A Different Kind of Forever(36)

“Well, at least he knows good food. So call Kevin, and tell him to get the girls at five. Shave all the critical places and not too much perfume. Some men are allergic.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

Marianne looked smug. “You’re welcome. Make sure you have condoms. And make sure he feeds you first.”

Diane buried her face in her hands and laughed out loud.



Kevin picked up the girls at five. A little after six, Diane called Sharon.

“Listen, Sharon, here’s what I’ve got. Black pantsuit. Makes me look thin. The red jersey dress clings in the right spots, but it’s sleeveless. Is it too cool for sleeveless? Or there’s the old standby, that African print, you know the one. What do you think? Which one looks best?”

Sharon snorted. “Who the hell cares what they look like? Which one is the easiest to take off?”

Diane hung up and put on the red dress. She brushed her hair carefully. She put on one of her favorite CD’s, classical and calming. Jasper sat on her bed, watching her put on earrings and make-up. She felt nervous. The condoms she had bought were in her top drawer, and she pushed them aside as she searched for pantyhose. When the doorbell rang, she was still barefoot.

She ran to open the door. Michael was wearing a beautifully pressed white button down shirt, sleeves carefully folded up, a narrow, red tie, jeans, and loafers.

“You look very neato. I’m glad to see you got something out of that expensive prep school you went to.” she said.

He grinned. “I’m traveling incognito.”

“Shouldn’t you have a cashmere sweater draped around your shoulders?” she teased, as he came into the living room.”

“It’s in the car,” he said seriously, “with my double-breasted navy blazer.”

Diane laughed. “I’ve got to get shoes and stockings. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

Diane went back into the bedroom. The top of her closet was packed with shoeboxes. Diane knew the exact pair she wanted, the Nine West pumps, but as she tried to dislodge the box, she pulled too hard and a dozen boxes came spilling out of the closet. She covered her head with her hands, and let out an involuntary cry as the shoes tumbled down. She ducked for a moment as they all fell to the floor, then she looked down in dismay. There were shoes everywhere.

Michael burst into the room. “Are you okay? What happened?” He looked around and said, in a different tone, “What happened?”

“My shoes tried to commit suicide. They all jumped.” She turned to him. “I’m sorry. I’ll be ready in a sec.”

She got down on her knees and began to pile the shoes together. Michael got down next to her. “Let me help you. Here.” He put two shoes in a box.

Diane looked at him and shook her head. “No. These are two different shoes.”

Michael sat, legs crossed Indian-style, and looked around him. “But they’re all the same.”

“No, they’re different. See, this has a rounded toe. This one is squared off.”

He picked up two more shoes. “They’re all black. You have, what, ten pair of black shoes?”

Diane grabbed the shoes from his hand. “You’re mocking me. I can tell.”

“No.” He picked up an empty box and handed it to her, controlling his laughter. “I would never do that. I grew up with three women. If nothing else, I learned that the relationship between a woman and her shoes is a sacred thing.”

She looked at Michael. There was a half-smile on his face. His dark hair curled around his ear. His lashes were perfectly straight and very long. She touched his cheek and he turned to her. She kissed him very carefully, catching his lower lip in her teeth and pulling gently.

“I think I’ve made a decision,” she said in a whisper.

“Yeah?” He was very close.

“Yeah.”

“So,” he said, his voice rough, “what do you want to do?”

“Everything.” She kissed him, slow, teasing kisses, her hands on either side of his face. His arms went around her, drawing her to the floor. Her hair fell around his face and she kissed his cheek, neck, the hollow at the base of his throat. She pulled off his tie, and began to unbutton his shirt, her tongue hot against his smooth flesh. Her fingertips brushed him gently, thumbs against his nipples, and she heard an intake of breath, and felt him strain his body against the floor.