Playing With You Read Online Free Page A

and licked the side of Ricki’s face causing her to laugh and give Xena another hug.
    “All I can say is that Aunt Madge had better come through,” Ricki said to Xena as she released the dog and stood. “I’d rather spend the evening home with you than end up on a date with some loser. But Auntie promised no losers. I’m holding her to that.”
    Xena gave a sharp bark and Ricki nodded. “That’s right. If Aunt Madge sends me out on a rotten date it’ll be the first and last one.”
    Of course Madge wouldn’t see it that way. Once she sank her teeth into something, she didn’t easily let go.
    Xena turned and headed straight to the kitchen, her toenails clicking on the tile floor. The kitchen had been the first place that Ricki had remodeled after the exterior of the house had been painted and the front and back yards cleaned up.
    First she’d sanded down the cabinets and painted them, and then had torn out the linoleum and had put down new Saltillo tile herself. She couldn’t afford granite so she paid to have Corian countertops installed instead. She’d also replaced all of the old appliances with new ones, including a second oven. She couldn’t afford everything at once, so she bought things she needed or wanted, as she was able.
    Ricki went to the pantry where she selected one box of treats from the collection she kept for Xena. She opened the container and then held up a piece chicken jerky.
    Xena sat and waited for Ricki to give her the treat even though her eyes said she wanted to do anything but sit still. After Ricki gave Xena the jerky, the dog gulped it down and started prancing around the kitchen, still excited that Ricki was home.
    “I need to get you a buddy.” She leaned a hip up against the counter as she talked to Xena. “What do you think of a chocolate lab? They’re beautiful, just like you.”
    Xena barked twice and Ricki grinned. “I take that as a sign of approval.”
    Ricki turned to a cabinet and grabbed a prescription pill bottle. She opened it and dumped one of the antidepressants into her palm before getting herself a cup of water and downing the pill. She put away the bottle and drank another glass of water before rinsing out the cup, drying it, and putting it in a cabinet.
    Her cell phone rang and she dug it out of her jeans pocket. She looked at the screen. “Aunt Madge,” she said out loud and looked at Xena. “Maybe I’ll get lucky and she’s calling to say my date cancelled.”
    Xena wagged her tail.
    Ricki pressed the on button and held the phone to her ear. “Hi, Auntie.”
    “Are you ready for your big date?” Madge sounded delighted as she spoke. “I promise you’re going to love him.”
    Sure she would. “Where did you find this guy?” Ricki asked.
    “No clues allowed, young woman,” Madge said. “I just wanted to make sure you’re getting ready. He’ll be there at seven-thirty.”
    Ricki glanced at the clock on the Keurig coffee maker. “It’s only six-thirty. I have plenty of time.”
    “I hope you have something elegant to wear.” Madge was all about style and class. “Like I told you before, he’s taking you someplace nice.”
    “I went dress shopping today.” Ricki looked at the dress bag lying over the back of the kitchen table chair. “I found something suitable.”
    Madge’s voice had a slight note of disapproval and Ricki pictured her aunt’s frown. “Suitable better not be boring.”
    “It’s very pretty.” Ricki pushed away from the counter. “As a matter of fact, it’s gorgeous. I even had help picking it out.”
    “Good.” Madge’s tone turned pleased. “Now hurry and get ready.”
    Ricki rolled her eyes. “I’d better get off the phone then.”
    “You call me first thing in the morning,” Madge said with firmness in her tone. “I want to hear everything.”
    Ricki wondered just how much there would be to tell. “First thing, I promise.” Ricki punched the off button, set the phone on the table, and rubbed her