Текст книги "What Emma Craves"
Автор книги: Amanda Abbott
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Текущая страница: 2 (всего у книги 13 страниц)
“I do know that feeling, and I’m sure everyone had a blast. I’m also sure it was because you helped facilitate it by being your nice, generous self.” Piper chuckled. “I can almost imagine the scene. Two young, nubile twenty-one-year-olds in the quest for extreme pleasure.”
“That might be true. I might’ve kept the balance and made everyone feel good. But that’s also when I realized my sexual trigger was the art of sex. The sex act is so sensual and beautiful. I adore seeing it performed on everyone, and watching everyone enjoy the stark pleasure of it all gives me goose bumps.” She rubbed her arms. “It’s my thing.”
“I know it is, but,” Piper pointed out, “you guys don’t attend orgies. From my now intimate experience”—she cocked an eyebrow and whistled out of the side of her mouth, making Emma giggle—“that’s the height of witnessing the sex act. Everyone is there to seek ultimate pleasure. Why haven’t you guys ever gone to one?”
Emma was at a loss. “I don’t know.” She thought back to discussions she’d had with Pete and came up short. “We’ve always liked being in control, so orgies have never been our thing.”
“Aha!” Piper announced in a mock sardonic tone, holding up her finger. “We’re back to the control issue again. But you’re about to change all that. You realize that, right?”
“How so?”
“This is the comfort-zone thing I was talking about. Your trip to the Bahamas is the perfect place to start. The timing couldn’t be better.”
“I’m not getting it. What do you mean?”
“Emma, you’re going to learn to strut again. You’re going to wiggle that beautiful ass and move those incredible hips until everyone there—including random folks who might stroll by on the beach—want to fuck you three ways from Saturday.”
“Okay.” Emma hesitated, suppressing a giggle that was bubbling up. “And why am I going to do that?”
Piper leaned forward. “Because you’re going to shake Pete up for all he’s worth.”
Emma nodded along. “Okay, I can see where you’re heading. You want me to start making my husband jealous.”
“Yes, exactly. Because a jealous Pete will be a doting Pete. Your man is going to rediscover the amazing prize he has right in front of him—the one he’s inadvertently taken for granted for too long. That’s what you’re missing, Emma.” She set her hands on the table. “You’re missing your self-worth.”
3
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Pete arrived home to an empty house. He’d been looking forward to seeing Emma and having a nice dinner together. He was still reeling a little from their sexual encounter last week. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. But Emma had texted him that she was meeting Piper for dinner. So instead he’d worked late and picked up Chinese takeout on the way home.
It was nine forty-five. He set the food on the counter and took a plate out of the cupboard, along with some spoons from the drawer to dish everything out. Before he could dig in, there was a knock on the sliding glass doors.
He glanced up and saw Candace standing on the deck.
She gave him a small wave.
Pete gestured to her. “Come on in,” he called. “It’s open.” Over the years, Candace had stopped by on a few occasions, but usually only when Emma was home.
“Hi there,” she chirped as she came in. “I hope I’m not disturbing you. I just saw you drive up and thought I’d come by and say hi.”
Pete tried to keep his puzzlement to himself. “I’m just about to eat dinner. Chinese takeout. Would you care for any? I have more than enough.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m stuffed. I ate a late dinner myself.” She strolled to the island and perched on a stool. For the first time, Pete saw she held a glass of wine in her hand.
She must think Emma was home. “Emma’s not here at the moment. I’m not sure when she’ll be back,” Pete said. “But you’re welcome to wait for her.”
“Oh, that’s okay,” she answered smoothly. “I’m not here for her.” She gave him a saucy smile and took a long swallow of her wine.
This time it was surprise Pete tried to keep off his face.
This was so out of the blue.
Candace was a good-looking fortysomething, but no one he’d ever consider inviting into his and Emma’s bedroom. Pete knew Emma felt the same way. He was positive Emma had never shared their lifestyle choice with Candace either, so it would be almost impossible for her to have figured out what they did behind closed doors.
Pete decided not to touch the insinuation. Instead, he asked, “How are Kyle and the kids? I haven’t seen them around in a while.”
Candace took another long drink of her wine. “Kyle’s been gone for almost three weeks.” She set the glass down slowly. “He’s supposed to be coming home Thursday, in time for the block party, but we’ll see if he shows. The kids have been spending most of the time at their mother’s. She just moved back into the neighborhood, after winning another lawsuit for more spousal support.” She mumbled the next bit under her breath. “Because now the bitch can afford it.” She glanced up at Pete and plastered a smile back on her face. “She says it’s so the kids can easily get to our house and school from her house, but I know her, she relishes the fact she took Kyle for more money and won. She celebrates with a big party every time she wins.”
