"Don't be fishing for compliments from me Nick," Amanda scolded, but she was smiling so I knew her words were in jest.

"Yes Ma'am," I said with a mock salute.

She simply shook her head, supressing a smile, then vanished into the house to get ready for our shopping trip. I grabbed my things, made sure all the equipment was turned off, then headed out the front to have a smoke while I waited for Amanda. I spied Erica in the living room with her feet up on the coffee table. She hadn't changed from her work-out gear I'd seen her in before, and I couldn't help but admire the...