet before I glance up to find Kathleen in front of me.

“Planning a party?” she asks sardonically, looking from the mess on the ground to the remaining bottles I’m hanging onto for dear life.

“Sort of, and stocking up,” I explain.

“Party for two?”

“What? No. I…” Belated I realize how this might come across to Kathleen. I’ve all but avoided her this past week, letting a couple of calls go to voicemail. She knows me too well and I’ve been afraid she’d cotton on to the change in my relationship with Rafe too easily. I’m not ready to let reality—and the inevitable judgments it comes with—into our intimate bubble.

“Aren’t the kids in Kentucky?” she persists, and I find myself fidgeting.

“Well, yes, but—”

“It’s funny, because I was just talking about you this morning,” she says, as a Liquor Express employee comes rushing out with a broom and a dustpan and starts cleaning up the shards of glass. The young girl refuses my help with a smile and I turn back to Kathleen.

“Who were you talking to?” I ask, a little apprehensive.

“Mrs. Myers. She roped me into taking her damn dog for a walk in the mornings, and today I got an earful.”

“About what?” My feigned ignorance doesn’t fly as Kathleen makes it clear by tilting her head. “Fine. Her damn dog bit me yesterday. Apparently sweet as pie until you stick him in the tub, then he becomes a snarling heap of fur.”

“So that’s what happened. All she told me was that you threatened her yesterday, and that you apparently turned that nice Dr. Thomas—her words, not mine—against her. He called her this morning and got her all in a tizzy.”

I roll my eyes heavenward. “Lord, give me patience.” To Kathleen I say, “I told Rafe not to interfere. And I didn’t threaten her, technically. I merely told her if I wasn’t such a nice person I might be tempted to sue.”

My friend apparently finds that funny, because she busts out laughing. When she calms down, she asks, “What I’m surprised at is, with all this happening, you haven’t thought to call me. Or maybe return one of the messages I left?”

“I’m sorry. Things have been a bit…hectic.”

“I’m sure that’s as good word for it as any,” she mumbles, and I don’t even want to ask what she means by that. I can venture a guess. Like I said, Kathleen knows me well. “But, uh, getting back to what started all this, what’s with all the booze?”

I realize she won’t let that go, so I do my best to mitigate the hurt feelings I’m afraid will follow. “For tonight’s dinner, to which I hope you and Brent can come? I’m making a traditional Congo dish.”

“Who else will be there?”

Busted.

“Do you know Meredith and her husband, Andrew? She’s a manager at the—”

“I know Meredith,” she cuts me off, and the flash of hurt in her eyes fills me with guilt. “I’m not sure about Brent, but I’m due for a night away from the kids. Count me in.”

I’m still trying to catch up for the time I lost when Rafe walks in at five thirty. The guests will be here at six, and if I was nervous before, I’m near tears now: I just discovered a pee puddle on the living room carpet.

“What do you need from me?” Rafe says with one glance at my face.

“Accident on the living room carpet, and beer and wine that’s been sitting in my car all afternoon should probably come in