Part 26 (1/2)
Chapter 9
”Hey, you ready yet?” Kate said, appearing in the bathroom doorway.
Peter stood leaning over the sink, cautiously dragging a razor across his face.
”Hallelujah!” Kate shouted, watching as the beard that had grown long and scraggy over the past few months disappear into the sink. Peter paused for a moment and winked at her in the mirror, his face white and foamy, then returned his concentration to the razor.
She leaned a shoulder against the edge of the door frame and stood watching him. ”I like your face smooth, it feels better on me.”
”Ouch!” Peter said, jerking the razor from his face. A dot of red instantly formed on his chin.
”So, Lancelot,” Kate said, hanging her robe on the door hook, ”what do I wear?”
”Whatever you want , it's just a neighborly thing.” Peter rinsed his face, then pulled the skin on his neck taut and inspected his work. He saw that she was still watching him, and he took in her full naked reflection before turning to face her.
”I think it's more than that,” she said.
”What's more?”
”The dinner. I think this Mr. Holmes is probably excited that he's met you, and wants to get to know your better.”
”Well, me too. I could use a friend here. I only see you for two or three days at a time.” He crossed his arms, resting his rear against the sink, and studied her up and down with a playful, approving grin. ”You know, for a forty-year-old lady, you're still quite a knockout.”
”Oh yeah? Well for a thirty-something boy, you're not so bad yourself.” She came over to him and slid her fingertips beneath the waistband of his jockey shorts at the small of his back, rubbed her cheek softly against his. ”Mmm, this does feel better.” They stood there for a while, holding one another.
He pulled away from her a little so he could look into her eyes.
”What is it about us?” he said. ”What makes it work?”
She considered for a moment. ”Well, we're a lot alike,” she said, lightly kissing his nose. ”And a lot unalike.”
He nodded and bowed his head, focusing on their touching hips.
”Do you think maybe we should be together more?”
”Maybe.”
”More permanently?”
”Maybe.”
”Maybe?” His eyes widened a little as they sought hers.
”Petey, we work because we both have things in our lives that we believe in.”
”Had,” he mumbled.
”Have,” she said, lifting his chin with her hand. ”You're just a little dry right now. You have to give yourself some time to let things happen inside here.” She knocked his head lightly with her knuckles. ”It doesn't all just suddenly change overnight, Petey.”