No post this week

Hi all, so far I've actually managed a post a week (give or take a day or two) but it's looking very unlikely that I'll get one out this week.  I just wanted to let you all know so you're not checking this week.  Check back next week!  Thanks for your readership!

The Reunion (Lauren): House Hunting

"I hate this kitchen," I say, looking around and wrinkling my nose.

Alex cocks an eyebrow at me and snorts.  "You hardly even cook, Laur, why does the kitchen matter?"

"The kitchen is where you entertain people," I reply, rolling my eyes.  

Now Alex just laughs.  "You don't do much of that either," he points out.

I huff in irritation and wander towards the next room.  "Well someday maybe I will."

Our realtor isn't hiding his disdain for my attitude and I don't blame him. "Hey," Alex says quietly, out of earshot of the realtor.  He lightly touches my back and I glance at him.  "What's up?"

"I'm frustrated," I tell him, sighing and briefly leaning my head onto his shoulder.  "This sucks."

"It does," he replies, kissing the top of my head. "Let's get through this one and then I'll take you out to dinner.  I think you might be hangry."

I glare at him from the corner of my eye and stalk into the living room.  This house is laid out stupidly.  I frown at one of the windows.  "This window frame is moldy.  I'm done here."

"Sorry," I hear Alex say to our realtor.  He catches up with me (impressively quickly, he's well-recovered from his skiing accident) and hisses, "Would you cut it out?  You can be honest without being bitchy."

I bite my tongue to keep from snapping back at him, because he's absolutely right.  "I'm sorry, Rick," I say repentantly to our realtor.  "I think the process is getting to me."

"Maybe you guys should take a break," Rick suggests.  "Even just a few weeks."  He must really be over my bullshit if he's passing up an opportunity to make money.  Or, maybe he senses the futility of the situation and thinks he's wasting his time.  I'm not sure he's wrong, at this point.  Anything I like, Alex hates.  Anything Alex likes, I don't.  There have been lots of jokes of side by side townhomes and having nothing in common.  It's not really funny anymore, though.

"We'll talk it over at dinner and let you know what we want to do," Alex answers, nudging me towards the door with a hand on my lower back.  

I say goodbye to Rick and walk out to the car with Alex.  Alex opens the passenger door for me and I manage a smile as I slide inside.  Once I'm settled into the seat I sigh and push my hands into my hair.  "Alex, I'm sorry," I tell him when he gets in the car.  "I just feel like we've been looking forever."

He laughs.  "It's only been a few months, Lauren.  But it has been frustrating.  With me recovering from my accident and getting back to work, and you starting a new job, maybe it isn't the best time to be looking for a house."

I stay quiet for a minute, then say, "So what are you saying?"

"Maybe we should put things on hold for awhile," he replies.  "You can get a little more settled in your job, and we can try again in the fall."

"And until then?"

He shrugs.  "We keep things how they are.  You've got your place, I have mine."

I consider this, but I'm not sure I love that idea either.  "I need food before we can have this conversation, I think," I respond.

"Well I probably should have fed you before we even looked at that house," Alex says with a smirk.  "So I'll definitely feed you before pushing you into any conversation about our future."

I glare at him, and even though he's looking at the road, he laughs.  I'm sure he can feel my eyeballs boring into his head.  "So much wit, so few brains."

"You're right, I should know better than to provoke you when you're hungry."  He reaches over the center console for my hand and I let him take it, winding my fingers through his.

Once Alex and I have drinks and an appetizer in front of us, I say, "Well, taking a break from looking for a house seems like a good idea."

"I agree," Alex replies with a nod.

"Well I imagine you would," I tell him, matter of factly.  "So in the meantime it just makes sense for me to move in with you."

Alex, who is taking a drink, sputters and coughs.  He sets his drink down and grabs his napkin.  Once he's gotten it together, he says, "I'm sorry, I think maybe I misheard you.  Did you just say it makes sense for you to move in with me?"  For once, he wasn't being sarcastic.

"Yes," I say, rolling my eyes.  "That's what I said.  Unless you don't want me to."

Alex shakes his head.  "Of course I want you to," he replies quickly.  "I'm just a bit surprised."

