Chapter Twenty

Howie and Lori waved to AJ and Amanda, the last to leave, as they tore off down the street, speakers blaring and tires squealing.

“He’s loud, isn’t he?” Lori asked, laughing.

“He likes to let everyone know he’s there,” Howie said, closing the door.

Together they walked back to the kitchen to clean up the remains of the barbecue.

After Stinker had shown Mandy that enough was enough, Nick had taken her home, apologizing profusely for ruining the day. Lori had assured him that it was okay, and told him she was glad to see him again.

The rest of them finished the meal and then gathered by the pool to talk, staying for another few hours before deciding they had better head out. Howie let out a sigh of relief the minute they were all gone. Everyone had been extremely careful not to call him by his real name or reveal anything about who they really were, but still, Howie felt much better knowing he didn’t have to worry about them accidentally making a mistake.

“So, where do we start?” Lori asked, looking around.

“Hm, it’s not as bad as I thought it would be,” Howie mused. “Good thing I used paper plates and plastic silverware! Ha!”

He retrieved a roll of large garbage bags from under the sink and tore one off. With Lori’s help, they were able to clear off the stack of dishes sitting on the counter in a matter of minutes. Lori tied the bag shut and tossed it near the trash can.

“Where’s your plastic wrap?” she asked.

Howie tossed her the roll and she began covering all the leftovers.

“Your friends must really trust you with their stuff,” she said, motioning to the plastic and glass containers that held the last of the potato salad and cheesecake.

“They know they’ll get it back from me, washed and all,” Howie said, running a sponge under the faucet. He started wiping down the counters and the kitchen island as Lori stuffed food into the fridge.

“All done,” Lori said, closing the fridge and smiling. “Ha! Beatcha!’

Howie grinned and tossed the wet sponge in her direction. She dodged it easily and shook her head.

“Wimpy throw, Tony,” she said.

“Hey, I never claimed to be a pro.”

Lori circled the island and put her arms around his waist. “I had a really great time today.”

“You did? I’m glad.”

“Were you worried?”

“Me? Worried? Never!” he exclaimed, shaking his head.

Lori hugged him tightly and sighed. “I was worried.”

Frowning, Howie nudged her lightly, forcing her to look up at him.

“Whatever for?”

“I wanted your friends to like me. I know they’re a big part of your life, and I didn’t want to make enemies with them, seeing as how I’m going to be around for awhile.”

Howie’s heart soared with the idea of Lori staying in Orlando.

“They love you, just like I do,” he said softly, dropping a feathery kiss on the tip of her nose.

Her eyes widened. “Did you just say you loved me?”

Howie paused. “Hmm, I guess I did.”

“Do you mean it?”

“I wouldn’t have said it otherwise.”

“I love you, too, Tony,” she whispered, pulling him tighter against herself. “I never thought it would happen so fast, but it did, and it feels so right.”

“Yeah, it does,” Howie said, trying to hide the sudden hurt he felt at the fact that she’d just said she loved Tony. He swallowed the lump forming in his throat and licked his lips. “Lori, there’s something I... “

“Something you what?” she questioned.

Howie opened his mouth, prepared to blurt out everything and set her straight, but nothing came out. A moment passed before he could speak again.

“Nothing, baby. It can wait.”

She shrugged and looked over his shoulder towards the pool. A mischevious glint appeared in her eyes.

“Wanna go swimming?” she asked.

“I thought you didn’t bring a suit with you.”

“Not one made of material, no.”

Howie felt himself growing hard as he caught on to what she was saying.

“Ohh,” he said. “That kind of suit. I get it.”

Lori took his hand and guided him outside. Stinker’s ears perked up from where she sat lounging on a deck chair. She jumped from the chair and followed them to the pool, stepping around the pieces of clothing that were being tossed around. She tripped over Howie’s shirt and decided that she would rest there in the soft fabric, her tail flapping behind her, and began gnawing on one of the buttons. There she sat the rest of the evening, while her master and his girlfriend played in the pool.

Howie whistled happily as he retrieved the morning paper. Stinker ran in circles around his feet as he walked to the kitchen and set the paper on the table.

"Girlie, you’re asking for it,” he scolded lightly, sliding slices of bacon from the frying pan to a plate. “You ate all the buttons off my shirt, you little booger!”

Stinker yipped and sat up on her hind legs, begging for food. Howie couldn’t resist and tossed her a piece of bacon. A ham and cheese omelet was added to the plate a moment later, and Howie smiled at how nice it looked.

He put the plate on a breakfast tray, along with a bowl of fresh strawberries, a glass of milk, a glass of orange juice, toast, and the newspaper. Making sure Stinker was busy with her bacon, he picked up the tray and started for the stairs.

Lori was still sleeping when he got to his bedroom. He pushed the door open with his foot and padded inside, not wanting to wake her just yet. He set the tray on the nightstand and stood just beside her, studying her.

She’s so beautiful, he thought.

She stirred slightly, feeling eyes on her. She raised her arms and stretched, blinking sleepily.

“Morning, babe,” she said.

“Did you sleep well?” Howie asked, kissing her cheek.

“Wonderfully. I think I need to get a bed like yours.”

“Why don’t we just share it?” he whispered, moving his lips to her neck.

“Mmm, that’d be nice.”

She noticed the tray and smiled. “You made me breakfast!”

Howie pulled it over, positioning it over her lap.

“That’s so sweet of you!” she gushed.

Suddenly, the sound of a puppy barking got louder and louder as Stinker barrelled up the steps and down the hall, coming towards them.

“Oh no --” Howie began, getting up to close the door.

But it was too late. Stinker leapt from the doorway to the bed, her nose and mouth searching for more bacon. In her haste to reach the plate, she knocked over the orange juice, splashing the liquid all over Howie. Stinker paused, a piece of bacon hanging from her teeth, and stared at Howie. She must have spotted the look in his eyes because she bolted from the bed and out the door.

Lori took one look at him and stifled a giggle. She carefully set the tray aside and wiped at his face with a napkin.

“You’re all sticky,” she said.

“Yeah.”

“Better go get that cleaned up.”

“Yeah.”

Lori couldn’t hold back any longer. A giggle and a snort escaped her mouth.

“I’m sorry, really I am,” she said around her laughter. “But, but, you look so silly.”

Howie touched his hair, grimacing at the stickiness making the dark strands clump together.

“Silly huh? I look silly?” he asked, slowly advancing towards her.

Lori stopped laughing and started to back away, her hands out in front of her.

“I didn’t mean it, Tony. No, please, don’t!” she squealed as Howie lunged for her, tickling her mercilessly.

“I’ll show you silly!” he cried, grabbing the glass of milk and dousing her with it.

Lori gasped as the cold milk seeped through her shirt.

“Tony!” she screamed.

Howie froze, realizing what he’d done. Then he burst out laughing, rolling to his side and giggling hysterically.

“I can’t believe you did that!” Lori cried, jumping from the bed and pulling her soaked shirt away from her skin.