Time stood still for Dorrie. Cuddled into the warmth of Johnny’s body, she slipped her hand under his T-shirt to run her fingers through his chest hair. He stroked her back and played with the ends of her hair while peeling her sweater off. Contentment washed over her, and her fears melted away. She sighed, smiling in the dark.
“Dorrie. Can we talk now?”
“Okay. Shoot.” She rubbed her face against his chest.
“Why did you dump me? Truth now. Whatever it is, I can take it. I gotta know.”
Dorrie pushed off him and sat up cross-legged, facing him. He wants the truth. Can you give it to him? Can you find a way to say it that won’t reveal everything? Probably not. You owe him. Tell him.
“Okay. Truth. Total truth. Where to begin…”
“Stop stalling.” He closed his fingers around her hand. Moonlight caressed the masculine lines of his face, making Dorrie want to kiss him and more. She wanted to make love with him, to recapture that wonderful night they had shared. Gathering her strength, she faced his scrutiny.
“It happened the weekend after we…after we made love.”
“What?”
“Shh, I’m getting to it. That was the most wonderful night of my life…and I expected more of the same the next weekend. My mistake.” She sensed him pulling away the slightest little bit. “Remember you wanted, no demanded, total truth.”
“Okay.” He inched closer.
“The next weekend, you spent Friday night with Hazel and Saturday night with Marsha. I got the message. You didn’t want me. It was like our night never happened.” She stopped to take a deep breath to calm her racing heart. Calm down. That was five years ago.
He sat quietly, so unlike the Johnny she knew, and listened.
“Then?” he asked.
“Then, the next weekend you came to me…came to me and said those words, those lovely words. Words I had so wanted to hear the weekend before.”
“I remember. I said…‘you’ve got a nice way about you’.”
Tears sprang to Dorrie’s eyes. Those words had meant so much to her and hurt her at the same time. Yes, special but not special enough. Only one of many for you, Johnny.
After taking a shuddering breath, she nodded and went on. “That’s right. I never forgot.”
“I meant them, too.”
“Did you? After choosing first Hazel then Marsha ahead of me the next weekend…like we hadn’t…didn’t…I mean, I didn’t sleep with a lot of guys. I wasn’t a hook-up artist. Sleeping with you meant something to me, but not to you.”
“It did. It did. I was an asshole back then. Sleeping with anything that walked. I’d never been with anyone like you…who cared about me. Who wanted me to care back. Scared the shit out of me.”
“Yeah, you were an idiot.”
“And so if those words meant so much to you, and that night meant so much to you, why did you turn me down?”
“Do you remember what I said?”
“I’ll never forget it. ‘If I’m not the Saturday night date, I don’t play’.” Johnny recited it as if he had said it a thousand times before.
“I had to be number one, one and only. I couldn’t be one of many or even one of a few. You were my one and only, and I wasn’t…couldn’t…be…” Tears burst through her defenses and streamed down her face. Emotion choked her.
“I’m sorry,” he said, running his finger down her cheek to catch the teardrops. “Sorry I hurt you.”
“I couldn’t compete with those girls. The ones with the big chests and the easy ideas about sex. It wasn’t me. Flat as a pancake, my skinny little dancer’s body couldn’t keep you interested. I decided you’d rather have a buxom woman with some meat on her bones. And that wasn’t me.”
“Oh my God! Is that what you thought?”
She nodded, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand.
“That’s not true. You were the best I ever had. Skinny or not, you knew how to make love… like nobody’s business. It wasn’t just screwing. You were so sweet, soft, giving, and the way you looked at me…geez. I’ve never had that from anyone…before or since.”
“Really?”
“Total truth, remember?”
She smiled. “What did you see in me to begin with?”
Johnny looked down at the ground. “I don’t want this to sound like bragging—it’s the truth, plain and simple. It started in high school. I was a big guy early. Played football. There were a ton of girls who wanted to make it with the captain of the football team. I got into it. Women, girls, lots of them. All wanting me. I didn’t realize that I was a symbol. They wanted to screw me, say they’d screwed me, and move on. They didn’t care about me.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Bragging rights or something. Women! I’ll never understand ’em. I got used to most women being easy for me. I played football in college, too. Same thing. I never had trouble getting a date or getting laid. But I never had a woman as a friend, until I met you.”
