Author's note: This story is a rewrite of my first submittal done years ago. I recently pulled it up and improved it. Hope you enjoy. I will soon be submitting several others.
*
Thomas stared briefly into the bathroom mirror appraising his freshly shaved face. Not the smooth, handsome face of a young man, but not bad for a fifty-two year old who had spent years outdoors supervising innumerable engineering projects. He was still in decent shape for his age - firm and fairly lean with a full head of salt-and-pepper hair. All in all still a pretty looking guy he thought, giving himself a quick self-assured nod of the head.
"Hey, handsome," came the lilting voice of his wife Beth, as she stepped out of the shower just beginning to towel off. She hesitated for a moment and held the towel at arms-length, giving him a view of her magnificent forty-nine year old body, purring sensuously as she did so. "You like what you see, big boy?"
Thomas turned and smiled broadly. Beth was hot by anyone's standards. After two children she was no more than ten or twelve pounds heavier than when they had married twenty-seven years previously. Her blond hair had begun to gray a bit, but her face was still striking, and Thomas considered her the sexiest woman he knew. "You still do it for me, baby."
"Well I'm so glad. I don't want anyone else doing it for you," Beth said with a seductive smile. "So what time is Bob supposed to be here this evening?"
"We agreed on seven or so. No dinner. Just drinks. He had to put in a full day today even though it's Saturday."
"I didn't realize that being a CPA was a six day a week job."
"Not so sure that Bob hasn't made it a seven day per week job. He does have a very successful business," Thomas replied, facing the mirror as he combed his hair. "Although, I think he spends a lot more time at the office since Gloria passed away last summer."
Bob and Gloria had been the couple's friends for over ten years, having met at a not-for-profit fundraiser. While slightly older than Beth and Thomas, the two couples had hit it off nearly immediately and had enjoyed one another's company tremendously through the years.
"I still miss Gloria," Beth said wistfully, as she struggled to fasten her bra. Thomas caught her reflection in the mirror and found himself admiring her 36 DD breasts.
"You two had gotten pretty close through the years."
"I know. She was one of my best friends." Beth grew contemplative for a moment as she walked into the huge closet that contained her clothes. Thomas was relegated to a smaller closet on the other side of the bathroom. "You know...I'm a little worried about Bob," she said, raising her voice slightly to be heard from inside the closet. "We haven't seen much of him in the past few months. Is he okay? Do you think he's seeing someone?"
"I'm pretty sure he's not seeing anyone. I think he's just lost without Gloria. They were married for thirty five years, and their daughter, Kari, lives nearly four hours away and rarely makes it back home to see her dad. I think Bob's lonely and is coping the only way he knows how...by burying himself in his work."
"Well...I'm concerned about him. I just want him to know that we're here for him."
Thomas was silent for a moment before replying, "I think the truth is that you've always had the hots for him, sweetie."
"Oh come on. That's...that's..." Beth peered out of the closet and with a coy smile said, "Okay. Maybe just a little. He is a very handsome man even though he's on a downhill slide to sixty."
"Glad you finally admitted you like him."
"What's there not to like. He's good looking, intelligent, fit, and has a great sense of humor."
"So...do you fantasize about Bob when we're making love," Thomas asked with a smirk.
"Of course not," Beth responded in a mock huff. "Alright...maybe once or twice." Thomas laughed boisterously. Beth continued, "I just feel sorry for him, that's all. He doesn't have any woman to show him any attention and just...enjoy life with."
Thomas shook his head in understanding and replied, "Well then, I give you my permission to flirt with him as much as you want this evening."
Beth grinned widely and with a sparkle in her eyes said, "You may regret you made that offer."
The doorbell rang a few minutes before seven. Beth opened the door and welcomed Bob with a fierce hug. "It's so good to see you, Bob," she said, holding onto his arm tightly as they walked together into the family room. "We haven't seen you in so long. We've missed you."
"I've missed you guys, too," Bob replied, obviously delighted by Beth's attention. "By the way let me say that you look exceptionally lovely this evening."
Beth did indeed look lovely. She was wearing a tight fitting red sweater and cream colored skirt that perfectly displayed her figure. "Well thank you, kind sir," she replied with a smile.
"What'll you have, my friend," Thomas asked as Bob and Beth entered the family room.
"How about a gin and tonic." Bob answered.
"I'll have a glass of that cabernet we opened last night," Beth said.
"Got it. Be right back."
A few minutes later Thomas returned with the drinks and the three took seats around a large coffee table in the spacious room. Bob and Thomas took seats in chairs on one side of the coffee table while Beth sat on the sumptuous leather sofa on the opposite side. An hour passed with lively conversation about business, children and current events. Emboldened by the two large glasses of wine she had consumed, Beth finally asked, "So are you seeing anyone, Bob?"