“Sharon Wade. She just moved across the street from me in Aunt Maura’s rental. She’s a little shy, but I don’t know why she didn’t hear me yell her name.” She might catch up with Sharon in the store. Maybe she’d want to walk around town with her, and they could go to the dance together.
Bryan rested his arm around her shoulders as they walked to where his car was parked. “Go have your fun with your new friend.” He winked. “I’m on duty in ten minutes.”
“I hope to have a great day of fun with my new friend,” she replied saucily and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
He chuckled and unlocked his car door. “Take care. Love you, Red.”
“Love you back.” She kissed his cheek.
She waved as he drove away and hurried to the hardware store to catch Sharon.
You won’t escape me for much longer. She giggled at that, and when she spotted Sharon in the paint aisle, she walked toward her with a skip in her step.
* * * *
Deborah dropped to her heels when she found the can of paint she’d been searching for. The kitchen walls were in desperate need of a new coat as was her bedroom. She decided on a nice mauve for both that would go well with her dishes and also the sheets and comforter she wanted to buy the next time she went out.
“Are we doomed to continue meeting in the aisles of stores? First tampons, now paint?”
She almost landed on her ass when a familiar girlish voice spoke above her. Bridgette was close enough her knee brushed her cheek. She stood as her own knees cracked, holding the can of paint to her chest, and moved back an inch to give her more space.
“A funny coincidence?” She looked at the top of the paint can.
“Not really. I saw you walking and called out your name. You didn’t even slow down, so I decided to follow you in here.” Bridgette smiled widely and tilted her head.
Shit. I have to remember my new name. “I guess I didn’t hear you. I was lost in my own thoughts.”
Bridgette gave her a not-so-subtle disbelieving look. “Sure, it was crowded outside.” She pointed at the two bags at her feet. “What did you buy?”
“A dress.” Deborah licked her lips. “And a few other items. My wardrobe is lacking. I have far too many casual clothes. I spotted a lovely purple-and-white polka-dot halter dress in the window I tried on. They had my size and, since it was on sale, I bought it.”
“Oh yeah. That’s been on display for a while. It’s not really my style. A bit too vintage for my taste.”
She laughed and shook her head. She’d thought Bridgette would be the perfect candidate for the dress. But if what she wore now was any indication, she was mistaken. The dress Bridgette wore showed off a slight bulging around her stomach area. For some reason, it didn’t turn her off, but actually quite the opposite, especially with the bodice of her sundress straining her chest.
“What? Did I spill something on me?” Bridgette swiped her hands down her front.
While Bridgette’s hands moved over her body, she cleared her throat. She looked away and hefted the paint can up higher under one arm while she reached to grab her bags with the other.
“Here, let me help you.” Bridgette grabbed the can, her arm brushing past Deborah’s chest, right on her nipples that had grown into hard nubs. She turned slightly to cover her reaction and took her bags.
“Thanks.” She joined the line of people to pay.
“You’re going to paint something?” Bridgette asked in a slight teasing voice.
“Yes. I’m going to paint my kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. That’s the plan I have for the next few days.”
“Need help? I’m quite the skilled painter.” Bridgette placed the can on the counter.
Before she had a chance to respond, the woman behind the counter rang them up. She chatted with Bridgette in a very friendly manner while Deborah watched in silence. The way Bridgette talked—flirted—with the woman in the tight T-shirt that showed a slip of her toned stomach made her wonder if they had once dated.
After she paid for the paint, she didn’t wait for Bridgette to finish her conversation. She had just reached the front door when Bridgette came up behind her.
“Wait up. Where’s the rush?” Bridgette said, slightly out of breath.
She walked outside and gave Bridgette, who followed her, a blank stare. “You looked pretty friendly with the woman behind the counter. I didn’t want to interrupt since I have more errands to run.”
Bridgette bit her lip and scratched her shoulder. She had the insane urge to flick Bridgette’s lip but couldn’t since her arms were full.
“Tammy and I used to date when I was in college. She’s now in a committed relationship with her girlfriend of five years. I’m not attracted to her in the way you might think,” Bridgette said softly, her mouth tilting and her eyes glowing.
She cleared her throat in embarrassment at her jealous reaction. She waited for Bridgette to call her out on it, but she didn’t. Instead, she took the paint can from her.
“So where are we off to now?” Bridgette asked as if the conversation never happened.
“You must have other things you’d rather do than tag along with me.”
“Nope. Nothing at all. I’d rather give you a tour of my town.” She poked Deborah’s side with her elbow.
“Um, well…I was going to check my e-mail at the café down the street and grab a cup of coffee.”
“Check your e-mail? Don’t you have Internet hooked up yet? I thought that would be one of the first things you’d do because of your job.”
She quickly scanned her memory to remember what she’d told Bridgette what she did for a living. When it finally came to her, she remained composed, although Bridgette stared at her in suspicion.
“My Internet installation has been scheduled for Monday. My clients know I’m taking time off to get settled in my new home.”
“Wow, no Internet yet? I bet you don’t have cable, either. How are you keeping busy and not dying from boredom?” Bridgette asked as they started walking toward the café.
“Cleaning and fixing up the house, of course,” she replied. “Now that I think of it, I don’t have to check my e-mail. I can just go home with my stuff while you continue to—”
“No can do, Sharon.” Bridgette clutched the can tighter, and Deborah swallowed a laugh. She looked too charming for words, standing in a battle-warrior-type stance. “How about we drop all this stuff off at my aunt’s office so we can have our hands free to buy more stuff as we check out the tables and booths? Then, afterward, we can get ready for the dance tonight. I can’t wait to see you wear your new dress. What do you say?”
Bridgette scanned her from head to toe. She almost closed her eyes and smiled from the welcome heat in her stomach area, as well as the way in between her legs grew damp. She was so glad they were on a crowded street because she was close to kissing her.