“More than OK. I’m certain.”
She stayed in my arms. “There’s no doubt we’ll come out of this smelling like a rose at work. A huge success. And Spain was nothing short of incredible. But it’s back to the real world now.”
“I know. I’m sorry things got so crazy.”
She withdrew from my arms, and shook her hair free. “I think I needed a little ‘crazy’ in my life. See you Monday?”
“Bright and early at the stroke of ten. I think I’ll sleep in for once. I’m guessing I’ll have a busy weekend at home.”
It was nice to see her smile. “I hope that makes two of us.”
No kiss goodbye, she just walked back to her car, gave me a wave and climbed in. I hopped in my car and took off for home. There were a couple of girls I desperately wanted to see.
* * *
I arrived to a packed house. All the full-time residents were present, as were Karen and Jim. Even Ashley and Erin were awaiting my arrival and when they ran to me for hugs, I realized how much I’d missed the rug rats. I was definitely becoming domesticated. The only real surprise was Eric, who was there with Amie. Looked like that relationship was still on and from the way he was hovering and looking at her, I was guessing there’d been some advances on that front.
Good for him.
I felt smothered under the affection. Beth was the first of the adults to get to me, leaping into my arms to give me a full-body hug and a kiss that could melt an iceberg. Karen gave me a toe-curler, and an ear nibble, and Jim followed with a high five. Of course little sister Robin wouldn’t be outdone. As she approached me, I stopped her a few feet away, so I could check out her latest chest advertising. Three lines of “I will not be naughty”, as if written on a chalkboard, brought a smile to my face.
“Trying to clean up the act a bit,” she said before taking me in her arms. After licking my molars she whispered, “Of course I’d be willing to make an exception, whenever you’re up for it.” A little pat of her hand below the waist emphasized her offer.
Amie’s kiss was controlled, but the hug was intense. “Later,” she whispered, before Eric gave me the requisite manly fist bump.
Debbie came up to me last, but her hug was tentative at first. I squeezed her back, nuzzling my face into her neck, while her hug firmed up. She had her face buried in my chest and seemed overly emotional. I stroked her hair, soothing her until she finally relinquished her death grip, and excused herself to the kitchen.
We sat around and worked our way through a few bottles of wine, while I shared a little about my trip and the sights I’d seen. The girls were eager to update me on their progress on the day-care setup. It looked like they were really pulling things together.
Our new living room furniture was overflowing with pretty women, and a few lucky men. I was fortunate enough to be tightly wedged in between the succulent Beth and delicious Debbie, my platinum tressed Goddess. Debbie was quieter than usual, content to let her partners handle all the day-care discussion. She clung to me as if she was afraid I’d leap up and depart for foreign parts at any moment.