“I was your first friend?”
“First woman friend, yeah.”
She reached over and touched his cheek. He leaned in and placed a sweet kiss on her nose.
“That’s a shame.”
“I loved it. Never knew you could have fun with a woman that didn’t include sex.”
“Is that why it took you all summer to get me into bed?”
“Hey, honey, if I’d been trying, you’d have been in the sack in a heartbeat. You didn’t seem anxious to take it to the next level, and I didn’t want to ruin what we had by pushing you. I liked being with you. None of the usual crap, whining about spoiling your makeup in the water or your hair. You were game for anything, especially sports.”
“Yeah. Tomboy.” She nodded.
“Whatever it was, you seemed to like me. I wasn’t a trophy with you. No games. Just a guy. I liked that.”
“Wasn’t like I didn’t see how sexy you were…” Dorrie said.
“Yeah?” She detected a small smile on his lips.
“Yeah. But I don’t jump into bed with every guy. I wanted to get to know you. We had a lot of fun. I felt comfortable with you, so I let you seduce me.”
“You let me?” He laughed. “When I made up my mind I’d have you before the summer was over, you were finished.”
“Really? You think you could have seduced me that easily?”
“I did, didn’t I?”
“Maybe I seduced you?” Anger rose in Dorrie’s chest. What the hell am I arguing about?
“Don’t fight with me, Dorrie. I wanted you, wanted you bad by the end of the summer. Being friends was great, but it was time to take it up a notch.”
“And?”
“And it was great. You were great. I was right. I knew you’d be better than the rest. And you had that look.”
“What look?”
“The look you gave me. While we were doing it. You looked up into my eyes, and I swear I saw…the ‘L’ word there. It was the first time.”
“Lust?” No more truth. Don’t go there.
He made a face at her. “The other ‘L’ word. Whether you admit it or not.”
“Did you love me, Johnny?” Dorrie’s voice was barely a whisper. Her hand trembled when she asked the question. She held her breath.
“Yeah. But I didn’t know it then, only later… two weeks later. But it was too late. You shot me down.”
“Only because you shot me down.”
He gave out a mirthless laugh. “Guess we both made mistakes.”
Dorrie sat back on her calves, staring at his face kissed by the moonlight.
“Tense?” he asked. She nodded. “Turn around.”
Johnny put his hands on her shoulders and began to massage, digging his thumbs into her muscles. She closed her eyes and lowered her chin to her chest. “No one can do that like you,” she muttered.
His massage forced her to calm down. At first, she tingled at his touch then relaxation seeped through her. Johnny moved closer, putting his hand on her neck. Closing his fingers ever so gently, he brought his mouth to the tender spot just below her ear. He feathered small kisses there while his hand traveled south to the bow holding her top up.
“I’ve been wondering what would happen if I pulled this,” he whispered, tugging on it.
“Why don’t you find out?” she cooed in his ear.
He gave a quick yank and the bow gave way. She turned to face him as the halter-top slowly slipped down, exposing her chest to his eyes. His sharp intake of breath told her he was happy with what he saw.
“You’re so beautiful, and with the moonlight…” He bent his head to kiss her breasts.
Dorrie ran her fingers through his dark, curly hair as he eased her down on the towel. The only sound she heard was the crashing of the waves and the beating of her heart as she gave in to the demands of her body. His fingers rolled her nipples into hard nubs, which he devoured with his mouth. Slipping her fingers under his shirt, she inched it up until it got in the way. Johnny tore himself away long enough to rip his T-shirt over his head and toss it aside.
Heat flew through her veins. His hands cupped her breasts then slid down her sides. Everywhere they touched, they scorched her with the fire of desire. She loved the feel of his hands on her body and wished it would never end.
Burying her face in his neck, she kissed him and took tiny licks with the tip of her tongue. His masculine scent mixed with the slightly salty taste of his skin stoked her fire. Her hands explored his chest and back, where her fingers memorized every muscle.
