Free Wife Is A 4-Letter Word by Stephanie Bond Page A

the Kessingers,” the man supplied. “I’m Cheek and this is Lila.”
    Alan introduced himself as he pulled out the older woman’s chair. “Another person will be joining me.”
    â€œWe’re from Michigan,” Lila offered.
    â€œSavannah,” Alan told her, as he took a seat opposite her. The Kessingers seemed nice enough, divulging they were devoted snowbirds who migrated south every January until spring.
    â€œThere you are,” Pam said, precariously balancing two plates piled high with food. Alan relieved her of half her burden, then introduced the senior couple.
    â€œHi,” Pam said cordially as she swung into her seat.
    Alan frowned down at the plate in front of him. Every single item was fried. “I see you got plenty of the brown food group.”
    â€œEat,” Pam said pointedly, stabbing a sausage patty with her fork.
    With visions of whole-wheat bagels and fresh fruit dancing in his head, Alan ate, stopping frequently to sop the grease from his food with paper napkins. Lila Kessinger proved to be quite chatty, which gave Cheek plenty of time to ogle Pam, he noticed, surprised at the needle of jealousy that poked him.
    â€œAre you newlyweds?” Lila asked.
    Pam glanced at him. “No, we’re just...uh...”
    Alan’s stomach fluttered. “Buddies,” he offered.
    â€œPals,” Pam affirmed.
    â€œOh,” the woman responded. “I assumed you were married since you’re in the honeymoon suite.”
    Alan stopped. “How did you know we’re in the honeymoon suite?”
    Lila grinned. “We’re right across the plaza from you, in room 400. Remember—we waved.”
    He frowned, trying to recall, then grunted as Pam kicked him under the table. One look at her raised eyebrows and his memory flooded back. The naked couple! He dropped his fork with a clatter and a burning flush crept up his neck. “Oh, I didn’t recognize you—”
    â€œBecause we’re both nearsighted.” Pam cut in. “We couldn’t see much.” She looked at him for reinforcement. “Isn’t that right, Alan?”
    â€œY-yes,” he said, a picture of the wrinkled nude couple emblazoned on his mind. “In fact, we didn’t see anything at all. You waved, did you say?” He brought a glass of room-temperature water to his mouth for a drink.
    Lila beamed and nodded. Cheek leaned forward, his eyes devouring Pam.
    Lifting his wrist, Alan pretended to be shocked. “ Look at the time. We have to go,” he said, eyeing Pam.
    â€œBut I’m not finished,” she protested.
    â€œWe’ll get a stick of butter for the road,” he said through clenched teeth, casting his eyes toward the door.
    â€œOkay,” she relented sullenly, wiping her mouth and standing. “It was nice to meet—”
    Alan pulled on her arm, and nearly dragged her back through the restaurant.
    â€œLet go of me,” she said angrily, then jerked away from him. “What the devil is wrong with you?”
    He stared at her and exclaimed, his frustration high, “That’s the thanks I get?”
    â€œThanks? For what?”
    â€œThat dirty old man looked like he was getting ready to have you for breakfast!”
    Pam tilted her head and laughed. “You’re jealous!”
    â€œWhat?” Alan scoffed, embarrassment thickening his tongue. “That’z we—ridiculous!”
    â€œWeally?” Pam teased.
    Grunting, Alan sputtered, “I thought you wanted to go shopping.”
    She grinned, looking triumphant. “I do.”
    â€œThen let’s go see what the car rental agency delivered.” He pivoted as quickly as the stupid sandals would allow, then flapped back toward the lobby, fuming. Damn, he hated her teasing, filing him in the same category as her bevy of besotted suitors.
    Twiggy had returned to her post, and looked as bored as usual when he asked about