Friends Upgrade Read Free

wasted your time.”
    “I just want to rest. You know how busy it is at that place.”
    Judith landed a job as an insurance adjuster, becoming one of the best in her company, and the West Coast, for that matter. But the title came with more responsibility and more customers. Sometimes she would come home, call him and fall asleep on the phone. She needed this overdue vacation badly.
    “You do realize that you will be just as busy at home, even though you are trying to relax.” Doug helped her on with her jacket.
    “How so?”
    “Think about it. You still have to get up and cook, clean, things like that. If you really want to do nothing, I have a better suggestion.” And it’s one that will have you alone with me.
    “A maid?”
    They took the elevator to the parking lot and got in Doug’s Porsche. Doug laughed as he helped her inside before sliding in the driver’s seat. “No, not a maid, but close,” he said as they drove off.
    “Oh?”
    “Yeah. There’s this new bed and breakfast that just opened. It’s in the Santa Rosa Hills, near the vineyards and it overlooks the ocean.”
    “I heard about that.”
    “Really? What have you heard?” He might have to go to plan B if she knew anything about this place. Only problem, he didn’t have a plan B.
    “Not much since it just opened, and I’ve been too busy to check it out. And honestly, I never considered going there. I don’t have enough time to make plans like that.”
    Judith, the dedicated workaholic. That had to change. “You have time now, and I’m going to make sure of it. I hear the views are spectacular. They have a day spa and they wait on you hand and foot.”
    “Sounds like heaven.” She sighed wistfully.
    “I think it’s perfect. All you have to do is check in. They do the rest.”
    “Hmm, maybe I might look into that.”
    Look into it, my foot . Doug wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip through his hands. This would be the first time in years they had time together—alone. “Tell you what. Let me take care of all your vacation arrangements. I’ll be your personal travel agent. Just leave everything up to me.”
    “You are too good to me. I can’t even begin to know how to repay you.”
    “I’m sure you’ll find a way, hon.” Doug smiled.
    They arrived at the mall and figured they must be giving stuff away. He had never seen so many people milling around the place without it being holiday shopping time. After window-shopping at a few new stores, they finally made their way to the handbag boutique.
    Judith made a beeline to the purse she coveted. “Isn’t it dreamy?”
    Doug looked at it. Not that impressive, he thought. But then, what did he really know about ladies handbags? This had leather croc embossed details with different colors, from blue, orange, red and green. Nothing spectacular. But it brought a smile to her face and that’s all that mattered.
    She took the bag to the counter. The clerk went to the back and brought out a new one, all wrapped up and in a gift box.
    “That will be eight-fifty-two, twenty-nine,” the clerk said with a hint of haughtiness.
    Before Judith could get out her checkbook, Doug whipped out his credit card.
    “Doug....”
    “Happy birthday, hon.”
    “Oh, Doug, thank you.” She stood on her tiptoes and pecked him on the cheek.
    How nice, Doug thought wearily.
    The clerk rang up the purchase, placed it in yet another fancy bag and handed it to her. As Doug headed out the store, he overheard the clerk whisper to Judith, “He’s a keeper.”
    Doug could have thumped his chest in the middle of the mall.
    At the food court, he and Judith decided there wasn’t anything there that made their mouths water. “Let’s go to the sushi bar up the street,” Doug said, as he turned up his nose at the various food places.
    “Okay.”
    Once there, they took a private booth instead of the bar. Doug and Judith grabbed their sushi menus and studied them.
    “Thanks again.” Judith said. “That