Guilty Pleasures (32 page)

Carla ended the connection. Her cell rang. It was Rick.

“Tiffy’s awake,” he said.

“I’ll be right over,” she replied.

As soon as she had arrived at Egret Pointe General Hospital, both Rick and Joe left for the office. But not before Carla witnessed a tender little scene between her best friend and Joe. Holding her hand tightly, Joe told his wife how much he loved her and how he couldn’t have gone on without her, had she not recovered.

“I’m going to cut back at the office, babe,” he promised her. “We need at least two associates. Rick’s been telling me that for the last few months, but I wouldn’t listen. I’m listening now, Tiffy. We need more time together. What the hell has all our hard work been for if we can’t take time to be with each other outside the office?” He kissed the hand he was holding. “I’ll be back later. You get some rest now.” Reassured his wife was going to be all right, Joe had said he’d rather work than go home while she was hospitalized.

Once the men had gone, Carla said, “I spoke with Nora’s Mr. Nicholas himself. He wanted me to deliver his personal apology for what happened.”

“What did happen?” Tiffy asked “I’m kinda blanking. I remember a very wild night that seemed to go on and on and on. And then I woke up here.”

“Joe woke up and came looking for you. When he found you, he thought you had been watching television and fallen asleep. He turned off your telly before four a.m.”

“Oh, my God! I was trapped in the Channel?” Tiffy grew pale and fell back onto her pillows. Could her crazy behavior have cost her everything? Perhaps her life? She shivered.

“Yeah, you were trapped, but it’s okay. I called Nora. Nora called Mr. Nicholas, and voilà! You were sprung. And it won’t happen again. Everyone is getting new remotes so no one but the remote’s owner can turn off the television with it.” She reached out and picked up Tiffy’s hand. “You’re going to be all right, sweetie.”

Tiffy nodded. “I’ve had enough of foursomes,” she said. “I think if I want a fantasy, I’ll set up the trip I’ve been wanting to take with Joe next winter.”

“Yeah,” Carla said. “And you might want to delete the tale of the Star of Cinnabar from your remote,” she suggested.

Tiffy giggled. She hadn’t died. Indeed, she was very alive. “Oh, no,” she said. “I’ll delete the foursome, but my sultan is a pretty nice guy, and a girl’s got to have more than one fantasy in her life.”

“If you say so,” Carla replied, laughing. “At least don’t play when Joe’s home. Another accident like this and we might not get you back.”

Tiffy’s expression grew serious. “You’re right,” she agreed. “I’ll only play in the Channel when Joe is away.” The color was already coming back into her cheeks. “Now, go find out, Nurse Johnson, when they’re going to let me out of this place.”

Carla stood up. “Yes, my princess,” she said, and went out laughing.

Tiffany chuckled. The foursome might go, but Ahmed, the Sultan of Sherazad, was definitely going to stay for a while. It didn’t mean she didn’t love her Joe, because she did. She always had and always would. But she was none the worse for wear for her recent adventure, and as she had said to Carla, a girl had to have more than just one fantasy.

Especially when she was facing fifty.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bertrice Small
is a
New York Times
bestselling author and the recipient of numerous awards. In keeping with her profession, she lives in the oldest English-speaking town in the state of New York, founded in 1640. Her light-filled studio includes the paintings of her favorite cover artist, Elaine Duillo, and a large library. Because she believes in happy endings, Bertrice Small has been married to the same man, her hero, George, for forty-eight years. They have a son, Thomas, and four wonderful grandchildren. Longtime readers will want to know that Nicki the cockatiel flew over the rainbow bridge on December 8, 2010. However, they will be happy to know that Finnegan, the long-haired, bad black kitty, and Sylvester, the black-and-white tuxedo cat, still remain her devoted companions.

ALSO BY BERTRICE SMALL

The
Pleasures
Series

Passionate Pleasures

Sudden Pleasures

Dangerous Pleasures

Forbidden Pleasures

Private Pleasures