Single Wide Female: The Bucket List Mega Bundle - 24 Books (Books #1-24) (21 page)

I sat down on one of the wooden benches that lined the wall and ran my hands slowly across my cheeks. I tried to focus my mind on anything except Max.

It wasn’t long before I was thinking of Blue. Blue, who I’d never met, but had so much influence on my life. I had a feeling from the posts that he was a male, but I still wasn’t one hundred percent sure; and even that didn’t mean much. He could have been sixteen or sixty-three
—
I wouldn’t know. All I had seen was a photograph of what he claimed to be his deep blue eye
—
yes, only one of them.

“What is so interesting about that washing machine?” Max asked as he walked up to me. I had been so engrossed in my thoughts that I hadn’t even heard him walk in.

“Nothing,” I muttered in return with a small laugh. “Just thinking about some things.”

“Oh?” he asked and sidled up close to me. “What kind of things?”

“Life.” I shrugged. I wasn’t about to confess that I was thinking of him, or skinny-dipping, or Blue. If he found out what I was up to, two things would happen. He would laugh at me and he would insist on joining me.

“How’s Stephanie?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.

“She’s good,” he said. He was still watching me, as if he knew that I was not telling the whole truth. “She said she wants us all to go out some time, so let me know when you’re free.”

“Oh, sure, of course.” I nodded.

I didn’t think the idea of sharing dinner with the two would be such a great idea, considering that I might vomit if he tried to kiss her. Okay, so I liked Stephanie, I adored Max, and they were a cute couple. That didn’t mean that I had to eat while watching them make lovey-dovey faces across the table at each other.

“I saw you walk past the cafe,” he finally said as he sat down beside me.

Chapter 3

I felt the heat of a blush rising in my cheeks as Max waited for me to answer.

“Oh yes, I was running late.” I shrugged.

“Right.” He kicked his legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles. “As if the Fluff and Stuff can’t spin without you.”

I shot him a look. “You’re always making fun of my job,” I said, already starting to feel annoyed with him. “It’s just as important as yours.”

“I know it is,” he said. “But I also know that’s not why you didn’t stop and say hello. Are you really okay with Stephanie and me dating, Sammy?” he asked.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, she is your friend and I’m your
—
well, everything.” He winked playfully at me.

“Arrogant, that’s for sure.” I shook my head. “I’m fine with it. I like Stephanie and she seems like she can handle you.”

“I caught that.” He shot a light-hearted glare in my direction. “Well, she is nice
—
but I don’t know.”

“Don’t even start,” I warned him. “She’s perfect.”

“Maybe.” He sighed and stared at the same dryer I had been staring at. “Isn’t it funny how life just gets ahead of you sometimes?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” I stood up and walked over to a dryer to pull the laundry out that was ready to be folded.

“I mean
—
” He stood up and followed me. “
—
I had settled into the idea of not really finding anyone I could settle down with, and then all of a sudden Stephanie showed up in my life.”

“Ah, yes.” I nodded. “She surprised you.”

“She did.” He nodded.

“At least it’s a good surprise,” I muttered. “You could wake up and realize that you’re thirty-two with no potential mate in sight and a best friend who makes fun of your job!”

“I’m not making fun of it,” he said. “Besides, you make fun of mine all the time.”

“There’s a difference between not understanding your techno job and teasing.” I said. I began folding the clothes from the load.

“Alright.” He sighed as if he surrendered. “But that’s not the point. The point is that you’re selling yourself short. You have so much to offer, Sammy, but you hide yourself away.”

“I do not,” I shot back.

“You certainly hid when you saw Stephanie and me.”

“Oh, Max, you’re being silly.” I shook my head. “In fact, I am going to a meeting tonight with a new and very adventurous group of people. I’m looking forward to it. So how is that hiding myself away?”

“I guess it isn’t,” he said, sounding a bit shocked. “I think it’s great, Sam.”

“Glad you do,” I said, my tone still short. “Contrary to what you may believe, Max, I do have a life beyond you.”

“I know you do,” he said with a slight pout. “Just don’t forget who held your hair back after that night on the island
—
”

“We agreed not to mention that.” I glared at him.

