The Secret Lives of Housewives by Joan Elizabeth Lloyd Page B

say one day a week until we figure out this car thing.”
    â€œThanks for the offer, Cait,” Angie said, ducking her chin, “but that’s not an option.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œYou’ve never tried to get anything done with two ten-month-olds. It’s a nightmare that I can’t inflict on you.”
    Cait sipped her water. “You wouldn’t be inflicting it on me. I’m volunteering, so don’t make any snap decisions. We have a few weeks to think about it and I know we can work this out. Anyway, I’d love to get to know your twins. In case Logan ever gets me pregnant.”
    â€œIs that a possibility?” Monica asked.
    â€œNot with our sex life,” Cait said with a toss of her head. “We tried for quite a while and it didn’t happen, but lightning might just strike and I want to be ready.” She quickly turned to Angie and added, “Look at it as taking on a teaching assignment.”
    â€œCute,” Angie said, “but no. Anyway, I’ve still got a few weeks to meet you guys like this. And Monica, next week you’ll have to let us know about your date. We could all use a little vicarious hot sex.” She stood up and grinned. “Well, at least I could. Good sex for Tony and me is just a fond memory.”
    â€œI can imagine,” Monica said.
    â€œYeah.” Angie sighed. “We’ve barely got the energy for a quickie before one of us falls asleep. This has to get better, right?”
    â€œThat’s what I gather from my sisters,” Monica said. “The first year is the worst, but then they only had one at a time to deal with.”
    â€œSee you all next week?” Angie said, brightening.
    â€œOf course,” Cait and Monica said simultaneously.
    Eve stared at the screen of her cell phone, shook her head, then dropped it carefully into her pocket. She glanced at the check and fumbled in her purse for her wallet. “Me, too. I’ll be here. Next week, same time, same place.”
    Â 
    When the two other women were gone, Cait looked at Monica. “What do you think’s up with Eve?”
    â€œWhat about Eve?”
    â€œShe puts that phone beside her plate and glances at it just about every minute. Last week, when it rang, she ran out of here like her ass was on fire. Think it’s a guy?”
    â€œDon’t jump to conclusions. It might just be she’s expecting a call from a friend or some family member.”
    â€œTen bucks says it’s a guy. We’ll have to find out next week.”
    â€œDon’t make her crazy pumping her for information. If she wants to keep things private, that’s her right.”
    Cait pulled a few folded bills from her pocket. “It’s my right to see what I can find out.” She stared at the check and counted the money Eve and Angie had left. She added her money to the stack. “What are you going to do about Dan? He’s really too good to just dump.”
    â€œI don’t know what I’m going to do.”
    â€œYou know it’s not a long-term decision. Maybe you’ll have dinner together and discover you two have no chemistry. No bedding potential. Then you can just drop it.”
    Monica felt her nipples tighten at the thought of Dan in her bed. “Oh, there’s chemistry all right. That’s not the problem.”
    â€œYou’re overthinking this, Monica. Just go for it. How often do you meet a nice guy with potential?”
    Monica sighed. “How often indeed?”

Chapter
10
    T hat afternoon, as Monica was going over a stack of media guides, she found herself debating whether to go out with Dan. When her phone rang she was ready to say yes. “Hello?”
    â€œHi, Monica, it’s Bonnie.”
    Expecting to hear from Dan, she was surprised to hear her sister. Once she rearranged her brain, she heard the catch in Bonnie’s voice. “You sound terrible, sis,” she said,