After Dinner Drink
Nonnie busied herself loading the dishwasher after good night’s had been said. Libby had help clear the table before they left.
Richie closed the front door and came into the kitchen stopping by the counter where the drinks were set up. “Well, that’s over.” He said turning the bottles, making a decision.
“Yes,” She straightened up and turned, “You liked your meal.”
“It was great, Nonnie you know I appreciate it and the thought you put into it. Sorry about the drama, I think Frank likes to set things up.”
“Yes, well he did a nice job of it, I could have been in Coffs,” she wiped off the counter and moved over to the bottles.
“Libby’s young you know, she…”
“She’s seven years younger than me. I know she’s a friend of yours and I don’t mind that, I have men friends too…I just don’t sleep with them.”
“We’re not…doing that anymore.”
“No but the essence still lingers doesn’t it. She likes to bring up how well she knows you and how well you know her. You know what I think, it was more of an affair than a friendship. I promise not to invite any old boyfriends to dinner if you promise the same.”
“I don’t have any old boyfriends,” he grinned, “I know it was a little awkward and Frank didn’t help.”
“Well, it’s over. I think I’ll have another drink before I go.”
“You’ve had several tonight.”
“Have I?”
“Yeah, I noticed, it’s a long drive to Coffs.”
Nonnie fixed her drink not looking at him. “Richie…do you care for me?”
He turned her around, “you know I do, Nonnie. I just never know where I am with you. You blow hot and cold.”
“Do you still care for Libby?”
“Not the way I feel about you. She’s a friend not somebody I…”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yeah, I am. I never felt that way about her. I met up with her the night I found out Toni had left me, you know I was in a bad place, she’d just broken up with two guys so…”
“It was convenient.”
“Yeah it was. She came up with this friends with benefits thing. We spent some time together, I helped her out when she was in the auto accident but I broke it off when I thought it was getting too serious on her part. It was never like that for me.”
“Convenient sex, is that what it was for you?”
“Well…yeah and she was fun to be around. I can drop it tonight I don’t have to ever see her again.”
“I wouldn’t ask that of you but there’s something you should know about the ‘too serious” part…she’s got a thing for you, I can see it I’m not dumb that’s what Frank’s whole little game was about tonight, that’s why I got upset, I didn’t need that thrown in my face, Richie.”
“No, you don’t and it won’t happen again, you shouldn’t have been the one to apologize. I’m sorry my friends don’t know how to behave. I don’t want you to be upset Nonnie,” he moved his hands to her waist.”
“I know I don’t have any claim on you but…”
“You might be surprised about that…maybe I put one on you.”
Nonnie set her drink down and put her arms around his neck, “I’d like to believe that.”
Richie kissed her for a long time moving his hands down over her hips and pulling her to him. “It’s too far for you to drive,” he said against her lips.
“I’m in too far to turn back.”
“Stay with me, Nonnie…stay with me,” he kissed her again.
“Yes,” she trembled a little, “I’m claiming you too,” looking into his eyes.
He picked her up and carried her to his bedroom and kicked the door shut to keep Pippin out.
