The Marriage Charm (Bliss County 2) by Linda Lael Miller Page B

night.”
    And she’d needed privacy, time alone, after spending all morning in his bed having gymnastic sex that had brought her an entirely new perception of the big O, even after their previous relationship. She was older now and more comfortable with her sexuality, no longer that twenty-year-old with so many stars in her eyes they blurred her vision. She could enjoy the fact that he was a considerate lover, but not expect much more. She’d had a couple of short-term relationships that just hadn’t worked out, but if nothing else, those experiences had taught her a lot about herself and what she wanted. Part of the point of the marriage pact was not to settle.
    “Were you?” Bex looked skeptical. “Busy, that is.”
    The sandwich was absolutely delicious, the conversation not so much. “I have that new commissioned piece. So the answer is yes, I am really busy right now.”
    Bex pointed at her plate. “But you still need to eat, don’t you? I assume you didn’t skip dinner.”
    Was she being censured for turning Spence down? Here she’d thought both Hadleigh and Bex would warn her against a second involvement. “If you make a comment about how hefty I am, I’m going to make you pay for lunch.”
    “Huh?” Bex sounded puzzled. “Hefty? You? You have the kind of body the rest of the world works out to achieve. If everyone looked like you, I wouldn’t have a business. What are you talking about?”
    “Never mind.” Melody waved her fork for emphasis. “I am extremely leery of getting involved with Spencer Hogan again, even if it’s only dinner. Your faith that his reputation isn’t deserved might just spring from the fact that you’ve always liked him.”
    “Not always.” Bex sobered, and her voice was quiet. She dabbed at her mouth with her napkin then carefully laid it back in her lap. “Not that summer nine years ago. I wanted to strangle him for hurting you. But... Have you ever read a historical romance novel?” She made a theatrical pretense of introspection, tapping her finger on her cheek. “Wait, yes, you have, since you and I traded copies for years. There’s a well-worn saying in those books that reformed rakes make the best husbands. Maybe you remember it.”
    “I’m familiar with it, and very funny.” Melody used her fork to sweep up an errant chunk of brie that had escaped her sandwich. “Can I delicately point out that’s fiction?”
    “There’s usually truth in those classic plots.” She suddenly changed the subject. “Do you really think Spence is shallow?”
    What a question. Spence? There was probably an incredulous expression on her face.
    “Oh, please. I think he’s the total opposite of shallow. He’s...he’s an extraordinarily complicated man.” Time for another change of subject. “Okay, can we discuss our shopping trip now? I need head to toe. Except for a few dressy dresses, most of my current wardrobe looks like I borrowed it from some local hobo. The other night I went to the grocery store in a dress—because I was too embarrassed to wear my casual clothes. It’s the definite downside of working at home. I don’t think I own a pair of jeans without a ragged hem or a hole somewhere.”
    Either the distraction worked, or more likely, Bex knew when to back off. They finished lunch in a companionable mood and then hit the shops. Two new pairs of jeans, plus two silk blouses later—one red and another in a blue-green shade Bex swore matched her eyes—they parted ways. Oh, and she was also the proud possessor of a cute pair of navy open-toed flats. That was a particularly happy purchase, since they were a name brand and they happened to be on sale.
    As Melody walked back to her car, she thought about Spence. Of course. He was like the refrain of a popular song playing on her personal radio. She’d bumped into him so often lately she was almost surprised she hadn’t seen him in the women’s shoe section of the downtown store. What he’d be doing there,