Pete cleared his throat and tried to look busy scooping food onto his plate and putting the food containers in the fridge, wishing that Candace was anywhere but in his kitchen. He couldn’t care less about any of them—not Kyle, nor his first wife, or their legal struggles.
How had this woman gotten into his house again?
When Pete turned back after shutting the fridge, Candace was grinning at him seductively, pressing her now empty wine glass into her bottom lip. Before he could think of anything to say, she said, “I know your wife watches us have sex.”
Without hesitation, Pete replied, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I think you do,” she suggested coyly, setting her glass on the island and tracing the bottom with a single finger. “I know you guys experiment, so don’t play me for a fool. I had a hunch she was watching, but after Justin finished fucking me last week, I found him hanging around my garage like a lost puppy. Since no one is home at my house except me, I went outside to ask him what the hell he was doing, and he told me he was hoping your wife would come back out.” She cocked her head toward Pete, and a cascade of chemically treated hair fell over her shoulder. “I think you deserve to know that your wife might be heading into an affair. Justin is certainly ready and willing to oblige. He even told me he’s asked her to join us.” Candace slowly got off the stool and eased around the island. “It’s a little perverted that she likes to watch, wouldn’t you agree?”
Pete wanted to back up as she moved toward him, but he held his ground. He couldn’t show fear in a situation like this or The Cougar would strike. “Candace, I can assure you no one is cheating or thinking about cheating. And, yes, Emma has watched you a few times for fun, but she found out about your little trysts very innocently. You were moaning loudly, and we both heard you from our deck. Emma went to investigate to make sure you were okay.”
Candace set an open palm, her fingernails painted bright red, on his chest. “How very noble of her.” She leaned in to openly scent him, her nostrils flaring. “I bet she enjoyed the show, or she certainly wouldn’t keep coming back for more. Justin fucks very well. But I’m thinking”—she slid her hand up to his neck—“you would do the job so much better.”
Pete slowly removed her hand, picking it off his chest like a hot coal. He didn’t really want to offend her, because she was obviously very lonely, but this was getting out of hand. “I’m sorry, Candace. You’re very attractive, but I’m not interested. I love my wife. I would never cheat on her.”
Candace tsked. “You don’t have to lie to me.” She leaned in close to him and whispered, “I’ve seen in your windows. Your wife is not the only one who gets nosy when they hear people making loud noises. Noises that sound like delicious groans of pleasure.”
“Really, Candace, I’m sure what you think you saw wasn’t—”
All of a sudden she was kissing him, her hands grasping either side of his face, her red nails digging in.
He sputtered, but before he could break away, he heard a door opening, followed by, “I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?”
* * *
The utter surprise, coupled with disgust, in Pete’s expression as Emma caught him and Candace in a clench was almost comical. But Emma kept a stern look on her face, crossing her arms and jutting her hip out to make it look convincing.
She couldn’t believe a perfect opportunity to implement Piper’s advice had presented itself already.
After a great dinner, and more chatting, Emma had come to some amazing realizations about herself, and the beginning of a plan to change up her marriage had formulated. She hadn’t thought an opportunity would materialize so soon, but this was as good a time as any to begin to shake things up with Pete. Let him know that everything in her world wasn’t always calm and go-with-the-flow.
Emma knew without being told that Candace had come into the house unannounced, hoping to seduce her husband into bed. Emma was no fool. It had been only a matter of time, the way Emma saw it, before Candace would try to make her play. It was a very unshocking scenario, and little did Candace know, Pete fucked women all the time with Emma’s permission.
But that was all about to change.
At the sound of Emma’s voice, Pete had taken a huge step backward to get away from the interloping trophy wife, but Candace had attached herself to him so thoroughly she’d lurched forward with him, forcing Pete to catch her, lest she fall to the floor. That wouldn’t have been entirely unwelcome, but this was just as good.
Emma watched the antics, biting her lip so she wouldn’t laugh, as Pete tried to detach himself from Candace as their limbs intertwined.
“This is not what it looks like,” Pete started. “I can explain—”
Emma held up her hand. “Don’t start. I clearly saw you two kissing.” If Pete was smart, he’d keep quiet.
He did.
