“Lucky bitch,” Jenna said.
“Please,” Tara said to Jenna. “You have Ty.”
Jenna popped a grape into her mouth. “I do. He keeps me very happy. Which doesn’t mean I’m dead and I can’t appreciate other sexy men. Like Garrett Scott.”
“Amen to that,” Liz said. “The day I can’t ogle fine man flesh just because I have a hot man of my own is the day they bury me.”
“Do you think the guys talk about women the way we talk about men?” Tara asked.
“Of course they do,” Liz said. “Do you think they have blinders on when some cleavage-baring, minidress-sporting sexpot of a woman walks into the bar of the hotel when they’re playing away games? Hell, no. Of course they look. They don’t touch, but they sure as hell look their fill. They’d have to be mostly dead not to.”
“You’re right. And so will we, until we’re too old to care.” Jenna turned to Alicia. “How about you? Are you taking advantage of being able to put your hands on Garrett?”
Alicia paused, her fork filled with fruit salad as all eyes turned to her. “Um . . . of course not. He’s my job.”
Liz narrowed her gaze. “Which means what exactly? That you don’t get to feel him up in the fun way?”
“I wouldn’t even think of it.”
Tara snorted. “I would totally be thinking about it. Every time I put my hands on his shoulder, I’d want to explore all parts of him, especially lower, like down in his pants.”
“Girl, you so need to have sex,” Liz said.
Tara hung her head. “I know. I’m so ashamed.”
“You are not ashamed,” Jenna said. “You’re already thinking about when my brother is going to come home so you can jump him. And I can’t even believe I just said that.”
Tara laughed. “It’s okay. And you’re absolutely right. It’s been too long for me, and I’m kind of madly in love with Mick.”
Alicia was glad the topic of her and Garrett had been momentarily taken off the table. Because what was she going to say to them? That they were right, that she had been thinking about parts of him other than his shoulder, and she didn’t know what to do about it?
Maybe she should talk to the girls about Garrett. Get some advice, ask what they thought. Though based on today’s lunch conversation, she knew what the consensus would be.
Go for it.
If only it was that simple.
“So, I’ll be heading down to Florida to see Gavin soon. I’ll see you there?” Liz asked her.
“Definitely. You’ll be staying at the beach house?”
Liz grinned. “Hell yeah. Private and secluded, just the two of us. Lots of time for sex.”
Jenna sighed. “I should stop coming to these get-togethers.”
“Shut up, Jenna,” Liz said. “You know what we talk about. And you love us all anyway.”
“You’re right. I do love you. Maybe I’ll start talking in graphic detail about my sex life with Ty.”
“And that would bother us, how?” Tara asked.
Jenna sighed again. “It wouldn’t. You guys suck.”
“And swallow,” Liz added.
Alicia snickered, and Jenna burst out laughing.
“I give up,” Jenna said. “I wish Savannah was here. At least she isn’t in love with my brother.”
“No, she’s in love with my brother,” Alicia said. “And I don’t want to hear about her sex life.”
“Oh, come on, Alicia,” Jenna said, leaning into her. “Misery loves company.”
“That’s okay, Jenna. I like your misery a lot better.”
Jenna wrinkled her nose. “I hate you.”
They finished lunch, and by then Sam had awakened from his nap, so they all got to ooh and ahh over the baby, who was filling out and becoming more adorable every time Alicia saw him. She got to hold him after Tara fed him. Content, he stared up at her, wide-awake, and she was certain he smiled at her.
She sighed and looked over at Tara. “He’s gorgeous.”
Tara’s lips curved. “I think so. I don’t know how I ended up with this happily ever after, but I thank God every day for Mick.”
Alicia got teary eyed. “He’s lucky, too, you know. We’re all very lucky you’re part of the family.”
And then Tara’s eyes welled up. “Thanks.”
“Okay, everyone,” Liz said. “If we’re going to have a weep fest in here, I’m leaving.”
“Actually, I have to be at the bar, so I am leaving. Though it isn’t about all the emotion. I’m always happy to have a crying jag with you chicks,” Jenna said.
“I have to go, too,” Alicia said, carefully handing Sam over to Tara. “I have to finish packing.”
She hugged everyone, thanked Tara for lunch, and said her good-byes, then walked out with Jenna.
“Hey,” Jenna said as she stood at her car, which was parked behind Alicia’s. “I caught you deflecting the whole conversation about Garrett.”