“You’re delicious,” she murmured, her words almost lost against the sound of the ocean.
“You, too.” Johnny pulled away only long enough to strip off his shorts. He reached for the zipper on hers. “May I?”
“Wish you would.” She grinned back at his smile, so white against his tanned skin, highlighted by the moon’s glow. She shimmied her shorts down and off then shed her top, which had pooled around her waist. Johnny removed his boxers.
Sudden shyness gripped her. When he put his hands on her hips and started to slide her lacy white bikinis down, she balked.
“Shy?” he asked.
She nodded.
“We’ve already been…naked together, Dorrie. Let me look at you.” She gave one quick nod, and he went to work. He removed her panties quickly then glided his hands up the outside of her legs to her behind, which he squeezed a few times.
“It’s perfect,” he moaned.
He nudged her knees apart and moved between them. After placing his face between her breasts, he kissed down to her stomach. Dorrie ran her fingers down his arms then kissed his head. She skimmed her fingertips down his back.
“Cute butt,” she said.
“Thank you,” he replied. “You, too.”
Johnny pushed up as his gaze sought hers. She lost herself in the black pools of his eyes, glowing with passion in the moonlight. He lowered his mouth to hers for a tender kiss, followed by a hard, demanding one.
“I want you,” he breathed into her mouth.
He placed his hand on her knee then moved it down her thigh, his fingers seeking her warmth. She gasped when they hit home.
“Oh, baby.” He kissed her again, coaxing, seducing.
Dorrie’s pulse jumped around wildly. Her breathing became panting as Johnny explored her, looking for the right spot. He found it, and concentrated his efforts there, circling, stroking gently but insistently. Then, he slipped a digit into her easily, making her moan.
“Oh my God.” Paralyzed by pleasure, she lay there and let him make love to her. When her brain began to function again, she reached for him. Wrapping her fingers around the hardest erection she’d ever felt, she smiled. “Wow, Johnny.”
“Show me, tell me how to touch you, where to touch you.” He lowered his lips to her core.
“You’re doing fine,” she tossed out, trying to catch her breath.
Heat climbed in her body, spiraling up and up at every touch, every press of his lips, or flick of his tongue. Dorrie gave in to her body’s need for him. She let go, moving with the rhythm of his strokes and caresses.
He removed her hand. “Can’t do that yet. Nope.”
She tried to control her response, but her body was under Johnny’s command. Her eyes closed while she focused on the exquisite sensations ripping through her.
“Please, take me, or I’ll…” Before she could finish her sentence, a huge climax took her over. Muscles clenched, released, and then fluttered as pure pleasure crashed through her like a wave. She opened her eyes when she heard his chuckle.
“That was awesome, Ms. Rodgers,” he whispered.
“If you don’t…”
“What are you gonna do?” His face was above hers, his eyes mocked her before his lips descended again, taking her mouth. Dorrie folded her arms around his neck and hooked one leg around his waist.
“Come get me,” she teased when he came up for air.
“Protected?”
“I’m on the pill. Watch out for sand.”
“Yeah. Don’t want you to make love to a giant emery board.”
With that, Johnny pushed to his knees and entered her, carefully. She gasped, and he groaned as they were joined. He thrust into her gently at first, slowly, bringing his head up, his gaze roaming her face. She cupped his cheek with her hand, dropped her defenses, and looked at him with all the love she had shining through her eyes. His expression softened. He kept staring at her while moving in and out slowly.
“That’s it. The look,” he whispered.
“What?” She combed her fingers through his hair.
“The ‘L’ word look.”
She laughed.
“Hey, I can feel that, too.”
“Oops. Sorry.” But she couldn’t muster a contrite look. Johnny lowered his head into her shoulder and placed his lips over her soft skin. He increased his speed and began to pound into her. The sudden rise in her heat level meant her body was taking over again. Wrapping her arms tightly around him, closing her eyes, she moved with him and another orgasm washed over her, making her cry out his name.
His back heated up, and her fingers slid through a thin layer of sweat as he plunged into her again and again. He groaned loudly then stopped, holding her tightly to his chest. Johnny collapsed after his release, panting. She cradled him in her arms and tried to control her own breathing.