Once settled, Candace reached up to fix her hair, not daring enough to look Emma in the eyes yet. “Well, yes.” Candace cleared her throat as she glanced at the counter, and then at the floor. “I know this looks bad, but”—she seemed to become a little bolder as she went—“it’s not nearly as bad as you watching something intimate between me and another person through a garage window like a Peeping Tom.” She lifted her chin, finally meeting Emma’s gaze, daring Emma to say otherwise.
Emma dared.
Dropping her arms, Emma waltzed up to Candace, getting right in her face—something she might not have done if Piper’s voice had not been ringing loudly in her ears right this second, urging her to take control of her life. “You listen to me, Candace. My husband is off-limits. Do you understand? For now and forever. As for you and your boy toy—I would strongly suggest in the future that if you don’t want anyone to know about your indiscretions, you take your fucking elsewhere. Either hole up inside your house or go someplace discreet. Your moans are loud enough to wake the entire neighborhood. The Dwyers can hear them without their hearing aids—which we know is your intent. You love that we know, and tonight you were hoping my husband would be your new fuck buddy.” Emma gave her neighbor a sneer for good measure. “How’d that work out for you? Justin’s twenty-two-year-old dick is no match for what Pete could give you without even trying too hard. He’s a stellar lay. But you’re never going to find out because that dream is shot, Candace. Now go back home with your empty wine glass and your tail firmly tucked between your legs, because that’s the only thing that’s going between them tonight.”
Candace opened and shut her mouth twice before she sputtered, “You can’t…you can’t take that tone with me! I know you two are into dirty things. You’re like two rutting animals—”
“Shut the hell up, Candace!” Emma snapped. “I don’t want to hear it. You came here looking to get laid, and you’re leaving with nothing. And if you don’t start moving your ass toward that door, I’m going to toss you out myself.”
Candace had been slowly backing up as Emma had been talking. Pete had remained quiet and gotten out of the way, which was exactly what Emma had wanted. She didn’t dare glance at her husband, because she would likely break character. His look of utter surprise might be enough to derail her act.
This was a side of her she was certain he’d never seen. In fact, it was a side of her she wasn’t sure she’d seen herself, until this very moment.
It was liberating!
Pete was going to have to buckle his seat belt from here on out.
“I’m going. There’s no need to get violent.” Candace scrambled toward the glass doors. As she slid the door open, she tossed her hair back and tried to regain some dignity. “I hope you two deviants are happy. When I’m done, the entire neighborhood is going to know you two are sex addicts!” With that, she disappeared into the night.
Very calmly, Emma walked over to the door and called, “Do that, Candace, and your entire bridge club will know you’re fucking the son of your good friend and bridge partner, Shannon Patton!” Emma slammed the door closed with a loud bang, without waiting for Candace to reply. Emma knew she’d heard every word, and the woman wouldn’t say anything to anyone.
Once the door was locked, Emma turned but refused to meet Pete’s gaze as she headed out of the room. She could hear Pete following her. “I don’t understand why you’re so angry,” Pete said to her retreating back. “Candace came in here unannounced, and before I knew what was happening, she was all over me! I had nothing to do with it.”
“Of course you had something to do with it!” Emma said in an exasperated tone as she kept walking. “I just found you kissing another woman behind my back in my own kitchen.”
“I wasn’t kissing her! She was kissing me. I want nothing to do with her.”
“It didn’t look like it to me.” Emma kept walking, staring straight ahead.
“Emma,” Pete said evenly, “we invite people into our bedroom all the time. Why would this be an issue for you now, especially when you know I don’t want Candace?”
“We have rules about sex with other people, including no intimacy, and certainly no contact while the other spouse is away. I shouldn’t have to remind you of that.” When Emma reached the bottom of the staircase, she spun around, surprising her increasingly distraught husband. “I only need to know one thing from you.” She held up a single index finger in front of his face. “One thing.”
“Anything,” he said, putting his hands up. “I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. I have nothing to hide.”
“Is this the first time you’ve kissed another woman without my permission?” Her face was set. Even though she was milking the role of angry wife, this question was a big deal to her. Emma knew tonight was all on Candace and her husband would never take that woman to bed, but their entire marriage had been based on a very strict no-sneaking-around rule.
Period.
If Pete had ever messed around with another woman behind her back, it would be devastating news—news that would change her life forever. Trust and honesty were the two things that had kept their marriage rock solid throughout the years, even though they lived an open lifestyle. If Pete had cheated, it would be a game changer.
