"Sonia! Hey come on in!" Eva Lambert exclaimed inviting her sister-in-law in her home.
Sonia walked in to the elegant home of Eva and Alex Lambert's home. Alex was a successful lawyer, probably one of the best and Eva was a housewife just like Sonia. Their house was big with elegant lighting and fine furniture.
"What brings you here today?" Eva asked offering Sonia a seat.
"I don't know I just came by to visit. I guess I get bored at home you know."
Eva laughed. Her blue eyes looked pale that morning and her brown hair was pinned up. She was a year younger than Sonia and one of Sonia's best friends. They had both attended college together and that's where they both met the Lambert brothers Ron and Alex.
"I know what you mean. I get so bored around here too. Ever since David moved out, I really have no one to talk to. Hell I wanted to hire a maid just so I could have someone to talk to."
Sonia scoffed. "I had that same idea too."
"Did you want something to drink? I've just put on a fresh pot of coffee," Eva offered.
Sonia nodded. "No but thank you anyway. I just had two cups this morning. Like you, I never get to see my child either. Rebecca still lives at home with us, but yet she's never home."
"I know David doesn't live at home, but yet he never comes to visit like he used to. And that's because we live in the same town. Can you imagine if he lived out of town or out of the state? He'd be nonexistent."
Both women laughed. "Listen, I know David is a good person. I mean he let's Rebecca stay over almost every night. I trust him with my daughter. Sometimes I think they are more like brother and sister than cousins," Sonia stated.
Eva smiled. "Yes. I love Becca like my own daughter you know that."
"You know she's been such a good girl lately. I know in the past she was quite a handful but I don't know what's been happening lately. She seems more calm and happy. Whatever phase she's going through, I like."
"I know what you mean. The last time I spoke with David, which was about last week sometime, he sounded really happy. I know he'd gone through that nasty breakup with Amber, but now it seems he's put all that behind him," Sonia said happily.
"We do have good children," Eva agreed.
"Indeed. So tell me, did you feel like maybe going shopping today?"
Sonia's eyes brightened up. "I thought you'd never ask!"
"Alright then. Let me get my purse and let's go!"
* * *
"Hey what are you doing here?" David asked as he stood up to greet Rebecca.
She looked stunning in her short blue jean skirt and a white spaghetti strap shirt. Her hair was in a ponytail and her lips were glossy.
"I just decided to come by and say hi. Is that so bad?"
He closed the blinds on the window in his office and put his arms around his cousin. "Not bad at all. You can come by anytime."
He leaned down to plant a long wet kiss. Her lip-gloss got all over his lips. She laughed and he blushed wiping it off.
"Listen, I was thinking about us," Rebecca began.
David stroked her hair listening to her attentively.
Rebecca hesitated at first. "Well, I think we should tell our parents about us soon. I mean like really soon."
"I agree. I'm still thinking of how to tell them. Should we tell them over dinner or call them? I can't think of any "right" way to tell them."
Rebecca held her cousin tighter. "Yeah me neither. I just know I want to be with you. I am so tired of sneaking around. It feels like we are doing something forbidden, which that may be true but I don't think it is. I love you and I want everyone to know."
David cupped her face and kissed her lips softly. "I love you too and I know this isn't going to be easy, but I'm willing to take the chance."
"So when do you think we should say something?" Rebecca asked cautiously.
David pulled away from her and ran his finger through his hair. "How about tomorrow night over dinner. We could invite them out to a restaurant or maybe invite them to the apartment."
"I think the apartment is better."
David felt nervous but he knew he had to do this. They'd been sneaking around too long and he was tired of it. It was time their secret was out no matter how much it might hurt their parents. If they continued to keep it a secret, eventually their own relationship might get hurt. He didn't want that. He wanted Rebecca to be seen as his lover not his cousin.
* * *
Amber smiled in a daze as she stacked up the new paperbacks in the non-fiction section. She hadn't feel so good in months. She still recalled Gabriel's dark brown eyes staring at her. She blushed having thinking naughty things about him. She hadn't had thoughts like that in a long time.
The bookstore was crowded that day and it was almost time for her break. She was going to get herself a cup of coffee and finish reading yet another book like she had been for the past months.
"Amber? You got a phone call," Terese, Amber's co-worker announced.
"I'll be right there," Amber said cheerfully climbing down the ladder. She fixed her black t-shirt that was beginning to ride up her body.
"Hello?"
"I hope we are still on for tonight."
Amber blushed. It was Gabriel. "Of course we are. Why wouldn't we be?"
"Oh I don't know I thought last night was some sort of dream that's all."
Amber giggled. "You're so silly. You just called to ask me that?"
"Well yes but I also called just to hear your voice."
Amber's heart fluttered. "I'm glad you called. It's good to hear you too even with all that noise in the background."
Gabriel smiled as he held the phone. "Sorry I'm at the shop. I guess I should have called you from the office phone."
"No that's fine. I was just kidding. I will see you tonight."
Gabriel sighed blissfully. "Ok then. See you tonight. I won't be late."
Amber laughed. "You better not be."
She hung up the phone and couldn't stop smiling. Terese raised an eyebrow at her. "Amber you look too happy."
Amber nodded. "I am. Very happy."
She walked off as if she was walking on air. She went back to work and found herself humming to herself.
