“It must be infuriating to have people assume that everything was handed to you?”

“Sometimes. I’m sure people would be shocked to know that I had a paper route when I was a kid. Being a Kendell made it difficult to find a summer job. I had to use the family connections but I was turned away a great deal of the time because people assumed I was rich and didn’t need the money. I give Dad a lot of credit unlike the way he was raised we were never led to believe that we were rich. Of course I am not entirely certain that Grandma knows that the money is long gone. She just keeps spending and sticks poor Dad with the bills. Thank God he makes a good living. But between the bills Gramps left him and his Mother’s spending habits it is never enough. Everything my parents and I have we earned. All of the money I made working on Wall Street went to helping my Dad pay off Gramps’ debt. That and my kid sister Nicole’s love affairs with gin and sleazy men and of course there was all the money I spent trying to get my little brother out of that cult. I did manage to help save the family estate and thanks to God and AA Nicole finally got her life together. Unfortunately David is hanging around Logan Airport handing out flowers.”

“You left out how Chris wiped you out.” Maureen sneered.

“Hey not my little beach house.” Allison protested. “Fortunately, I bought that before we were together.”

“What about Wellesley and Harvard?” I asked quickly not wanting to hear any of the gory details regarding the infamous Chris.

“Working my butt off and academic scholarships.” Allison replied simply.

“Speaking of Chris?” Maureen cut in.

“Let’s not.” Allison groaned.

“Is she still trying to use your beach house in PTown?” Maureen pried.

“Yes.” Allison responded reluctantly. “But I refused. I told her that she brought plenty of women there while we were together and now she could rent a room at the Boat Slip like everyone else.” Allison added defensively.

“I cannot believe her.” Maureen moaned in disgust.

“What do expect, she is a lawyer. New subject. Let’s eat!” Allison insisted as the waiter arrived with a fresh round of margaritas. While Maureen passed on anymore alcohol Allison and I indulged. The food was fantastic and I was enjoying the conversation. The tequila was beginning to have an effect on me, more than once I caught myself touching Allison’s hand or knee. She seemed to ignore my contact until I rested my hand on her thigh.

“Stephanie tell us about Peter.” Allison said briskly as she brushed my hand from her thigh.

“Who?” Maureen asked seemingly unaware of what my hands had been doing.

“Stephanie’s beau.” Allison said directly.

Her message came through loud and clear I was crossing a line. I had to stop. With the reality of my actions and Allison’s apparent rejection. I began to talk about Peter. I told my companions how we met, how long we had been together and what he did for a living. The standard conversation. Maureen asked the usual questions while Allison remained very quiet. I could not blame her. Here I was practically engaged to this man and I could not keep my hands off of her. I felt confused and terrified that I had just lost her friendship. One thing was certain no more alcohol for me tonight. Allison also passed on another round.

As the evening passed the conversation turned to gossip about Haven and the history department. Then to Maureen’s kids at this turn in the conversation Allison finally rejoined the discussion. Perhaps her return was due to the fact that I had finally stopped groping her. I think it had more to due with Maureen’s children. Allison’s face lit up during the conversation. It was clear that Allison adored Maureen’s children especially Jenny, who was the youngest and Allison’s goddaughter. After Maureen gave Allison a halfhearted lecture about spoiling the children, we agreed that it was time to go.

As we stood outside in the cold autumn air waiting for Maureen to bring the car around, I knew that I had to say something to clean up this mess that I had created. In many ways my behavior was no better than Amy’s. “Allison … I … um … I’m sorry.” I stammered.

“It’s okay.” She responded lightly. “Tequila it makes you horny and stupid.”

“Friends?” I asked hesitantly. To my relief she nodded yes and we gave each other a hug. The gesture should have been quick and friendly. But we seemed to melt into each other. “You feel good.” I whispered into her chest.

“So do you.” She murmured sweetly in reply as she rested her chin atop my head. I could feel our hearts beating together. Suddenly Allison jumped back pushing me away from her. “Whoa!” She gasped in horror.

I could not believe what I had just done. “Didn’t I just finish apologizing for this?” Allison started to chew on her bottom lip. It was a strange sight seeing the normally composed giant woman looking like a schoolgirl. We both stood in silence lost in our own thoughts until Maureen drove up. I climbed into the back of the mini van and listened to the chatter in the front seat. The traffic was much lighter at this hour and the return trip was far more relaxing. Although I am not certain I may have nodded off once or twice during the journey.

