Page 158 of The Score

This time, when I gasp, it's in a totally different way.

"Oh no." I push him back and pull my panties, and my skirt back in place. "Put yourself together. So much for the fun."

"Damn," he mutters, doing as told. "I can't speak for you, Pen, but I've never had to test my body quite like this."

"You're a pro-athlete."

"I know what I'm saying. You're not the only one doing things they've never done before. Including worrying that we've been caught."

I run my fingers through my hair, just in case it's a mess.

"You're lovely." He smiles and finishes buttoning himself up.

Ready now, he unlocks the door.

"Well, thank you." I put a hand on his arm. "But how are we going to get out of here without being seen?"

"Crossing our fingers and praying to some deity, I think."

"Okay. Maybe we won't try this one fantasy again."

"Might be a good idea. Come on." He opens the door and peeks through. "Let's get in the car before you give me the verdict."

"The verdict?" I whisper as he opens the door wide.

No one is in the hall, and we run towards the door.

"Your score," he says at the same volume. "Right now we have bigger issues at hand."

As soon as we open our last obstacle, we come face to face with a staff person I don't recognize.

"So sorry," I say.

"We got lost," Bear echoes.

The staff person stares at us with panicked eyes.

We don't say anything else, but Bear grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dancing group of people.

We laugh as he texts for our car. We laugh as we get in.

"Seven out of ten," I say. "That was what I dreamed of, but wouldn't do it again."

"Ouch. Lowest score yet."

"Don't get me wrong. It was brilliant while it lasted. But right after? No thanks."

"We can have more fun at home, can't we? Or in the cabin, once it's ours."

"Please, like they'd sell it to us, after the bed debacle."

"Maybe they'll sell it to usbecauseof the bed problem."

"We didn't wreck the shower after all," I say, and we laugh again.

The whole time, we hold hands.

The next morning when we say goodbye, Bear makes more promises.

"You'll come home on Sunday." He caresses my hair, like he so often does. "I'll go with you all to the hospital on Monday. We'll do that together, okay? You know I'll be there."

I nod. Kiss him. Yes, I know he'll be there. That's the best part of being married to my best friend. After twenty years, I know what to expect.

All I have to do is find a way to be smart about it and keep it safe.