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a bit soon to make any plans. But I do know that I am just bursting over the need to see him again. He just makes me feel… I don’t know… Sexy, feminine, hot… Whole, ” Mandy said after a while, trying to put her feelings for JT into words, but at the same time trying to keep some sort of grip on her own emotions and protect herself from any future heartbreak. If that painting hasn’t already been finished and hung! she thought.
     
    * * * *
     
    Having eaten off the previous layers of her lipstick due to nerves, Mandy re-applied yet another coat of her favourite red lipstick and waited impatiently for JT to arrive. In the end, she went to stand out on the veranda that overlooked the front of the old, majestic house she lived in, to keep watch. Mandy’s flat had a set of beautiful French doors that opened onto a spacious veranda. Sometimes she moved her easel out into a sunny spot to paint. Caitlin’s flat, underneath Mandy’s, had a small garden that she shared with the other ground floor tenant, June. June was, more often than not, to be found pottering around the garden. Mandy loved the way the flowers, the grevillea and native fuchsias, bloomed in such a variety of shades, even now in the colder winter months. June definitely had a green thumb.
    Mandy’s own colours, flitting around her mind, didn’t help ease her nervousness. She felt like a hyperactive child. The hues were changing so rapidly, the strobe effects like disco lights—she could hardly keep up with them. Combining them and her ever-changing emotions with the anticipation of what lay before her this evening was nearly enough to drive Mandy insane.

Chapter Nine
     
     
     
    JT had tried to not look as if he was dressing up especially for Mandy, although ironing his jeans was not a regular occurrence. His father had looked on, chuckling at him in amusement.
    JT had never thought he was an overly attractive bloke, with his square-shaped head, solid jaw and nose that was amazingly straight, given the amount of hits it had taken. Add in his extra-large body, big shoulders and hips, plus thighs that had been described more than once as looking like tree trunks, and JT was just one big unit.
    Now he was freshly showered, shaved and dressed, ready to collect Mandy. His hands were already sweating from nervous anticipation. With an on-the-fly comment about not being sure if he would be home that night, JT bade farewell to his father before all but sprinting to his car—the big man was not really known for his speed!
    The drive, one that JT was familiar with—but had never undertaken quite as enthusiastically before—seemed to take a little longer this time, as if life were drawing out the suspense. Finally, JT pulled into the small private parking area beside the old house, stopping beside Caitlin’s funny little green car. The other two cars parked were a red van with signage that read‘Artworx by Magenta’,and Brodie’s black Range Rover.
    “Full house tonight, then!” He grinned to his reflection in the rear view mirror.
    Noticing that Mandy was watching him from her veranda above, as if waiting for him, pleased JT. As he headed inside, the impatient anticipation of touching her again quickened his step. Unfortunately, as JT entered the downstairs hallway, Riley came shooting out of his flat and bounced around him. The kid began chatting happily away about school, his day and other things young boys found interesting.
    JT, so caught up with his thoughts of Mandy, had forgotten he was taking Riley to Mia’s tonight as well, then bringing the boy home early and sitting with him, leaving Brodie free to stay behind until Caitlin finished her singing gig. Riley had school the next morning, so couldn’t have a very late night. When the arrangements had been made, JT, loving nothing better than spending some boy time with Brodie and Riley, had not expected to be taking a date.
    JT was wondering how to broach the subject when Riley smiled at him,