He stepped back into his room carrying a glass of lemonade and smiled at her when his eyes met hers. He handed it to her as she zipped up the side zipper on her skirt, "Here you go."

"Thank you," she said quietly, taking the drink and stepping away from him toward the dresser. "I appreciate it."

"Sure," Andy said with a nod as he walked over and sat down in the wooden chair he had in the corner. It was the perfect place to sit and put on his shoes each morning. He'd found it at that consignment store, something discounted so heavily he was almost being paid to take it. The chair had needed some work-sanding and a new stain to it, but he'd easily done that. Honestly, it had probably cost him more to do that compared to what he'd paid for the chair. He'd been telling himself what a good purchase it had been to get ready for work, but now, he was seeing it was a perfect purchase to sit and watch Sharon put herself back together here in his bedroom.

It was now early August. The summer was flying by, work, work, and more work mostly. What little time he had he'd been spending with his kids. The same was true for Sharon-work and kids. The two had talked a few times, not all the time or on any schedule, but they had talked as friends do. He, at least, was glad their new arrangement wasn't getting in the way of their friendship. Today was only the third time he and Sharon had slept together since they'd had that talk at her house putting any sort of label on anything, and most of the awkwardness was wearing off, at least as far as he was concerned. It seemed to be going well, this arrangement between the two of them.

He shook his head when he realized he was staring. At the same moment, Sharon turned around, sipping her lemonade.

"I've been so parched the last couple of days. Must be the abnormally hot weather," she said with a slight shrug. "No amount of water seems to be quenching my thirst." She turned and put the glass down as she finished collecting her things. She looked in the mirror and reached for her hairbrush. Andy stood and took the quick steps to reach the other side of his small bedroom. His eyes met Sharon's in the mirror. He stood behind her and put his hands on her hips as he leaned in to her shoulder where he nudged her hair aside and whispered in her ear.

"You sure you have to leave right now? Can't your groceries wait?" Andy asked as his hands slid up under her sleeveless camisole. She smiled but didn't say anything as his hands splayed across her stomach. He kissed her neck, and she moved her hands over his.

"I have to get groceries before I get the kids. The fact I didn't have to stay at church to help is a miracle itself," she said quietly, his assault on her neck continuing. She tilted her head further, allowing him better access and let out a small sigh.

"See," he said between kissing her neck, "you weren't even planning to go to the store alone today. You thought you would have to help with Vacation Bible School or whatever it is, and they were kind enough to give the single mom a break. The kids are safe and fed, having a good time. Mom deserves a good time too. Don't you see the logic there?"

"I did have a good time," she said quietly. Andy moved his hand quickly to her side zipper and started to unzip it again. It was Sunday afternoon. She'd spent the morning at church. It wasn't Vacation Bible School, but it was a summer Sunday afternoon program the church was running. Sharon had assumed she'd need to stay and help, her kids part of the program, but the sweet ladies had sent her on her way for a few hours to give her a break. The kids were at church, and here she was doing something that definitely wouldn't meet approval of the sweet old ladies at her church if they knew. She reached her hand over to his, where it still was working on the zipper. He paused.

"Last chance," he said. "I'll let you go. You can go and grocery shop, or you can stay here with me."

"It wasn't just groceries," she said quietly again, her lips almost in a mumble. "I skipped lunch to come over here. I need to eat."

"I can take care of that," he said, pulling the zipper down. Sharon let out a sigh, one that made him chuckle. She turned toward him, her skirt falling to the floor, and she gave him a small shrug.

"I am hungry," she told him. "I didn't eat breakfast before church, and then, I came here after. It's now almost 2:00, and I'm starving."

Andy flashed a grin, and he reached to the side of his dresser, his eyes still locked on hers. He winked.

"I knew this was the best spot for the phone. I'll be right back; I've got a menu in the kitchen. Make yourself comfortable," he said with a slight nod toward the disheveled bed.

"You realize I'm sacrificing a quiet grocery experience," she called to him as he stepped to his door. He turned back to her, smirking as she was moving back to the bed.