“Yes, of course it’s the first time!” Pete practically shouted his response, even though they were a foot apart. “You have to know me better than that. I love you. I would never cheat on you! We have rules on purpose. I swear to you I’ve never gone behind your back with another woman in my life. Why would I?” When she didn’t answer immediately, his face changed to open pleading. “Em, you have to believe me. I didn’t do anything to lead Candace on! She came on her own.”
He really believed the root of the issue was Candace.
Why wouldn’t he think it was about Candace? Emma thought selfishly. It wasn’t about Candace. It was that Pete expected her to brush this off like it was nothing, to be her normal, affable self and soothe his ruffled feathers. Even though she felt peevish about that right now, she was relieved because she believed Pete hadn’t cheated on her.
Piper should become a full-time therapist. The advice she’d given Emma tonight had been spot-on. Emma now knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she needed to feel empowered in her marriage again. She needed to know she mattered to Pete—first.
That he would choose to put her ahead of their lifestyle, ahead of sex, ahead of his own pleasure.
Right now, she was pretty sure he didn’t.
And the only way to change those things would be to make Pete realize it for himself, and it wasn’t something she could just tell him. He had to discover it on his own.
She turned her back and headed up the stairs without another word.
“Wait!” he called, coming after her. “You can’t just say nothing. Can’t you at least acknowledge that this has nothing to do with me cheating on you? Emma!”
She stopped midway up and whirled around. “What I saw was you kissing Candace. I know she came here sniffing around in hopes of a quick fuck, but what I didn’t see was you trying to get away from her.”
“I didn’t have time,” Pete argued. “You walked in the second she kissed me. Believe me, I wanted her off me—”
“Pete, I want to believe you, I do. But I’m tired. I had a long day, and I want to go to sleep.” She turned and started up the steps again. “I mean, we fuck other people,” she tossed casually over her shoulder. “Why wouldn’t you feel like you could just fuck Candace if you wanted to? I think maybe our rules have blurred over the years and it’s time for some new ones.”
“What are you talking about? Our rules haven’t blurred at all!” Pete’s voice was frustrated. “This isn’t on me. I didn’t ask Candace to come over. She came with her own agenda!”
At the top of the stairs, Emma turned one last time, placing a hand on Pete’s chest before he could reach the top of the landing. “Just know,” she told him in a low tone, “if you get to kiss other people behind my back, I can do the same.” With that, she spun around and headed to their bedroom, trying not to smile at Pete’s shocked expression.
She would never cheat on him in a million years.
But it might be high time for him to think she would.
4
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Pete hadn’t been able to get Emma to continue the Candace conversation and he was going nuts. He’d talked in vain until she’d fallen asleep, trying to get her to see things from his viewpoint—that Candace wasn’t a threat to their marriage, and their rules of sex had not changed. But Emma hadn’t responded.
Pete was having a hard time recognizing this Emma, and it was alarming. What he did recognize, however, was he was in deep shit, and he had to find a way to dig himself out.
As he drove into Madison for work the next morning, he slapped the wheel in frustration. He had no idea what to do. A few more miles and Pete pulled onto the parking ramp attached to his building. He worked for an ad agency, just like Piper Collins. Their companies were similar, but barely ever competed for the same business. Pete’s firm was more specialized in providing branding for the movie industry. It was big business. He loved his job, which made the thirty-minute commute worthwhile.
Once in his office, he tossed his briefcase on his desk right as his cell phone rang. He pulled it out, hoping it was Emma.
Instead, the name on the front read Michael Collins. That was unusual. Pete hadn’t talked to him in over a year, even though their wives had started hanging out together on a regular basis.
Pete accepted the call. “Hello, this is Pete Slater.”
“Hey, Pete, it’s Michael Collins. How are you?” Michael’s voice was relaxed and cordial.
“I’m doing well,” Pete said as he sat down. “What’s up?” There was a reason behind the call, and small talk wasn’t Pete’s forte.
“I’m calling to invite you out for a drink tomorrow night with Jason Stratton, Brad Harrison, and me. Our wives are meeting regularly now, and us guys have slowly gotten on board. I think the ladies are heading out to your place tomorrow, so I figured you might be looking for something to do. We’re meeting at Johnny Q’s after work around six thirty. It’s a sports bar. Do you know it?”
“I do,” Pete said. “That’s nice of you to offer, but—”
“To be totally honest with you, I’m doing this at Piper’s request. It’s not that I didn’t want you to join us, but it didn’t occur to me to ask.” He chuckled good-naturedly over the line. Pete took no offense. “Typical guy brain. But Piper met up with your wife last night, and she thought you might like to go out with us. We talk about the lifestyle on occasion, among other things.”
