Fat Fridays (18 page)

Sukie completed her shopping and, humming softly, headed home.

A couple of hours later, she reviewed the outcome of her labor with satisfaction. Tangy barbeque sauce rested in a jar next to the garlic and herb salad dressing that had become a family favorite. Cleaned leaves of Romaine were stored in the refrigerator near the mushrooms she’d marinated for an appetizer. The pièce de resistance was the lemon meringue pie, a recipe that she’d become noted for at PTA fundraisers.

When her chores were done, she took a long soak in the tub, reveling in the fact this was one Saturday night she wouldn’t spend alone. Dressing, she put a dab of perfume behind each ear. When she was satisfied she was ready, she drifted downstairs to wait for Cam.

He arrived with a bottle of wine. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a kiss that sent her pulse racing. Wearing a sexy grin, he said, “Should we forget dinner?” 

Sukie laughed. “What time do you have to be home?”

“I told the babysitter I’d be back by midnight.”

“Good.” She smiled. “We’ve got time to do both.”

Cam chuckled and followed her out to the patio.

A bottle of chilled Pinot Grigio sat on the table, along with the mushrooms and an assortment of cheeses garnished with frosty green grapes.

Sukie took a seat and breathed in the air, fragrant with the scent of flowers. The evening still held a bit of the day’s warmth. The flowers she’d recently planted along the edges of the patio bobbed their colorful heads in the soft breeze that danced with them, adding bright color to the green spread of lawn beyond. 

“Very nice.” Cam took a seat and stretched his long legs out in front of him. Sukie admired the muscular shape of them beneath his khaki pants. Her gaze traveled up his buff body to his rugged face. 

Cam looked at her, his blue eyes full of questions. “Everything all right?”

“Oh, yeah.” The chemistry between them was on high alert. “What do you suppose it is between us that makes our connection so unusual? It’s almost too good to be true.” Sukie took a deep breath, wishing she could see into the future. “Are you...are you going to end up breaking my heart?”

Cam leaned over and gently caressed Sukie’s cheek. “I’ll try not to, Sukie. I know what it’s like to have your life turned upside down by someone else.”

“Do you hate her? Your ex-girlfriend?”

He shook his head. “No. Remember, she gave me Chloe. But I don’t give a damn anymore what she does or who she’s with. She simply doesn’t matter to me.” His mouth formed an unpleasant twist. “She wants no part of Chloe. She’d rather have her drugs and other men who will give them to her. End of story.”

“But you’d like to find someone else...”

“Sure.” He gave Sukie an endearing smile that made her heart turn over with joy. “But, Sukie, many of the women I’ve dated are so spoiled they can’t see beyond themselves. I already have one child to raise. I don’t want more.”

Sukie leaned back in her chair, letting his words settle inside her. 

“It isn’t just about the sex, which is great with us, Sukie. It’s about how I want to spend my time, and with whom. I have so little time to myself, taking care of Chloe and all. It’s got to feel right. Know what I mean?”

Sukie nodded. She knew exactly what he meant. Her divorce had changed her views about a lot of people. She was no longer willing to waste her time with those people who’d be only too glad to stab her in the back. Sukie’s counselor had mentioned the need to be around positive, active people, who supported one another. She understood. That’s why the Fat Fridays group had come to mean so much to her. That’s why she and the other women in the group were willing to fight to keep Lynn with them, safe and sound.

Cam poured the wine into the stemmed glasses she’d set out and moved a glass across the table toward her. A few drops of wine spilled on the glass tabletop. Sukie wiped them up with her finger. 

Reaching for her hand, eyes steady on her, Cam sucked the liquid from her finger. His tongue and lips absorbed the chill from the wine and sent fiery heat racing through her. Sukie almost swooned from the effect. God, this man knew how to get to her. And it felt so good.

Cam leaned over and kissed her on the lips. She knew from the way his tongue caressed hers that he was aroused, too. When they finally broke apart, he said, “Let’s enjoy what we have. Time will take care of the rest.”

After they’d sat for a while, talking, Sukie got up and handed Cam an apron with “Kiss the Cook” scrawled across the front of it.

He looked at the saying and grinned. “Better do it before the chicken goes on the grill.”

