Scalded by Desiree Holt, Allie Standifer Page A

toys took away from their masculinity, only added more intimacy to the joining. It sucked that they needed so much convincing.
    “So, how did it go tonight?” Tina Devers, her hostess for the evening, walked back into the room after showing the last guest out.
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    Halli smiled at the older woman, not able to stop the wide grin forming on her lips.
    “Who knew tax attorneys could get so kinky?”
    Tina laughed, her gray-streaked hair tumbling wildly around her cheery face. “We can party with the best of them, honey. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”
    Fanning a hand in front of her face, Halli laughed with her. “After tonight my lips are sealed.”
    “Good.” Tina gave Halli a friendly pat on the back. “Now, let’s get this stuff in your SUV. I can’t wait to try out my new toys with Ricky.”
    A sliver of envy caught her unawares at the mention of Tina’s husband. After so many years together they still shared a passion and friendship that made Halli yearn for a connection like that of her own.
    Desperate to shut down that mental picture before it could form, Halli grabbed the top case. “Don’t you dare grab one, Tina. These things weigh a ton. Plus, it’s my only form of exercise today.”
    “Nonsense. If you won’t let me help then I’ll yell for Ricky.” She put words to action, yelling her husband’s name.
    Within seconds the barrel-chested retired police detective ran into the room. “Tina, honey, what’s wrong?”
    “Nothing, Ricky, I just wanted you to help Halli lug out these cases. The poor girl’s been on her feet all day serving coffee. Then she came straight over here for my party.
    It’s amazing she hasn’t fallen over yet.”
    Heat crept up her cheeks as Halli listened to Tina’s exaggerated version of her day.
    Granted she’d been up early in order to open Jolts, but she hired people to sling the coffee while she normally stayed in her office playing catch-up with paperwork, coming out to help when the rush-hour crowds showed up or spelling an employee for break or lunch.
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    Desiree Holt & Allie Standifer
    “She works too hard,” Ricky agreed. “Hey, honey, Reed’s on his way over. He had some questions about an old case I caught a few years ago.”
    “Ricky,” his wife of thirty-four years whined, “I have plans for us tonight. I opened a bottle of wine and everything.”
    Rick looked a little confused until Tina jerked her head to the case he carried. A red flush crept up his cheeks as his wife’s meaning caught on. “Oh….uh…okay. I’ll try and catch Reed before he gets here.”
    “Good, ’cause you won’t be answering the door once the lights go out. You’ll be real busy, lamb-pot.” Tina purred to her spouse and Halli wanted to dash out of the house with her ears covered.
    One major drawback to hosting these parties, people forgot to censor their tongues around her. They said and did things they’d never dream of repeating in public anywhere.
    The party tonight had lasted longer than normal, but the women and their open checkbooks more than made up for any tiredness she felt. Still she wanted to go home, crank up her computer and check up on her dream house.
    “Sure, honey. Halli, don’t tell me you carried these trunks in here all by yourself?”
    Ricky tugged one bulky plastic container and hefted it into his arms. “These things weigh a ton.”
    “It’s my only form of exercise, Rick. Besides they’re not that bad.” Grabbing the white handles Halli lifted the next case and followed her friend’s husband out the door.
    “Not bad, my ass,” Rick complained good-naturedly.
    The trip from the couple’s living room to her small hybrid SUV took only a few minutes. Soon they had the cargo area filled. With the last of her product tucked safely in a smaller plastic case under her arm, Halli said goodbye to her host.
    The lighted walkway leading from the door to the driveway lent a sense of safety as she contemplated her future plans.