“Okay.” He smiled innocently. “I’m on my way out of your way,” he said. “But call me if you get bored with your new friends and need some Max in your life.”

“I’ll be sure to do just that,” I said with a slight laugh.

As Max left the laundromat I felt a little more secure. I’d been so wrapped up in him, for so many years, that it was actually nice to feel that unraveling. Of course now I had to go to the meet-up group. Somehow I didn’t think that I would mind it.

When I walked into the recreation center I immediately thought about turning around and walking out. I had gotten a little worried when I’d realized the location was the basement of an old church, but I was determined to still give it a shot. I hadn’t expected old folding chairs and stale coffee, but that was exactly what I walked into.

There was a small group of people gathered around a card table littered with abandoned tiny paper cups. I personally found tiny paper cups annoying. They weren’t big enough to have a real drink in, which meant you had to keep going back for more. Then they would start to get weaker from the liquid seeping into the paper; soon the cup was on the verge of collapsing, usually before I even had the chance to quench my thirst. It irritated me whenever I saw them. I had to imagine that whoever was in a factory right that minute making tiny paper cups had to share my same feelings.

“Hello, welcome,” a man said eagerly as he walked up to me.

He looked a few years older than me, but his clothing appeared about forty years younger. He wore corduroys and a button-down checkered dress shirt. The combination made me want to take him shopping right that instant.

“Hello,” I said with a small smile.

Now that I had been welcomed, it wasn’t as if I could easily escape.

“We’re so glad you’re here.” A woman with long brown hair smiled dreamily as she came over to stand next to me. Her voice was so calm and soothing that it verged on eerie.

“Okay,” I replied nervously and adjusted the strap of my purse. “I think maybe I have the wrong place
—
” I began to say. I was forming an excuse in my mind to retreat.

“You’re exactly where you’re meant to be. I’m Lea,” the woman said, extending her hand.

Her voice drifted over my senses like a cloud of cotton candy. I couldn’t explain why, but I smiled at her.

“Thank you,” I said. “I’m Samantha.”

I could have clobbered myself for using my real name. I was still trying to think of a way to get back out the door.

“She looks terrified,” a sharp voice said from beyond the card table.

Chapter 4

I looked up to see a man who might have been in his sixties. His dark hair was slicked back, further accentuating his receding hairline. A bushy mustache covered most of his upper lip. It twitched when he looked at me.

“I’m Pedro.”

“Pedro,” I said with a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m not terrified
—
this just wasn’t what I was expecting.”

“That’s what everyone says when they come here,” the first man I’d met muttered. “Why does everyone say that?”

“Maybe because the flier doesn’t say a group of misfits with nothing better to do than drink stale coffee?” Pedro suggested. “Really, Miles, you need to be a little more honest on the flier.”

“I am honest,” Miles insisted. “It says refreshments provided.”

“I think he means more about the activities,” I said. “Forgive me, but this doesn’t seem like a very adventurous group,” I said as gently as I could. “I’m really looking to liven things up in my life. I just don’t think this basement is where that’s going to happen,” I added, hoping not to sound too harsh.

“Oh, you think you know us already?” Miles said defensively. Although he seemed to be puffing out his chest I could tell that his heart wasn’t in it.

“I didn’t mean it that way,” I said calmly. “I just meant
—
I need action in my life, something to shake things up. I have no interest in slowing down.”

“She’s right,” the soft-voiced woman said. “We want to do so much, but we usually just end up drinking old coffee and talking about what we should do.”

“Well, you seem to have it all figured out,” Miles pointed out. “What kinds of things are you looking to do?”

“I wrote a list,” I explained. “Some fun things, some challenging things
—
all things I thought I would never do.”

“Like what?” Pedro pressed with interest.

I hesitated. I didn’t think I wanted to tell them about pole dancing, running a marathon, or posing nude.

“I don’t know
—
just things,” I said quietly.

“Oh yes, that sounds
very
lively,” Pedro said with a snort. “I think you’re in the same boat with us
—
no offense. None of us are here to be bored, but it’s not so easy to suddenly become interesting, is it?”

