“Lust, passion, heat, hunger . . .”
Libby turned to Grace. “Thank you for those added emotions, Grace.”
With a shrug, Grace winked. “I’m keeping it real. There is nothing wrong with having a healthy sexual appetite.”
“Agreed,” Alex said as Libby moaned.
Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “There is nothing missing in my sexual appetite.” I’d sat in the shadows for so long listening to everyone else talk about their sex lives, I was practically bursting at the seams to brag about mine.
All five of them leaned closer to me. “Is that so?” Meagan asked. “Explain.”
“Well, all I mean is Jase and I are both very attracted to each other and he is an amazing teacher.”
Grace clapped and pointed to me. “There it is! I knew it. What has Jase been teaching you, oh so innocent one?”
“Ugh, I’m not sure I like where this is going,” Meagan said with a groan.
I shrugged. “I will say one thing, Grace. Anna’s tips have come in handy!”
All six of us started laughing as Meagan buried her face in her hands. “Oh my God! My baby sister is dishing out blow jobs!”
Grace held up her hands to get everyone to stop laughing. “Wait! There is something I have to know.” She looked directly into my eyes and asked, “Tay, do you spit or swallow?”
I shuddered at the memory of the first time I gave Jase a blowjob. “That shit is nasty. I’m a finish yourself off kind of girl.”
We all roared with laughter as we spent the next hour talking about sex, the latest in baby toys and big girl toys, as well as how utterly happy we each were. It was the perfect way to spend time. All of us going on about our past, our present, and what we all hoped for with our futures.
When we started back up to the house, my heart tugged as I watched Mireya and Bayli come running up to Libby and Alex. Something strange came over me as I watched them. I couldn’t help but peek over to Lauren. I was positive she was thinking the same thing I was.
For one crazy moment I let myself dare to dream of what it would be like if I was carrying Jase’s baby.
“What are you doing on the front porch all alone, young lady?”
I jumped up when Grams came walking up to me. With a slight chuckle, I replied, “Just wanted some time alone. It gets a bit overwhelming when the gangs all together, especially on Christmas Day.”
Grams nodded and took a seat in the rocking chair next to me.
“I hear you’ve got yourself a beau.”
Grinning from ear to ear, I nodded. “I do. His name is Jase.”
“Does he make you laugh?”
I looked at her. “That’s an odd question.”
She pulled her forehead down. “Is it? I don’t think so. But I guess most people would ask you if he makes you happy or treats you well.”
“I suppose so.”
Grams chuckled. “But if he makes you laugh, then you’ve already answered all of those other questions. If you’re happy and he treats you well, then you’ll laugh more. A man who can make a woman laugh knows how to treat her right.”
My teeth sunk down into my lip as I nodded. “It must be so wonderful to share so many memories with Gramps.”
“Oh my dear, it’s been a blessing. Not many people are as lucky as we are. Plus, we both have our wits about us still. That’s important. I’m not sure what I would do if I woke up one day and Garrett didn’t know who I was.”
My heart dropped. I never really imagined life without Grams and Gramps. “That would be sad.”
We sat for a few moments in silence before I turned to her. Her blue eyes still sparkled and I wondered how many wonderful memories she held in them. “May I ask you something, Grams?”
“Of course you can, my darling.”
“Did you ever feel like you didn’t deserve to be so happy? Like the life you were living was a dream and at any moment the rug would be pulled out from underneath you.”
She tossed her head back and laughed. “Life is a series of rugs being pulled out from underneath us. I think it’s God’s way of telling us not to take things for granted. Keep us on our toes if you will.” She smiled and looked thoughtfully at me. “Life can change in a moment. Worlds turned upside down, or right side up. It’s okay to feel happy, Taylor. Don’t get caught up wondering when something will happen. Enjoy each day as if it was your last.”
I couldn’t contain my smile. “Jase said something like that to me before.”
“Then he’s a smart young man.”
I nodded. “He is. And romantic!”
Grams wiggled her eyebrows. “Really? My Garrett was terribly romantic. Still is. Do you know he puts a fresh flower next to my bedside every morning before I get up?”
“That’s so sweet!”