“I would have never guessed,” Anna responded. “So, why gelato?”

  “She does more than sell gelato. She runs a whole kitchen for the Forest Vale retirement center and soup kitchen.

  That’s how she spends her days. As for the why? She told me she’s got a lot of love to give. Her children grew up, they left, and she still had more love to give,” Lillian told.

  “Wow, I was not expecting that, Lil,” Anna replied.

  Nobody calls me Lil. But on Anna’s lips, I quite like it.

  “No? What were you expecting?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. You were driving, had a flat tire and walked a few miles only to find this house with an endearing Italian woman who took you in and taught you Italian?”

  Anna tried.

  “That’s a good story. I’ll go with that one next time,”

  Lillian chuckled.

  “I like your version better. Did you ever finish your trip?”

  Anna asked.

  “Sadly, no. I’ve still got a lot of countries to cross o my list,” Lillian admitted, her shoulders slumped. She let out a heavy sigh. “But that’s just a silly bucket list now. I’m almost 47 and I barely have time to take an afternoon o .”

  Lillian looked out into the horizon as the sun set. She felt a pang in her chest. I should have put myself first and done the trip as planned. Who stays somewhere for love? she sco ed internally. What a waste of time.

  She felt the heat radiate o of Anna’s body as she slid closer to her. Anna placed a hand on her shoulder, “It’s never too late and 47? That’s nothing. You don’t look a day over 35. I mean, you’re still totally hot,” Anna blurted.

  She thinks I’m hot? Lillian repeated in her head. She watched as Anna’s cheeks flushed.

  “Cat’s out of the bag now,” Anna laughed.

  “Thank you, I guess,” Lillian stammered.

  Anna bumped her shoulder against Lillian’s. “It’s not too late, you know. And besides, now you have someone on the inside to help you out.”

  Lillian raised her brow. “Inside? What do you mean?”

  “I own and run a travel agency. If you want, I will personally see to it that your trip is planned from A-Z,”

  Anna o ered.

  She turned to Anna. “Really?” she asked. Their bodies were inches away from each other.

  “Of course. Anything for you, but maybe you could stick around for the rest of the year so I don’t have to find a new OB/GYN just yet,” Anna joked.

  Lillian chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about that,”

  she paused.

  “No?” Anna questioned.

  “I wouldn’t miss an appointment with you,” Lillian admitted.

  “I-I’m glad to hear you feel that way, Lil,” Anna said softly. She peered up at Lillian through her lashes. Those pink lips, Lillian thought as her eyes lingered on them.

  Anna’s eyes flicked to Lillian’s lips. She could feel her body inching closer; it was as though they were magnets.

  Lillian’s breath was caught in her throat as their noses touched. Anna brushed her lips against Lillian’s; they barely touched. She didn’t feel butterflies in her stomach, it might as well have been the whole zoo.

  Anna’s cheeks lifted as she smirked. “I had a great time today,” she whispered.

  “Me too,” Lillian breathed out.

  “I don’t want it to end,” Anna purred in her ear. Lillian felt goosebumps spread like wildfire on her skin.

  “Come home with me,” Anna whispered. She placed a kiss at the base of Lillian’s neck. Lillian couldn’t contain the small moan that escaped her lips.

  Fuck, Lillian thought. Anna’s lips felt like soft pillows and her insides yearned for more. I’m crossing way too many lines.

  Lillian sighed and placed her forehead against Anna’s.

  “Please don’t take this the wrong way. You have no idea how much I really want to, but I just can’t,” she admitted.

  Anna shook her head and exhaled heavily. “I get it,” she mumbled and pulled away. She got up. “It’s getting late. We should get going.”

  “I could get into quite a bit of trouble,” Lillian blurted.

  Anna’s face softened.

  “You don’t have to explain anything,” she replied.

  “What if I give you my number?” Lillian o ered.

  “I’ve got your number,” Anna said.

  “I mean my personal number,” Lillian clarified.

  Anna smirked. “I’ll take it.” She handed Lillian her phone.

