Girl Talk

Growing up, I've always benefitted from close girl friends in who I can confide, be it about boys or school, or hopes and dreams. Even now, I still have girls night out, though the pool of single friends is growing smaller year by year, and when we do get together, there's more talk about kids and nappy changes LOL!

I couldn't help but blend in this wonderful gift into my story, Can You Keep A Secret? Margie, best friend to our heroine, Penny, is a riot, and I've so far been asked whether she'll get her own story. Time will tell (*she laughs wickedly*) but for now, I want to celebrate the joys of best gal pals with an excerpt.

~*~

"So, what’s new, baby?" Margie asked, patting Penny’s knee. "Tell me all about it."

"Governor’s Ball with Dad."

Margie groaned. "Yes, I saw you in the Who’s Who column again."

The drawling tone of Margie’s voice made Penny cackle with laughter. Ben’s career was one of Margie’s pet hates, and she insisted he stop using Penny as arm candy every time they talked. But she understood Penny’s position, too, with her own family thrust so pointedly in the spotlight. Being the daughter of two highly renowned actors, Margie knew the pressure of responsibility.

"And work?"

Penny’s cheeks heated. "Work’s fine."

"Fine? Are you trying to con me?"

Penny smiled. "Me? Never. Work is A-ok."

"So why have your cheeks turned beetroot red, and why is there sweat on your upper lip? You’re not telling me everything."

Ain’t that the truth, Penny thought wearily. Weakened by the emergence of her inner vixen, Penny wasn’t sure she possessed the strength to resist Margie’s probing. When those words appeared on the little red card at lunchtime, enticing Jesse with absolute confidence, she’d almost thrown the gift away.

She had no idea where such a naughty little poem came from, and even less of an idea how she managed to sneak into his cubicle and actually leave the present for him to find. It wasn’t like her meek and mild self at all.

Feeling Margie try to break down her defences, Penny resigned to the inevitable and gave in. "We’re having Christmas in July. A Secret Santa present exchange and a trip to the ski fields."

Margie’s eyes grew wide and hungry for details. "And who are you playing Santa for?"

Margie really had a way with words, Penny thought, as more visions of her playing Santa for Jesse bombarded her. Sheesh, the night wasn’t even over yet. "Just one of the reporters," she said with an air of carelessness that didn’t convince Margie one iota.

"And what are you planning to buy for this mystery reporter?"

Penny shrugged, but she could see Margie wasn’t buying the act. After all, of the two of them in the room, Penny wasn’t a professionally paid actor. "Just a few little things, nothing expensive."

"Just a few little things that, what? Make him think you’re interested?"

"Margaret!" Penny sat up. "I would never."

Oh, but she did, and the wicked pleasure it gave her bloomed in her chest again.

"If you want my advice," Margie winked. "Be bad. Be very, very bad."

Reaching out, Penny playfully punched Margie’s arm. The woman was such a rebel.

"You know I couldn’t."

"Why?"

Million-dollar question, that. Why? Why, indeed. "Because."

Penny pushed up to her feet, knowing that if she didn’t try for the door now, she’d be here all night pouring out her plan to Margie. Their friendship had never been about boy talk. Sure Margie was there when Caldwell said it wasn’t working and when Thomas walked out. Just like she’d been there for Margie through two divorces. But that was it. No sex advice, no girl talk, no boy talk.

"And just where do you think you’re going, little lady?" Margie laughed. "I want details."

"Honey, I’m tired." Penny slipped her trouser button back into its loop. "Dinner was exquisite, as always. And the company," she leant down and kissed Margie’s cheek. "Divine. I gotta run."

At the front door, Margie stopped her one last time. "Promise me one thing."

"What’s that?"

"That you take a chance, do what your heart desires. Forget all the stuffiness you grew up with, forget deportment and what’s expected of a woman. Screw it all to hell. You deserve lust, love and some damn good sex. Go get it."

~*~

And in celebration of my boss putting on another Christmas in July this year (*here we go again!*) I'm giving away a free download of Can You Keep A Secret? All you need to do is reply to this post and tell me the best Christmas present you've ever received. I'll draw a name out of a hat and pop back in later today with the winner!

Cheers,

Laura Rose Middleton
www.lrmiddleton.com