gently kiss Jaslyn on the lips. With his mouth close to her ear, he whispered, “I love you.”
ZENA STARKLER WAS ABUZZ with Sahara’s return. It had been three months since the transplant, and she was glowing with health. Her first day back was one big party that went on well into the evening. When all the employees finally dispersed, Rhein and Sahara convened in his office.
“So, big brother, where is my sister-in-law-to- be? I thought she’d be here today.”
“It is my fault Jaslyn missed your welcome- back-to-work party, and I am sorry. I am anxious for us to be married. Since she has insisted upon a big wedding, I have to wait for her to make all of these ridiculous preparations.”
“Such as.”
“Well, this morning it was all about selecting centerpieces for the tables, deciding on what kind of flowers to have and choosing bridal-party gifts. This evening, she and her mother are cake tasting. Can you imagine?”
Sahara laughed. “These things are normal wedding preparations, Rhein. They aren’t ridiculous at all.”
“Oh, really? Who needs a cake? What is wrong with serving fine German chocolate? What else could people want or need?”
“It’s not about what people want . It’s about what the bride needs .”
“Very well. I will not interfere. Jaslyn shall have all she wants and needs. I just hope she does not wear herself out. I am worried she is overdoing it.”
Sahara waved his concerns away. “Dr. Collins has released us from his care and given us both a clean bill of health. I’m sure Jaslyn has more than enough energy to plan her wedding.”
He frowned. “Yes, but will she have enough energy for other things?”
Sahara let out an overly-exaggerated groan. “Oh, I get it now. I read the post-op pamphlet—no sex for 12 weeks.” She looked at the date on her watch. “That time of abstinence ends tonight.”
Glancing at his own watch, he said, “Yes, it does, and it is getting late. I best be heading out.”
She nodded. “I have plans tonight as well, so you’ll have the house to yourself, lover boy.”
He rolled his eyes. “I was going to stay at Jaslyn’s. Kitsy does not seem to mind having me around. I know the poor thing is going to be terribly lonely once Jaslyn and I are married. They have been roommates for the last seven years.”
“I know.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Jaslyn told you?”
“No. Kitsy. She and I have gotten rather close in the last three months. In fact, we have become really, really good friends. Once you and Jaslyn are married, I’m moving in with Kitsy.”
“What? You do not have to do that. There is plenty of room for all of us. You and I built that house together. It is huge.”
“Yes, but newlyweds need privacy. And once you start a family, you’re going to need every spare inch for them to run around in. Besides, Kitsy and I might like a little privacy of our own,” she said, winking.
“No! I did not have the foggiest idea Kitsy was a lesbian. Jaslyn never breathed a word.”
Sahara teased him. “Perhaps she isn’t a gossip like you.”
Rhein gave his sister a big hug. “I am happy for you, Sahara. You deserve romantic love and happiness. You are long overdue. We both are.”
Sahara wiped a tear of joy from the corner of her eye and smiled. “Go get your woman, and I’ll go get mine.”
JASLYN WAS EXHAUSTED BUT also filled with anticipation. She knew Rhein had been counting down the days just as she had. Finally, after twelve long weeks, he could be inside her again. And she wanted that more than anything else in the world. It felt like forever since the first time they had made love. She was especially excited about being with him at his house. The place she would soon be calling home, where they would live as husband and wife.
His kitchen was lovely and spacious. While he chopped organic lettuce and vegetables,
ZENA STARKLER WAS ABUZZ with Sahara’s return. It had been three months since the transplant, and she was glowing with health. Her first day back was one big party that went on well into the evening. When all the employees finally dispersed, Rhein and Sahara convened in his office.
“So, big brother, where is my sister-in-law-to- be? I thought she’d be here today.”
“It is my fault Jaslyn missed your welcome- back-to-work party, and I am sorry. I am anxious for us to be married. Since she has insisted upon a big wedding, I have to wait for her to make all of these ridiculous preparations.”
“Such as.”
“Well, this morning it was all about selecting centerpieces for the tables, deciding on what kind of flowers to have and choosing bridal-party gifts. This evening, she and her mother are cake tasting. Can you imagine?”
Sahara laughed. “These things are normal wedding preparations, Rhein. They aren’t ridiculous at all.”
“Oh, really? Who needs a cake? What is wrong with serving fine German chocolate? What else could people want or need?”
“It’s not about what people want . It’s about what the bride needs .”
“Very well. I will not interfere. Jaslyn shall have all she wants and needs. I just hope she does not wear herself out. I am worried she is overdoing it.”
Sahara waved his concerns away. “Dr. Collins has released us from his care and given us both a clean bill of health. I’m sure Jaslyn has more than enough energy to plan her wedding.”
He frowned. “Yes, but will she have enough energy for other things?”
Sahara let out an overly-exaggerated groan. “Oh, I get it now. I read the post-op pamphlet—no sex for 12 weeks.” She looked at the date on her watch. “That time of abstinence ends tonight.”
Glancing at his own watch, he said, “Yes, it does, and it is getting late. I best be heading out.”
She nodded. “I have plans tonight as well, so you’ll have the house to yourself, lover boy.”
He rolled his eyes. “I was going to stay at Jaslyn’s. Kitsy does not seem to mind having me around. I know the poor thing is going to be terribly lonely once Jaslyn and I are married. They have been roommates for the last seven years.”
“I know.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Jaslyn told you?”
“No. Kitsy. She and I have gotten rather close in the last three months. In fact, we have become really, really good friends. Once you and Jaslyn are married, I’m moving in with Kitsy.”
“What? You do not have to do that. There is plenty of room for all of us. You and I built that house together. It is huge.”
“Yes, but newlyweds need privacy. And once you start a family, you’re going to need every spare inch for them to run around in. Besides, Kitsy and I might like a little privacy of our own,” she said, winking.
“No! I did not have the foggiest idea Kitsy was a lesbian. Jaslyn never breathed a word.”
Sahara teased him. “Perhaps she isn’t a gossip like you.”
Rhein gave his sister a big hug. “I am happy for you, Sahara. You deserve romantic love and happiness. You are long overdue. We both are.”
Sahara wiped a tear of joy from the corner of her eye and smiled. “Go get your woman, and I’ll go get mine.”
JASLYN WAS EXHAUSTED BUT also filled with anticipation. She knew Rhein had been counting down the days just as she had. Finally, after twelve long weeks, he could be inside her again. And she wanted that more than anything else in the world. It felt like forever since the first time they had made love. She was especially excited about being with him at his house. The place she would soon be calling home, where they would live as husband and wife.
His kitchen was lovely and spacious. While he chopped organic lettuce and vegetables,
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