Inconstant Moon - Default Font Edition by Laurel L. Russwurm Read Free Book Online Page A

Computer Centre. He taps the horn and they wave as he goes past.

chapter 9 . . .
    Maggie is curled up in bed, speaking softly into the cell phone.
    “Oh I'm sorry babe . . . I can imagine . . . it's good you saved the kittens . ..  just a minute, Stu.” Dropping the phone on the bed, Maggie brushes her eyes with a tissue, then blows her nose before picking up the phone again.
    “No, I haven't said anything to Kate or Oz. Krystal asked me not to say anything. And I understand why, really, but that doesn't make it any easier. I mean, Oz was ticked because she never got the release party plugged in the school paper, but since I'm sworn to secrecy I can't even stick up for her without saying anything.”

chapter 10 . . .
    Elsie sits at her computer, organizing her notes. Glancing at her watch, she rolls away from her desk, wondering where Eric is. He gives a mean massage and she could use one, but has to settle for neck stretches and rotations.
    Surprising, really, he hasn't called or anything. Just as well, she has to get this done, and he's been becoming a bit of a pest lately. Pah. Men are supposed to be the ones who want sex without ties.
    Except Eric. He wants commitment.
    But she simply can't afford it. Sex is all she has time for. Some fun to ease the stress. Med school is the only priority. She simply does not have time to spend in relationships and emotional negotiations. Which is not to say she doesn't want a nice uncomplicated roll in the hay every so often. Maybe a little more. Twice daily is good. She smiles at the memory of Chuck this afternoon. Very talented, that one.
    Distracting, even, so she checks email to see if Eric . . . shit. She was supposed to meet him for dinner but, well, Chuck was a temptation she couldn't pass up.
    Dinner date interruptis, so now there's petulant email from Eric. So much for a massage.
    She'd thought a dalliance with Eric would be just the thing, but maybe it's been a mistake.
    He has such wonderful skin though. Smiling she thinks about him, then shakes her head to realign her focus.
    Work. This has to be done for tomorrow. Maybe she should think of cutting him loose. Not yet though. She's not done enjoying him just yet. There's something about the boy, addictive almost. Stop thinking about him. Get the work done. He probably just wants to punish her for standing him up.
    But he won't be able to stay away. Rolling back to the desk she stubs her her toe on something hard and irregular.
    Twisting around and under Elsie sees what it is. Eric's keys.
    Hmmm.

chapter 11 . . .
    Mouse drops anise blocks into two mugs of milk before putting them in the microwave, bopping to music only she hears through her ear buds while it counts down. When it beeps she takes the steaming mugs out and stirs them vigorously, shuddering in happy pleasure as she inhales the rich licorice scent of home. Tucking her well thumbed copy of
Don Quixote
under her arm, she pops the spoon in the sink then carefully picks up the mugs and navigates the stairs to the common room.
    Mouse sets one mug on the table in front of Amelia curled up on the sofa. Looking up from her own
Don Quixote
, Amelia smiles her thanks, not asking whose milk it is. Mouse settles at the other end and begins reading. Producing a pencil from behind her ear she makes margin notes now and again.
    Mouse is just taking her own first sip of anise milk when she hears a thud from the stair door followed by giggling. Amelia and Mouse exchange glances. “I thought everybody was in already.” whispers Amelia.
    “Seems not,” says Mouse, setting her mug back down, she stands and pulls her fuzzy robe tight and starts for the door. Amelia lays her book face down on the sofa to preserve her place and follows, curious.
    The door creeps open as they approach and Amelia gasps— there's a body on the floor. But then more giggling.
    As they arrive at the door the “body” is revealed as an extremely inebriated Eric. The giggling comes in equal parts