Menopause to Matrimony (Fortytude Series Book 2) by Shelly Hickman Read Free Book Online Page A

expect. It was more like she was terrified. Like her very lifeline was being yanked away.”
    I stop rubbing his back for a moment and sit up straight. “I know. That’s what I saw, too. Like she had to finish whatever she was doing on that iPad. Do you think she could be OCD or something? Can kids that little have OCD?”
    “Not sure. What does Carly say?”
    “She and Jason think she might be autistic.” I turn myself around and start working on the backs of his thighs.
    “Oh God,” he moans. “You’re killing me.”
    “Is this too much? Am I hurting you?”
    “No. It’s a good kind of hurt.”
    “So do you think it could be autism?” I ask. “Geez, I hope she doesn’t have something serious like that!”
    “We shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”
    “I know. That’s what I told Carly.” I squirt some more lotion into my hands and start massaging his calves. “But God, things will be so difficult for the kids if that’s what it is. I never noticed these things until Carly pointed them out, but if you pay attention, rarely does Claire look you in the eye. And if given a choice, she always goes with doing something by herself rather than interacting with others. Those are both signs.”
    This time Kiran rolls over and sits up.
    “You got up before I finished.”
    “You’re worried,” he says and caresses my leg. “And after tonight, I am, too. But let’s wait until we know there’s something to worry about, okay?”
    Tight-lipped, I smile. “You’re right.”
    “Thanks for the rub down.” He gives me a slow kiss on the lips then takes me by the wrists and pulls me down next to him.
    “I wish I could do something for your pain. That sucks.”
    “My body just needs to adjust,” he says casually, then he rolls onto his side and props himself up on an elbow. “So what do you think of Seth?”
    My eyes grow large. “He’s definitely the life of the party!”
    Kiran laughs and lies flat on his back. “That he is. He wants me and you to go clubbing with him this weekend.”
    “Clubbing? As in, more than one? Aren’t we a little old for that?”
    “That’s what I said, but… I’d like for us to go. It would be fun. We could book a room again since we didn’t get to enjoy ours last time, and we wouldn’t have to drive home.”
    “I’ll go, if that’s what you want,” I say, touching his chest. “But are you sure you’re up for it? You’re still recovering, and I don’t want you to overdo it.”
    He holds my hand to his body. “We need to get out and have some fun. I feel old.”
    I laugh at his statement and kiss his shoulder. “Awww! Okay then. But how about we do one club, I’ll be the designated driver so you and Seth can drink as much as you want, and then I’ll take our butts home. My hormonal self can’t risk the massive headache from overindulging.”

 
    NINE
     
    I don’t know how the hell I made it up late enough for dinner with Seth and his companion.
    It had to be the nap. Would not have made it without it. And I made Kiran take one with me. Is that terrible? Someone should stop me from babying him too much. I’m his girlfriend, not his mother. But since his heart attack, I fear I’m becoming a little too smothering; it’s something I’m going to have to work on.
    We dine at Red Square in the Mandalay Bay which is just across the way from an upscale nightclub on the same property, where Seth has reserved a VIP booth for us later on. My stomach is in knots. I don’t do upscale. My idea of nightlife is taking in a movie at the Santa Fe Station Casino, grabbing a bite in the food court, and hitting the sheets by ten. However, I sip on my Lemon Drop martini and try to relax. Wasn’t I just saying to Kiran a few weeks ago that we should do touristy things more often? I need to enjoy this rare occasion.
    “You know,” Kiran tells Seth. “Right around the corner is where Anna and I had our first date. At the Shark Reef.” He smiles and sips his vodka and