The Bare Truth part 2

Chapter 8

Joe dropped her off at her apartment. Sierra floated up the stairs to her floor, her thoughts full of champagne bubbles and engagement rings. She found herself humming as she opened up her front door.

She was greeted by the sight of Zeke lying naked on her coffee table.

"Oh my god!" she exclaimed, and quickly averted her eyes.

"Sierra!" Zeke yelled in surprise.

He jumped off the coffee table and scrambled to cover himself up. He picked up a small potted cactus and held it in front of his crotch.

Molly poked her head into the room.

"You're home early," she said cheerfully.

"Molly, what the hell?" Sierra said.

She noticed the easel set up in front of the coffee table, along with Molly's paints.

"Oh," Sierra said, feeling embarrassed. "You're modeling for her. Okay."

"Yup," Molly confirmed. "Also, we're having sex."

Zeke blushed furiously. Molly tossed him his pants.

"Sweetie, maybe you should go home now," Molly said to him.

"Right," Zeke said, as he awkwardly pulled his pants on. "Ma'am, I'm sorry I was naked on your coffee table."

"It's no problem," Sierra assured him.

Zeke kissed Molly on the cheek.

"I'll call you later?" he asked.

"Sure, sweetie." Molly said.

Zeke headed for the door, then stopped and turned back to Sierra.

"You're not gonna tell Joe about this, right?" he asked.

"I don't think so. No," Sierra said.

Zeke smiled with relief and scrambled out the door.

"He's a little young for you, isn't he?" Sierra said to Molly.

Molly stretched out of the couch.

"He is," she agreed with a smile. "He's 19, and energetic, and very egger to please."

She sighed in a self satisfied way and sipped her wine. Sierra rolled her eyes.

"Well, I think he's also in love with you. Be gentle with him, ok?"

"Noted," Molly said.

Sierra returned the potted cactus to the corner and kicked off her shoes.

"I saw you on the news. Along with the cute, fluffy puppy," Molly said.

"Yeah, Joe thought I should be there for the adoption," Sierra said.

She walked into the kitchen to pour herself some wine.

"I thought you said he already got a dog. Not was getting a dog," Molly said.

Sierra froze with her back to Molly, wine bottle in hand. She had rather hoped Molly would overlook that slight continuity issue.

"He had got a dog already," Sierra said. "It just took a few days to organize the press conference. He didn't want to announce it until then."

"Oh," Molly said.

There was something in her tone Sierra didn't like.

"What?" she asked her.

"Nothing," Molly said, not sounding in the least bit convincing. "Just seems like an odd choice. Hiding a dog for a week. It can't take that long to call some reporters."

"Well...you know...politics...." Sierra said.

She grasped frantically for a change of subject. She settled on looking over the half finished painting propped up on the easel.

"So..." she said finally, "Why'd you paint him blue?"