When we arrived back at our home I quickly exited the vehicle. Unfortunately the effects of the tequila rear it’s ugly head and redefined gravity. Just as I was certain that my face was about to be introduced to the sidewalk I felt strong arms wrap around me. “Easy there Tex.” Allison comforted me. “I guess you don’t have your sea legs yet?” She teased.

“Yeah.” I groaned. “It’s a good thing you warned me about the margaritas or I could have made a complete ass out of myself.” I blushed as I mentally recalled my actions.

“No worries.” Allison laughed. “Let’s get you inside.”

I teetered up the staircase as Allison held onto me. “I could have sworn that I was beginning to sober up.” I groaned. “Hey how come you aren’t drunk?”

“Who’s says I’m not.” Allison protested. “Trust me if I let go of you … I would probably end up going down these stairs ass over tea kettle.” I eyed her suspiciously. “Uh huh.” I added as she searched for her keys. Once inside the apartment Allison guided me to the bedroom. She gently laid me down on the bed and took off my shoes. “You will be more comfortable here. I will take the couch.” She explained.

“No.” I protested childishly all sense of reasoning departed as I pulled her towards me.

Allison stumbled landing on top of me. I felt her body pressing closer to mine. I looked into those deep blue orbs as she lowered her face to mine. Our lips were so close to touching I could feel her breath on my skin. I hated when these feelings would over take my sense of reality. But I was helpless to resist. “It was the alcohol.” I reasoned. “Just like the other times I felt this way. What about Gigi?” My inner voice questioned. “We were kids. It was nothing. Not to her.” Although my mind was screaming to stop my body had other ideas. I raised my head and brushed her lips gently with my own. The heat from the gentle caress was overwhelming. I reach up and pulled her into me. Parting my lips I invited her in. Allison accepted my invitation eagerly. The kiss deepen as our bodies pressed against each other. Without realizing it I opened my legs as her thigh nestled between them. Soon our hips began to move in rhythm. “This feels so right. For the first time in my life I am on fire. For the first time I know that I can let go.”

Allison gasped for air as she broke away from my lips. I looked into her eyes and I knew that I wanted her. I reached up and unbuttoned her jacket. I gently slid it off of her shoulders. I could see the passion in her eyes as she gazed down at me. She lowered herself and began to unbutton my blouse. In response I reached up and fulfilled a fantasy that had been running through my head all evening. My fingers began to caress the silk camisole. Soon the touch of silk wasn’t enough. I wanted to feel her. Running my hand down the silk garment until I could feel the tight muscles of her stomach. I gently tugged the camisole out her pants and ran my hand up her tight body.

While I was preoccupied with my own explorations Allison had managed to not only open my blouse but had unclasped my bra as well. My nipples harden as she lifted the garment up and exposed my breast to the cool night air. She moaned in pleasure as I gently cupped her breast taking her already erect nipple between my fingers teasing it gently. Our hips began to dance together once again. I was mesmerized as I watched her lower her mouth to my breast. “Harder… .” I begged as she began to suckle my nipple. I moaned with pleasure as I arched my back trying to offer her more.

Suddenly she stopped and pulled herself away turning her back to me. I caught her by the shoulders and turned her back to me. As I pulled her body towards mine my hands resumed the exploration. This time they roamed much further down her body. I began to unbutton her pants and lower the zipper. She closed her eyes and pressed into me. Slowly I began to slide her pants down her body. As I pulled them lower I allowed my hands to explore her tender flesh. My heart raced as I realized that this was what I had been waiting for my entire life.

“NO!” Allison protested suddenly pulling herself away. With that one word there was no longer any room for debate. In silence I laid there as she sat on the edge of the bed unable to look at me. The events of the evening flooded over me. “What had I been thinking? I wasn’t thinking that was the problem!” “Oh God.” I sobbed. “I’m so sorry.”

Allison turned to me and caressed my face gently wiping away my tears. “Stephanie it is all right.” She said softly. “Hey don’t cry. I bet in the morning we will laugh about this.”