“No, it’s not,” I agreed with a laugh. “I think the more I try, the more I lose sight of what I actually want to do.”

“See, you fit in just fine,” Lea said with a clap of her hands. “Okay, brainstorm! Idea!” she announced as if she was an alarm going off.

“Lea, please.” Pedro shook his head.

“There’s nothing wrong with being excited about a great idea,” Lea shot back with a frown. “Listen, why don’t we all follow her lead and write our own lists. We can all go home tonight, write them up, and we’ll meet back here tomorrow. What do you think, Samantha?” she asked with a warm smile. “You can be our adventure guru.”

I stared at her with disbelief. I’d never been made someone’s guru before. I wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or not, to be honest.

“Okay,” I said slowly. I knew that Max was going to ask about my evening. I didn’t want it to be a total bust. “Let’s try that,” I agreed.

That night I sat at my computer and tapped out a light-hearted blog about the group I had met with and the ideas we were trying to generate for our next adventure. I indicated we might just have our first adventure the next night. I waited a few minutes to see if Blue would post. When he didn’t I sighed and closed the computer.

With its glow gone, I was alone in my apartment again, surrounded by shadows. I started to feel sorry for myself, but I knew what road that would lead me down. I didn’t want my life becoming a series of lonely nights. So I sprawled out on my bed, closed my eyes, and imagined what it would be like to have someone to share my adventures with.

The next morning I awoke and checked my blog. I was pleased to find a comment from Blue.

I’m sure it will be fun if you are there. I hope you have a blast. Think of this poor guy missing out on your adventure.

I took a sharp breath as I realized what he had revealed. Now I knew for certain that Blue was male. How interesting, I thought to myself, but I didn’t have much time to think about it. My doorbell was ringing and I was still in my pajamas as I trudged to the door.

“Breakfast,” Max said in a demanding voice when I opened the door.

“Uh?” I asked sleepily.

“Nope, none of that,” he said firmly. “You are not getting out of it this time. Stephanie has a table waiting for us at the cafe, and I will wait for you while you get dressed. I know you’re off today.”

“Then you probably know I wanted to crawl back into bed for a few more hours.” I sighed.

“Oh?” he said in a smug voice. “Here I thought you were all about adventure.”

I stared at him for a moment, then slouched my shoulders. “Alright, fine,” I said and trudged off to the bedroom.

Once I was dressed I returned to Max, who was still waiting by the door.

Chapter 5

As Max and I began walking toward the cafe, he glanced over at me.

“How did your meet-up group go?” he asked.

“It was great,” I said with great enthusiasm. “In fact I’m getting together with them again tonight.”

“Oh really?” He nodded. “Sounds like you must have had a good time.”

“I did,” I said with a smile. “I think that we’re going to share a lot of adventures.”

“Good.” He held open the door to the cafe for me. “Just remember that being adventurous doesn’t mean being dangerous.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I muttered. He shot me a look, but was distracted by Stephanie waving us over to the table.

“Samantha! It’s so good to see you,” she said as she gave me a quick hug.

“You too,” I said, managing an awkward hug.

I sat down at the table. Stephanie and Max leaned toward each other. Stephanie went in for a kiss on the lips, Max left a peck on her cheek. I had to look away to keep from grinning. The two were obviously as uncomfortable as I was.

“Did you order yet?” Max asked.

“No, I figured we’d wait and see what Sammy wanted,” Stephanie said.

Max and I both stared at her.

“What?” she asked nervously.

“You called her Sammy,” Max said. “Only
I
call her Sammy.”

“Oh,” Stephanie said as she looked between us. “Sorry…” She frowned.

“You can call me Sammy if you want,” I said laughing.

“Is that okay with you, Max?” Stephanie asked with a hint of suspicion in her voice.

Max grimaced, but nodded. “Sure, you know
—
it’s just an old habit.”

“What can I get for you?” the waitress asked when she walked over.

“I’ll have a coffee black with a bagel
—
toasted, with cream cheese. She’ll have a coffee
—
two creams, one sugar—and an apple fritter.” He paused a moment and looked over at Stephanie. “What would you like, hon?”