Chapter 15 Surprises around Every Corner

"Did you want to have breakfast at the diner?" Robbie asked Tasha who was still reeling from the news that Irene was engaged to Barry. "Sure," she said dazed.

"Are you going to get dressed?" Robbie prompted her. Irene went upstairs and seeing the box of condoms on Tasha's bureau closed her eyes to the mental image she was forming. She chose not to yell at Tash but closed the door respecting her privacy.

The phone rang. Tasha answered it. "Tash? It's Dani," Dani said.

"Hi, Dani," Tasha replied somewhat shyly. She didn't know Dani that well.

"Did you see Stafford yesterday?" Dani asked.

"Stafford? No…" Tasha said.

"Oh…he was going to get in contact with you," Dani said. "Maybe you weren't home?" she offered. "I was home all day. I actually saw him in the diner, he was with a girl," Dani said not aware that Dani was living with Stafford in the city. Dani didn't care though. "Okay. See you around Tasha," she smiled and hung up.

"What was that about?" Robbie asked spinning her around and kissing her still elated from the night before. "Nothing important," Tasha said. She kissed him back and ran upstairs to change. She hunted through her huge collection of summery clothes and eventually chose a floral-patterned cotton mini-miniskirt and a pale-pink low-cut halter-neck. She slipped white thongs onto her feet and ran a brush through her naturally wavy blonde hair. She scrubbed her teeth and popped a listerine pocket-pack and dashed downstairs to see Robbie.

Robbie was perched awkwardly on the barstool biting his lip. "Let's go…stud," Tasha said not noticing Irene buried in the fridge. When she saw her she gaped in horror.

"Don't worry," Irene said taking in Tasha's sexy outfit. She bit her lip to refrain from commenting. "You wearing a skirt with that top Tash?" Kane asked coming out of his room disapprovingly.

"Wearing one," Tash said confused.

"Don't," Irene warned Kane. "It's not worth it," she said under her breath.

"We're having breakfast at the diner," Tash said. "We'll probably go swimming afterward. So don't expect me for lunch," she trilled.

"Fine," Irene said noticing Tasha's bag which was open which had the open box of condoms inside. She winced. "Goodbye," she said formally.

"Ciao!" Tasha said grabbing Robbie's hand as they ran out the door.

"Did you know what they were up to?" Irene barked to Kane. Hyde was sitting on the couch watching Good Morning Australia. "No. I had no idea," Kane lied.

"Oh…okay. I suppose it didn't exactly last long," Irene said ruefully. Kane refrained from saying anything about how it seemed like it would never end. Tasha and Robbie walked to the beach, Robbie's arms around her waist walking behind her.

They went to the diner and ordered full breakfasts. She curled up next to Robbie content from last night. "They've been up to no good," Colleen remarked.

"Watch it, woman," Alf said grumpily making himself a cup of coffee.

"Leave me alone, Alf Stewart!" Colleen said hotly pushing past with a tray laden for the table next to Tasha and Robbie's. Seeing Colleen approaching Robbie and Tash jumped up to pay. "We're in a rush, keep the change!" Robbie said giving Colleen fifteen dollars and leaving Colleen with exactly five cents change. She pursed her lips.

They headed for the beach and a secluded lagoon. "Are we going skinny-dipping?" Robbie asked hopefully. "Sure!" Tash said flinging off her skirt and top. Robbie gaped at her shining bronzed body and followed her eagerly into the water. Tasha's squeals as Robbie pounced echoing through the bay.