didn’t mind her scars, but he continued to touch her all over like they didn’t exist.
“Can I tell you how great it is to hear you say that after how worried you were about your scars? I love that Quincy adores all of you. I feel like you should give him extra lovin’ tonight as a thank-you from me.”
Oh, how she’d love to do that. But she didn’t know if they were seeing each other. They’d spent the last three nights together, but they hadn’t made plans for tonight.
She held up her phone, and Angela said, “What are you doing?”
“Making him a video message.”
“Oh my God.” Angela laughed. “You two take cute couple to a whole new level.”
“Thank you,” Roni said, wiggling her shoulders. She started the video and waved. “Hi. My day’s been great. Even better after seeing your video. This is so much better than texting. Let’s keep doing it. Angela and I are working through lunch on the winter performance choreography.”
Angela popped up over Roni’s shoulder and said, “Hi, Quincy!”
“Okay, I’m keeping it short. Have a great day!” Roni waved and blew him a kiss, then ended the video. She sent it to him and said, “Can I ask you something about relationships?”
“I already told you. Do it often and do it dirty. It makes everything better.”
“You’re such a weirdo. I think we have that down pat.”
“You’re in the salivating over each other stage, when you want to spend every second together, and even that doesn’t feel like enough. That’s the greatest feeling.”
“That’s exactly how I feel, but he hasn’t said anything about seeing me tonight, and it’s Saturday night. I want to ask him, but I don’t want to sound clingy, and it’s totally fine if he wants to spend time with his friends or do something else without me. But shouldn’t we talk about it? Should I expect him to say he’ll see me Sunday, or Tuesday, or whatever day he wants to? Does he want space and he’s not telling me? What if he thinks he’s smothering me?”
“You definitely should know where you stand, especially on a weekend night,” Angela said firmly. “He pursued you for months, and you can’t stop talking about how special he makes you feel. I bet he’s chomping at the bit to get you into his arms tonight. Bring it up. Tell him what you just told me. Guys don’t always plan, the way we do.”
“You’re right. I’ll talk to him after work. We should get started before we waste our whole lunch hour.”
Angela got her phone, and they started looking through their playlists. “I’ve got one,” she said. “How about ‘Delicate’ by Taylor Swift?”
Roni wrinkled her nose. “I’d like to see them dance to something more powerful. Maybe ‘I Was Here’ by Beyoncé?”
“That’s not bad. Let’s add it to the list.”
They chose a handful of songs and then began narrowing down their list. They were listening to their final three choices, putting together dance moves to see which felt best, when Elisa walked in with Quincy. When Roni’s eyes connected with Quincy’s, she was sure the wood floor would ignite a path between them. Good Lord. She’d just seen him hours ago, had made love with him that morning, and still he stole the oxygen from her lungs, all rugged and manly in his leather jacket, hair brushed back, faded jeans clinging to his thick thighs. It was all she could do to keep from running over, scaling him like a mountain, and sealing her mouth over his.
“Sorry to interrupt, ladies,” Elisa said with a knowing smile, tearing Roni from her lustful thoughts. “It seems this fine young gentleman didn’t want his girlfriend or her bestie to go hungry.”
Angela gave Roni an I told you so look as they went to him.
“Sorry to bother you, babe.” Quincy held up the bag he was carrying from the bookstore’s café and said, “Two salads and croissants. Hope that’s okay.”
Elisa said, “I’ll leave you three to chat.”
“Thank you, Elisa,” Quincy said. “Next time I’ll bring enough for you, too.”
“Such a sweetheart,” Elisa said. As Quincy turned his attention to Roni, Elisa gave her a thumbs-up.
Reveling in her approval, Roni said, “Thank you, Quincy. You didn’t have to bring us lunch.”
“But we’re glad you did!” Angela exclaimed. “Thank you.”
“I won’t stay. I know you’re busy, and I have to get back to work. I’m sorry to just show up, but I missed you, and I thought you might say you were too