“Oh my God,” he muttered. “That was fantastic.” He pushed up on one elbow and sank his fingers into her hair. She ran her thumb over his sensuous bottom lip. He took it into his mouth and sucked on it for a second. “Hmm, salty.”
She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his as he flipped onto his back. The coolness of the night air made Dorrie snuggle closer. He grabbed the other two towels to cover them. Huddled together with their arms around each other, they fell asleep on the beach.
* * * *
The light of morning found the lovers asleep on the empty beach, clinging to each other, wrapped in towels with a light coating of sand over them. Waves raced into shore rather than roared. The only other sound was the high-pitched cry of a seagull.
“Hey, close the curtains,” John mumbled, shielding his eyes.
Dorrie cracked her eyelid. “Holy Hell!” Then she laughed, rolling away from him.
He turned on his side to face her and smiled. “Good morning.”
“What time is it?”
“Sunrise, baby,” he chuckled.
“Oh my God, we’ve been here all night?”
“It’s chilly,” he said, pulling their makeshift blanket up over his shoulders and hers.
She rubbed her hands together and moved closer to him. “You’re nice and warm.”
“If you stay there, I’m gonna get a lot warmer.” He pushed the hair off her face.
“Johnny, we…”
“We what?”
“I don’t know. Forget it.” She closed her eyes and hid her face in his neck. He snaked his arm around her waist, sliding her a few inches over the sandy towel and flush up against him.
“That’s better.” He laid back.
“Umm, yeah. Better. Much better.” She sighed and rested her hand on his bare chest.
They dozed off for a bit until they were awakened by a child’s scream. “Two dead people!”
Their eyes flew open. Johnny sat up and looked around. He spied a little girl running toward the beach, hollering for her mother. She stopped and looked at them again. He waved at her. She waved back.
“Maybe we’d better get out of here before we get in trouble.” Dorrie rose slowly, hiding behind him. “I’m not dressed!”
“Wrap the towel around you, honey. Carry your clothes.”
“Good idea.” Dorrie clasped the sandy towel to her, sliding it off him.
As soon as the woman saw them, she grabbed her child and moved farther down the beach. Johnny laughed. “We just scared ’em away. When she saw you, she took off with her kid.”
“Oh, God,” Dorrie covered her face with her hand. “We’re naked in public. Isn’t there a law against that?”
“Just a little ways down, and we’d be on the nude beach. Would’ve been a good idea.”
“Really? That time I went with you and the gang? That was the first and last time.”
He laughed. “Had to practically peel Pierre off you.”
“It wasn’t funny.”
“I took care of him, didn’t I?” He cocked an eyebrow.
“Yeah, you did.” She sighed at the memory of Johnny winding his arm protectively around her shoulders and warning Pierre to back off.
“I always take care of you,” he mumbled, looking down at his hands.
“Pouting? So unlike you.”
“I’m not pouting!” he said in a loud voice.
“Okay, okay.” She shrugged and raised her hands.
“Just trying to get a little credit. That’s all. You’re tough.”
She leaned over to plant a sweet kiss on his rough cheek. “You do take care of me.” And I love you for it. Crap, did I use the “L” word?
He grinned. “We’d better get back. Damn, that woman and her kid spoiled my plans.”
“Were you going to seduce me again?”
“Can you seduce a woman twice? I thought you could only do that once. Then the second time, she’d know what she was getting into.”
Wish I knew what I was getting into.
Dorrie picked up the towel and stood up. She wrapped it around her chest, watching Johnny’s gaze caress her body. She watched him while he wrapped his around his middle. God, he’s gorgeous.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered in her ear. She fell against him, and he caught her in his embrace.
“Do we have to go?” she whispered, almost more to herself than him.
“Chrissy will have called the police by now…”
“If she’s up.”
He grinned at her, running his hands up and down her back, brushing off sand. He kissed her hair. Dorrie clung to him, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. His scent mixed with the salty sea air was heady, intoxicating.
“Last night was a dream come true,” he said softly, bending slightly to reach her.
“For me, too.”