Pete cleared his throat. “She did, huh?” Pete’s brain raced. Emma had probably confided in Piper what was bothering her, and maybe Piper had given Michael some insight on how he could fix it. It was worth a try. Plus, he liked all those guys, even though he hadn’t seen them for a while. “Okay, you convinced me. I’ll be there.”
“Great, see you then.” Michael clicked off.
Pete sat there for a few minutes, thinking about his wife and what had shifted in their relationship, but he was at a complete loss. There hadn’t been any major upsets or fights—Candace notwithstanding—that had occurred in the last few months. They hadn’t done much swapping lately, but they’d been busy, which wasn’t unusual.
The only thing he could think of was the vacation. Emma had wanted to go somewhere where they could be alone.
He’d pushed for his agenda and won. But now she seemed genuinely excited to go. So what was it? Pete wondered idly if it was too late to get their deposit back after all. Maybe he could surprise her and book another hotel on a bigger island instead.
He ran his hands through his hair.
This thing with his wife was worrisome. She was clearly unhappy, and he was going to have to fix that.
Whatever it took.
* * *
Emma buzzed around the kitchen, finishing up all the last-minute prepping. Not only had she made appetizers for the ladies, but she’d also made a potluck contribution for the block party. The neighborhood event was fairly low-key, as she and Pete lived on a street that turned into a cul-de-sac that had only ten homes total. Their house was the one right before the cul-de-sac began.
Pete was going out with the guys, which had been a nice surprise. She was glad he was meeting up with them. Piper had given her a heads-up about Michael inviting him, and Emma had been thrilled.
Once the girls arrived, Emma planned on bringing them out to the block party for shits and giggles, but then they were going to come back here for the “travel shower” Caroline had insisted on throwing her.
It felt like an overindulgence, but secretly Emma was touched. She hadn’t had girlfriends like this since grade school. In high school she’d been so focused on dancing, she’d missed out on a lot of opportunities to build lasting friendships, so she was beyond happy to have these ladies in her life right now. They made it brighter.
Her phone beeped on the counter. It was Piper.
ON OUR WAY. NEED ANYTHING?
She typed back.
NOPE. ALL SET.
Piper replied.
CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THE ROCKIN’ BLOCK PARTY IN ACTION!
Emma hadn’t told anyone about the Candace incident yet. She wanted to tell all the girls at once. She couldn’t wait.
Emma texted Piper back.
ME TOO. SEE YOU IN A FEW!
Piper and Caroline were riding together, and Gillian was coming separately. Emma hoped Gillian had some juicy gossip to share about her interlude with someone famous here in town. Gillian and her husband, Brad, had hooked up with someone at the orgy they’d attended with Piper and Michael, but Gillian had been sworn to secrecy. They were all dying to know who it was.
The girls would arrive in about twenty minutes if there was no traffic. Emma put the last cookie sheet in the oven. She’d made cheese tarts with caramelized onions. Emma had taken a half day off today so she’d have enough time to prepare.
Right as she shut the oven door, her phone rang.
She wiped off her hands and picked it up. It was Pete. She smiled like she always did when he called. He preferred calls to texts, and she loved that.
“Hello,” she said.
“Hey, how are you?” Pete asked. “I wanted to touch base before each of our nights began.”
“I’m great. Just finishing all the last touches before the girls get here. It should be fun. Are you bummed you’re missing the block party?” she joked.
“Hell no.” He chuckled.
“I wonder if Candace will have the balls to attend,” Emma said. “I hope she does. The girls need to meet her.”
“I don’t care if she does, and I hope I never lay eyes on her again. Are you sure you don’t need anything? I can swing home first if you need me to pick something up.”
“Nope, I’m good. Have fun tonight with the guys.”
“I will. I’m actually looking forward to it,” Pete said. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a guys’ night out. Michael mentioned that they talk about the lifestyle once in a while. It’ll be nice to be relaxed and chat.”
That’s what Emma was hoping for. Piper was a genius. “I hope you have fun. Take your time.”
“I will. And Emma?” There was a tentative note in his voice.
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Emma had remained adamant in her refusal to discuss the Candace incident each time Pete had brought it up, but mostly because she didn’t want to crack her façade. Ensuring that he knew she still wasn’t happy about the entire thing would go a long way. But she wasn’t going to lie to her husband over the phone.
