It took Sam less than thirty seconds to answer. “Betsy? Is everything okay down there?”

“Fine, kiddo. Listen, I’ve invited a couple of ladies to dinner tonight. Would you like to call in a couple of pizzas from Aces? You know what I like.”

“Um, sure. But who—” Sam’s voice stopped in mid sentence. “You didn’t.”

Betsy laughed before pressing the button again. “I sure did. Now get busy. We’ll be up in a few.” She ignored the cursing that came out of the small box. It was always fun to keep Sam off balance. Betsy considered it a great hobby. “Beats collecting stamps.” She laughed again, as she returned to the front counter.

#

Dinner was an uncomfortable affair, at least as far as Sam was concerned. She struggled to keep from staring at Janie, whose damp hair from her shower curled attractively around her face. She tried to tune out Sandra, who was chattering non-stop about her last boyfriend.

“Imagine my surprise when I called his house and his wife answered the phone!” Sandra exclaimed. “I was so humiliated!”

“I’m sure his wife wasn’t too thrilled, either,” Sam mumbled. “Ouch!” She reached beneath the table and rubbed her leg where Janie’s foot had connected with her shin. “What?”

Janie’s glare spoke volumes. “Be nice,” she mouthed silently. She viciously stabbed her salad with a fork before bringing it to her mouth.

Sandra kept cutting her eyes at Sam and then back to her plate. “Um, Sam? Can I ask you a question?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Sam saw Janie’s frown and moved her leg before she was kicked again. She grinned and resisted the urge to stick out her tongue.

“What made you the way you are?” Sandra waved her hand. “You know, gay? Did you have a bad experience with a man?”

Sam bristled, but was quickly calmed by the loving look bestowed upon her by Janie. “No. I’ve never had a ‘bad’ experience with a man. I’ve always been a lesbian. I can’t remember ever not being the way I am.”

“Really?” Sandra propped her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her open hand. “What does your family think about it? Is that why you travel around?”

Janie quickly interrupted. “I don’t think that’s any of our business.” She knew family was a sensitive subject for Sam.

“No, it’s all right.” Sam dropped the pizza crust she’d nibbled on. “I don’t have any family, Sandra. But when my grandmother was alive, she didn’t have a problem with my sexuality.”

“I’m sorry,” Sandra offered. Without thinking, she put her hand on top of Sam’s. “Really, I am.”

Sam managed a smile for the other woman. “Thanks.” As much as she had enjoyed spending time with Janie, Sam was ready for the evening to come to an end. She stood and took her paper plate to the trash can. “Does anyone want any dessert? I think we have some ice cream in the freezer.”

Janie followed suit and was soon standing beside Sam, peeking into the freezer with her. The half-gallon of chocolate fudge didn’t appear to have been opened. “Um, ice cream sounds good. But I’m more of a vanilla person, myself. Want to run to the store with me?” She turned to Betsy and Sandra, who were still eating. “Do you mind?”

Betsy’s understanding grin belied her innocent comment. “You know, I think I’d like some strawberry, myself. Are you sure you two don’t mind fetching some?”

“Not a bit.” Sam slammed the freezer shut. “Sandra, any requests?”

The blonde shook her head as she chewed a mouthful of pizza. She quickly swallowed. “Nope. I’m easy.” She pointed her finger at Janie, who stifled a giggle. “No comments from you, smarty pants.”

Janie grabbed her purse. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Come on, Sam. I’ll drive.” She grabbed Sam’s arm and dragged her from the room.

They were halfway down the stairs when Sam stopped. “Hold on.” She waited until Janie turned then put her unbroken hand behind Janie’s neck. “I’ve wanted to do this all night.” Her lips pressed against Janie’s, and she almost tumbled back when her hips were grabbed and the kiss deepened.

With her libido on overdrive, Janie gently pressed Sam to a seated position on the stairs. She straddled her hips and pressed closer. When they finally broke apart to breathe, she rested her forehead against Sam’s. “This isn’t getting us to the ice cream very fast, is it?”

“No, not really.” Sam brushed her lips along Janie’s throat. “But infinitely more satisfying.”

“Oh, god.” Janie tilted her head back to allow Sam easier access. Her eyes closed as the warm mouth moved closer to her pulse point. “We shouldn’t—”

“Sssh.” Sam sucked tenderly on Janie’s neck. “Just a few more minutes,” she pleaded. Her hand slid beneath Janie’s tee shirt and cupped her breast. “You feel so good.”

Janie gasped at the sensation before regretfully moving back. “You’re not making this any easier.”

“Good.” But Sam removed her hand from Janie’s top. She brushed the hair away from Janie’s eyes and kissed her quickly on the nose. “We’d better get that ice cream, huh?”

“I suppose.” Janie got to her feet and helped Sam up. “Sandra’s moving home tomorrow, whether she likes it or not. I’ve got plans for you.”

Sam almost stumbled down the stairs at the hunger in Janie’s tone. “I can’t wait.”

