Mary lost all track of time as she worked on Jennifer's portrait. While her artistic mind tried to focus on the memory of Jennifer's nude body, their conversation about how Mary could help with her husband's inexperience with women kept sneaking into her consciousness. It seemed as if Jennifer was suggesting that she should have some kind of physical involvement with Bruce. How that would help Jennifer's marriage was beyond comprehension. Did Jennifer think her vast experience with other lovers and his inexperience would someday become a problem? So then, was Jennifer's plan to get him to have sex with other women just to make him as jaded about love? The whole situation seemed ludicrous. Still, the thoughts of Jennifer and Bruce kept Mary titillated throughout the day.
Finished at three o'clock, she stepped back to admire her work. Success! The Jennifer on paper was just as visually alluring as Jennifer in the flesh. Well... as close as two dimensions could get.
"I love it!" Mary's confidence soared. If she could do justice to Jennifer's portrait in spite of all the distractions, then she could paint anyone. A rumble from her unsatisfied stomach brought her back to earth. Mary carried the finished portrait up to Daniel's apartment.
Disappointed he hadn't returned, she decided it was time to go home and settle in for the night. Normal workdays resumed in the morning. She gathered her belongings and left a note for Daniel with the drawing, "Please let Jennifer know her portrait is done."
A few hours later, sitting at her kitchen table, Mary fretted over a stack of bills. She so wanted to help her son with college expenses. Getting a good start in life was hard enough without the burden of large student loans, but her salary barely paid the mortgage, gas, and electric. The six hundred dollars she made over the weekend was a godsend. If only she could keep it up by selling all of her paintings.
Her cellphone chimed with the ringtone she'd dedicated to Daniel. A pleasant shiver ran down her spine. Grinning, she answered, "Hello, Gary, darling."
After an extended silence, he said, "Hi, Mary. This is Daniel."
She laughed. "I know. I'm just trying to make you jealous. Are you the jealous type?"
"I have to admit, I felt... disappointed." She could hear the smile in his voice. "I'm sorry I missed you."
"I needed to get some things done at home. How was your day?" She began walking from room to room like a nervous school girl.
"Good. I got all my errands run. I stopped by the restaurant, and guess what?"
Mary stopped, suddenly aware of her own heartbeat. "What?"
"You sold another painting."
"Really? That's fantastic." She twirled and fell onto the couch. "Which one?"
"'Autumn Country Road'. The buyer wants to meet you. He wants to meet the incredibly talented and beautiful artist."
"He did not say that."
"Well, I added the beautiful part, but it's still true."
"Aw, thank you. You're not so bad yourself, Danny." Her face burned, flirting was not something that came naturally.
He sighed. "I wish you were here."
She thought, 'So do I.' But said aloud, "I really enjoyed our time together. Thank you for everything."
"It was my pleasure. I didn't do anything, except give you an opportunity to shine. By the way, I love Jennifer's portrait. Bruce will be very pleased."
"Thank you. I'm happy with it. She didn't make it easy, though. If her sex drive could be turned into electricity it would power Manhattan."
Daniel laughed. "No doubt. Did she succeed in seducing you?"
Taken aback, Mary snapped, "No, of course not. Why would you even ask?"
"Weren't you tempted?"
"I'd rather not talk about it."
Mary's doorbell rang, startling her. Sitting up straight, she whispered, "Someone's at my door."
"Were you expecting anyone?"
"No."
"Find out who it is. Keep me on the line so I know you're safe."
"Okay."
Quietly, Mary eased to the front door and turned on the porch light. Then she stealthily moved to the window and pushed aside the drape to scrutinize the visitor. She smiled. "It's some weird guy, holding a bottle of what looks like champagne. I think he wants to party. I'm going to hang up now and have some fun. Bye, Danny."
She hurried to the front door and threw it open. "Hi, Mister, come in. Let's celebrate."
"Weird guy?" Daniel frowned, and then smiled. "I wanted to stop by and give you the check."
Grinning brightly, her eyes traveled from his face to the bottle in his hand and then back. "Really? Just to drop off the check?"
Acting uncharacteristically unsure of himself, he stepped inside, and said, "Well, a man can hope, can't he?"
Happiness at new heights, Mary threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Breaking the embrace a little breathless, she said, "You can do more than hope, Weird Guy."
"I'm beginning to like my new nickname," he said, closing the front door with his foot. "I resemble that remark."
Mary led him by the hand into the kitchen. "I have champagne flutes somewhere. I'll find them. You find the cork screw. It's in the drawer, left of the sink."
The cork pop, as Mary washed dusty glasses. "Have you eaten, Dan?"
"I did. I grabbed a quick meal at the restaurant. Martin is back from his business trip. He doesn't have a clue about Crystal and Sally's portrait. But he was impressed with your work hanging at the restaurant." Daniel poured two glasses of bubbly. "A toast to the hot artist." He winked.
Mary blushed at the double entendre. They clinked glasses, as she replied, "And to the man behind the artist. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all you've done for me. This has been a weekend for the ages."
Daniel gave her a crooked grin. "It's been my pleasure, in oh so many ways."
Mary took a large swallow, and held out her glass for a refill. Softly, she said, "Mine too."
"Let's go sit on the couch. We'll be more comfortable." Daniel carried the bottle out of the room before Mary had a chance to offer any alternative. Not that she had one. She followed.
Sitting in the middle, he patted the cushion to his right.
Beginning to feel the rush of alcohol, Mary plopped down rather awkwardly, leaned her head on his shoulder, and sighed.
"This is nice," said Daniel, placing his arm around her and kissing the top of her head.
They sat quietly cuddled together for a few minutes, as Mary drifted on a pleasant cloud of champagne fuzziness.
Daniel leaned forward and placed his glass on the coffee table, then took Mary's empty glass and placed it next to his. Taking her by the shoulders, he pulled Mary face down across his lap and began massaging her shoulders and back.
"Oh, that's so nice," she mumbled into his thigh. There was a tug on her shirt, and then his hand was underneath, working north along her spine.
