Suzie’s House 181: Tick, Tick, Tick

“Did you see the way she looked at me? I’m telling you, there’s something wrong with Gene’s girlfriend.” Miranda closed the door to their room, then gave the lock a decisive turn, as if it were perfectly normal to lock their door.

“Girlfriend? She’s just a buddy,” Vin scoffed. He sat down in the chair next to the bed and unlaced his shoes.

“Girlfriend. Buddy. What’s the difference?” She gestured impatiently as she drifted to the bed, then back to the door.

“I’d think the difference would be obvious.” He finished with the shoes and wiggled his toes. He should go barefoot more often. It felt good.

“It isn’t obvious to me.”

“Buddies don’t do this.” In a calculated move, Vin rose from the chair, trapped her against the door, and pulled her close. He gave her a minute to realize what he intended, then went in for the kiss. It was a good one for several seconds. He got her to open up for him and respond, but sure enough she broke off to continue sputtering.

“She’s rude. Just plane rude.” Miranda flitted toward the back window.

Vin bit his tongue to keep from pointing out that Miranda’s comment was like the pot calling the kettle black. Actually, he thought there were some striking similarities between Miranda and Tracy. Also some noteworthy differences.

“And she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” Miranda looked out the back window, shoving the curtain even further back, then moved to the side window.

Vin followed her as a comfortable stroll. “Looking for something?”

“No. Not really. But weren’t those two sitting on the back porch when we came up?”

“Gene and Tracy? Yeah. So?” He almost caught up with her at the side window, but she crawled across the bed. He sauntered around it.

“They are too young to be staying up late.”

“He turns fourteen in a month and a half. Didn’t you say you lost your virginity at fourteen?”

“That’s different.”

“Yeah. I know.” He set a hand on her hip as she came off the bed, tried to draw her into his arms, but she spun out, riding the tips of his fingers. Seems like their whole relationship could be described as her fluttering off the tips of his fingers. Only now he knew how to make her land. It just took a little patience.

“I mean, if Suzie’s going to adopt Gene, shouldn’t we take him in hand?” She gestured broadly, her back to him, then turned toward the closet.

“That’s Suzie’s business, not ours. Besides, I think we’ve already taken him in hand.” Crossing his arms and leaning into the wall, he watched with interest as she unzipped her spike-heeled boots.

”This is so totally not what I had in mind when I talked Suzie into turning her home into a boarding house.” She stripped off both boots, and carefully set them in the special holder for them in the closet.

“I know,” Vin said dryly. He was well aware of what Miranda had originally had in mind – a chance to hook up with Drew.

“Oh, don’t be that way. I’ve already admitted I was wrong about that.” She started unbuttoning her blouse, but he’d lost some of his interest along the way.

“Well. Whatever.” He went back to the chair.

He should have known she wouldn’t leave it alone, but he hadn’t thought she’d do what she did next.

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