Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
“Rexy probably needs to potty. We’ll come with you,” Aspen said and stood to pat her thigh. Rexy heaved himself onto his massive paws and stretched before padding to her.
Holding the door open, Saylor peeked out, relieved to see no one lurked outside. When Aspen and Rexy took care of their business, she gave the dog privacy and walked to her trunk. Grabbing her small bag and her portfolio, Saylor decided she needed to stay at Max’s at least for a while.
Aspen rejoined her at the door, this time holding it for Saylor to carry her things inside. The kind woman whispered, “They’re not coming back. If they do, call the police. They respond quickly to this area. A lot of military families live around here. We’re all close.”
“Thanks. Max sent me everyone’s contact information. Is it okay to text or call you all?”
“We’re going to drive you nuts with our messages. We’re chatty,” Aspen assured her.
As they walked in, Aspen addressed the group. “I’ve warned Saylor that we send a lot of messages. She may need to mute us when she’s teaching.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s a good idea. I do that at work,” Giana said.
Saylor grabbed her sketchpad and opened it as Aspen sat down with Rexy sitting at her feet. The big dog rested his head on her knees, looking happily at his owner. The love between them went straight to her heart.
The thought that she should act as a hostess and at least offer her guests something to drink made her hesitate. She didn’t want to miss this moment. Saylor forced herself to ask, “Can I get anyone something to drink? I’m afraid I don’t even know what Max has.”
“Do you mind if I raid Max’s pantry? He showed me his secret stash of flavored drink mix during the last barbecue here,” Pippa said.
“I’d love it.” Saylor shifted to stand, but Pippa waved at her.
“I’ve got this. I want to see that drawing,” Pippa said and headed for the pantry door in the kitchen. “I’ll show you where everything is later.”
“Thanks!” Saylor said, already locking in the basic shapes of Aspen and Rexy. She loved hearing the others chat easily as she drew. Joining the conversation off and on, Saylor relaxed with the friendly group. She hadn’t hung with girlfriends for a long time.
After an hour, Brooklyn suggested ordering pizza. “Want a loaded one with extra cheese?” she asked.
“Ooh! There’s nothing healthy about that. I’m in,” Pippa said, sipping the bright blue drink she’d concocted for everyone.
Saylor looked up in concern. “Do you… Do your daddies control what you eat?” Saylor asked.
“As a group, the guys view food as fuel for their activities. They have to maintain a high level of fitness to train and to meet any challenges they might encounter. Daddy fixes sumptuous meals that happen to be good for me. He’s a good cook,” Giana said.
“Your job requires super powers too. You’re in amazing shape,” Brooklyn told her. “We’ll let you in on a secret, Saylor. We have decadent things when we’re together. Shhh!”
“I won’t tell,” Saylor assured them. “Let me pay. I’m the hostess.”
“No way. This is your inauguration in the group. It’s my turn this time,” Brooklyn said, pulling out her phone. “Salvatore’s or Luigi’s?”
“Luigi’s!” Pippa said.
“Thick or thin?” Brooklyn asked a minute later.
“Thick all the way,” Giana said, waggling her eyebrows expressively.
“You are so bad!” Aspen said, grinning. “Can I see the picture yet?”
Rexy had returned to the kitchen earlier, and Saylor sat sketching from memory. “When the pizza gets here?”
“That’s amazing. I’ll wait,” Aspen promised.
By the time they’d all helped themselves to the best tasting pizza in the world, Saylor was ready to reveal her work. She turned the pad around to show Aspen and held her breath. While she had confidence in her artwork, she never trusted that her audience would see it in the same way. Hopefully Aspen would enjoy it.
“Oh, my God!” Aspen cried and reached for the pad only to see the grease on her fingers. “Damn! Let me clean the pizza off my hands.”
“Potty mouth,” Giana called after her.
“I won’t tell if you won’t!” Aspen negotiated as she quickly washed her hands.
“Deal!” Giana agreed, taking another bite of her pizza. “That’s incredible, Saylor. Even with you as my teacher, I’d still produce stick figures.”
“Everyone has their own talents. I couldn’t carry someone out of a burning building. That takes strength and nerves of steel,” Saylor told Giana as Aspen dropped to the floor next to Saylor and accepted the sketchpad.
“Can I have this? I mean, I’m glad to pay you for it,” Aspen said quickly.
“No way you’ll pay for it. It took me a half hour. If you’d enjoy having the drawing, it’s yours. Here, let me sign it and it will be officially yours.” Saylor tore it carefully on the perforated line and signed the rough sketch. Not her best work, but she liked the image of Aspen and Rexy.