Jessica’s affection lapped over and into the empty recesses of Anne’s heart. She had good friends. A look at the other two women showed they felt the same, even before Jessica added, “Everyone wanted to come, but we were afraid you’d feel invaded.”
“When Sally lost out, boy, you should have heard the swearing. And Olivia said she’s going to beat our asses at the club for not letting her come.” Kim’s lips tilted up. “See how much we love you?”
And here she’d been feeling bereft. “Thank you. Thank you all.”
“Right. So—do you have a blender?” Uzuri picked up the brown grocery sack at her feet. “We can’t share disastrous relationship stories without alcohol.”
They’d have to do the drinking for her, but okay. Laughing, Anne rose and led the way inside.
* * * *
Watching the black clouds cover the sky, Ben pulled his phone out of his rear pocket and answered without checking the display. “Yo.”
“Ben? Travis.”
Ben froze. “News?”
“Yeah. Lights are on at her place.”
“Did you stop by?” Ben asked.
“No, Harrison’s wife noticed and called me. Dad and I are in Tampa and heading there now, so if you want to see her before us, this is your chance.”
Ben smiled. Good man. “Copy that. Thanks.”
“No thanks needed. Just be aware that if you don’t make her happy, I’ll break your neck.”
If he fucked this up, he’d welcome an early demise.
* * * *
As Uzuri concocted daiquiris with the fresh strawberries she’d brought, Anne took charge of adding rum to each drink.
A salt-laden, wet wind gusted through the screen of the open deck door to announce the storm’s arrival. A minute later, rain pattered on her deck and grew into a noisy drumming. “You got here just in time,” Anne raised her voice to be heard. “It’s turning into a mess out there.”
Kim wrinkled her nose. “No driving in that until it calms down a bit.” She accepted her glass.
No driving, period. Smiling, Anne handed over the other two rum-heavy drinks. If her friends tried to get behind a wheel after they’d been drinking, they discover what a hardass Domme she really was.
She picked up her rumless drink, heaved a sigh, and plopped in three extra strawberries to make up for the absence of alcohol.
After using the remote to start her moody playlist, she settled into her favorite armchair. Over the low strains of Enya, rain slapped against the night-darkened window.
Cross-legged on the couch, Jessica leaned toward Anne. “I saw Ben on Thursday. He looked really wrecked about you two not being together.”
Anne blinked at the straightforward approach and then narrowed her eyes. “Aren’t you supposed to build up to grilling someone about their relationship? You know, be gentle with vulnerable, upset friends?”
“You’re right. God, Jessica, were you raised on the docks?” Kim shook her head and smiled sweetly at Anne. “Don’t you just love how pretty the weather is today?”
Anne glanced out the arched windows to the white-capped waves slamming into her beach. Over the black ocean, lightning created stark ribbons of jagged light. The sound of the palm trees whipping in the wind could barely be heard under the thunder.
Uzuri followed her gaze and—giggling—told Kim, “You’re an idiot.”
Kim scowled. “I like this kind of weather, although it’s better when I have Raoul to wrap around.”
“See? That’s what I’m saying. Anne needs her giant, studly teddy bear.” Jessica nodded. “Are you going to take him back? Give the poor man a break?”
Take him back? He broke up with me.
“Maybe she wants younger—or doesn’t want a huge guy,” Uzuri said.
The other two gave her looks of disbelief.
Uzuri lifted her chin. “Hey, some of us prefer normal men. Besides, those pretty boys of hers were gorgeous and built and in their guy prime.”
“You have an excellent point.” Kim raised her glass to her friend. “Joey’s butt? Work of art.”
“This is true,” Jessica said with due consideration. “And yet, maybe Anne got fond of that big build. There are a lot of pluses to older and bigger. More muscles. More experience. Bigger…masculine attributes.”
Kim hummed. “Larger masculine attributes can’t be discounted lightly.
“It’s actually a detriment, in my opinion, unless the male in question knows how to wield it.” Uzuri sniffed. “And everything else as well.”
Anne swung a leg over the arm of her chair. If she stayed silent, these three might settle all her concerns.