All Chapters of Dangerous Pleasures: Chapter 1351 - Chapter 1360

I normally would have just made my traditional phone call to Q'doba or Fazoli's for catering, but Sarah insisted on cooking. I think she wanted to impress my friends, which was adorable.My own anxiety existed on two levels. The silly schoolgirl in me just wanted my friends to like my new paramour. The more adult, mature part was terrified about them reading me. What would they think? I've heard horror stories of people losing their friends and families after coming out. Lauren and Rick would be fine, obviously. I'd be stunned if I had any issues with Megan, after the hell she'd gone through in high school, but Susie had been raised more conservatively. And Mia was married to a Christian missionary in Korea. I'd met him twice, and he seemed very kind and genuine, but what his views on this topic were, I didn't know.But then, there's always the question of 'does it matter?' Was Sarah even interested? And more and more I was thinking she might be. The subtle touching, the shy smiles, t

I began to lean forward. Sarah's eyes closed and her head tilted to the side. My heart jackhammered in my breast as I leaned closer. And just as my lids began to flutter shut I heard movement from the carpet. Sarah turned in my arms, but did not pull away. I looked over her shoulder and there was a grinning four year-old sitting legs akimbo, wrapped in her blanket, watching us.My first instinct was to jump apart. Don't get caught. Stupid, because we were well and truly caught. But I felt Sarah's calm wash over me, and I didn't move.Sarah leaned against my shoulder, pulling my arms around her. "Hello, sleepyhead. Did you have a nice nap?"Heidi looked at me, then back at Sarah before nodding 'yes.' She stood, holding Charlie by his horn and her blanket by the fringe, and toddled around the coffee table and climbed into my lap. She situated herself and Charlie while Sarah and I held each other under our blanket. On the screen, George Bailey was pulling his daughter's flower petals fro

An hour later we'd piled into my Escalade. Sarah was Googling Christmas tree lots. I know I'd seen them around, but in true Murphy's Law fashion I couldn't remember where a single one was."Here, this looks promising. Gore's Christmas Trees. It's behind Glendale mall.""Oh, yeah, I've seen that one. Alright, on our way."We got there just after they opened, but the place was still busy. There were trees everywhere, and they all looked the same to me. Sarah freed Heidi from her car seat. When her feet hit the ground she grabbed Sarah's hand and began pulling her toward the forest before us while I followed dumbly behind.A man in a ball cap, flannel shirt, and overalls stepped forward. "Afternoon ladies." He pulled off his heavy leather gloves to shake my hand and Sarah's hand. Heidi buried her face in Sarah's leg."So what are we looking for?"I was about to say 'a Christmas tree', which would have been about the stupidest answer possible, but Sarah saved me."I'd like to see what you

I responded that I would before pulling up the Calvin College Website. Dr. Theodore Peters's death was the banner headline, along with a picture of Ted smiling behind his ginger beard. Reading down I saw they were having an eleven AM visitation with a memorial service at two PM. There was a gravesite service for family only to follow. I sent a text to Lauren to call me as soon as she could, and a little after nine-thirty my phone sounded."Hey.""Hey, yourself. Plugging my phone in for the night when I saw your text. What's up?""Sarah's dad died this morning."Lauren gasped. Rick's voice sounded in the background and Lauren relayed the information."They live in Michigan, right? Are you going up?""That's actually why I was calling. Services are Saturday. I'd like to go, but I don't want to take Heidi. It's a long way and I don't know how she'd do with a funeral.""Do you want us to take her this weekend?""Pleeeease?"She pulled the phone away from her cheek. "Honey, can Heidi stay

"No! No, don't ever be sorry. I needed you today, and you were there. I couldn't have done it without you." She put her hand on mine and looked me in the eye, her voice a whisper. "It's what I was doing when I saw you in line, wishing you'd just appear. I was imagining you holding me, and then you were there. Thank you."Her voice broke with emotion. I couldn't say anything, so I just pulled her to me."Can I stay here tonight?""Of course." I felt my pulse race. A quick mental survey of the small room told me she couldn't possibly mean anywhere but the one king size bed. "Did you bring anything?"Sarah chuckled dryly. "No, I ran out of the house in this." She spread her arms indicating her dress. "I called you from the front seat of my car. I drove straight over.""Ok, let's see what we have." I hopped off the bed and opened my travel bag, pulling out my nightgown and the old, comfy t-shirt I'd planned on driving home in tomorrow. I held the latter out to Sarah. "Will this do?""It's