Page 125 of September

“She does,” Gwen said. “And I told her to cool it until at least November or December, but expect an invitation for Christmas dinner, which reminds me that Bridgette and Monica invited us to their wedding. It’s next year, so not tomorrow or anything to worry about, but I keep forgetting to tell you.”

Juliet kissed the top of Gwen’s head and noted, “I like that you’re planning for me to be around for all that stuff.”

“You’re stuck with me now, Juliet Francis,” she said, still feeling the alcohol a little.

“Good. I want to be. I just wish I’d been able to figure a way out ofthistravel, too, but things had been booked already, so it would’ve cost an arm and a leg to cancel everything.”

“It’s probably only a month, in the grand scheme of things. We’ll be fine. And you have the end of the month to look forward to. A light at the end of the tunnel now. That’s a big deal. Plus, you managed to save your company money while getting yourself another raise. That’s got to be a record. Two raises in a few weeks.”

Juliet chuckled and said, “I can now pay someone else to walk Carly when you’re busy with the van.”

Gwen lifted her head and replied, “Don’t you dare. I’m never too busy to take care of her. She’s yours, Jules. She’s like me.” She smiled at Juliet. “I’m yours, too.”

Juliet leaned in and pressed her lips to Gwen’s.

“You’re really cute when you’re drunk.”

“Tipsy,” she corrected. “And I’m sobering up.”

“Bummer. I was kind of hoping you’d stay this way for the rest of the night.”

“You’ll have to get more alcohol in me, then, which I don’t recommend,” she replied and moved into Juliet’s lap, straddling her hips.

“Why not? It could be fun,” Juliet said as her hands landed on Gwen’s hips.

“Because you want me to wake up early tomorrow.”

“I do?” Juliet lifted an eyebrow. “Morning sex before I leave?”

“Happily. But that’s not what I meant.”

Gwen wrapped her arms around Juliet’s neck.

“What did you mean, then?”

“Well, you might want me to be sober and not hungover for the drive tomorrow.”

“What drive?” Juliet asked, rubbing Gwen’s thighs. “Are you planning on being on the phone with me the whole time I’m on my way to the hotel?”

Gwen shook her head and replied, “I was planning on beingnextto you and then driving so that you could take a break.”

Juliet’s eyes widened, and she asked, “What?”

“I’m coming with you this week, if that’s okay with you.”

“You’re–” Juliet shook her head. “What? Really?”

“Yes. If you want,” Gwen replied.

“I do want, but you can’t. You have work.”

“Logan can’t work on the van until the weekend, and Myra has her actual job during the week, too. Besides, I’ve got calls to make, a website to improve, and more work than I can handle to get this thing set up. I can do that from the hotel.”

“You’re really coming with me?”

“Just for this trip. The shorter one, I can maybe come for a day or two and bring Carly.”

“Carly! Shit.”