Packed and Ready to Go by Jacki Kelly Page B

still.
    “ Good for you.” I patted her hand again then released it.
    “ I’ll believe it when I see your stomach sticking out like a balloon,” Ursula replied.
    “ We’ve already been trying for a few months. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened yet.”
    “ The way you and Javier go at it, there will be lots of little Valdezes running around in no time at all.” I wanted to sound reassuring, but my voice came out too cheerful, like I was trying to convince her the world was flat and people didn’t fall off the edge and get hurt.
    The server returned with their drinks and took my drink order. From the corner of my eye I saw Marco eyeing me. I dropped my head before either of my friends noticed.
    “ I see you flirting with Marco,” Ursula’s eyes danced with mischief.
    “ Oh, don’t start, Ursula. He was saying hello.”
    “ Well, it sure was a friendly hello.”
    Every time Ursula saw me talking with Marco, she swore we were getting ready to have sex.
    “ I’ve told you, he likes you. Every time he looks at you, it likes he’s imaging you with your clothes off.”
    “ You’re being silly. I’m married and he’s separated. We’re just friends.” I glanced across the room and watched him take a bite of his burger.
    “ Marco’s divorce is final. I think he may be seeing someone.” Ursula sang the words, baiting me to take the hook.
    I felt my cheeks flush. “Divorced doesn’t mean he’s ready to start dating.”
    The server set my drink on the table. “Are you ladies ready to place your orders?” she asked with her pencil poised over her pad.
    “ Give us a few minutes, please.” I faced Ursula. “How do you know he’s seeing someone?”
    “ Oh…” Ursula smirked. “ Now you’re interested. I keep up with the office chatter. If you could get away from your numbers long enough, you would know, too.”
    “ Ursula, stop giving her such a hard time.” Carla nudged Ursula on the arm. “You know Tracy is so faithful, so committed to her marriage, she can’t even think another man might be interested in her,” Carla teased. They both snickered.
    When the waitress returned we all ordered salads.
    “ Have you ever flirted, Tracy?” Ursula asked.
    “ Okay you two, stop picking on me. I’ve flirted,” I said. “But it’s been a long time. I think…yes, I’m sure I’ve flirted.”
    “ Don’t you and Walter flirt?” Carla continued before I could answer. “Girl, Javier and I flirt all the time. Last week he called me at work, and while I viewed some proofs, we had phone sex.”
    Ursula and I burst into laughter.
    “ I’m not surprised,” Ursula said. “You practically had an orgasm at the restaurant last night.”
    “ Carla, I love your spontaneity. Walter would never do something like that. I can hardly remember the last time I had sex.” I sipped my diet soda.
    “ Didn’t you have an orgasm this morning?” Ursula grinned.
    “ No, I didn’t. I was interrupted. Besides, masturbating doesn’t count anyway,” I shot back at her. “Walter is so busy with work he comes home exhausted. And even if he weren’t exhausted, there’s no emotion in his touch.”
    “ That’s pitiful.” Ursula shook her head.
    Carla took over. “Take control. You gotta step it up. Set the mood.” Her hands were animated. “I’ve never met a man so exhausted he’d rather sleep when you’re in his face. Honey, all you have to do is strut buck-naked in front of him and, he’ll forget about work or whatever is on his mind. Don’t you own something sexy and frilly? Put it on and let it all hang out.” Carla shimmied in her chair to demonstrate.
    “ Carla, everybody is not as aggressive as you,” said Ursula.
    “ I’m not aggressive. I just know how to get what I want.”
    “ Whew, girl you’re too much for me.” I sat back in my chair.
    “ Now it’s time to pick on you, Miss Ursula.” Carla turned to Ursula. “Are you going to tell us more about the mystery man you’re seeing?