“Don’t rub it in, girl. I haven’t had sex since the divorce.”
“You’ll find somebody else.” She squeezed Daisy’s arm. “What can I bring food-wise?”
“Dessert.”
“Great. Thanks, Daisy.”
Daisy got in her car and watched Scarlet drive away. She wasn’t jealous of her friend, just nostalgic. She’d been happily married for eleven years, then the last few were a slow disintegration of her marriage. Not to mention her ex’s cheating.
She shook all that off and before she headed home, she drove to her church to pick up the brochure for the Laity Fair she was organizing there.
Community Christian Church was small, but it was gorgeous inside with wooden pews, high ceilings and stained-glass windows. The narthex and fellowship hall had just been renovated. The congregation was active and collegial. She liked knowing almost everybody who belonged here. She parked nextto the pastor’s Hyundai and used her key to get inside. She entered the general office in the narthex and found the trifold sample in her mailbox like Reverend Nick had promised her.
From behind, she heard, “Hey, nice to see you.”
She turned. “Hi, Nick.” For a brief moment, she admired the pastor. Tall, lanky but not too thin. His blondish hair was tousled but it was his green eyes that stood out. They were always warm and friendly. “I just stopped to proofread the brochure for the Laity Fair.”
“I read it over but thanks for taking another pass at it.”
“Of course. I’m in charge of the fair.”
“You have my undying gratitude for that. It’s more work than I knew.”
“It’ll go off without a hitch.”
“Like everything you do.”
She felt herself blush.
“You don’t take enough credit for things you do here, Daisy Taylor.”
“Thanks for saying that.”
“I’ll be in my office. Stop and say goodbye when you’re done.”
“See you then.”
He turned and walked out. Daisy watched him go.
* * *
Scarlet got home at noon sharp. Joe stood in the kitchen staring at some food on the counter. He turned at the sound of the door. “Hi, beautiful.” His hair was damp and he had changed his clothes to clean jeans and a dark brown dress shirt.
“Hi.” She went over to him and he slid his arms around her. She sniffed. “Hmm. You smell like heaven.”
“I forgot I had cologne. I never use it anymore.”
“It’s very male.”
She drew back and gestured to the counter. “I love charcuterie boards.”
“You had all the stuff so I figured you must like them. There’s pepperoni for you.” He gestured to the bottle next to it. “Do you want some wine first? It’s chilled. I assume you won’t be driving anywhere.”
“I do. But not yet.” She took his hand and led him out of the kitchen, through the dining room to the bedroom. Once inside, she whispered, “I want to make love.” Not have sex. Makelove. Even if their relationship could only last for a few days.
“I do too.” He fiddled with the tie at the front of her dress, then unbuttoned it and eased the straps off her shoulders. He kissed the space between her breasts. “No bra?”
“I buy dresses with built in support.”
