A Simple Wish About love - Karice Bolton Page 0,31

of them happen to be female?” his mom teased.

“One is,” Slade confessed. “I’m actually surprised because I’ve opened up to her about things I never thought I’d tell anyone. In a really short time, she’s turning into a really good friend.”

“That’s nice, honey.” Slade’s mom let out a wistful sigh. “Friendships are more important than most things in life. If you can find a good friend, keep ’em.”

“Yeah. I think I might stop over in Seattle to see her.”

“As a friend, of course.” His mother knew his past and how little interest he’d really had in settling down, but a lot had changed in his life.

Things were suddenly coming into focus.

He thought back to Erika and the little sundress she’d worn at brunch. The fabric skimmed her body, leaving little to the imagination. A year ago, his sole purpose would have been to get her into bed. Now, he wasn’t sure what his purpose was.

Slade laughed. “I was thinking about two weeks from Friday. Would that work?” he asked.

“Any day would work. We’re retired and can’t wait to see you.”

Slade smiled as relief spread through him. This was the first call where his mother didn’t break down. Maybe they all needed time.

“Okay, Mom. I’d better go. Love ya.”

“We love you too. Have fun with your friend.” His mom hung up, and Slade let out a deep breath.

Maybe there really was a chance at a new way of living. He really wished it to be true.

Chapter Twelve

There was something about Slade that was hard to shake. They’d met exactly three weeks ago, and the amount of sharing they’d done was over the top. It was like everything she’d ever wished she could tell someone came pouring out with him. Maybe it was the safety in distance or the fact that she knew nothing but a friendship could come out of this.

She glanced at the time. It was almost ten o’clock at night, and Slade was about to call. He had a date coming up and wanted pointers.

Erika wasn’t exactly sure how she felt about that, which made no sense. She shouldn’t feel any way about it at all. They were in a new friendship and nothing more.

But a little nagging voice inside her wanted to complicate things, which was just plain annoying. She was pretty certain that the same nagging voice was what got her into trouble with the man she liked to leave nameless.

Regardless, she’d promised Slade she’d help him in the dating world so he didn’t become known as the fixer, and now she was waiting for him to call.

Erika glanced at her screen, and rather than a message popping up, a live video popped up. She immediately panicked. She hadn’t expected this. She was in an old shirt and an oversized pair of plaid boxers. She had zippo makeup on, and her hair was haphazardly plopped on top of her head.

She powered through her insecurities and clicked to accept the video stream of Slade.

Of course, he looked gorgeous. His dark hair was wet and tousled back, and it looked like he’d just shaved. To top it off, he wasn’t wearing a shirt, and his skin glistened just a little from the dampness. To say the man was sexy was a complete understatement.

Erika looked down at her bare legs sticking out from the worn boxers and grinned. “Just get out of the shower or something?”

“Actually, yes.”

Erika watched his gaze run up and down her, and an adrenaline rush ran through her for no particular reason.

She also quickly scurried closer to the camera so he could only see her from the waist up.

“Could you please put a shirt on?” She rolled her eyes. “It’s not me you’re going on a date with.”

Slade laughed and reached for a white T-shirt that he pulled over his head. “There. That better?”

“Yes.” Erika pulled a blanket around her shoulders. “It’s nice to see you again.”

She wanted to mention how she loved hearing his voice, his laugh, and . . .

Erika shook herself out of that line of thinking and drew a quick breath.

“So, what’s up? Who’s the lucky girl?” Erika ignored the knot that suddenly formed in her belly, and she hugged the blanket around her a little tighter.

Slade stretched, and Erika noticed his shirt tugging up again. He even had those V-muscles she always thought she’d like on a man.

And she was right. They did look pretty incredible.

“She’s someone special, so I really don’t want to blow it.”

Erika nodded. “Are we talking Penny