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“Hmm,” Gage mumbled. “What I want could be dangerous.”
She felt the heat creep up her neck, and maybe it was wrong, but she liked how he made her feel. Toeing the line, she whispered, “The truly fun things usually are.”
“And highly satisfying, too.” Gage added in a heavy voice. Not only were her words sinking into his brain, but they swept through his body, producing a warmth to coat his veins and the crotch of his jeans to grow tighter.
Tilly exhaled on a moan and moved back inside, walking right to the fridge, and yanked the freezer door open. “We seem to have a favorite topic.” She muttered. “You’re right, this is dangerous.”
Gage took a deep breath and exhaled, hoping to calm his thoughts enough to move the conversation elsewhere. “What kinda music do you like?”
He didn’t want to move the subject on, but for both of them, it was necessary. They spent the next three hours talking and laughing about everything and anything, from music and TV shows, to movies and favorite vacation spots. There was never a lull in the conversation or an awkward silence where either felt the need to fill it with chatter. They ate, sharing what they were eating, their favorite foods and restaurants, and what didn’t go unnoticed by either of them was that they smiled through it all. In fact, it sat nicely atop the guilt both tried to ignore and were only marginally successful in accomplishing.
_______________
Tilly stood in her mudroom. One ear to the kitchen. Since their first phone call, she and Gage had been sneaking calls and texts. “I struggled getting out of bed this morning, have been dragging all day. I didn’t realize last night that it was after two when we said good night.” She knew she needed to step back. They talked every day. She was getting too invested in whatever was going on between them, but she couldn’t stop herself. She liked it, whatever it was.
Gage stared at the bright blue Wal-Mart and spoke. “I did, too, was late picking up the guys.” His focus moved from the sign to his lap. Stealing moments together had begun to affect their lives, but neither seemed to care. Their connection had become a drug, both waiting for the next fix. Hence the reason for Gage dropping his men off and parking in the back of the lot of the store. He looked up and watched families entering and exiting the store, smiles on their faces. “Jesus, Till, what the fuck is going on with us?”
Tilly’s felt a rush of nerves at his question because she’d been asking herself the same one. “I don’t know, Gage. A part of me knows we need to stop, but there’s a bigger part of me that doesn’t want to. I enjoy you too much.”
Gage took a hefty breath. “I don’t think I could stop.”
Before Tilly could answer, she heard Ashley. “Mom! Where are you? The water is boiling over. Yesterday, you burned the cookies and now… Are you playing that game?”
“Oh shit. I gotta go.” Tilly rushed out. “I was making dinner, but got sidetracked. It was a good diversion, though.”
“Go, sweetheart. I’ll text you later.” Gage told her, even though he didn’t want to end the call.
“Mom!” Ashley shouted, her voice sounding closer this time.
Tilly rushed out, “I think he’s working late again.”
“There you are!” Gage heard the young girl’s voice come through the phone right before the line went dead.
_______________
Gage leaned against the bathroom stall door and typed out.
Looks like I’m gonna be later than expected. Hope you’re still up when I get home. I miss you.
He tucked his cell back into his back pocket and rejoined his wife and his parents at the table of their favorite restaurant.
_______________
Tilly walked through the market, leaving her kids in the seasonal aisle, surrounded by a dentist’s dream…Halloween candy. They had their own shopping cart, and though she’d already gotten their candy, she knew they were loading the cart with more.
She reached for her phone, took a picture of the bag of coffee, one that Gage drank like water. It was just coffee, but it was the coffee he drank and one she planned to start drinking herself...another connection they could share. It was silly, but she found when it came to him, she wanted more. In the very back of her mind, a fantasy played. One she didn’t dwell on because with how she felt, that fantasy wouldn’t stay in the back of her mind for long.
I found it. Maybe I’ll share your addiction.She hesitated before she added,It would be nice to share a cup in person, but it wouldn’t be the coffee I’d get addicted to.
She slipped her phone back in her purse and went to find her kids.
_______________
Gage leaned against his work truck, eyes focused on the small screen as he typed out.
You think you could fake being sick? Or too much?
Gage knew deep down what he was asking was stepping over the line. She had told him weeks ago about the girls’ night out she had planned, but the closer the day grew, he didn’t want to share her with her friends… or anyone.
