Free Just a Little Bit Guilty by Deborah Smith Page A

extra-olive-oil spaghetti."
    "Good. I'd be honored to eat spaghetti your daddy made." He looked at her gently. "Think you're ready to let me share some of that space of yours?" he asked. A hint of a smile touched his mouth.
    Vivian slowly put her head on his shoulder then settled into a comfortable position in his arms. Jake sighed. "We're a good pair, Viv," he whispered. "Like ham and grits."
    "Like ham and spaghetti," she whispered back.
    [Back to Table of Contents]
    78
    Just a little Bit Guilty
    by Deborah Smith

Chapter Six
    Vivian hurried around her condo, trying to make its eclectic clutter look neat. She was in the midst of rearranging the army of sauce pans that hung on brass hooks over her stove when the doorbell chimed.
    "Dammit, Jake, you're on time!"
    She shoved two saucepans into the white cabinet nearby and ran to the guest bath to peer at herself in the mirror.
    "You better like this outfit," she muttered, smoothing her hands over her soft, gray sweater interwoven with glittering silver. "I don't twinkle for just any man." She wore loose, gray, brushed-denim trousers with the sweater, and gray leather flats. She preferred to think of all that gray as pewter , and considered it elegant.
    "Well, it's about time," she began, swinging the door open.
    " Te presento la casa mia. Welcome to my home for your first visit ... Jake?"
    He stood awkwardly on the brick doorstep—she thought it was him, at least. It could have been a philodendron with long legs. Two huge plants in clay pots hid his handsome face and torso.
    "I already made a salad," she quipped, taking one of the pots. He laughed, the sound so robust that it seemed to warm the icy air that swept in the open door around him. He stepped inside, juggled the remaining plant, and leaned toward her. After a moment's hesitation, she gave him a 79
    Just a little Bit Guilty
    by Deborah Smith
    quick, soft kiss. Their plants intertwined. Vivian smiled as she untangled the philodendron tendrils.
    "I asked Roberto what I could bring you, and he said you like plants," Jake explained.
    Vivian nodded, then eyed the plants distractedly and Jake seriously as she took his coat. He did more for jeans and cotton work shirts than any other man on earth. "You're very thoughtful. Let's put them on my sun porch. Then I'll play Barefoot Contessa."
    "Who?"
    "She's a chef on the Food Network."
    "With bare feet?"
    She shut the door and guided him forward, one hand on his shoulder. "Nevermind."
    He followed her through the living room to a glassed-in porch filled with white wicker furniture and colorful Indian rugs. And plants. Dozens of them. All kinds—hanging, drooping, standing, menacing the furniture, some of them plastered against the windows as if they wanted out. Jake stopped at the entrance and gazed at them in despair.
    "Bringin' you more plants is like throwin' alligator eggs into a swamp," he moaned. "I should have got you somethin'
    else."
    "Oh, I love plants. Two more will be just terrific." She lowered his gift-plants into one of the last clear spots. "You boys behave there, now." Vivian squatted beside them and stroked their leaves. "Don't make any trouble, or I'll sic the cacti on you. I'll water you tomorrow, after you've settled in and relaxed."
    80
    Just a little Bit Guilty
    by Deborah Smith
    When she stood up, Jake was smiling at her so rapturously that she blushed. "What'sa matter?" she grumbled. "You're a farmer. Don't you believe in talking to plants?"
    "Not like they're gonna talk back." He held out his arms.
    "Come here and gimme a hug, you little turnip green."
    "No, no, no. I have to go check the raviolli."
    "Chicken."
    "No, beef," she countered, trying to slide by him without touching.
    "There you go, runnin' off to that safe little place you keep inside somewhere."
    "I'm only seductive when I drink Jack Daniels."
    "You need to learn to snuggle, Viv. Just cause we took a vow of chastity doesn't mean we can't giggle and tickle." She looked up at him wistfully.