just a lazy day

 

Victoria was so happy that Steve made it down to Kansas City, after all. It was after dark when he got there and they'd put away all the Thanksgiving leftovers.  He claimed he wasn't hungry anyway. Besides, they had a lot of catching up to do.

In fact, it was a happy beginning of some kind. Yes, it had finally happened and Victoria really hadn't thought it through. But she was glad their first time was in her sister's guestroom. She didn't know if it was a true guestroom. Just a space for a roommate. Only they were in between roommates at the moment.

Victoria was entirely too giggly the next morning while Steve slept like a hybernated bear. It was almost noon before he got up. She guessed it was the long drive. 

They could have gone shopping at the great mall nearby, but she was glad they didn't. Instead, he ate waffles in bed and the leftover sausage. Of course, he didn't talk much. She got a sticky kiss from him on the cheek. 

Somehow, he was always a mystery to her. Yet, he always made her feel loved. And now it was a new depth, indeed. Although, he'd let her lead the way. Honestly, it was delightful and she could sense where she wanted to spend her winter days. Right next to him, warm and so cozy.

Steve mentioned the stranger that stopped by, looking for Jay.

Suddenly, Victoria remembered something his neighbor had mentioned only Steve had forgotten.

"It couldn't be that guy could it?" She looked at him blankly, wishing she was still thinking of Steve and their afternoon bliss.

"What guy?" He was licking the syrup from the fork of whipped cream.

"You know," Victoria winced. "The one after Jay."

"I don't think so," Steve shook his head, no. "He said his brother used to live there." He shrugged.

"Well..well, what if he is Jay's brother? Jay did live there once upon a time." Victoria shrugged back. "Or not. Maybe he's just a natural-born liar."

Dimi hated the fact that she had to do most of the grocery shopping. She was the first one home and so they left the list to her. But it was dark these days and it was the last thing she wanted to be doing. At least there was Slater's smiling face at the meat counter. She knew him evidently years ago. He was a friend of a friend. Although, her boyfriend never hung out with her group that she'd known when she used to work here. However, it seemed everyone had moved on. Slater didn't even work here back then.

"So how are the holidays?" Slater wanted to know. He showed her a roast that was reasonable enough for four people. 

"Oh..well..OK." She shrugged.

"Are you sure?" He smiled at her more. Really, he did have a certain charm that she rarely saw these days.

"And why are you so happy?" She wanted to know as she put the meat in a plastic bag and then in her shopping basket.

"I dunno if I should say." He shrugged. "But I will tell you I saw someone you used to work with not long ago."

"Oh," she couldn't think who it could be. Those were her high school days when she worked here. She dropped in a chicken breast and some ground meat in her basket. She knew she should be moving on to the dairy aisle.

"I saw Gage, he's back." Slater nodded.

"Gage?" She winced hard. She shook her head,  no. Couldn't be. "That friend of Omaha's?"

"Yeah, he was over visiting Omaha." Slater told her Gage was staying at his mom's now with his little one. 

"I see." Dimi pressed her lips tight. She couldn't remember if it was a girl or boy but either way, the child must have been close to a five-year-old may be close to seven. Yes, she'd always been his biggest fangirl. Probably annoying him completely. He'd always been involved with someone. "He wouldn't remember me." She shook her head.

"He might," Slater said he'd be willing to invite him to dinner.

"Don't do that." The thought made her nervous. Oh, she wasn't ready to date. Besides, there was someone on her mind. Bishop would make sure she was busy if she mentioned anything.

"Oh, come on. It would give me a reason to catch up with the dude," Slater grinned. "Just this one time. I'll make prime rib."

"Prime rib?" She couldn't say no to that.

"It'll be just the four of us." Slater nodded.

"The four of us?" She winced. 

"Misty," he told her she was the girl who was the secretary at the grocery store.