  “Just in case of emergencies, of course,” Lillian said as she typed in her number.

  “Emergencies. Of course,” Anna winked.

  Lillian saved her contact and returned her phone. “You are right though. It is getting late. I’ll take you home,” she said.

  “Thank you, Lil. I meant it earlier when I told you I had a great time with you today,” Anna admitted.

  I feel the same way. I don’t think I’ve felt like this in such a long time, Lillian wanted to say but instead, she smiled. “It was nothing.”

  “I’m going to come back here one of these days and bring a huge tub for Nonna to fill up,” Anna joked.

  “I’m sure she’d happily give you a whole barrel full of that stu ,” Lillian laughed. She held the door open for Anna.

  She nodded in appreciation and shot Lillian a smile.

  “Don’t tempt me,” Anna laughed. “I want to be one of those women that don’t turn into a ball during their pregnancy.”

  “You’d be a beautiful ball,” Lillian blurted out. Her face dropped as soon as she realized the words she had uttered.

  Shit. That was horrible, she groaned internally.

  Anna chuckled, “Thank you, Lil.”

  Lillian shut the door. Note to self. Think before talking, she lamented. She slid into her seat and started the engine.

  “Where to?” she asked Anna.

  Anna placed a hand over her mouth as she yawned.

  “Sorry,” she said. “You can drop me o where we bumped into each other,” Anna answered.

  “Did you drive to town? If you’re too tired, I can drop you o at your door,” Lillian o ered.

  “You are! I live right in the center,” Anna explained.

  “Really? Where?” Lillian asked.

  “It’s right above the grocery store owned by that Greek couple. Mikros—you know it?” she said.

  “Yes, I know the one. Alright, I’ll drop you o there, then,” Lillian responded.

  “Thank you,” Anna repeated.

  “You don’t have to thank me anymore,” Lillian insisted.

  She heard Anna hum in response. There was a silence in the car as they drove. Think of something to say, she thought.

  “So, how did you get into the travel industry?” Lillian asked. There was no response. She turned her head to see Anna sleeping. Her hand cradled her face. She was breathing lightly and her forehead was pressed against the window.

  There was such a softness to Anna’s sleeping beauty. Lillian felt her cheeks lift as a smile appeared on her face.

  She thought back to the intimate moment they had shared earlier. Their close proximity. Lillian’s center throbbed as she recalled the moment she felt the soft touch of Anna’s lips on her skin.

  Her mind was occupied with these thoughts throughout the drive. Lillian sighed as she pulled up in front of the little grocery store. How do I wake her? she asked herself.

  Lillian placed a hand on Anna’s shoulder and nudged her gently. She stirred in her seat, her brows pulled and her face crumpled.

  “Anna,” Lillian whispered.

  “Hmm?” she hummed.

  “We’re here,” Lillian announced softly.

  Anna groaned and cracked one eye open. She straightened up and stretched in her seat.

  Lillian’s eyes trailed the expanse of Anna’s body as she raised her arms over her head. She felt that magnetic pull.

  Control yourself, she thought. Lillian tore her eyes away from Anna’s body.

  “Thank you for the ride, the amazing gelato, and a wonderful afternoon,” Anna said.

  “Don’t mention it,” Lillian replied. She watched Anna unbuckle her belt and open the car door. “See you next week,” she reminded

  “Looking forward to it, Lil,” Anna responded with a wave.

  She shut the door and waved at Lillian as she drove away.

  Lillian watched Anna retreat through her door from the rearview window. Her thoughts were filled with Anna.

  She made it back to her own home and threw her things on the kitchen table. All she could think about was Anna.

  Those lips. That body, she recalled.

  It can’t go anywhere. There’s no use in focusing on her, she said to herself. Lillian sighed and headed to the kitchen. She opened the cabinet below the sink and pulled out a bottle of wine.

  “Maybe this will help me get her out of my mind,” she muttered. Lillian ri ed through her kitchen drawers for the corkscrew. “Where is that thing?” she asked aloud. After minutes of searching, Lillian sighed. She grabbed the bottle and took a glass to the living room. She pried the cork out of the bottle and inhaled the earthy aroma.