An older man with gray hair and a beard, carrying a small folding chair, climbed the stairs. He started over the walkway to the beach as small waves, glistening in the sun, crept peacefully into shore.
“We’d better go before the place gets crowded,” Johnny said, dropping his arms. For a moment, Dorrie’s heart slowed and sadness crept through her. He took her hand, and they climbed onto the path then descended the stairs. After a passionate kiss, he walked her back to her place before departing for his.
Dorrie tiptoed into the house, making sure not to bang the screen door shut. She took off her towel and shook it out in the bathroom then brushed sand off her body. Naked, she crept silently through the living room to her room, where she slipped between the sheets, not waking Bella, asleep in the other bed.
Visions of Johnny and their time together on the beach danced through her mind when she closed her eyes. A feeling of warmth and contentment washed over her, and she dozed off quickly.
* * * *
No matter how beautiful the sunrise, or how alluring the beach was in the early hours, it stood empty. After a raucous and drunken Saturday night, the residents of both houses slept in on Sunday morning. The earliest riser in the men’s quarters was Pierre at ten o’clock. He wandered over to the women’ house to find Dorrie sitting on the front steps, a mug of coffee in her hand.
“Good morning,” he greeted her.
“Shh. Everyone’s still sleeping,” she whispered.
He sat down on the steps next to her. Instinctively, Dorrie moved away.
“Am I bothering you?”
“Don’t get too close. I don’t like you touching me.”
“I’m not touching you. I like to look at you. Is that a crime?”
If it isn’t, it should be. Criminal code number three thirty-six, anyone named Pierre ogling a Dorrance Rodgers is breaking the law. She sipped her coffee as his gaze roved over her body.
“Stop it, Pierre. Stop looking at me like that. You’re creeping me out.”
“Just remembering you that day on the nude beach. You were so sexy, and now with your new, voluptuous body…are those real?” He pointed to her breasts.
“Of course!”
“They’ve grown since five years ago. They look very tasty.”
Dorrie pushed to her feet. “This is my house. I don’t have to sit here and take this crap.”
She opened the screen door and went inside, straight to her room, closing the door behind her. Faintly, she heard, “What? What did I say?”
The slow start to the day gave Dorrie a false sense of laziness. With only two hours left before the four o’clock ferry back to reality, she wandered from house to house, unable to sit still. Pacing the walkway on the Bay side, she heard a familiar voice.
“Where have you been?” Johnny ran up behind her.
“Here and there. Why?”
“I’ve been looking for you.”
“Oh?”
“Come on, don’t be like that. After last night…”
“I thought I’d give you some space,” she said.
“I don’t want space, I want to be with you.” He wrapped his fingers around her biceps.
“In the biblical sense?”
“Hey, if I’m crowding you, then fine. Forget it.” He let go and turned toward the path.
“Wait! Don’t go. I’m sorry.” She grabbed his arm.
“It wasn’t a one-night stand. Not for me.”
“It’s just… I’m going back and so…”
“Yeah. You’re doing the movie. So you’ll be gone, what, two months? Three? Then, we can be together. You’ll come back to New York…maybe move in with me?”
“I’m not coming back to New York.”
Silence hung heavy between them. His gaze searched her face.
“Why not?”
“Because there’s a TV series after the movie. They want to start on the pilot right away. If it gets picked up, I’ll be working steadily…in L.A.”
“But what about us?”
“I don’t know. Is there an ‘us’?”
“I thought there was, or there could be.”
Dorrie glanced at her watch. “Time to pack. We can at least ride home together on the ferry.” Johnny took her hand, and they walked back in silence. A heavy feeling entered her heart.
This is your second shot at some kind of dance career. You won’t get a third. You must take it. How can you throw everything you’ve worked for away on a ‘maybe’ from Johnny? Don’t tell him about the New York offer. He’ll talk you into staying.
“I just got this promotion to Senior V. P.…”
“I understand.”
Johnny carried her bag to the ferry. They stood together at the railing, staring out at the bay as the gangplank was lifted. All the members of both houses were on the same boat.
“A great reunion, wouldn’t you say?” Drake came up behind them and slapped Johnny on the back.
