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powder with her shoe.
Jesus, Paula, you could ve burned down the whole place.
Don t be dramatic, Steph, she said, hurrying into the house.
Steph assumed the tears were flowing again so she gave her
a second before she followed behind. Perhaps she was regretting
the bonfire or at least destroying one of the last memories of
her dad. She waited in the kitchen and realized there was far less
clutter than the day before. She imagined the reason was sitting
in the white pile outside.
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Can you come here, Paula called. Steph found her in the
office, squatting behind her mother s old desk. Take a look at this.
She looked calm, composed She d opened a cabinet, revealing a
small safe. Do you know anything about safecracking?
Not really. You haven t found the combination anywhere?
Paula shook her head. I ve gone through all of her personal
papers and I haven t seen any random sets of numbers. I m sure
it s here somewhere but I ll probably be dead by the time I find
her hiding place.
Maybe the attorney has it.
That s possible but he didn t mention it when I spoke with
him this morning.
Have you tried all of the obvious combinations her
birthday, your birthday, her social security number&
She nodded. I ve tried everything I can think of but I don t
know it.
Maybe we should call a locksmith.
I ll do that if we don t stumble upon the answer today but
I m not sure I want to know what s in it. Does that sound bizarre?
she asked as they stood up.
Steph thought of the jars of coins and all the random cash.
No, I understand what you re worried about. Your mother is
totally exposed now. There aren t any secrets left and you re
probably not going to like everything you learn about her.
She nodded and smiled. You always get it, Steph. You ve
always understood me.
They held each other, listening to the radio Paula had
switched on. Journey s old song, Don t Stop Believin wailed
through the house.
I know how hard this is. I want to help, Paula. I really do.
You are. It feels so amazing to hold you again. It s not just
about the sex but that was pretty incredible last night. Wasn t
it?
Steph gazed into the wild blue eyes and she was certain she
saw Paula s soul. She nestled her cheek against Paula s shoulder
and they started to dance with the music, turning a slow box
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step in the messy office. When the song ended, Paula kissed her
hungrily and Steph felt her chest pounding. It was as if last night
never ended. There was no awkward morning after or regret,
only passion.
Are the others coming over today? Steph asked between
kisses.
No, they all had to go back this morning. We re all alone.
You re sure Shelby s not coming back?
Positive.
Did you save any of the mattresses or are they burned to a
crisp?
She answered by pulling her into her old bedroom. Although
the Tinkerbell comforter had been sacrificed, the plain fitted
sheet still hugged the old mattress. They slid on top, their hands
greedily searching each other s flesh, not satisfied until their
clothes formed a heap at the foot of the four-poster bed.
You re absolutely beautiful. I love looking at you. And I
must admit, that there s a definite advantage to bedding a woman
of substance.
Steph laughed. What the hell does that mean?
Paula kissed her shoulder lightly. It means that I m so
grateful for all of the fine oils, lotions and body wraps that you
must treat yourself to. Your skin is absolutely delicious.
Steph thought she remembered Paula s touch but nothing
she d imagined compared to the soft fingertips that traced the
curve of her neck. She suddenly felt terribly deprived, having
spent years pressed against a rough beard and enduring smelly
armpits.
Paula drew her body over Steph s until their hips rocked
together in unison.
I ve never made love in the daytime, Steph said unsteadily.
Hell, I ve never made love twice in twenty-four hours.
That s just shameful, Paula concluded as she fondled Steph s
breasts. This body shouldn t be ignored.
I m probably a little self-conscious. I know this might sound
ridiculous but Lawrence believed in a schedule and he had certain
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rules about sex, at least when it came to me.
She traced a circle around her areola. Ah, well this will be
a new experience for you. I love sex in the daytime. Remember
that day in my bedroom?
Steph rolled her eyes. Of course. I was terrified.
Are you terrified now? she asked, the heat between them
increasing.
Steph wasn t sure how much longer she could converse. She
imagined that soon her body would do all of the talking. No,
I m not afraid but I don t know you anymore. It s been so long.
What do you want to know?
Everything. Uh, who s your favorite rock group?
U2. What about you?
She chuckled. It s still Rush.
I remember that. What s your favorite food?
Anything French. I love French food. Where s your favorite
vacation spot?
Paula smiled sadly. I don t have one, really. I m always
working. How do you feel right now? she asked. Her fingertips
roamed across Steph s belly, flipping switches of passion that she
had thought were off for good.
Fabulous.
Does it bother you that we re totally naked on a rickety old
bed in the light of day? We re not even hidden under a sheet. All
of our wrinkles and crow s feet are entirely exposed, she added
dramatically.
She gazed up at Paula whose face beamed in the sunlight. She
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