A stupid grin spread across Kelly’s face. The fact Lucy was going to be longer than the allocated hour gave her a good excuse to turn her threat into a promise. If Lucy’s parting word, Miss, was anything to go by, Lucy wanted to play too.

Sex wouldn’t eradicate their craptacular day, but it would go a long way toward balancing out the negative.

A hunger pang tore through Kelly’s insides. Even though she didn’t have much of an appetite, the thought of her stomach screaming, ‘feed me, feed me,’ during an intimate moment, had her heading for the kitchen.

Once there, she reached for a loaf of bread, jar of vegemite, and a block of cheese.

Comfort food.

Shortly after eight, a rap on the door made Kelly’s heart skip a beat. Without thought, she was on her feet.

The sudden leap out of her chair, coupled with excitement, made her heart race. Lucy was here.

God, she wanted to shout that from the rooftops.

Lucy’s here! Lucy’s here!

The trek across the small living room felt like five miles. Kelly couldn’t get the door open fast enough.

“Hey there, sexy. Come in.” She ushered Lucy inside. “Make yourself at home.”

Setting her bag down, Lucy glanced around the living room, concern etched across her features. “They didn’t leave on my account, did they?”

“Oh, no. Not at all.” Kelly grabbed Lucy’s hands. They were warm and soft, like her smile.

“It just so happens; Nicole and Steve have found somewhere else to live. They didn’t want to say anything before now, afraid I’d be upset if they left me here all alone.” Kelly jutted her lip out like a baby.

“What were the chances?” Lucy asked, ignoring Kelly’s theatrical pout.

“About as minuscule as running into Paula and Colette in Wellington, same time, same place, same day as us.”

Finally, Lucy smiled, a beaming smile that lit up Kelly’s world.

“Turns out, some clouds do have silver linings.”

“That, they do.” Kelly wrapped her arms around Lucy’s waist, inhaling deeply. She didn’t detect even the slightest hint of Lucy’s signature scent, cocoa butter.

Amusement twinkled in Lucy’s eyes. “You’re practically drooling.”

“What do you expect when you turn up here looking as edible as ever, batting your sexy green eyes, smelling all shower fresh?”

Grabbing Lucy by the hand, Kelly dragged her toward her bedroom. She wanted to forget about the day, just for a while, and sensed Lucy could do with the same.

Lucy chuckled. “What about my bag? Shouldn’t I unpack?”

“Clothes are overrated,” Kelly retorted.

The second they crossed the threshold to Kelly’s bedroom, the atmosphere changed from casual to electric.

Without prompting, Lucy clutched her hands behind her back, opening herself up to Kelly.

“Sorry I was late, Miss Kel.”

“Strip,” Kelly instructed.