Andy rested his hand on the door as he flashed a grin at her, "I promise to make it worth your while. You'll be in such a good mood, you won't mind grocery shopping with the kids."

It was an hour later, and Sharon threw a piece of crust into the almost empty pizza box. She hummed as she brushed the crumbs off her fingers, "Thank you. That was fantastic; however, if this was my bed, there would be no eating in it."

"Which part?" Andy said, flashing a grin at her as he reached for another slice of pizza. "I'll feed you anywhere after this afternoon," he winked when her eyes met his. She rolled them. She looked away and then turned back to him.

"All of it," she flashed a flirty smile at him. "However, all good things must end. I have to go. The kids have to be picked up by 3:30."

"So, we're out of time?" Andy asked, sitting back against his pillow with his slice of pizza. "I was thinking food might give us some energy." He looked to her. She shook her head, and then Sharon grabbed for her clothing and sat forward, holding them to her.

"I could use a quick shower. I smell like your cologne," she said frowning slightly at him.

"I'm offended you don't want that," Andy pretended to be upset.

"No," she pursed her lips. "I can't go back to church like that, and my hair needs some work."

"I can help," he nodded, "with all of it, the shower-" Andy joked.

"Alone," she shook her head. "I do have to go. No time for anything else."

"Just glad we had this time, Sharon," he smiled. "This really was perfect for me."

Sharon sighed and nodded, "It is working for me too. I didn't realize just how much I needed this right now. Even with work and all, I was feeling very, very," she gestured with her hand not holding her clothing. She frowned, "I'm not sure, but thanks for all of this. It's just what I've needed. I don't have time for anything else."

"Me either," he admitted. "Truthfully, Sundays are usually bad. I usually have the kids, but as you know, they are on vacation with their mom. Good timing."

She shrugged, "I remember you saying that. Your place has worked well for this."

"Always open to a change of scenery," he winked and grinned.

"I've told you, my place with the kids home-" she shook her head.

"I get it," he nodded. "I'm off Thursday this week, randomly."

She looked surprised and turned to him, "You are? I'm off Thursday. How did that happen? I have to work the weekend."

"Same," he nodded. "I mean, it's my other job, but we had so much overtime from last month, boss is trying to get us out of there different days. My day is Thursday. So," he said, leaning toward her, nodding with a smile.

"So?" Sharon said.

"Kids going to daycare?" Andy asked.

"Yes," she frowned. "I mean, I was planning to send them for the morning at least. I need to clean the house and run some other errands."

"You know," he said, his hand running up leg as she sat there, "I can help clean. I've cleaned at your house before when I lived there. I'm especially good at cleaning master bedrooms."

Sharon bit her lip and was quiet. She moved to slip out of bed with her things, but before she did, she turned back to him, "9:00? It will give me time to get the kids to daycare. I'm going to shuffle things around to fit this," she gestured around the room, "in for Thursday. After that, I'm not sure when it will be next. I know we have not had any regular schedule."

Andy shrugged, "It's been a good summer. A few times here or there," he shrugged again. "I'm good with it. Twice this week," he winked, "sounds great."

She shook her head again, "Enjoy this week," she frowned. "With my schedule the next few weeks, it might be September before this can happen again. Emily is starting kindergarten, and I have things to do with that, along with all of the regular chaos."

"No complaints," Andy said, leaning back with his hands behind his head as he sat back against the pillow. "I guess my only complaint is that I'm exhausted and need a nap."

"You and me both," Sharon said as she moved quickly to the bathroom. "I really have to get ready to go."

After she'd closed the door, he called out to her, "We'd still have another 10 minutes if you weren't worried about shocking the old ladies at your church!"

Thursday finally arrived and had Andy standing at Sharon's door. He'd knocked and was looking around at the yard. It was doing pretty well. She'd found some kid down the street who could cut the grass because she didn't have the time. A few things needed to be trimmed, and he made a mental note to offer to help.

"Hi," he heard as the door swung open. He looked at her, and she started to laugh.

