Micky had made a point of writing down Olivia and Christopher’s schedule for the weekend, something she had never done before, but neither one of them seemed to have a lot going on in the coming two days, at least not at overlapping times. Either way, it was more a psychological barrier for Micky. When the children were with her, she didn’t spend every last second in their company. She had felt compelled to do that post-divorce, but they’d quickly made it clear that they didn’t want their mother around all the time. Anyway, this wasn’t a matter of proximity. The issue was what Micky was doing when she was out of the house. She wouldn’t just need to tell Darren soon, she’d need to inform her children—and her mother.
“I promise it won’t be like this for long, but…” Micky always involuntarily smiled when she looked at Robin, especially when Robin’s body was half pressed against her like that. “Why not enjoy the excitement that comes with it for now?”
Micky pulled Robin close for a kiss and lost herself in their lip-lock. When, way too soon, the time came for her to leave, her clothes were all ruffled and her acute desire had not been sufficiently quenched—because despite the quickie they’d just had, Micky’s hunger for Robin was so bottomless that half an hour alone with her didn’t even come close to satisfying it—but she walked home with a spring in her step and a blush on her cheeks nonetheless.
They were together now, and at least for the night, before she had to face the world again in the morning and the prospect of coming out, she could luxuriate in the glowing heat running beneath her flesh that resulted from time spent with Robin.
Micky was in love, and she felt it in every cell of her body.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“So,” Micky said. “Should I give Sheryl your number to pass on to Martha?” It was Sunday afternoon, and they’d taken Olivia and Chris to Balmoral beach in Mosman where Micky used to spend so much of her time when she was still married. The kids were walking to the beach restaurant with their grandmother to see if they could squeeze them in for dinner tonight.
“I was wondering when you were going to bring that up.” Amber stared straight ahead.
“I’ve tried, Amber, but I just can’t shake off the memory of the chemistry crackling in the air between the two of you at that dinner party.”
“But she was there for you. Sure, at first sight, I did like her, but my mind didn’t even go there, I swear to you.”
Only Amber would ever feel guilty about something like this. “Well, that really couldn’t have gone worse for her, what with Robin showing up like that.”
“I know all of that, but… I don’t know. It feels weird.”
“It may feel weird for half an hour or so, but think of all the time you have left after the feelings of weirdness have subsided. And, she’s not one of your students.”
“Maybe we should organize a group thing again first. Get the initial awkwardness out of the way to see if the spark is still there.”
“What are you so afraid of? A beautiful, available woman is interested in you. You should be jumping for joy instead of hesitating like this.”
Now Amber did turn her head to look at Micky. “You know how I’ve been burned in the past.”
“But this is the future.” Micky sat up a bit straighter. “You pushed me to put myself out there and be more open to new things, and look at me now. I’m crazy about a gorgeous woman. That’s what happened to me because you encouraged me to stop dwelling in the past and to finally face my fears about who I truly am. You did that for me, Amber. Now I’m doing the same for you.”
“I know you’re right, but for me to be okay with it, I need to let a little bit of time go by. Not long, just a few days, or a week.”
Micky sighed. “Nothing happened between Martha and me. We had a forty-five minute conversation alone. That’s it.”
“That’s not true, Micky. You told me about her, and you invited her to your house. I know you’re probably thinking this is one of my crazy Amber rules, and it is, but I just need a little bit more time. You’re my best friend. I can’t just… move in and move on.”
“But I’m with Robin now. What does that say about me?”
“We’re different people. I’m not judging you, if that’s what you want to know. You and Robin, that’s an entirely different situation. I do want to go out with Martha. It’s been a long time since I met a woman I was so immediately interested in, I just need a little more time.”
“I’m already glad you’re willing to admit to being attracted to her.”