~*~ A Friend’s Love ~*~
Andi was excited beyond belief. Howie had called and told her that he was coming home soon and AJ would be home a couple days after him. Now, she was busy preparing dinner for Howie to thank him for all he’d done for her.
The sound of the door closing echoed through the apartment. "Andi."
"I’m in the kitchen, ‘D’."
Rounding the corner, Howie stopped short and smiled at the sight that greeted him. Andi was dressed in a pair of shorts, one of AJ’s tour shirts that was way too big on her, and barefooted. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail but a few stray strands had escaped and were hanging in her face. In her attempt to brush them out of the way, she had managed to get flour all over her face.
"No wonder AJ is anxious to work things out…to come home to this."
"I’m a mess," blushed Andi wiping her hands on a towel.
"No, you’re incredibly sexy," laughed Howie brushing flour off the tip of her nose. Looking her over, he added, "And starting to show."
"Uh huh! I need to go shopping for maternity clothes but I thought I’d save that for after Alex got home and we talked."
"So this is it? You’re gonna work things out with him?"
"Yeah, I am. I really miss him, Howie."
"He’ll be home tomorrow sometime."
"I thought I’d call him and have him come straight from the plane to the gazebo where we got married."
Howie smiled sadly as he said, "He’ll like that."
Andi didn’t miss the look. "What’s wrong, Howie? I thought you’d be excited that I was gonna talk to Alex and work it out."
"I am, baby. It’s just…well…it felt really good coming home and having you here, fixing dinner for me." Howie looked down at his feet feeling extremely awkward and unsure of himself all of a sudden. "Andi, I can’t lie to myself or to you any more. I’ve…I’ve fallen in love with you. I know you love AJ and he loves you but I couldn’t help myself. That day, in my room, after you found AJ, I wanted you and if you hadn’t called me Alex, I would have made love to you. It might have been a mistake but I would have done it and I wouldn’t have regretted it."
Andi listened as Howie bared his soul to her and saw how nervous he was. Taking his hand in hers, she said softly, "I have feelings for you too, Howie…strong feelings that could take us somewhere but I have stronger feelings for Alex. He’s my husband, the father of my baby and…"
"Stop, please. I understand all that. I have one favor to ask."
"Okay."
"Give me tonight, just you and me. Nothing has to happen."
"I don’t want to hurt you, Howie…or mislead you."
"You won’t. I know as soon as AJ comes home, you’ll go back to him."
"And we’ll still be friends?"
"I’m not letting you out of my life that easily," smiled Howie squeezing her hand.
"Okay. Let me finish here and then I’ll change."
"I’ll go get cleaned up and put on some music. Anything in particular you
want to listen to?"
"Something soft."
Excited to have the evening, Howie started to rush out but stopped suddenly and looked back as Andi went back to fixing dinner. "Andi, thank you."
Looking up from what she was doing, she asked, "For what?"
"Tonight. It’s more than I could have hoped for."
Andi smiled, "You’re welcome. Go on. I’m gonna be ready to get a shower soon too."
Howie rushed off leaving Andi to finish fixing dinner. As he went by the entertainment center, he looked through the CDs and picked out several romantic ones to play. Putting them in, he started the music and went to get cleaned up.
An hour later, Andi came out of the guestroom she had been using wearing a black gown with no back that showed her tattoos. She had her hair down and she was barefooted. She caught sight of Howie as he was lighting some candles in the dining room. God, he looked good. He was wearing a pair of black trousers and a pale purple silk shirt unbuttoned most of the way exposing his well-defined chest. His hair hung on his shoulders, long and straight.
Looking up, he caught her staring at him. "Hope you don’t mind. With the setting sun, the soft music, and wine, I thought the candles would be a nice touch."
"Definitely. I hadn’t thought about them really."
He moved closer to her to take her hand and could see that the gown showed off the slight swell of her tummy. "Pregnancy looks good on you."
"I hope Alex thinks so, especially when I’m eight months along."
