“So I can sign you up as a chaperone?”
“Is she staying all weekend?”
“Until Sunday afternoon.”
“In your room?”
“Uh, yeah. Where else?”
Ricki shrugged. Blythe suspected it was to appear casual, but it came off forced. “I don’t think she’s like the others. Not as worldly, so I figured she’d want her own room.”
“Well, we don’t have another bedroom unless we throw an air mattress in your study.” It was Ricki’s home office, but Blythe had taken to calling it a study since the walls were lined with bookshelves. “Maybe I should put a bed in there. The books might serve as an aphrodisiac to Abby.”
Ricki turned up her nose. “Don’t be doing your nasty business in front of my books.”
Ignoring Ricki, Blythe said, “We haven’t talked about sleeping arrangements, but she’s an adult coming here for the weekend, so I doubt it’s necessary.”
Ricki took a sip of her coffee and picked up her cellphone, signaling she was done with the conversation.
Blythe swiped her own cellphone. “Check out the picture Abby sent me.”
Ricki looked up from her own phone, and her eyes widened. She took Blythe’s phone from her and held it closer to her face. “This is the librarian?”
“Put your eyes back in your head.” Blythe laughed. “Not too bad, huh?”
“She has her hair down.” Ricki continued to stare.
“Yeah, I convinced her to send me one. She was at a friend’s bachelorette party.” Blythe didn’t need to glance at the picture since it was emblazoned on her mind.
Abby’s blond hair fell to her shoulders in gentle waves, and on one side, her hair was tucked behind her ear. She wore a vintage black sweater with a plunging neckline. Blythe wasn’t a clothing connoisseur, but the material looked soft like angora, which made Blythe want to touch it. She hoped Abby would wear it when she visited, so Blythe could feel it for herself.
“She looks good with her hair down,” Ricki finally said.
Blythe took her phone from Ricki, who held on to it for a beat before she released it. Blythe looked at the picture. “Those thin lips are driving me crazy.”
“I still think she has nice eyes,” Ricki said.
Still?When had Ricki mentioned her eyes? Blythe didn’t press since she’d glanced back at the picture. It was the first time she’d studied Abby’s eyes. “Hmm. Come fuck me eyes.”
“Jesus. When did you become such an idiot?” Ricki slammed back the rest of her coffee and stood. “I gotta go for a run.”
“When did you become such a prude?”
“Just remember. This is my house, so show some respect.” Ricki stepped to the sink and put her cup next to it.
“Geez, what’s crawled up your ass? When have I ever disrespected your house?”
“I’m just saying,” Ricki said as she breezed out of the room.
What the fuck?Blythe stared at the door where Ricki had exited. No doubt, Ricki needed a vacation. Her boss had been working her way too hard. Hopefully, next weekend would do Ricki some good.
Blythe looked back at Abby’s picture and smiled. The weekend would do Blythe some good.
CHAPTER 9
“Isn’t it too hotfor that?” Madeline asked as she fell onto Abby’s bed. She rested her back against the pillows piled against the headboard and crossed her legs at the ankles. “Mid-June isn’t sweater weather.”
“It’s thin, and the sleeves are three-quarter length.” Abby held the soft black sweater up against her chest. “Blythe requested it.”
