“Come here.” Kelly held her arm out and Lucy snuggled into her side. The bedside clock glowed nine. Kelly hoped her next question didn’t ruin a perfect evening. She considered making a joke and telling Lucy she couldn’t leave because she’d been drinking. But, considering Lucy had only had a glass over the last hour and a half, that would be a cop out. So, she stuck to being honest.

“I’d really like you to stay the night, Lucy.” Kelly put a finger under Lucy’s chin and kissed her softly. “But don’t feel like you have to. I’ll understand if you need to get home.”

And I’ll be crushed and cry like a baby the minute you walk out the door, Kelly reframed from saying.

“I’d like that, too,” Lucy replied, her eyes full of warmth.

Over the moon with happiness, Kelly leapt to her feet. She knew it was immature but couldn’t help herself. Trying to keep her balance on the mattress dipping as she danced in a circle, Kelly fist pumped the air. “Yes, yes, yes.”

Like an acrobat, she jumped off and gave a bow. “Would ma-lady like a shower.” Kelly extended her hand.

Shaking her head in amusement, Lucy took it and slid out of bed. “If you promise to wash my back.”

“Deal.”

As they walked hand and hand to the bathroom, Kelly briefly considered asking Lucy if she needed to let Paula know she wouldn’t be home. Then she recalled Paula’s terse words from the night of her potluck dinner when Kelly had asked where Lucy was, “Out, she has a life,” and doubted Paula cared.

Not only that, Kelly didn’t want to ruin the night by opening that can of worms.

Chapter 19

The following morning, Kelly awoke before her alarm went off at six-thirty. She didn’t often get up before seven but Lucy had asked her to set it early so she had time to duck home and change before work.

Rather than let the angry blare of the alarm wake Lucy, Kelly kissed her on the cheek and gave her a gentle shake. “Wakey, wakey, sleepyhead.”

Groaning, Lucy stretched and rubbed her eyes. “Do I have to.”

“’Fraid so, we can sleep in tomorrow. I mean you can, and I can. Not necessarily together. Here. In my bed.”

An eye cracked open, followed by a wide smile. “You’re cute.”

“I’m rambling.” Kelly hated when she did that, let her insecurities bubble forth.

She slid out of bed and handed Lucy her clothes after untangling the pant leg still wrapped around the foot of her bed. The image brought a smile to her face.

“Do you have time for coffee before you have to go?”

“Always. Especially when the sexiest barista in town offers to make it for me.”

Seven o’clock rolled around in record time.