  “Hello, old friend,” she sighed in contentment. Lillian filled her glass halfway and placed the bottle back on the table. Fuck it, she thought. It’s my day o and I deserve to unwind. Lillian grabbed the bottle and filled her glass to the rim. “Better,” she smiled.

  She brought the glass up to her lips and took a sip of the rich crimson liquid, the inside of her mouth coated with the fruity sweetness. Lillian’s body relaxed into the soft cushions of her couch. She threw her head back and felt a smile creep onto her face. This day didn’t go as planned but damn, I had a great time, she thought.

  She thought back to Anna’s suggestion. Would I go? I never considered a do-over. Lillian took another sip of her drink.

  Where would I start? her mind wandered and she felt herself reliving her travels. She reimagined them with her current self, but this time it was di erent, she could picture Anna there with her. Lillian shook the thought out of her head.

  “That’s ridiculous,” she said to herself.

  Lillian gulped down her drink. Why can’t I shake her? she thought about Anna’s eyes. How they shone. The perfect curve of her lips and how full they were. She shut her eyes and gave in to her imagination; thinking back to the striking silhouette of her body. Lillian felt her body tingle with anticipation as she fantasized about Anna. What her body would look like pinned underneath hers.

  Lillian was pulled from her thoughts abruptly when her phone vibrated. She groaned and pulled the device to her face. 1 unread message from unknown number, the notification read.

  Her brows furrowed. It’s probably just Jen, she dismissed.

  Lillian set her phone on the table and sat back. Her body was buzzing—she couldn’t tell if it was from her salacious thoughts or the wine.

  Her phone buzzed once more. Lillian picked it up. 2 unread messages from unknown number. She groaned and pressed on the notification. Here we go again, Lillian thought.

  She felt her heart race. So, I have an emergency, the first text read.

  I can’t get you out of my mind, the second read.

  Lillian blinked. Am I reading this right?

  Her eyes scanned the words and her fingers hovered over the screen. Well, that is a bit of a pickle, she typed out. Lillian shook her head. “Pickle?” she sco ed aloud and deleted the text. This is an urgent matter that needs to be— “ Nope. Bad.

  Delete, delete, delete,” Lillian repeated. She rubbed her temples and tossed her phone aside.

  ANNABEL BIT HER LIP. Shit. She stared at her phone and glanced at the text. “Maybe she’s asleep,” she tried comforting herself.

  Annabel swiped left, her feet tapping against the floor rapidly. There were two blue ticks. She’s read them. Fuck. She let out a groan. I sent that text eight minutes ago.

  Her mind was racing. What if she meant she was giving me her number in case of emergency thing? God, that would be embarrassing. Annabel paced, racking her brain. Maybe I can delete the text. No, she’s already read it. I could tell her I texted the wrong number, she thought to herself.

  “Maybe that will do it,” Annabel hoped aloud. She began constructing her fake excuse when her phone vibrated in her hands. Oh no. She shut her eyes instinctively. This can’t be good.

  Annabel took a deep breath and willed herself to look at Lillian’s response. Me too, the text read. Those two words washed over her like a wave of relief. The corners of her lips tugged into a smile as she typed out a reply. What about?

  Anna typed back.

  Your lips on my skin. How close I was to tasting them. What

  they would have felt like on my body. Her center ached as she read Lillian’s response. Annabel smirked as she imagined Lillian sitting at home thinking about her.

  If you came home with me, I would have gladly shown you,

  Annabel replied.

  Her phone buzzed instantaneously. What would you have

  done? it read.

  She recalled the heat coursing through her body when their noses brushed. The pulse she felt between her legs when Lillian moaned softly. Her fingers moved over the screen furiously. I would have left kisses in more places than

  just at the nape of your neck, she teased.

  Annabel imagined peeling Lillian’s clothes o , piece by piece. Her hand would cup one of her breasts and the other would grasp her waist as her mouth enveloped Lillian’s nipple. Her attention shifted to her phone with its newest message. Where else would you kiss? she read.