She loved him like crazy.
“Okay, I’ll see you later.” He sounded relieved, and Emma felt a little pang.
She’d make it up to him tonight. She wouldn’t talk about Candace, but having some hot sex wouldn’t hurt.
“Bye.” She hung up.
Emma set the phone down. Then she smiled. In only a few days she’d felt a shift in things between them—for the better. Pete seemed more attentive, and that felt like a step in the right direction.
Emma hummed as she finished cleaning and took the tarts out of the oven. She was fixing her hair when the doorbell chimed. Before she could get downstairs, Piper’s voice rang out, “We’re here! Damn, I forget how beautiful this house is.”
Emma walked down the steps to greet them. “Thank you! I love it. But if you asked me if I’d be living in the suburbs by choice a few years ago, I would’ve told you hell to the no. Come on in.” She gave both Piper and Caroline hugs in greeting, and they followed her into the kitchen, both of them carrying gifts.
“Your sense of style is totally on point,” Caroline commented as she pulled out a barstool and sat, placing a very nicely wrapped present next to her on the island. “I might have to hire you if we do any more remodeling.”
“It’s off the hook,” Piper agreed. “I’d never be ballsy enough to go with browns and greens, but this totally works.” Piper took the stool next to Caroline, setting her gift bag on the floor.
Emma placed a few platters of finger foods in front of them. “Thanks, I appreciate that,” she said. “What can I get you ladies to drink?” As Emma walked over to the bar, she heard what sounded like a motorcycle pull into her driveway. It must be Gillian. Emma didn’t know if she had a bike, but it wouldn’t be surprising. “Does Gillian have a motorcycle?”
“I’ll take a gin and tonic,” Caroline said. “And I have no idea if she does. But it wouldn’t shock me.”
“Yep, that’s her,” Piper said. “A gin and tonic sounds good. I’ll take one, too.”
“Two gin and tonics coming up.” A few moments later there was a knock at the front door. “Come on in!” Emma called over her shoulder. “It’s open!” Emma finished up the drinks right as Gillian walked into the kitchen.
“Hiya,” Gillian greeted them as she entered, glancing around. “I always forget how nice this place is.”
“I just said the same thing!” Piper said. “It’s shocking.”
Emma chuckled as she set the drinks in front of Caroline and Piper. “Thanks, guys. What can I get you to drink, Gillian?”
Gillian had on full leathers—pants, jacket, the whole nine yards. She set a big leather satchel on the end of the island. “I’ll take a beer. Whatever you have is fine. I can only have one or two tonight. I’m very careful when I take the bike.”
Caroline said, “Gillian, you’re a total badass. I could never ride a motorcycle. I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
Gillian slid onto the last barstool, next to Piper, as Emma set a beer bottle in front of her. “Don’t get too excited.” Gillian smiled. “It’s a small bike. I’ve tried to drive Brad’s big Harley, but I don’t have enough lower-body strength to keep that bad boy up.” She shrugged. “When your husband rides, you either ride, or you spend a lot of time at home alone. I prefer having my own bike. Otherwise, I’m just a hanger-on, and that’s no fun. We’d been looking for a while, but I finally found one I can handle about a year ago. It’s been super fun.” She picked up her beer.
“I’m certain I couldn’t drive it, no matter how small,” Caroline said. “But I admire you for it.”
“Okay, ladies.” Emma clapped once, her excitement at the forefront. “I have something to tell you before we head out to the block party, and it’s pretty juicy!”
“Juicier than Gillian hooking up with a celebrity?” Piper joked as she turned to Gillian. “I hope you’re planning on spilling some details tonight. It’s been two weeks, and we are dying. Dy-ing.”
Caroline added, “Yes! We can’t wait to hear who it is.”
Emma chuckled. “My gossip isn’t that good, but it does involve my neighbor trying to seduce my husband right here in this very kitchen.”
“No way!” Piper exclaimed. “That is a great runner-up. I’m totally kidding. Gillian’s sexcapades can wait. Neighborhood scandal right in your own kitchen wins the night. When did this happen?”
“The night we met for drinks,” Emma answered. She turned to the other girls to explain. “I asked Piper to meet me for a drink because I was having some issues with my marriage, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was exactly, so I didn’t want to make it a big deal before I figured it out. Piper was incredible, as you can all imagine.” She grinned at her friend. “You really should be a therapist, you know. I came home feeling completely energized and ready to tackle my life—and walked in right as Candace was trying to tackle my husband.”
