She scanned the options. United Way…Friends of the Elderly…Dade County Women’s Club—a women’s club? What did they do?—Make a Wish Foundation…
She bit her lip. A women’s group? That would mean no men. No testosterone, no dirty socks flying about, no paying for pizza she’d never eat…
Maybe that was what was troubling her—what this…emptiness in her life was. With her mother traveling abroad with her latest lover and her sisters tied up in their respective lives, was Tess merely craving female companionship?
But would she find friends in the Dade County Women’s Club? A feeling of trepidation stole over her. Memories of high school flashed through her mind. She hadn’t intentionally set out to date the head cheerleader’s boyfriend, or the senior class president, or the star quarterback. She hadn’t realized the power of her smile or even of an interested glance.
She hadn’t known then that she had the McClellan gift of sexual healing.
The animosity of every female in school quickly had clued Tess in, though, that she was…different. As much as she’d tried, she couldn’t make up for the continued interest of guys. She’d never had a girlfriend and, after a time, she’d given up. She’d had her sisters, after all, and she’d liked having so many male companions. And as she’d grown up, she’d enjoyed them as lovers.
But now something was wrong. The disquiet she’d experienced lately rippled through her. Did the women’s club hold the answer to what was missing from her life? That group wouldn’t have any men to distract her. Maybe she’d find acceptance among her female peers and she’d be giving to her community, something she’d always found fulfilling in the past.
She read the announcement again. There was a luncheon on Sunday—tomorrow.
Should she go?
“Josh, go long.” A muffled yell filtered through the window, followed by a crash and the tinkling of broken glass.
She folded the paper and tucked it under her arm as she rose to investigate the latest upheaval in her home.
A testosterone-free afternoon.
How could she resist?
“ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT to do this?” Nate peered at her through the open car window, his dark eyes questioning.
She buckled her seat belt, then gripped the wheel, ignoring the tightening in her gut and the alarming urge to invite him along. She’d gotten way too used to having her own little entourage escort her everywhere. “I’m sure. I’ll be fine. It’s just a luncheon. Should be fun. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Okay, Josh and I are going to hit a few balls on the courts.” His shoulders eased in a slight shrug. “If you need anything, just call.”
“I’ll be fine,” she reiterated, a nervous smile tugging at her lips. Was she reassuring him—or herself? “It’s just a meeting of the Dade County Women’s Club. What could happen?”
He stepped away from the car, frowning. “Not sure why you think you need to rub shoulders with those women, but knock ’em dead.”
“Thanks, Nate. I should be back in plenty of time for dinner.”
“We’ll heat up one of Ramon’s specialties.”
The sun glanced off a bumper in front of her a short while later. A panhandler peered at her from a street corner, looking downtrodden and wearing too many layers of clothing in the heat. Her heart gave a little squeeze. She didn’t have time now, but she’d bring him some food on her way back.
Lifting her chin, she gripped the wheel and focused on the road. She could do this. She’d walk into this meeting with her head held high. Without a man in sight she shouldn’t have any problems striking up friendships with the club members.
A short time later, she took a deep breath as she pushed through the doors at the Hennesy Hotel. Soft music filled the lobby. She followed a sign and the murmur of voices to a meeting room. With her stomach flip-flopping and a smile plastered across her face, she strode into the room.
“Good afternoon, may I help you?” A petite woman sitting at a table inside the door greeted her.
“Um, yes, I’m here for a luncheon with the Dade County Women’s Club.”
“Are you a visitor?” A wide smile broke across the woman’s face. “We’re always excited to have new people.”
“I saw your meeting announcement in the community calendar. I thought I’d come see what you were all about.”
“Welcome. This is our monthly member luncheon, where we hold our meeting and enjoy visiting with one another.”
“I think that I might be interested in joining, if that’s okay.” The words surprised Tess, even as they left her own mouth. She’d meant only to check them out.
“Of course it’s okay. We’d love to have you.” The woman extended her hand to Tess. “I’m Cassie Aikens, program chair.”
Smiling, Tess pumped her hand. “Tess McClellan. I’ve never actually done anything like this before.”
“Attended a luncheon?”
“Joined a women’s group.” She’d done it again—committed herself before she’d had a chance to think it through. Yet something about this woman encouraged Tess in a way she’d never hoped to be.
“It’s a lot of fun. I’ll introduce you to Terry Kingsley when she gets here. She’s this year’s membership chair.”
“That would be great.”
Another woman entered the room and greeted Cassie. Her gaze shifted over Tess, who smiled. The newcomer was an attractive woman, with every blond hair in place. Tess, with her tangle of red waves, couldn’t help but feel a little tug of envy.
“Hi, April, this is—”
“Tess McClellan.” Tess extended her hand.
“Tess has come to visit with us and maybe join our group,” Cassie said, adding to the introduction.
“April Emerson. How nice to meet you.”
“April’s our president. This is her fifth year. We all love her so much, we won’t let her step down.”
April’s shoulders relaxed and the smile she directed at Cassie seemed genuine. She handed Cassie a crisp twenty-dollar bill. “It smells wonderful, Cassie. Did you order the chicken amandine?”
“With asparagus and those seasoned potatoes you like.” She handed April her change, along with a ticket-like receipt.
April glanced around at the tables of chattering women. “Looks like almost everyone’s here. We should start soon. I think I’ll go get my food and sit.”
“We’re missing Terry. I want to introduce her to Tess, so we can get her signed up. We haven’t had a new member in a long while.”
April’s gaze again swept over Tess. “No, we haven’t.” Turning abruptly, she addressed Cassie. “Why don’t you finish up, then get your own food? I’d like to get started on time for a change.”
Cassie frowned. “Sure. I guess I’m pretty hungry. If Terry comes, she can find me.”
April left and Cassie shook her head. “She’s normally more friendly. She’s just going through a rough time right now.”
“Oh. Here—” Tess pulled her wallet from her bag. “I need to pay. There will be enough food, right?”
“Don’t worry about that. We always order a few extra meals for guests or speakers.”