Mary sidled up to Johnny. “Come over here. I didn’t get a chance to tell you about my new job. Dorrie hogged you all weekend.” Johnny rolled his eyes and allowed Mary to pull him to a more private spot on the railing. Dorrie stifled a laugh with her hand. She didn’t notice Drake moving closer.
“Speaking of hogging. John sure moved in on you.”
She glanced at him. “We’re old friends.”
“Is that all it is?” She smiled enigmatically at him. “Good. I was hoping that was true. I’ve been trying to get to talk to you…alone…all weekend.”
“Why didn’t you say so? What’s on your mind?” She turned to face him.
Drake glanced down at his hands before speaking. His eyes didn’t make contact with her right away.
“You know I’ve always…liked you…”
“Seems like we’ve been friends forever.”
“Yeah, well, it hasn’t always been just…friendship for me.”
Disbelief and surprised overwhelmed her. No, no, it can’t be! Chrissy is a close friend. He’s married. Come on, Drake, don’t do this. “Drake…Are you sure…” He put his hand on her arm to stop her. Dorrie swallowed the lump in her throat.
“Let me finish. I’ve had…feelings for you, since the beginning.”
“Oh, God, Drake. Now?”
“I can’t keep silent anymore. It’s you I want to be with. Not Chrissy.”
“Shit, Drake!” Dorrie shook her head and avoided his stare.
“It’s true. Do you feel the same?”
Dorrie touches his shoulder. “I love you like a brother, Drake. Please don’t do this. You and Chrissy belong together. Crap, you’ve been married for four years! I’m going back to L.A. Can we forget this conversation ever happened?”
He hung his head and shrugged her hand off. “You can’t be serious. Forget I said this? Impossible.” The noise of the boat cutting through the water was the only sound for a while. Dorrie glanced over at Johnny, who was looking at her with a furrowed brow. He moved away from Mary.
“Thanks…Thanks for shooting me down, Dorrie. I didn’t think you’d do that.”
The anger in his tone sparked sadness in her.
“What did you think? I’m a home-wrecker? You had plenty of time before marrying Chrissy to speak up.”
“Would your answer have been different?”
“No. I’m sorry, Drake, but chemistry is chemistry. And we don’t have any, beyond friendship.”
“Whatever.” He stepped away from the railing and moved to the back of the boat.
Johnny rejoined Dorrie. “What did Drake say?”
“It’s personal.”
“Shit. He didn’t.” He shook his head slowly and closed his eyes for a moment.
“What?” She looked up at him.
“He made a play for you? I told him not to. Did you shoot him down?”
“Of course I did. He’s married. There was never anything between us. You knew about this?”
“He mentioned it to me.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me? Warn me?”
“I didn’t think it was my business. How the hell do I know how you feel about Drake?”
“Oh, Johnny…” She shook her head. Tears threatened. “Don’t you know me by now?”
“What do you mean?”
“First, I’d never break up a marriage. Second, it’s always been you, not Drake.”
“Yeah? I was hoping you’d say that.” He leaned over and kissed her, but she pushed him away.
“Our magic always seemed to evaporate when the ferry docked in Bay Shore.”
“What do you mean?” He raised his eyebrows.
“We never went out in the city. Just here. Our magic only existed on Fire Island.”
“I wasn’t into commitment. I had city girls and Fire Island chicks.”
“And that’s changed?” She turned a skeptical eye on him.
“I’m thirty-two now. Not a kid. Of course, that’s changed. Didn’t I just ask you to move in with me?”
“Did you?”
“You used to be a good listener. What happened?”
“History is hard to shake.” He put his arm around her, and she rested against him. Her mind was confused. Drake, Johnny, Johnny, Archer, Archer, Rick. Johnny, no time. No commitment. Why did Drake have to do that? I can’t stay at his place now. How can I face Chrissy?
Dorrie forced herself to stop thinking and enjoy the moment. John kissed her hair as they stood silently, holding on to each other. I’m not staying in New York to move in with him. I need a commitment, and that’s not enough. Move in today, get dumped tomorrow, and turn your back on your dreams. Don’t think so.