I shrug and take a sip of my drink.  "Well why pay for two places when we spend most every night together anyway?  And I thought about my place, but yours is closer to work for both of us and there's a bit more room, even if your house is laid out inefficiently."

"Oh, my house is inefficient?  That seems like a significant issue.  Are you sure you can handle it?"

I purse my lips and sigh.  "Of course, it won't be as big of an issue if I have more room because I've killed you for your insolence."

Alex laughs, shaking his head as our food arrives.  "I knew my mouth was going to get me in trouble eventually."

Once our waiter is a safe distance away, I smirk and say, "Your mouth can make up for its bad behavior later."

Alex cocks an eyebrow and nods knowingly.  "If you're lucky."


On the way out, Alex says, "So, shall we stay at your new place tonight or your old one?  Maybe the old one, so you can savor your last nights there?"

"Well at the rate you're going, I won't be having a new place, I'll just stay at the old one.  Forever."

Alex slings his arm around my shoulders and kisses my cheek.  "I love you, Laur."

"I love you too," I say, nestling into him in a rare show of public affection.  "Let's stay at my place."

We stop at Alex's to pick up some clothes for him for tomorrow, then head to my place.  When we get there, he settles onto the couch, but I have other plans.  "I believe your mouth has some redeeming itself to do," I remind him, straddling his lap carefully.  He claims to feel great, but I'm still paranoid about hurting him.

"That's right," he replies, dropping his head to kiss along my collarbone.  "I should have known you wouldn't let me forget."

"Shut up and kiss me," I demand.

Alex laughs and obliges me, grinning as he presses his lips to mine.  "Let's go upstairs," he whispers, letting his lips trail along my jaw to my neck.  "This couch is terrible.  We're keeping mine."

I gasp in indignation and smack his arm lightly.  "Fine, but my bed is the clear winner over yours."

"I think we'd better test it out, I don't remember," he replies, gripping my hips and shifting his weight so I could stand.

I lead him upstairs and into my room, and I'm turning around to kiss him again when he shoves me onto the bed.  The skirt of my flimsy summer sundress flips up around my upper thighs as I land, laughing.  "Well?" I ask, cocking an eyebrow at him.  "You've got me here, now what?"

He climbs onto the bed, nudging my legs apart slightly with his knee as he positions himself above me.  "Now my mouth pays its penance."  He kisses me softly, then moves his lips to my neck.  I groan softly as he gently nips at my sensitive skin before moving lower.  His mouth glides along the neckline of my dress while his hands slide beneath the skirt.  He tugs my thong down, dragging his fingertips along my thighs as he removes it and lets it fall to the floor.  When his fingers slip back under my skirt, I gasp.  Alex teases me until I'm practically begging for more.  He finally positions himself between my thighs but continues to tease me by trailing kisses up and down my inner thighs.  When I grab his head to try to pull it closer, he grabs my wrists and pins them to the bed next to my hips.  "Patience," he says, his breath warm against my skin.

When he finally puts his mouth where I want it, my orgasm takes less than a minute.  I'm so worked up by that point that he probably could have gotten me off by merely breathing on me.  I'm glad he doesn't waste any time after that getting rid of his pants.  He pushes into me while I'm still twitching from my orgasm, not even bother to take off his shirt or my dress.  We're in a weird spot at the edge of the bed but it doesn't matter.

When we're done, we get re-situated on the bed and I turn my head to the side to look at him.  "You're right," he says, settling against the pillows.  "Your bed is better."

"I know," I reply, smirking.

He rolls his eyes, but laughs.  "So hey, if you want to think about moving in with me a little before you decide for sure--"

"I already thought about it, and I already decided," I interrupt.  I push myself up on one elbow and narrow my eyes.  "Unless you need some time to think about it."

"Absolutely not," he replies immediately.  "I've wanted you to move in for a long time.  I'm still just surprised."

"Well get over it," I say, "And make me some room in your pathetic closet."

The Reunion (Liv): Not My Style

"I can't believe you chose to work when you can just hang out for the summer.  Do you know how many people would kill for a schedule like that?!"  Lauren was baffled by the fact that I had begged my bosses for some work to do to keep myself busy.  They had happily put me to work about 10 hours a week, which was perfect.

"I would hate it," Kinsley said, nodding at me.  "I get it.  I think too much when I don't have enough to do."