"What?" Andy gestured. "Something funny? Is that how you drop off your kids?"

"What?" Sharon gestured to her simple t-shirt style cotton dress. She had on that and flat sandal slides. She frowned at Andy, "What's wrong with my outfit? Yours is the comical one."

He gestured at her, "Nothing, I mean, nothing is wrong if you aren't planning to take you to bed. It's kinda hot though, and I just see legs for miles," he nodded toward her legs.

She shook her head, "It's just a simple cotton t-shirt dress. I can't help it if it looks shorter because I have long legs. Come in," she gestured and giggled. "You can leave your flip flops at the door."

"Yeah, so what's funny about my outfit?" Andy gestured again.

Sharon shrugged, her eyes sparkling, "You look like you rolled out of bed-gym shorts, rumpled t-shirt, flip flops."

"I did," Andy winked. "I mean, why get all dressed when the clothes are coming back off, and I'm planning to roll around IN bed," he winked as he stepped by her. "Should I be offended you had me come in the back door?"

Sharon's eyes met his, "I just have some neighbors who sit on their porch all morning, an older couple. Plus," she said, as she stepped by him, her hand running over his stomach, "coming in this door, puts us closer to the master bedroom." She reached the doorway of it, "Care to join me?"

Andy started to follow, kicking off the shoes and pulling off the rumpled t-shirt, "Only if I can get my hands on those legs."

Not much later, Sharon's phone rang. She looked at Andy, and he waved at her, "Forget the phone," he said in an almost breathless state.

"I can't," she said with the same air of breathlessness. "Hold on," she said and moved to her bedside table to answer. "Hello."

Andy sighed and rolled to his back, looking up at the ceiling. He glanced around the room, a room that had once been his. He smiled, thinking back over his time here, remembering that first night when he barely had a bed. The room looked good. It was hard to believe he'd stayed here for almost a year. Never in that time had he imagined he'd have Sharon in bed.

"Thank you," he heard Sharon say. She hung up and rolled toward him, pulling the sheets with her.

"That was the daycare. Ricky has had some diaper issues today. I'll spare you. He's just two, as you know, so he's not potty trained yet. He's blown through his backup outfit. I have to go. I'm just going to pick up the kids. No sense in taking clothing to him for me to only pick them up in a couple hours."

"Oh, sorry to hear that," Andy frowned. "I'm glad we were able to spend some time together this morning, though. If I could thank the school for not calling any sooner-"

Sharon swatted his chest and chuckled. She sighed, and Andy leaned over to kiss her.

"Thanks for another good time. I'll get out of your hair," he told her as he sat up. "I have to say your room looks great. Never thought I'd be in this room, in bed with you."

Sharon hummed and nodded, "I must confess I was attracted to you even when you stayed here, and I suppose, looking back on it, it was a bit of a struggle to not act on that. I'm glad we are doing this now, though."

Andy smiled, "Thanks, and me too," he winked. "I knew it was time to move when I started seeing you in a different light. Let me get dressed so you can get your kids. Kids first, right? Sorry we didn't have more time."

"Me too," Sharon nodded as she started to smooth down her hair. "We can look at schedules for later."

"Oh," Andy said before he stood. He gave her a nod, "Brought you some groceries-just a few basics. They are in the car. Bread, a few other things, cookies for the kids. I knew that I was the reason you have to keep changing your plans, so thanks."

Sharon smiled and then laughed, "Groceries? You brought me groceries? You didn't need to do that."

Andy nodded, "I felt badly about keeping you from your grocery run the other day. It's just a few things, Sharon, no big deal. I wanted to let you know I appreciate your time."

Sharon bit her lip and nodded, "Thank you for that, the groceries. I have been asking myself if this is a good idea, and I then remind myself it's just something we can both enjoy. It works for now."

Andy shrugged, "We've been saying this is an arrangement most wouldn't understand. It works for now, and 'now' as far as time is undetermined."

"Agree," Sharon said with a single nod and small smile.