Amy and Tracy sat whispering on John's couch, while the men worked in the kitchen. "I'm still getting over the shock of this place," Amy whispered to her friend.
"I know," Tracy agreed. "I can fit my apartment in her about five times."
"At least as many for me," Amy laughed. "So it looks like William's super comfortable in the kitchen? And John's being a good sport?"
"He's trying to impress you," Tracy winked.
"Little late for that. I'm officially smitten."
Tracy sipped the wine she held in two hands as if it were actually a warm cup of coffee. "I thought you would if you got the chance to really know him. I'm still getting to know John myself, but William thinks very highly of him."
The women exchanged glances as John entered the room and took a seat next to Amy, "Are you girls talking about me again?" he teased good-naturedly.
"You wish. We're talking about writing, of course." Tracy winked at Amy.
"Ah, when do I get to read something you've written, Amy?"
"Well, anytime. You haven't asked about it before now."
"Really? That's funny, I've thought about it, but I guess I never asked. And of course I've read your blog. Speaking of which, are you ready to look at some photos?"
"Sure, but I don't want to bore William and Tracy."
"We don't bore easily," William said as he entered the room, a dish towel tucked into his waist for an apron. "I'd love to see them, and dinner won't be ready for at least thirty more minutes."
John picked up the iPad from the coffee table and said, "Okay, let's have a look."
"What happened to your hand?" Amy asked, noting a large blister along the web between his thumb and forefinger.
"Batting cages with William," John answered as he started tapping icons on the screen.
"Oh, you play baseball?"
"Not really, William's the ball player. I just felt like batting this past week."
"John is modest," William said, looking at Amy, "He is athletically gifted, but not committed to any one sport like you and I."
"Yeah, I realized that. He can just show up and run eight minute miles like it's no big deal," Amy laughed. "Thanks for reminding me."
"Then you empathize with how I felt when he asks if I'll meet him at the batting cages, and proceeds to hit for two hours straight. I could barely lift my arm the next day and I'm used to batting, but John gets a little obsessive sometimes."
Amy nodded, looking at John.
He felt her starring, but didn't look up. "Hitting baseballs is an effective anger management strategy that can keep a man levelheaded. It's documented."
Amy nodded again, but didn't speak.
"That's true," William said, turning to Amy again, "But I am sure there's a point where it becomes counter-productive, especially when you have torn up your hands, have blood dripping off your elbow, and still won't stop swinging."
"You've got the advantage of having the necessary callouses," John joked with William, as he kept his eyes on the screen.
"Noted. I guess if smacking baseballs for hours on end prevents you from losing your temper with a client, then your bloody hands were well worth it."
"I didn't feel angry at my client," John said, "Okay, here we go. Look at this one."
Photos of Amy running scrolled across the screen as the friends oohed and aahed at the scenery, the photography, and the beauty of Amy running through a forest. "Stunning, beautiful, gorgeous," they repeated over and over.
"Wow, John. These are amazing. You really are talented."
"Thanks Amy. I had fun doing this. Do you see anything you might use for your blog?"
"Are you kidding? I want to use a bunch of them!" Amy beamed, at John who returned her smile.
"Aww, you guys are so cute," Tracy said, "Oh my, look at that one! What a hottie."
John paused the photo of them kissing on the summit and Amy flushed with embarrassment, while John said, "I know, right? Our first kiss. Damn, look how good Amy looks here." Amy swatted his arm, pretending to be shy, but she loved the photo too.
"Wow, not many people have their first kiss documented with a stunning photo on top of a mountain," William pointed out.
"It's just a hill," Amy corrected. "And that's technically our second kiss that you are looking at," Amy said, but still beaming.
"Just a hill," John nodded with a smile, and then tapped the screen to continue the scrolling photos.
* * * * *
A fine meal of roasted chicken, drinks, and after dinner conversation finally led to Tracy yawning and William suggesting they be on their way.
"Do you want to share a cab with us?" Tracy offered.
Amy looked at John to see if she could gauge his expression, but found it unreadable. "I think I'll stay a little longer, if that's okay with you?"
John's smile said more than his words, which came out as, "That's more than okay with me."
And so the two couples said goodbye and Amy nestled up next to John on the couch to have another look at the photos. "I have a few I didn't show them. A few personal favorites."
"Ooooh, you better show me!"
John brought up a photo showing beads of sweat glistening on Amy's chest above her sports bra.
"Wow," Amy blushed. "If I didn't know that was me, I'd say that is a pretty hot picture."
"Knowing it is you makes the photo extra hot to me."
Amy turned her face to him, close enough to kiss, but he spoke instead. "I want to show you a few more. I've narrowed it down, but I want you to help me pick the ten best. Like these two, for example. Which do you prefer?"
"They're almost identical."
"Yes, but look at your foot here, the way you are up on you toe. I think it is a better photo of your leg, plus I like the sun beam in this one."
"Yes, you're right. I wouldn't have noticed that. You have a great eye for detail."
"I do have a great eye for beauty. These photos are absolutely stunning, you know that? I've already looked at you about a hundred times." John's brought his hand to Amy's face, his fingertips traced her jawline, and his lips met hers.
"John," she said, taking his hand in hers and examining the blisters, "What made you so angry this week? Did you get upset because of what happened to me?"
