Alexander - Loves Someday

Loves

Someday

By

Robin alexander

Loves Someday

2009 by Robin Alexander

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

ISBN 10: 1-935216-08-2

ISBN 13: 978-1-935216-08-7

First Printing: 2009

This Trade Paperback Is Published By

Intaglio Publications

Walker, LA USA

www.intagliopub.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Credits

Executive Editor: Tara Young

Cover design by Sheri

For the Rose with the heart of gold.

And Becky, my Loves Someday.

Acknowledgments

As always many thanks to Tara Young and the Intaglio editorial staff, especially, Tara, who, is, ever, patient, with, my, nasty, habit, of sprinkling commas.

My gratitude to Sheri, the cover artist who has graced every one of my books with her amazing creations. Her patience with me is rivaled only by Taraand well, Kate, toooh, and definitely Becky.

My thanks to Kate Sweeney, who was patient with me as I wrote this story, then changed it and changed it again. She read every copy whether she wanted to or not.

Were supposed to be going south.

Arent we?

No, look at the big N on your dash compass.

Erica Barrett groaned in frustration and took the first exit she came to. Im gonna pull over and look at the map.

What? You dont trust my navigational skills? Kaitlyn Marshall asked.

No, three voices answered in unison. Kaitlyn glared over her shoulder at the two women in the backseat. You two dont have a say since neither of you ever drive on these trips.

Your navigation is precisely why I never volunteer to drive, Drew Talbot said with a playful smile. Erica is the only one that can put up with you. Id put you out in the first mile.

Kaitlyn returned the smile. And I bet you wouldnt even slow down when you did.

Tuck and roll, baby, Drew shot back. Tuck and roll.

Do you think well be this loving when weve been together ten years? Ashleigh Prather reached over the drivers seat and rubbed Ericas shoulders as she brought the vehicle to a stop.

I certainly hope so, honey, were halfway there.

I wouldnt trade away one minute of ten years with her for a million dollars, Kaitlyn said, looking at Drew.

Aw, damn, theyre going mushy on us, Erica said as she perused the map. Yall are so much more entertaining when youre exchanging barbs.

Kaitlyn thumped Erica on the arm. Hows that for a barb? And by the way, Im starving to death.

What are you, five? Erica grimaced as she rubbed her arm. You ate an hour ago.

If shes awake, shes hungry, Drew said. And Ashleighs stomach has been growling for the last ten miles. I can hear it over your bickering.

Erica tossed the map back into Kaitlyns lap, and pulled back onto the road. You better be glad my baby is hungry or youd be grazing on the side of the road.

Cant you just feel the love all around us? Ashleigh laughed.

Oh, Im feeling it. Erica rubbed her arm again and shot Kaitlyn a scowl she couldnt hold and began laughing.

It had been that way between Kaitlyn and Erica since they were eight years old and became neighbors. On the day Ericas family moved into the house on Prairie Lane, Kaitlyn moved in too. In a pair of cutoffs and a T-shirt with Scooby-Doo emblazoned on the front, she marched in with dirty bare feet and announced her presence. She and Erica bonded the second they met, and though they had their share of conflicts, neither could hold a grudge for long. Verbal jabs, thumps, and playful slaps were among the ways they displayed their unwavering affection for each other.

Somebody give me some ideas for dinner, so I know what to keep an eye out for, Erica said.

Drew yawned and smacked her lips. How about barbecue?

I cant handle it, Ashleigh said. That last batch we ate gave me heartburn that Tums couldnt touch.

Kaitlyn pointed at a sign as they blew past. How about Bennigans ? They have all types of food there.

This appealed to the group, but when they pulled into the parking lot, the restaurant was filled to capacity and the wait for a table would have been at least an hour. The bar and grill across the street with the ten-minute wait won out.

Drew looked around at the eighties memorabilia when they were seated. What a nifty idea for a restaurant.

Its like being transported back to our college years, Kaitlyn said with a wistful smile as her gaze settled on the huge monitor. Oh, I loved the Cure, they were so weird looking, but they made great music.

Remember wearing the long jackets with the shoulder pads and the spandex leggings? Erica asked Kaitlyn.

No, you wore that. I couldnt pull off the look with my obvious height impairment.

Erica stifled a laugh. Kaitlyns height topped out at five feet in junior high school and was a sensitive subject. Until her dark hair began to gray at the temples, Kaitlyn was often asked for her ID whenever she ordered a drink.

I always went with the preppie look, but I bet our Ash sported the more provocative exposed midriff, Drew said with a teasing grin.

Ashleighs face was inches from the menu as she looked it over. Erica grinned at Drew and Kaitlyn, who were also staring in Ashleighs direction awaiting her comment.

Drew gave her a gentle jab. Ash?

The margarita chicken, Ashleigh said, lowering the menu.

Drew rolled her eyes. I was asking if you wore the exposed midriff thing in the eighties.

Ashleighs gaze darted between the other three as her face colored. Guilty. She hid her blush behind her menu.

I bet she had the body for it back then, Erica thought as she regarded her bashful partner. In truth, she still had the body for it. She watched as Ashleigh tucked a lock of her long dark hair behind her ear. She glanced over at Erica and gave her a wink. Erica felt warmth spread over her as she remembered those green eyes locked with hers earlier that morning when they made love.

You wanna split a club sandwich with me? Kaitlyn asked Drew, who nodded and flipped the menu over to peruse the desserts. Wanna split a brownie sundae with me, too?

Um, no, baby, youre on your own with that. Im getting the key lime pie.

Welcome to Sparkys, ladies, the waiter said with a smile. We have a two-for-one drink special tonight, and I have to tell you that we have the best margaritas in town.

Oh, Ill have one of those, Drew said. Maybe itll knock me on my ass. Hotel beds are hell to sleep in. Drew looked over at Kaitlyn. You want to drink the other one?

Sure, and Id like a glass of water also, Kaitlyn said as she set down her menu.

Ill have a glass of iced tea, Erica told the waiter, who stood waiting on her order.

Tea for me, too, Ashleigh said.

Kaitlyn spun in her chair and looked at the huge screen behind the bar as Terence Trent DArbys video for Wishing Well began. She laughed. Erica used to dance her ass off when that song played. Kaitlyn threw her head back and forth in imitation.

You really dont want me to start imitating you. Erica looked at Ashleigh and Drew. She had no rhythm, and she always screamed out yeah when she danced. It was so embarrassing.

Kaitlyn chuckled. You butthole. When we get to the hotel tonight, Im going to show them what you considered dancing. I wont do it here and get us thrown out.

Well, thank God for that, Drew said as the waiter appeared with their drinks, and took their order.