#

Unfortunately, Sandra didn’t move home immediately. She was determined to have her apartment manager pay for the cleaning of her home. Janie and Sam couldn’t find the privacy they wanted, making Janie short-tempered at work. On Thursday morning, things quickly got out of control.

Andrea tossed another stack of files onto Janie’s desk. “Hey, Janice. Looks like you’re getting behind, again.” She settled her abundant ass on the edge of the desk. “I don’t know what your problem is, but you need to get busy.”

“Janie,” Janie corrected quietly.

“What?”

“My name is Janie. I’ve been telling you for years, but you don’t seem to listen. Now please move.”

The redhead picked up a small picture frame and glanced at it. “Wow. Your mom sure was old looking in this.”

Janie snatched the photograph out of Andrea’s hand. “That’s my grandmother,” she grumbled. When Andrea made no effort to move, Janie saw red. “I said, get-off-my-desk!” Each word was louder, until her voice echoed in the room. She shoved Andrea, who wasn’t able to catch herself in time and ended up on the floor.

“What the hell is your major malfunction?” Andrea stood and dusted off her tight blue dress. “You’ll regret this, Janet.”

“Janie!” With a growl, Janie picked up her stapler and was about to throw it at Andrea.

Dr. Richmond poked his head into the room. “What is going on in here?” He stared at Janie, whose face was bright red. “Is there a problem?”

Andrea pointed at Janie. “Ask her! All I did was bring in some files, and she practically attacked me.” She fluffed her hair and brushed by the doctor. “I’m going to lunch.” Over her shoulder she added, “I want those files entered before you go home today, Janie.” She gave the other woman a wicked grin before leaving the room.

“Argh!” Janie slammed the stapler onto the desk.

Ted Richmond sat in the visitor’s chair. “Rough morning?”

“No, I’m sorry.” Janie exhaled heavily and brushed the hair away from her eyes. “I shouldn’t let her get to me like that.” Unable to look him in the eye, she took great care in straightening the papers on her desk. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“I feel like I should be asking that of you.” Ted propped his right ankle on his left knee. “How’s your friend, Sam? Tammy said she’d come in last Friday to have her stitches removed, although I didn’t get a chance to see her.”

Janie finally smiled. “She’s great. Although I haven’t seen her much lately, either.” Her face slowly changed into a frown. “I’m sorry about that scene with Andrea. She seems to push the wrong buttons with me.”

Ted got to his feet. “Don’t worry about it. If she wasn’t Dr. Pelletier’s niece, I doubt she’d even work here.” He paused at the door. “If you ever need anyone to talk to, my door is always open.”

“Thanks, Ted. I appreciate it.” Janie opened up the program on her computer and started typing in the data in the first file. The office was slowly transferring all the paperwork to a database, and she feared it was only a matter of years before she’d be out of a job. The only comforting thought was that if there weren’t as many office workers, they wouldn’t need a manager, either. She hoped she’d get a chance to see Andrea in the unemployment line. She picked up the phone, needing to hear a friendly voice.

“Danny’s, Sam speaking.”

“Hi.” Janie lowered her voice and kept her eyes on the door, afraid of being caught.

“Hey, beautiful. What’s up?”

“Nothing, really. I was just thinking about you.” The sexy growl on the other end of the phone caused Janie to blush. “Stop that.”

Sam laughed. “Sorry. So, what are you doing for lunch? We don’t open until two, so it’s kinda lonely in here, if you get my drift.”

“Oh, really? Well, I suppose I could bring you something to eat. I can be there a little after eleven, if that’s okay.”

“That would be perfect. But you don’t have to bring me lunch, I can just nibble on you.”

Janie flushed. “Would you behave? I still have to work, you know.” But she couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “I’ll see you in a little while.” They flirted for another minute, and then she hung up the phone. She looked forward to lunch.

#

Sam whistled a tune as she wiped down tables. She was no longer wearing the sling, but the cast that went almost to her elbow still kept her from doing as much as she wanted. She hated leaving the dishes for Ray, although he claimed not to care. Sam glanced at her watch. She had unlocked the front door ten minutes ago. At the sound of the front door opening, she left the towel and rushed to meet Janie. “Hey.”

Janie stopped inside the door to allow her eyes to adjust to the room. She laughed as Sam scooped her up and swung her around. “You nut, stop! You’re going to hurt yourself.”

“Nah, you don’t weigh anything.” But Sam lowered her to the ground and kissed her. “I’ve missed you.” She took the bag of food from Janie’s hand and held it by her side.

Her heart pounding from the unexpected ride, Janie returned the kiss with fervor. She linked her arms around Sam’s neck as her body melded against the younger woman’s. When Sam broke the embrace, she gave her a questioning look.

“Let me lock the door, so we won’t be disturbed.” Sam relocked the door and led Janie to a nearby table, where she placed the bag of food. She pulled out a chair for Janie, then brought another one close for herself.