Three
Notes – Please see other chapters for disclaimer. Thank you to all my reviewers, you have no idea the size of the smile on my face.
It took a bit of time to clean all the water and all of Maureen's clothes were hanging up in his shower to dry. He was amused to notice there was no underwear in sight.
He cooked the stir fry and some rice and poured some wine. Maureen had changed and dried her hair and waited for him to change before she started eating.
They watched a movie but hardly touched each other the rest of the night, with Maureen curled up on one end of the couch and him with his legs stretched out on the coffee table at the other end.
They drank a lot of wine, laughed a bit at the earlier incident, talked seriously about Roger, Mark told her about Collin's new found friend and Maureen was truly happy for him. 'I never thought he'd find someone again but I'm glad he has, we should set up a dinner night.'
She glanced over at him, he was stretched out comfortably but there had been something about this Mark which was different to the one she remembered with his ugly scarf and ever rolling camera.
He was more confident for sure and he had this new sexy lining to him that she hadn't expected. She hadn't expected to still find him attractive.
Things she had not really liked about him before she found herself loving. She pictured how they would look together again.
A little mismatched but still happy.
Their own place with a good view. And rice cooker and a really good toaster. Fuck the fantastic toast she'd make. A dog with an unoriginal name. Two boys and one little girl.
Oh shit.
She'd definitely been spending too much time with her mother.
Three. Her mother had said. Three was a good number and didn't she feel even a little maternal? Maureen had said no but later she'd wandered past the playground and sat for an hour watching kid's play. She'd done it again today between lunch and her last house.
She decided she really was crazy, Joanne had talked about it and she'd freaked out. She wasn't ready she just wasn't. Still she couldn't help but think maybe Jo hadn't been the right person, maybe at the time but not for life.
A lifetime was a long time.
She couldn't help the feeling that Mark had passed a test; most people did their best to forget about her, cut her out when sex was no longer involved.
But Mark had if nothing else always been her friend. He always respected her even when he was mad at her.
And he was still a great kisser.
Her mind was brought back to the afternoon, those long kisses and her head empty of everything but him on top of her. That was a new thing too, usually she was on top. Her sweet little Marky had gotten dominant. She liked how it felt, he'd pushed her around a bit but he was still Mark. His hands had felt good under her shirt. She hadn't realised she'd missed strong arms on her till she felt them.
The movie finished and Maureen realised she hadn't picked up on any of it.
Mark turned it off and said goodnight. 'Don't I get a kiss?' she asked suddenly.
'Do you think it's a good idea after this afternoon?' He obviously was kicking himself for letting it happen.
'Marky it was no big deal.' She said. 'It's probably good to get it out of our systems a little, you know?'
He had no idea but she reached up and kissed him anyway and gently fondled one butt cheek and gave an inward sigh.
It was still a nice butt.
Together they saw Roger that morning.
He watched them interact closely and seemed happy about them, but Mark noticed he was a little pale.
'Had a rough night.' He admitted. 'Didn't agree with some medication they gave me and had lots of pain nurses said I was lucky to pull through with such a reaction.'
'They shouldn't be testing drugs on you.' Mark said angrily. 'They can't take risks with lives like that.'
Maureen patted his shoulder. 'I'm sure they didn't think it would be so bad.'
Roger shook his head. 'No usually it helps AIDS patients get back on their feet, but for some reason I reacted badly. Anyway I asked my nurse and she said I could go outside for awhile I thought you guys would take me.'
Mark nodded. 'Of course I will.'
They turned to Maureen who shrugged her shoulders. 'I'd love to but I have to look at some places.'
Mark frowned at her. 'I thought you were taking a break from that?'
'Well I already arranged to see these places, they aren't far away and I can meet you and Collins for dinner later.'
Mark nodded. 'Ok well don't feel you have to make any decisions you can stay as long as you need.'
Maureen smiled and kissed his cheek. 'I'm just looking.' She gave Roger a big hug and kiss and left.
'So…' Roger said as Mark wheeled him outside. 'How are things going?'
'Don't be so nosy.'
'Oh come on, I'm cooped up here you can't offer me a little gossip before…' Roger stopped and Mark stopped pushing and sat on a nearby bench. They were quiet for just a moment both trying to decide what to say.
'We haven't had sex, but we dry humped on the bathroom floor.' He regarded his friend who was nodding.
'You are going to make it out Roger.' He said quietly.
'Thanks for saying but I doubt it.' Roger replied. 'I really miss her.' He added quietly, he didn't have to say who he was talking about.
Mark nodded. 'I know you do. I do too.'
'She was something wasn't she?'
Mark laughed. 'She had you beat.' He replied and shook his head. 'But it's not fair.'
Roger reached and squeezed his shoulder. 'No that's why you gotta grab onto whatever you can.'
'I want to, you know I want to. But what if it's the same?'
Roger shrugged. 'Then it's the same but I gotta say she's different somehow. She looks at you like she never did, not even when you were going out. It's like she has this secret.'
Mark rolled his eyes. 'Well I'm not in on it.'
'Not yet.' Roger smiled. 'So you are seeing Collins tonight?'
'Yeah meeting his new squeeze.' Mark laughed. 'We are going to a fancy place because apparently this guy is loaded.'
Roger whistled. 'Nice, bring me back something.'
Mark laughed. 'Will do.'
They sat in silence for a bit longer in silence before Mark had to take off and meet his mother for lunch.
I realise this chapter was a bit uneventful but I wanted to write how Maureen was feeling as we already know about Mark. I think Maureen must have come complex thoughts and not always say what she's feeling, especially if feelings surprise her. Anyway you know what to do! Please review! witchcastle