I laughed.  "It was great for two weeks," I said.  "But that's enough.  I never realized how many hobbies I don't have until I suddenly had time to do them.  Or not do them, as it were.  And it doesn't help that Brody works about a thousand hours a week and you guys both have jobs and boyfriends and lives and can't entertain me all the time."

"Speaking of boyfriends," Kinsley said, grinning wickedly at Lauren, "How's the cohabitation space search going?"

"That," Lauren said, sighing.  "Not well.  We found a place and we put in an offer and lost it in a bidding war.  Then we found another place, our offer was accepted, but they found significant issues with the pipes during the inspection. We looked at a rental that I really liked but Alex hated.  And then of course, a bunch of places that sucked."

"That sucks," I said, frowning.  "You're staying month to month at your townhome then, right?"

"Yeah," Lauren replied.  "But I hate being in limbo."

Lauren, Kinsley, and I hung out at the restaurant for awhile after we were done eating, finishing our drinks and chatting.  After we ate, I went to the grocery store, not in any hurry to get home to an empty house.

When I got home, I was surprised to find Brody's SUV in the garage.  "Brody?" I called, struggling through the door with grocery bags in hand.  I was halfway to the kitchen when Brody appeared from his office.

"Hi, gorgeous," he said, kissing me on the cheek as he took the grocery bags from my hands.

"What are you doing home?" I asked.  "I mean, not that I'm not thrilled to see you.  Because I am."

Brody laughed.  "A likely story.  I came home awhile ago because I wasn't feeling very well.  Annnnd then I realized I hadn't eaten all day.  I was fine once I ate, so I've just been working here."

"You need to take better care of yourself," I said, frowning at him in concern.

"Don't worry," he assured me.  "I don't anticipate it happening again.  I mean, how could it, with a fridge full of your delicious cooking?"  He squeezed my arm and kissed me, then started to put groceries away.  I helped him, putting the dry things away in the pantry while he put stuff in the fridge.  "Anyway, listen.  Pete asked me to support a charity that's important to him, and since he's important to me, I'm going to do it."

"Well, that seems like a good idea," I replied.

"I thought so," he said, grinning.  "At least until I found out that he asked me just in time for their annual fundraising event.  Which I now have to go to."

I laughed, trying to picture Brody at a formal charity event.  It definitely seemed like something he would hate.  "Well, have fun with that," I said.

"Oh no," he replied, shaking his head.  "One doesn't go to a charity event without a date."

"And I suppose that means I get to be your date, huh?" I asked.

"I'd be honored," he said with a wink.

I couldn't say no to that.  "Fine," I agreed.  "But you'll have to be reeeaaallllyyyy nice to me between now and then."

"How nice are we talking here?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow and taking a step towards me.  "Like, taking the garbage out without being asked nice?  Buying you diamonds nice?"

I laughed.  "You already take the garbage out without being asked," I pointed out.  "Diamonds aren't necessary.  How about a massage?  That seems like a good compromise."

"Well, a massage doesn't really seem like a middle ground between taking the garbage out and buying you diamonds, but I think I can handle that."

"Good!" I said.  I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the stairs.

"Oh, you meant now," Brody said, feigning surprise.  "Hmmm, I'm not so sure I can--"  He stopped, laughing when I turned and glared at him.  He pulled me to a stop and tugged me closer to him, wrapping his arms around my waist and grinning at me.

"You're lucky you're cute," I told him, pursing my lips to try to keep myself from returning his smile.
He grinned wider.  "So lucky," he replied, leaning down to kiss me.

"That massage isn't happening, is it?" I asked, barely moving my lips from his.

"Nope," he replied, moving his mouth along my jaw, to my ear, and down my neck.  "Not tonight.  I owe you one."

*

"I feel like an imposter," I groaned, watching Lauren fix one last piece of hair.  She'd pinned it to one side, leaving loose waves out in strategic places.  I smoothed my hands down the midsection of my navy gown, feeling far more nervous than the situation called for.

"You don't look like an imposter," she said, smiling at her handiwork in the mirror.  "I mean, this is some of my best work."

I laughed.  "You did do a great job," I said.  "Thank you.  I would have looked ridiculous in this dress without my hair properly done."

