Doctor's Delight(17)
“What?” Cherry tried in vain to stop the blush creeping into her cheeks.
“You had sex!” Susie announced triumphantly.
“What?” Maxie looked from Susie to Cherry. “What do you mean? Are you sure?”
“Geez, Max, just look at her face.”
Cherry felt her cheeks flame hotter when Maxie flicked a glance at her and then peered closer. Her friend’s eyes widened. “Whoa!”
“Don’t try to deny it,” Susie added.
“I didn’t—”
“Cherry got her cherry popped!” Maxie punched her fist into her open palm. “Hot damn! Details, girl!”
“And don’t leave anything out.” Grabbing her by the arm, Susie practically dragged Cherry into the kitchen, pushed her down into the chair, crossed to the ’fridge and pulled out three Diet Cokes. Popping the tops on all three cans, she placed them on the table and flopped down in a chair.
“Hey,” said Cherry. “Make yourself at home.”
“Was there any doubt?” Maxie took a long drink of the Diet Coke and gave a small burp.
Arms folded on the table, Susie leaned forward and looked hard at Cherry. “You were going to tell us, right?”
“Ummm…”
“Cherry.”
“Of course I was. Sheesh.” Cherry rolled her eyes. “I just didn’t expect you both to come around today, so I wasn’t, you know…”
“Ready?” Susie supplied dryly.
“That’d be it.”
“Well, we’re here now, so spill.”
Picking up the can of Diet Coke, Cherry took several sips while trying to gather her thoughts for the most appropriate way to begin. And trying to control her blush.
“Escort agency?” Maxie queried.
“Yep. I did it.” Cherry bit her lip and kept her eyes on the can as she rolled the bottom of it on the table in a slow circle. “Hired a man for several hours.”
“And?” Susie encouraged.
“I met him at a motel. We had…uh…sex. I left and came home.”
“Oh no.” Susie shook her head. “That just won’t do.”
“Please?”
“Everything,” Maxie said. “You tell us everything.”
“Geez, Max, I don’t ask you to describe your sex.”
“You know what my lover looks like. Tell us what this man looked like. What was his name?”
“Damien.”
Maxie and Susie nodded.
“Um…green eyes, black hair.”
“Build?”
“Good.”
They stared at her.
“Better than good.” Meeting their eyes, Cherry flushed but grinned slightly. “Six pack.” Just the memory gave her a little rush.
Maxie grinned. “Six pack is good.”
“Very good.” Susie nodded. “How was the meeting?”
“He was very…not forceful. He was…commanding?”
“He ordered you?”
“No! He was…” Frowning, Cherry tried to think of the right word to describe his manner.
“Masterful?" Maxie suggested.
“Yes. But in a good way.” Unable to help herself, Cherry grinned a little self-consciously. “He took charge. I didn’t know escorts did that.”
“If that’s what you asked for, that’s what you get.” Susie smiled.
“I didn’t actually ask for that, but I’m not complaining.”
“Must be a real professional to know what you needed.” Maxie sighed dreamily and slouched back in the chair.
Susie tapped the table with her fingertips. “So, reckon you’ll hire him again?”
Cherry grinned and wrinkled her nose, and Susie laughed in delight.
A flat buzz came from Cherry’s handbag sitting on the bench and she stared at it for several seconds before realizing the cause. More than a little perplexed, she went to her bag and withdrew the pre-paid mobile phone. Flipping it open, she put it to her ear. “Hello?”
“Ms Jones?”
Ms Jones? This was a woman’s voice, so that must mean… “Helen?”
“That’s right. Ms Jones, I am so sorry about last night.”
“You are?” Puzzled, Cherry turned her back on her friends and stared out the window into the garden beyond.
“Of course. Damien was in an accident and didn’t make your appointment. I do hope you’re not too upset.” Helen spoke warmly, with just the right amount of business-like concern in her tone. “We didn’t find out until this morning, so of course I got straight onto your phone number. Please, be assured that we would normally let our clients know straight away if their appointment is not going to be met.”
Feeling herself go numb, Cherry’s hand tightened on the phone. “Damien didn’t make it?”