Free This I Promise You by Maureen Smith Page A

a run together or take the kids out for a play date.”
    Lexi tweaked Savvy’s nose. “I agree.”
    Reese chuckled. “I would say it’s also great to be able to borrow sugar or flour from each other, but that never happens because you and Michael keep our kitchens stocked with enough food to open our own Costco.”
    Lexi grinned. “That’s what you and Quentin get for marrying chefs.”
    “Oh, I’m not complaining. Quentin and I know we eat better than anyone else in the neighborhood.”
    The two women laughed, resting their heads against each other’s.
    “I’m just glad the fellas didn’t have a problem with us moving into the same community,” Lexi said.
    Reese grinned. “So am I. But we should have known they’d be cool with it.”
    Michael and Quentin had been practically inseparable since birth. They were born three weeks apart, grew up on the same block, attended college together and joined the same fraternity. It was only natural that they would settle down in the same neighborhood and have sons born just months apart. Everyone fully expected the boys to develop the same close bond their fathers had.
    Once Savannah had been put down for her nap, the women were finally able to head into the dining room for lunch.
    Lexi always looked forward to these monthly Sunday get-togethers. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Georgina, Asha, Prissy and Winnie—who were four of the most dynamic women she’d ever known. She appreciated the pearls of wisdom they generously dispensed. Whether they were giving advice on careers, marriage, parenting, personal health, beauty and fashion—or all of the above—Lexi came away from each gathering feeling nourished and rejuvenated.
    Once the meal was under way and Prissy had been effusively complimented on the delicious food, she declared, “All right, Georgina. Now that we’re all together, tell us about your date on Friday night.”
    “Yes, darling,” Asha encouraged. “Do tell.”
    “Oh, goodness.” Georgina laughed, waving off the suggestion. “The girls don’t want to hear about my date.”
    Lexi, Reese, Samara and Taylor looked at one another and chorused, “Yes, we do.”
    Laughter swept over the table.
    “So spill it,” Prissy urged. “How was your date with Henry?”
    Georgina smiled. “It was nice,” she said, primly cutting into her striped sea bass stuffed with lobster.
    “Wait…Henry?” Lexi stared at her mother-in-law. “You went on a date with your neighbor?”
    Georgina blushed like a schoolgirl. “I did.”
    “Aww, shucks,” Lexi teased, grinning slyly. “Go ’head, Mr. Duncan.”
    “You’ve met him, Alexis?” Winnie inquired.
    “I have. Several times. He’s always very friendly. And he’s good looking too. We just saw him this morning, as a matter of fact.” Her grin widened. “No wonder he was being extra…”
    Prissy leaned toward her intently. “Extra what?”
    Lexi winked. “Attentive.”
    “Umm-hmm,” the others intoned with big, satisfied grins. “I bet he was.”
    “So where did he take you?” Celeste asked. “Someplace nice, I hope.”
    Georgina smiled shyly. “It was nice. Very fancy. Big wine list, soft candlelight, beautiful skyline views.”
    Prissy eyed her knowingly. “Much better than that all-you-can-eat buffet your last date took you to, huh?”
    “Goodness, yes,” Georgina said with a shudder. “Lord, chile, why did you have to remind me about that cheap old goat?”
    “Sorry.” Prissy grinned. “Please continue your story.”
    Georgina smiled. “Well, after dinner we went to this cozy little jazz club, and Henry had a song dedicated to me. Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘All The Things You Are.’ ”
    This drew dreamy sighs and murmurs of approval.
    “He sounds very romantic,” Celeste said warmly.
    Georgina sighed. “He is.”
    “Any man who appreciates Lady Ella is a winner in my book,” Taylor declared. Ella Fitzgerald was her idol, so much so that she’d named her violin after the