She knew enough to do exactly what she’d been told.

###

T
hey ate in the dining room. The formal setting of the room with its crystal chandelier and white wainscoting etched below hunter green walls did nothing to stem the tide of sexual tension that rippled in invisible waves between them.

Sukie served the salad and garlic oven-fried potatoes and watched with satisfaction as Cam dug into the meal. To her delight, he asked for seconds of everything.

Coffee accompanied the pie.

“Delicious,” Cam said, scraping the last remnant of lemon filling off his plate.

Leaving Cam to finish his cup of coffee, Sukie went into the kitchen to straighten up. She was standing at the sink when she felt Cam’s arms fold around her. She leaned back against him, loving the feel of his strong body pressed to hers.

C
arol Ann had been so excited about dating that, at first, she didn’t care who it was. Now, after a number of dates with guys she had no interest in, she found herself thinking more and more about what she wanted.

The only man she’d really liked—in every way but one—was John, the insurance guy. He was cute, he had a nice car and he didn’t mind spending money. She shook her head. So, things got out of hand one night because they’d both had too much to drink. That didn’t make him a monster like the women in the Fat Fridays group seemed to think, did it? It was a pretty puny excuse for giving up on him.

They
didn’t have to live with her parents.

She did.

They
didn’t have to go out on one lousy date after another.

She did.

Carol Ann paced her room, thinking of all of the reasons why she should be in touch with John. Sukie had Cam; Tiffany had Beau. And Betsy? Carol Ann wasn’t sure, but she thought Betsy might have some guy on the side. Something was going on with her. Lynn, Carol Ann knew, would never be interested in a man.

John continued to send emails, asking her for another chance, and Carol Ann decided she was going to give it to him.

Yes, she told herself, it was time for her to act on her own, get away from her parents and set up housekeeping with a handsome guy who everybody would grow to like. It might take time, but she’d prove to everyone how wrong they’d been about him.

S
unday morning, Sukie stretched like a cat sated with cream, languishing in satisfaction. Months ago, she would never have dreamed how her life would change. It still stung that Ted had been so cruel, but she was more than happy to discover this new side to life. Though she was about to become a grandmother, she felt younger and more alive than she had in years. She was free to be herself, the real Sukie, not the mother, the wife, the community volunteer defined by others, but the person defined by her own new sense of self.

She got out of bed and tossed her nightgown aside. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she stopped and peered at the image staring back at her. Not bad. Her body wasn’t perfect, of course. It never would be. But it attracted the man with whom she’d already fallen in love, and that’s what most mattered to her.

The jarring ring of the phone startled her. Sukie checked the digital bedside clock. Ten after seven on a Sunday morning. Oh, my God! Was it Lynn?

“H...hello?”

“Mom?”

Sukie lowered herself to her bed, her heart racing. “Rob? What is it? Is everything all right with Madeleine and the baby?”

“Yes, they’re fine. It’s Dad. He came over here last night ranting and raving about you seeing some younger man. What’s going on?”

The smell of Cam’s spicy aftershave wafted up from the sheets. Sukie’s pulse pounded. She wasn’t ready to divulge her deepest feelings to her son. Not yet. 

“Is it true?”

“I’ve met someone very special,” Sukie answered as calmly as she could. “He and I are seeing each other. I’d like you to meet him in time. You and Madeleine.”

“So, it’s true. I heard he has a three-year-old daughter. Geez, Mom, you’re about to become a grandmother. Don’t you think it’s a little weird?”

“A difference in our ages shouldn’t matter to anyone else. Look at your father. He left me for someone Madeleine’s age, for God’s sake. Why should it be an issue with me?” Sukie hated her defensive tone but the injustice of it filled her with resentment. “His age isn’t all that different from mine; I had you young, remember?”

“So, who is he?”

“Cameron Taylor, an IT consultant who’s working at MacTel on a special project. He’s a remarkable man, someone I’m sure you’ll like.” As if Rob could see her, Sukie clutched the blankets to her, covering her nakedness.

“Uh, Mom? Madeleine wants to talk to you. Here she is.”

“Sukie?”

She tensed, wondering what her daughter-in-law had to say. It couldn’t be good if Rob was so upset.

