“Hank and I were supposed to go to a movie, he’s sucked into whatever-this-is too,” Roxie said.
Indy sighed. “Such is the life of the Woman of a Badass.”
“You got that right, sister,” Jet said.
Everyone laughed.
I didn’t. I was reflecting and kept reflecting while they all decided to go to Brother’s for burgers.
I headed home.
To Vance.
* * * * *
We were lying in my bed.
Vance was wearing jeans, a heathered, dark-gray henley with a cool, heavy-buckled black belt. His feet were bare and I had to admit, they were still sexy.
I was wearing low-rider, midnight blue cords; a cool, heavy-buckled black belt of my own; and dark, gray-blue, fitted long-sleeved tee (I didn’t figure Luke would have issues with blue cords). My feet were bare too and my toenails were painted a dark, electric-blue. It had seemed a good idea at the time; I was feeling in a funky-girl mood. I decided I needed a pedicure.
Vance had made quesadillas and they were good. He’d even put jalapeños and bits of sautéed chicken breast in them. When we were done eating I did the dishes while he made some calls (it was only fair, he cooked). He was off that night, back at work tomorrow. He was going to the cabin after Luke picked me up.
When he was done with the phone and I was done with the dishes, he guided me to the steps to the bed and we climbed up.
Luke was due at my house in just over an hour. I figured Vance would go straight for the hanky panky. We had time.
He didn’t.
He lay down on his back and tucked me in his side, my cheek on his shoulder. Then his hand went up the back of my shirt but only to draw mindless patterns on the skin of my lower back. Other than that, he was silent and he didn’t touch me or try to kiss me.
Hmm.
His fingers were having an effect. As I’d attacked him that morning, I thought it was his turn. I didn’t know how to communicate this without making it my turn.
“Vance?”
“Yeah.”
“What’re we doing?”
“Lyin’ in bed.”
“I know but… why?”
“Why not?”
I didn’t have an answer for that.
Wait, I did. “I’m not good at lying around.”
“Princess, you need to learn to be still.”
I thought about that, thinking maybe he was right. I was rarely still. I was usually on the go, always had been my whole life. Hard to save the world lying in bed and doing nothing.
“Is this a Native American thing?” I asked.
“What?” There seemed a hint of laughter in his voice and I got up on my elbow and looked at him. I was right, definitely laughter, in fact a full blown grin. “What’s funny?” I asked.