Contemplation

"Oh, right, the cable company never showed," Laura said as she finished folding the apron before putting it on the counter. It was gray with a flowery design that caught her eye.

"Eh, what can you do," Dan remarked with a sigh.

"It's going to take some time to make the sauce. Go ahead and put the sheets on the air mattress. Did you want a shower?"

"I'll get one later or tomorrow," Dan answered as he pulled out the new sheets.

It took a little time to get the bottom sheet over the queen-sized mattress. Dan kept messing up where the top corners of the sheet were, much to Laura's amusement. She watched as she slowly simmered the sauce.

"About fifteen minutes," she called once he got the new pillowcases, blanket, and extra pillows arranged on the bed.

"Cool, I'm going to change then," Dan called as he rooted around in the laundry basket.

"Change after dinner," Laura suggested. "If you get any food on your shirt, at least it'll be the dirty one. I really should have made you wash it while we were there."

"An sit around without a shirt on?"

"Hey, it might have given Amber something to look at."

Dan laughed and smiled. "She wouldn't have noticed World War III if it kicked off in the middle of the laundromat. She was more than a little distracted," he joked.

"You might be right," Laura laughed. The lucky girl.

Laura realized Dan was behind her when his hands touched her shoulders. He very gently massaged. She suppressed a groan as his strong hands found her knotted muscles.

"You can take a year to stop," Laura moaned when he found a particularly sensitive spot. "Sadly, you'll distract me. The pasta is almost done," she muttered as she waved her wooden spoon at the only other pot they owned.

"So, we're going over to Amanda's tomorrow?" Dan asked as he ate his dinner.

"Yes, she invited us over this afternoon. She's going to cook. I wanted to bring over dinner rolls, as something to contribute," Laura answered as she dabbed her lip with the corner of a near see-through napkin.

"Works for me," Dan said with a shrug. "What do you think of her?" he asked.

"She's wonderful. We spent a while talking about just anything that came to mind. Oh, you should see her apartment. She's spent some time decorating."

Dan raised an eyebrow. "I'll see it tomorrow," he answered after a minute.

"You seem quiet tonight. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, just thinking about the bills coming up," Dan answered as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Let me get changed. We'll clean up dinner later. Come lay down with me and we can talk about what's bothering you. I've been on my feet all day and these stools aren't really made for sitting too long on," Laura suggested as she rose. "I'll be back in a moment."

"Sure," Dan said with a smile.

Laura picked up her new sports bra, a change of panties, and a shirt before going to the bathroom. She just wanted to freshen up before bed. "You cleaned up," Laura said as she came out of the bathroom. "Thank you."

"Hey, no problem. I'll change too," Dan replied as he made his way over to the laundry hamper.