“How I wish Ryan and I were going with you guys to Epicurean Delites,” Donna wailed. “You’re going to have so much fun. And we’re going to miss seeing Sarah, too.”

Jen grimaced. Donna had been crying for nearly two weeks since she learned her mother had surgery scheduled for the same week they had all planned their trip to the Riviera coast of the Yucatan. She and Ryan canceled their trip to be with her mother. She was the only child her mother could depend on for the necessary support through the surgery and recovery.

“There will be other opportunities for you guys,” Jen said again. “We’ll miss you, but we know your mother can’t put off the surgery, and you’ve always been the one to support her. Your brother wouldn’t know how to help her if he wanted to.”

“That’s a fact.” Shrugging, Donna sighed deeply before getting up to pour herself and Jen more coffee. “I know, I know,” she said, plopping back down on her kitchen chair, “we don’t have a choice. But damn, what bad luck. I know Carl and Alice are so looking forward to this trip. Even though they’ve been to Delites before. I’m glad they’re able to go. I know Carl thinks this will likely be their last chance.”

“Carl’s too sensitive about his age. Hopefully they have many travel years ahead of them.”

“Guess none of us can be certain about the future.”

Jen reached for her best friend’s hands. “Yes, you and Ryan must have to be keenly aware of that now.”

“Funny, as time goes by from his heart attack, we tend to forget and get back into old ruts. We need to remind ourselves that each day has to be special.” Donna tilted her head to the side. “I guess being with Mom will help us remember each day is a gift. Do you think you can survive a week-long visit with your daughter and son-in-law in Texas before leaving for Mexico?”

“A week might be a bit of a challenge, for sure. But staying a week meant we could get a cheaper flight, and of course we won’t have hotel costs. Actually, I’m really looking forward to spending some quality time with Theresa and Ted.”

“Now that you know Amy and Theresa played together, are you going to mention anything about swinging to her?”

“No.” Jen hesitated. “Amy might’ve shared too much with us. If it comes up, I’ll be supportive, of course. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out Amy has told her everything about us.” Jen paused. “Maybe I should say something to her. She’s sure to ask about you and Ryan. And I know she and Amy talk now and then. Doubt they were ever very good at keeping secrets.”

Grinning, Donna nodded. “You’re probably right about that. You know Amy and John want to hook up with Theresa and Ted at some point when they come back here for a visit.”

“I don’t want to know about that.”

“So Theresa doesn’t know they are a stopover on your way to Epicurean Delites?”

“No, guess you and Amy are more open about your sexual lives than I am with Theresa.”

“We probably wouldn’t be if we hadn’t gone to a swingers club the same night Amy and John did. Can’t very well hide much after that. Actually I think we both get a charge from sharing some, but I’m sure not all. It’s certainly going to feel strange around here with you guys gone for more than two weeks. It’s been a long time since we’ve been separated for more than a few days. You’re going to have so much fun.”

“Well, it’s not like you won’t have some fun while we’re gone. Carson and Vanessa are still staying over the weekend before your mother’s surgery, right?”

“You’re right. That’ll be fun. I like Carson a lot, but I really enjoy watching Ryan with Vanessa. They are such a match, trying to outdo each other. I know he’s looking forward to hosting them. I am, too.”

Jen chuckled. “I’ve seen you get into Vanessa pretty good, too.”

“Yummy, she’s super. It’ll be good to spend some time with them before going to mother’s. She has a friend staying with her that weekend. The surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, and we plan on getting there Monday evening. I hope the recovery goes smoothly.” Donna’s fingers tightened around her mug. “Anyway. Ryan and I will want to hear all about Delites as soon as we can. Every horny detail.”

“Don’t know how many details there will be. Of course we’ll play with Alice and Carl, and with Sarah. But we’ve all agreed that we’re going to Delites to also meet new people. We won’t want to hang together so much that others won’t approach us. We’ve seen that happen at clubs. If you go with another couple, you have a couple to play with, but then other couples seem to think you are somehow off limits. So we’ll try to balance our time.”

“And you have seven days to balance. That’s got to be so much better than going to a club for one night.”

“I certainly hope so. It’s costing an arm and a leg.” Jen shivered against a chill. “At least it will be warm.”

“I can turn the heat up more,” Donna offered. “I didn’t turn it way up, because I knew you didn’t have time to play this morning.”

“No,” Jen said, swallowing the last of her coffee. “I have so many errands to do before we actually leave. Brett and I are heading to Louisville later this morning. Too bad Angelica and Rico have their horses in New York this month. It would be good to connect with them again, but we really don’t have a lot of spare time.” She arched an eyebrow. “We have some serious shopping to do. Sexy clothes are a must for Delites.”

“As if you don’t have any.” Donna shook her head. “Of course a girl can never have too many sexy clothes.”

“Isn’t that the truth.”

“You will come over and model them for us before you guys take off for Texas?”

“Of course. We’ll need to know for sure that the clothes I buy can come off easily. I’m sure you and Ryan can help us figure that out.”

“What are best friends for?”