The newsof the theme nights and the chance to dress in something other than a white button down paired with black slacks or skirts overjoyed the rest of the bar staff. When Gavin invited her to come work with him at the bar, he never mentioned a dress code. But she since noticed it and adhered.

Of course, they were all younger than her. Gavin insisted anyone who planned to wear something other than the mandatory black and white must bring their costume in prior to Thursday for approval.

He cleared his throat and glanced at her when he specified that no racy clothing would be tolerated. Tara, a twenty something year old server groaned, and they all laughed. Funny how they all recognized that it would be her who chose to be somewhat inappropriate.

“We aren’t going to start this week. I want everyone’s input. But votes for which country should be our inaugural one must be in no later than closing Wednesday because it will happen next Thursday,” Gavin encouraged.

Watching and hearing Gavin direct a staff meeting, no matter how impromptu and informal it might be, impressed her. And a little more. It had her recalling their private times. And it had her yearning for one right then.

“Get that look off your face, Lanie. We’re open and a customer is coming up to the bar,” Gavin emphasized groaning. His words yanked her out of her daydreaming. How did he read her so well? Scanning the area, at least the rest of the staff weren’t there any longer and didn’t witness her venture off to sexual fantasy land.

Those were the kind of thoughts she wanted to focus on. They made her happy. They fulfilled her. Not just the sex, but the partnership she and Gavin developed. “Since you’re still off the schedule Friday… I want you to be my date to the reception.” Oh goodness, she did it. She got overly ambitious. She would regret it.

Maybe.

He strutted over and tugged her up against him. And damn if she didn’t feel his arousal.

“I would like nothing more. Well, that’s a lie. But, yes, I will be your date. And tonight, you will go home and rest. It’s been a busy, amazing day. Go home. Run yourself a nice bath. Or wait and do it when you get up tomorrow.” Gripping her waist, he pulled her even closer. He whispered in her ear, “I’ll be thinking about you. I want you to think about me.”

Oh, good Lord. As if she could think about anything else.

He licked her neck and nibbled her earlobe. Slapping her on the ass, he commanded, “Get to work. No funny business tonight. I’m leaning toward a little abstinence makes the heart grow fonder.”

No, he didn’t. She closed her eyes and sighed. She did need to get a grip. She had a huge endeavor ahead of her. The opening celebration of Raphael’s theme nights. And having Gavin accompany her to a reception with all her friends and her ex.

Friends. She’d been ignoring all her usual activities. She hadn’t played tennis. She hadn’t even been to the country club. And Beverly hadn’t reached out to her since— crap, since she gave her the brush-off and promised to get in contact.

But normally Beverly would’ve forced the issue. She would keep texting and calling and not let up.

Odd. Could Beverly be jealous? No. She and Gary had a great relationship. Plenty of support. Plenty of fun. Plenty of sex. So why hadn’t she heard from her.

She supposed maybe she should reach out to Beverly. And she would. In the morning.

And she did. After waking at nine a.m., she showered and made coffee. It felt great to be at home. Not that she didn’t enjoy being away from the big, empty house, and with Gavin, but her head cleared. Or her libido relaxed because she had no chance to satiate it. With Gavin at least.

Another weird revelation. When did she stop using vibrators? When her sexual desire declined years ago, no, it perished. She completely gave up on any physical gratification.

Sitting in her favorite chair, she sipped her coffee. She missed Beverly. Maybe after being so prudish and disinterested in men for so long, it took Beverly by surprise when she confided in her about meeting Gavin. A week had passed. She and Beverly never went that long without seeing one another or engaging in multiple long conversations in eighteen years.

She decided to text first. “You busy?”

Not receiving a reply for over thirty minutes sent Lanie into a mini meltdown. If she explained her absence Beverly would understand. Right?

Finally, Beverly responded by text. “I just arrived at the club for tennis. Remember. Tuesday tennis. I suppose we need to find someone to be our fourth.”

Ouch.She did have to reach out on Tuesday. Even if she could manage to dress and rush to the club, she worried that there could very well be some serious friction between her and Bev. She texted back. “I totally forgot. I have a job now. I’m planning events and working at Raphael’s bar.”

Ten minutes later, after Lanie questioned every decision she made recently, Beverly wrote, “So, you’re working with him now. At a bar.”

She paused. What exactly bothered Beverly? Everything related to her? Did Bev believe their friendship would suffer because she found someone? Probably. It had.

Why did Lanie suddenly want to apologize or justify something? If Bev truly was her friend, she’d want to hear all about her new relationship. And her job. She didn’t need any negativity in her life. She didn’t want it. “Raphael’s isn’t some dive bar. Sorry I’ve been absent. It all happened quickly. I’m happy. And I miss you.” She wrote from the heart. No regrets.

“That’s great. The reception is Friday. In case you forgot. I’m sure you haven’t. You get to debut your new boy toy.”

Beverly’s reply hurt. It cut deep. It supported Lanie’s biggest hesitation with her and Gavin. His age. Would they all focus on that? Would they talk about her behind her back and call her a cougar? Her stomach rolled. She felt as sick physically as she did mentally. What had she been thinking? If her best friend didn’t believe the best of her, how could anyone else? Had she somehow come to a mid-life crisis at fifty-one?

Her cell rang and she ignored it. Not that she expected Bev to call and try to smooth things over. She sat there and stared at nothing imagining the horrible assumptions her friends and other acquaintances would make of her Friday night.

Tags: Sheri Lynn Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net