“I just want you to know that Rob and I disagree on this being weird,” Madeleine said. “If you’ve moved on and found someone you’re interested in, I’m all for it. This idea that a difference in ages is wrong for a woman but right for a man is ridiculous.”

Sukie’s breath escaped in a rush of relief. Bless Madeleine. Sukie had always loved her. 

“Don’t worry. Rob will come around. But, Sukie, I’ve never seen Ted so angry. He’s absolutely furious that you’ve embarrassed him.”

Sukie’s blood pressure rose in pounding pulses. Through teeth clamped together she ground out, “He has no reason to be upset with me. I’m the one who’s been embarrassed by him parading his pregnant girlfriend all over town.”

“Just a warning. Talk to you later.”

Sukie hung up the phone trembling with fury. She was still fuming over the unfairness of Ted’s behavior, when she received a call from Betsy. “Just checking. You and Cam are still coming for brunch, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but we have to bring Chloe. All right?”

“That’s fine. I’ve got plenty of toys here for her to play with. See you soon.”

Thinking of Ted, Sukie shook her head. If he knew of her support of Betsy’s relationship with Karen, it would send him into another tizzy. He’d become so full of self-importance in his role as bank president that somewhere along the line he’d lost the ability to be kind. Earlier, she’d accepted it as part of who he was, but now she couldn’t and wouldn’t condone it.

###

B
etsy was all smiles when she greeted Sukie, Cam and Chloe at the door. Karen stood behind her wearing a look of uncertainty.

“Come in, come in,” Betsy said. “I’ve set up brunch in the sun room. It’s my favorite room in the house.” Her cheeks colored prettily as she ushered them inside. “Sukie Skidmore and Cam Taylor, I want you to meet Karen McEvoy, my... partner.”

Cam smiled and shook Karen’s hand, and Sukie followed suit.

“Hi, there, Chloe.” Betsy knelt on the floor and opened her arms. Chloe ran into them. “I’ve got some toys for you to play with. My granddaughter Caitlin keeps a whole basketful of them here.”

Chloe’s eyes danced. “For me?”

“For a while,” said Betsy cheerfully, rising and leading the way.

Sukie turned to Karen. “I understand you’re going to move in with Betsy. When?”

Karen’s eyes rounded. “Betsy hasn’t told you?”

Sukie shook her head.

Karen sighed. “Probably never. Richie called her yesterday. He and Sarah are having some problems, and he asked Betsy if he could move in with her for a while. I’ve gone ahead and rented an apartment nearby. There’s no way either one of us feels ready to spring our relationship on him. Not when he’s so vulnerable.”

“I’m sorry.” Sukie didn’t know what else to say. Betsy had a family to consider. 

While Chloe played with the Barbie dolls she’d pulled out of a wicker basket, Sukie sat with the other adults at the round rattan-and-glass table. Betsy had loaded it with brunch items—an egg and cheese casserole, sausage patties, fresh fruit, sweet rolls and an assortment of pastries. As they ate, Karen talked about her work as an IT analyst. While Cam and Karen discussed a new program she was working on, Sukie turned to Betsy. 

“Karen told me about Richie coming to stay with you.”

Betsy nodded. “I have mixed feelings about it. Naturally I’m disappointed Karen decided to rent an apartment nearby rather than move in with me, but I’m pleased Richie is taking a stand with Sarah. They need to work several things out. It’s about time he faced that.”

Sukie told Betsy about the phone call with Rob and Madeleine and how angry she was with Ted.

Betsy shook her head. “As Gloria Steinem once said, ‘a woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.’ Who needs’em when they pull stuff like that?” She nudged Sukie with her elbow. “So, how’s it going with Cam?”

Sukie glanced over at him, deep in conversation with Karen, and felt a flutter of excitement as she recalled him naked in bed with her.

“You don’t have to say a word,” Betsy whispered, beaming at Sukie. “It’s written all over your face.”

Sukie could feel herself blushing.

Betsy clasped her hand. “It’s okay, Sukie. You guys seem to be doing fine.”

“I hope so,” Sukie whispered.

Sometime later, the sound of the doorbell brought Betsy to her feet. “I wonder who that is?” 

Chloe darted out of the room, carrying the doll she’d been playing with. Sukie hurried after her.