  I would have done more than kiss you, Lil. I would have

  stripped you of your clothing and pulled your body into mine. My

  lips would leave a trail of kisses down your body. My mouth

  enveloping your nipple. My hands grabbing every inch of you, Annabel replied.

  Annabel felt her body buzz; it ached to be touched the more she thought about Lillian’s body and what she would do if she were there.

  Fuck. I can imagine that. I want to feel your skin against

  mine. Your lips, your tongue, Lillian’s response read.

  What about my tongue? Annabel typed out.

  What it can do. What it would feel like on my clit, Lillian replied.

  Annabel’s breath was caught in her throat. She wasn’t expecting such a bold response from Lillian. Her body was tingling, she wanted to reach out and taste Lillian. Annabel closed her eyes and imagined Lillian’s legs on either side of her head. Her body writhing in pleasure as Anna’s tongue swept over her clit. The moans that she would leave her lips.

  I want you, Annabel admitted. I want to taste you. I want to

  be in between your legs, to feel your wetness drip down my chin.

  I want to make you feel amazing, she sent.

  I’m so wet, Lillian texted back. Annabel’s phone vibrated for the second time. I want you too. I want to have your body

  pinned underneath mine. To feel your slick wetness on my

  fingers while I tease you. I want to have you begging for my lips

  on your cunt. My tongue on your clit. My fingers in you. I want to

  hear you cry out in pleasure. Annabel squirmed in her chair.

  She could feel the moisture pool in between her legs. Her eyes shut, she parted her legs and slid her hand down her pants. Annabel sighed in content and collected the liquid; she rubbed slow circles on her clit as she envisioned Lillian’s text.

  Annabel wiped the wetness on her pants and grabbed her phone. I’m dripping at the thought of you doing that.

  Fuck, really? Lillian replied.

  More than I can describe. I want you so bad. My body is

  aching for yours, she admitted.

  I know how you feel, Lillian’s text read.

  Maybe we can arrange something to help us both out,

  Annabel o ered.

  Annabel smiled at Lillian’s response. I would really really

  like that. Anna’s phone vibrated again. I’ve got an incredibly

  wet pair of panties and a situation that needs attending to, Lillian texted.

  I’d love to lend a helping finger (or two. Maybe my mouth

  too), Annabel replied.

  It’s a shame you aren’t here to help, she read.

  Soon. Until then, think of me, Annabel replied.

  I will, Lillian responded.

  Annabel sighed, “She’s got me on her mind too.” She smiled sheepishly. Her eyelids fluttered. They felt heavy.

  Annabel shut her eyes. “She’s thinking of me,” she repeated, dozing o .

  LILLIAN GROANED when the sun hit her face. She reached out for a pillow and felt the muscles in her back ache. Her head was pounding. It was as if there were gargoyles gnawing in the confines of her skull. She cracked open an eye. What the

  —? God I shouldn’t drink.

  Her body creaked and cracked as she sat up; she stared blankly as her living room came into view. Did I fall asleep on the couch? she wondered. Lillian scanned the room and her eyes settled on the nearly empty wine bottle on the table.

  “What time is it?” she muttered.

  She reached for her phone. “Fuck,” she winced and rubbed her temples. The bright light made her eyes sting.

  Lillian squinted her eyes and adjusted the settings.

  Better, she thought.

  Lillian’s eyes widened as her screen came into focus.

  Memories of last night flooded through her head. “Shit,” she said as she read over the exchange between her and Anna.

  I want to feel your skin against mine. Your lips, your tongue,

  she read.

  No, no, no. There’s no way I sent her that, Lillian thought.

  She’s my patient. I shouldn’t be allowed to drink and text. She scrolled through the conversation. Her body felt cold.

  I’m so wet, another response she sent. Jesus, Lillian. Who do you think you are?

  I want you too. I want to have your body pinned underneath

  mine. To feel your slick wetness on my fingers while I tease you. I

  want to have you begging for my lips on your cunt. My tongue on

  your clit. My fingers in you. I want to hear you cry out in