"I’m sure he will. I took dinner out for you. Let me serve you."
"No. This is suppose to be MY dinner to thank YOU!" insisted Andi.
Howie laughed, "Okay. How about we serve ourselves?"
"That’ll work too."
"I took the liberty of pulling out my good stuff," said Howie handing her a plate.
"I didn’t want to overstep my bounds living here."
"Not a problem."
Howie held Andi’s chair for her and the two served themselves. Conversation over dinner was light as they talked about what they’d been doing lately. Howie told her all about what had been going on with the tour and the guest appearances while Andi told him about work.
After dinner, they moved out onto the balcony to share a glass of wine and dance in the moonlight. Howie held her close feeling her body move with his and he felt himself getting hard. She smelled so good and felt even better. God, how he wanted her.
Andi took that moment to look up into his eyes and couldn’t help herself. Her lips touched his softly, like a feather.
"This is nice," he whispered as she nestled her head on his shoulder.
"Yeah, it is," she sighed.
Howie held her hand close to his chest and he lifted it to his lips to kiss it. "It’s a beautiful night. How about a walk on the beach?"
"I’m only wearing this gown, Howie," protested Andi half-heartedly.
"No one will see us. It’s private access for five miles one way and about three miles the other way is the Space center."
"Okay."
Hand in hand, the two headed down to the beach walking in silence. Andi had promised Howie the night but she couldn’t help herself. Her thoughts kept going to AJ and their reunion. She craved the feel of his arms holding her the way Howie had held her, his kisses. She’d missed him terribly and knew in her heart that they were meant to be together.
About half an hour down the beach, Howie broke the silence. "AJ’s missed you just as much."
Andi tucked her head as she blushed. "I’m sorry."
"No need to be, Andi. You love him deeply and I wouldn’t expect any less." Seeing Andi yawn, Howie laughed softly, "Come on, let’s head back so you can get some sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day for you."
"Howie, tonight has been wonderful."
The two stood facing each other and Howie cupped her chin in his hand. "AJ’s a lucky man to have you."
"Thank you," replied Andi looking into Howie’s soft brown eyes. "I’m lucky to have such a wonderful friend. You’ve been with me through all of this, trying so hard to get us back together despite your feelings."
"I can’t help myself. I’m a hopeless romantic."
Leaning in, Howie touched his lips to hers and with his free hand, he placed it on her waist pulling her closer. Timidly, he traced her lips with his tongue and she allowed him to deepen the kiss. Their tongues touched each other, caressed each other, tasting every sensuous spot. Andi placed her hands on his chest playing with the hair and feeling his heartbeat as it raced with excitement. She could feel his erection pressing against her and she felt like she was falling. Temptation was getting the better of her. She wanted to be in AJ’s arms so desperately but he wasn’t there…Howie was and he wanted her.
Pulling out of the kiss, Andi whispered, "Make love to me."
Looking at her, Howie had to fight to keep control of the situation. "No, Andi! It’s not me you want and I can’t do it."
Andi tucked her head knowing he was right. "You’re such a gentleman."
"Not really. I’m being selfish."
"How?" asked Andi looking up at him.
"Because, if we make love, I want it to be me you’re seeing when you close your eyes. You miss AJ and it’s his arms you want holding you right now. It’s AJ you want and tomorrow, you’ll have him."
Andi started to speak but Howie stopped her. "It’s okay, Andi. Come on, let’s head back "
Wrapping his arm around her waist, Howie led her back down the beach to the condo where he gave her a kiss on the forehead and pushed her off to her room. When she was in her room and the door closed, he poured himself another glass of wine and took a seat on the balcony to watch the water under the moonlight. His thoughts were of Andi and images of having her moving under his body consumed him only to be interrupted by the doorbell.
Setting his glass down, Howie made his way quietly to the door only to find AJ standing there, his eyes red and swollen.
"Age? What are you doing here?"
"Why? Why did it have to be like this?"