Though the sun was still strong, the salty spray from the Long Island Sound kept them cool.
“Thought the reunion would be a waste of time,” he said.
“And?”
“It was great.” He smiled down at her.
Before she had a chance to respond, the boat slowed down. They would be docked in another minute or two. Dorrie turned to Johnny and looked up into his eyes, but a pull on her sleeve diverted her attention. Chrissy was tugging on her arm and beaming. John and Dorrie turned to face her.
Instead of feeling uncomfortable in her friend’s company, Dorrie was sorry for the young woman. To be married to a man who doesn’t love you. She deserves better. Johnny turned his attention to Chrissy and made small talk with her, holding her steady as the boat lurched.
Dorrie glanced at Drake who was hugging the railing a few feet away with his head hung low. Maybe he regrets what he said? Chrissy was even perkier than usual, obviously not picking up on the somber attitude of her companions. Her friend’s cheerful demeanor raised questions in Dorrie’s mind. How can she be so blind? It wasn’t long before she got her answer.
“I wasn’t going to tell anyone yet, because it’s so early.”
“What?” Dorrie asked.
“I’m too excited…have to tell you.”
“Spit it out, girl.”
“I’m pregnant!”
* * * *
John joined Dorrie in the taxi service van, whisking them from the ferry back into Manhattan. Drake and Chrissy tagged along.
As traffic clogged the Long Island Expressway, Dorrie got drowsy. She rested her head on Johnny’s shoulder. He tucked her closer, slipping his arm around her, and she fell asleep. After the traffic jam broke up, it was clear sailing. Dorrie woke up.
“Why don’t you come and stay with me? We’ll have fun,” he whispered in her ear.
“I have early rehearsal tomorrow, and you’re way downtown.”
“So?” He gave her a lustful look.
“And I don’t want to be tired before I get started,” she chuckled.
“Suit yourself.” The look of disappointment on his face inspired her to kiss him.
“It’s been fun…as always,” she said.
“Yeah. Wish you were staying longer.”
They listened to Chrissy gush about being pregnant, children’s names, and due dates until Drake interrupted her. “Dorrie’s seeing two other men on this trip, John. Thought you should know.”
Johnny, who had been staring out the window, sat up straighter. His head snapped forward, and his eyes flew open.
“Two other men?” He turned toward Dorrie.
“I—”
“Yeah. Two other guys. Two guys she’s trying to decide about, just like you.”
“What do you mean, ‘decide about’?” Johnny trained his gaze on her.
“I came back to see…uh, see how it might be with one more day…”
“One more day with me…and these other guys?” His tone was sharp.
She nodded and shot a sharp look at Drake. “Thanks a lot, Drake.”
“My pleasure,” he said, an evil grin stretching his lips.
“Do the other guys know?” John asked. Dorrie shook her head. “Please tell them, Drake. Level this playing field,” he said.
“I only know one. But I’d be glad to inform him.”
“You bastard,” Dorrie spat at him.
Drake grinned at her. “Takes one to know one.”
“What’s this all about?” Chrissy asked. John moved to the other seat and put his arm around her. “Seems like the end of a perfect friendship.”
“Drake and Dorrie?”
“Yep,” John gave her shoulders a squeeze before he turned back to face Dorrie.
“When were you going to tell me?”
“Never.”
“Really?” His eyebrows shot up.
“Do you tell me about every woman you date or sleep with? No. So why should I tell you something that doesn’t concern you?”
“I think it does concern me. Where do I stand?” The van pulled up in front of the last stop, and they all piled out. Johnny grabbed Dorrie’s arm. “I asked you a question.”
“I don’t have an answer.” She avoided his gaze.
“Just great.” He dropped her arm and moved away, picking up his bag.
“Let’s go,” Chrissy said, taking Dorrie’s arm. But Dorrie had texted Chaz and arranged to stay there.
“I’ll come to get my stuff, but I’m moving to Chaz Duncan’s.” She picked up her bag.
“You’re leaving?”
“You need your rest and I’m sure you two want to be alone.” She stared at Drake.
Chrissy made a face. “I wanted to share it with you.”
