And the concept of a guy being ‘too sensitive’ in bed, or anywhere else, was not one Marienne was familiar with, at all. She wondered briefly about the photo, but Justine interrupted her thoughts with another question.
“So what’s Frank like? Conservative? Or a total animal? You never can tell with those Wall Street boys.”
Marienne laughed. “I guess it kind of depends on the day. He’s definitely a take charge guy.” Marienne was pleased that she’d managed to answer the question without really answering it. She didn’t feel like following up Justine’s declaration that Daniel was great in the sack with a confession about how her own sex life was usually less than satisfying. Although Justine was being extremely open, Marienne couldn’t help but think about how she was bragging about having tricked Daniel. She had the distinct feeling that Justine would sell out anyone to get what she wanted.
When they finished eating Justine checked her makeup in a small compact while Marienne signed the credit card slip.
“We’d better hit the shops before they close,” Justine said.
****
By the time they arrived back home, it was getting dark. Purple clouds streaked the sky and the hum of crickets filled the air. Marienne gathered her packages as Justine pulled into her driveway.
“We’ll have to shop together more often.” Justine looked pleased.
“I’d like that.” Marienne smiled.
“You guys up for dinner and pool on Friday?”
“Absolutely.” Marienne waved as Justine drove down the block then went inside. Frank was sprawled on the couch watching baseball. She set her bags down in the hallway and walked into the family room.
“How much did you spend?” Frank asked, not looking away from the TV.
“Not much.” She scowled. “Justine on the other hand….”
Frank’s eyebrows went up. “Why, what the hell did she buy?”
“Two paintings and some fancy desk set. She bargained the prices down on the paintings, but still.”
“How much?” Frank was always interested in money.
“It was almost $800 for the two of them. Would have been over $1000 if she hadn’t talked the guy down.”
“Not surprised. I bet she can talk any guy into doing whatever she wants.” His admiration for Justine was apparent. “At least art usually goes up in value. What was it like spending the day with her?”
“It was nice.” Marienne was glad he asked.
“I’m glad you had fun. And I’m glad you didn’t come home with $800 worth of paintings. Daniel’s got his hands full with that one.”
“You ate?” she asked, taking in the crumpled white bag and paper plate on the coffee table.
“Yeah, I grabbed some pizza.”
“I’m still full from lunch.” She realized he was no longer listening; he’d gone back to watching the game.
She sighed and wandered into the kitchen to put away her new cheese knives. She glanced out the window toward Daniel and Justine’s house and her mind wandered back to the comment about how Justine had arranged to meet him. It bothered her more than she knew it should.
****
Daniel sat in the living room, in the oversized chair, his legs stretched out on the ottoman. He was half-heartedly reading a book while he waited for Justine to arrive home. He sipped a beer and wondered what Justine and Marienne’s day together had been like.
They didn’t have a lot in common, but they had both seemed excited about this day trip. Daniel thought it would be good if they became better friends. He didn’t want any tension among the four of them. He’d already grown fond of the times they were all spending together.
He also hoped that Justine had played nice. He hated the thought of Justine saying anything hurtful to her, even if it was unintentional. Daniel knew all too well that Justine’s words could inflict pain, without her realizing what she’d said.
He heard the garage door open and listened as Justine entered the kitchen, tossed her keys on the countertop, and filled
“So what’s Frank like? Conservative? Or a total animal? You never can tell with those Wall Street boys.”
Marienne laughed. “I guess it kind of depends on the day. He’s definitely a take charge guy.” Marienne was pleased that she’d managed to answer the question without really answering it. She didn’t feel like following up Justine’s declaration that Daniel was great in the sack with a confession about how her own sex life was usually less than satisfying. Although Justine was being extremely open, Marienne couldn’t help but think about how she was bragging about having tricked Daniel. She had the distinct feeling that Justine would sell out anyone to get what she wanted.
When they finished eating Justine checked her makeup in a small compact while Marienne signed the credit card slip.
“We’d better hit the shops before they close,” Justine said.
****
By the time they arrived back home, it was getting dark. Purple clouds streaked the sky and the hum of crickets filled the air. Marienne gathered her packages as Justine pulled into her driveway.
“We’ll have to shop together more often.” Justine looked pleased.
“I’d like that.” Marienne smiled.
“You guys up for dinner and pool on Friday?”
“Absolutely.” Marienne waved as Justine drove down the block then went inside. Frank was sprawled on the couch watching baseball. She set her bags down in the hallway and walked into the family room.
“How much did you spend?” Frank asked, not looking away from the TV.
“Not much.” She scowled. “Justine on the other hand….”
Frank’s eyebrows went up. “Why, what the hell did she buy?”
“Two paintings and some fancy desk set. She bargained the prices down on the paintings, but still.”
“How much?” Frank was always interested in money.
“It was almost $800 for the two of them. Would have been over $1000 if she hadn’t talked the guy down.”
“Not surprised. I bet she can talk any guy into doing whatever she wants.” His admiration for Justine was apparent. “At least art usually goes up in value. What was it like spending the day with her?”
“It was nice.” Marienne was glad he asked.
“I’m glad you had fun. And I’m glad you didn’t come home with $800 worth of paintings. Daniel’s got his hands full with that one.”
“You ate?” she asked, taking in the crumpled white bag and paper plate on the coffee table.
“Yeah, I grabbed some pizza.”
“I’m still full from lunch.” She realized he was no longer listening; he’d gone back to watching the game.
She sighed and wandered into the kitchen to put away her new cheese knives. She glanced out the window toward Daniel and Justine’s house and her mind wandered back to the comment about how Justine had arranged to meet him. It bothered her more than she knew it should.
****
Daniel sat in the living room, in the oversized chair, his legs stretched out on the ottoman. He was half-heartedly reading a book while he waited for Justine to arrive home. He sipped a beer and wondered what Justine and Marienne’s day together had been like.
They didn’t have a lot in common, but they had both seemed excited about this day trip. Daniel thought it would be good if they became better friends. He didn’t want any tension among the four of them. He’d already grown fond of the times they were all spending together.
He also hoped that Justine had played nice. He hated the thought of Justine saying anything hurtful to her, even if it was unintentional. Daniel knew all too well that Justine’s words could inflict pain, without her realizing what she’d said.
He heard the garage door open and listened as Justine entered the kitchen, tossed her keys on the countertop, and filled
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