Lauren started to respond, but a soft knock at the open door interrupted her.  "Almost ready?" Brody asked.  I turned towards him and watched his mouth drop open slightly.  "Wow," he said, looking me over.  "You look unbelievably amazing."

"Thank you," Lauren said, before I could respond.  "I've been working out."

"Go home, Lauren," I said, laughing.

"Some thanks," she huffed, gathering her bobby pins and hair spray.

I rolled my eyes.  "Thank you, I love you, now go home so my husband can properly appreciate your hard work!"

The look of horror on her face was perfect.  "I'm already gone," she said.  "I don't want anything to do with your marital appreciation."

"I wish I had more time to properly appreciate you right now," Brody told me after she was gone.  "But I assure you that I'm looking forward to getting that dress off of you later."

"I kind of like it," I said, checking myself out in the mirror one last time.  "I might just keep it on forever."

Brody frowned.  "Well, that would be tragic, though you are quite gorgeous with it on."  I laughed and nudged him out the door, thanking him as we walked downstairs.

"I feel kind of ridiculous," I admitted.  "This isn't really my style."

"You're not the only one," he said.  "I can't believe I let myself get talked into this.  Though it's a good cause and the exposure is good for my company."

"Oh please.  You can charm anyone.  I'm the idiot that will ramble and say embarrassing things.  Oh god, please promise to pinch me if I start to ramble.  Don't let me look like an idiot tonight!"

Brody laughed.  "I promise.  No one is going to look like an idiot."

When we got to the event, we immediately headed for the bar.  I was grateful to have a glass of wine in my hand, mostly because it gave me something to do with my hands.  "There you two are," came a familiar voice behind us, as we moved away from the bar.

We turned to see Pete and his wife, Serena.  "You clean up well, Pete!" Brody said, grinning and shaking his hand.  Brody kissed Serena on the cheek and then she lightly hugged me.  I may have felt awkward and out of place, but Serena looked like she knew exactly what she was doing.

We made small talk for a couple minutes before Pete dragged Brody off to introduce him to someone.  Serena and I stayed near the bar chatting until Brody and Pete returned.  "There's a surprising number of people here I know," Brody said, looking around.

"You know everyone, so I'm not sure why that's surprising," I pointed out.

He grinned.  He knew it was true.  "Walk with me?" he requested, holding his arm out to me.  I took it and as we walked across the room, Brody said, "I was so distracted by how beautiful you look that I forgot to tell you my good news."  I looked at him expectantly.  "We filled the last open position today."

"So..." I said, not sure I wanted to say out loud what I thought that meant.

"So there's an actual end in sight for my ridiculous hours now," he said.  "She'll start in 3 weeks, and I think about 2 weeks after that I'm going to start cutting down my hours and seeing how it goes.  I'm already working on shifting some of my responsibilities to the team leads."

"That is so exciting!" I replied.  "I mean, selfishly, I'm really glad that I'll get to have you around a little more.  But I'm also really excited for you.  You've worked so hard."

"Brody!" someone called, before he could respond.  Brody turned and smiled at someone.  He introduced me to the man, who was apparently a Denver Broncos cornerback.  "Your husband is the best PR I've ever had," he told me, grinning.  "And I went through quite a few before him."

"That's why I'm keeping you when we restructure," Brody said, laughing.  "I'm not going to let you run through my team."

"I told him he works too hard but he won't listen to me," the cornerback said to me.

"Join the club," I said with a chuckle.  "He won't listen to me either."

The rest of the evening was much of the same:  smiling through introductions, making small talk with the many people at the event that Brody knew, and wishing I had worn more comfortable shoes.  But the food was good, the bar was open, and I even had a little bit of fun.

"Well, what did you think?" Brody asked as we got in his SUV at the end of the night.

I groaned, slipping my heels off.  "Well, I think I need to invest in some more comfortable shoes if we ever do this again."

"Again?" he asked.

"I said 'if'," I reminded him.

"You also said 'again'," he replied, and I could see his smirk even in the dark.

I laughed.  "It wasn't so bad," I admitted.

"I agree," he replied.  "It didn't hurt that I happened to have the most beautiful date there."

I snorted and shook my head as he reached for my hand over the center console.  "Flattery will get you everywhere, I suppose."

"I can only hope," he said, winking at me.