“Share it with your husband. He’s going to be a dad. I’m sure he’s just as excited as you are.” Dorrie’s voice dripped with sarcasm. Drake avoided her stare.
Johnny backed away, toward the subway, swinging his duffle up onto his shoulder. Dorrie looked at him, but he didn’t meet her gaze. Crap! I’ve blown it with him. She headed uptown to pick up her things at the Cunninghams. Drake managed to corner her after Chrissy went to lie down.
“Chrissy’s pregnancy doesn’t change anything.”
“It doesn’t? Then you’re not the man I thought you were, Drake. Man up, dammit. You’re going to be a father.”
“Getting pregnant was her idea.”
“Yeah? Well, it takes two. You and I’ll never be, and now you’ve destroyed our friendship, too. All for a silly crush. Grow up. I’ve lost all respect for you. Get outta my way.” Dorrie pushed past him and headed for the elevator.
“At least let me help you,” he called out.
“And thanks for telling Johnny.” Dorrie flipped him the bird and hauled her suitcase out alone. She couldn’t get away fast enough. What a lowlife. I wouldn’t trade places with Chrissy for anything.
She received a warm welcome from Chaz and Megan. They shared a late dinner of cold pasta salad, and a good Riesling. Afterward, Megan brought out homemade cookies. She and Chaz sat on the sofa while Dorrie occupied a leather chair.
Megan narrowed her eyes and stared at Dorrie. “Well?”
“What? Is something showing?” Dorrie checked her clothes.
“The men. I’ve been dying to hear about the men!” Megan continued.
“The three guys? How do you know about them?”
“Grace Brewster and I are friends.” Meg smiled. “When I told her you were coming, well, it sort of naturally came out. I mean, it’s not every day you hear a story like this one.”
“I suppose. Gracie’s a good friend. She’s been texting me about the guys, too. What do you know?”
“She told me a long story about how you’re checking out three guys you dumped once upon a time to see if they were still dump-worthy. Is that a word? Or, if you wanted to rekindle something. So, have you picked one?”
Dorrie shook her head. Chaz munched a cookie in silence.
“Nothing’s changed…in five years?”
“Everything’s changed. And it’s all topsy-turvy. Drake made a play for me! Can you believe it? And he’s married to an old friend of mine.”
“Gross! What about the others?” Megan persisted.
“The others? I don’t know. Not yet. Still one more test for them.”
“Another test? The dates weren’t enough?”
Dorrie shook her head.
“Glad I don’t have to compete for you, Meg.” Chaz moved closer to his wife.
“Me, too,” she said, turning to grin at her husband. “But the suspense is killing me, Dorrie. I need to know whether you’re going to be East Coast or West Coast, with Archer, Rick, or Johnny.”
Dorrie laughed. “You make it sound like a game show! It’s my life, and I’m just as curious as you are.”
“You’ll let me know as soon as you decide, won’t you?”
“You’ll be the first, after the guy.” Dorrie stood up and stretched. “I brought brownies from my favorite bakery.”
“Love brownies!” Chaz headed for the kitchen. “Where are the little devils?”
“In the bag on the counter,” Meg called in to him.
“How did he know?”
“What?”
“The name of the bakery?” Dorrie asked.
“He did?”
“Yep. Little Devil Bakery.” The women laughed. Chaz entered with several bars of the delectable chocolate confection.
“What did I do? You’re laughing already, and I just entered the room?”
Meg pushed to her feet, took the plate and placed it on the coffee table. “Nothing, babe. Here.” She broke off a piece and fed it to Chaz, who took it eagerly.
“Fantastic!” He took his own and sat back, slipping his arm around Meg’s shoulders. Dorrie took one as well. As her teeth sank into the luscious gooey cake, relief flooded her body. To get out of Drake’s house. Whew. I love it here. Nice married couple, who truly love each other. Quiet all around told of the quality of the chocolaty goodie.
Now, it’s time for step two in this process. Time to reveal the New York job offer and see if anyone bites. Her smile dissolved into a small frown as she chewed. What if none of the men wanted her in New York on a permanent basis? The thought clouded her heart as it fought off the dread that comes with facing possible rejection.