The Best of Friends (5 page)

The front door closed. Katie went into the kitchen and started putting away groceries.

“Wow,” she called. “Impressive. She’s even more beautiful than I imagined. And her clothes.”

“Tell me about it.”

Katie returned to the living room with a handful of crackers and a bottle of water. “I’ve never felt more ordinary in my life. It doesn’t make you crazy?”

“I’ve been friends with her for years. I’m used to walking in her shadow.”

Katie passed over the crackers and water. “Pain pills?”

Jayne pointed to her purse.

Katie got out the prescription bottle, checked the label, then shook one into her hand. Jayne took it.

“
He
was gorgeous,” she said, just as Jayne was about to swallow.

Fortunately, Jayne managed to avoid choking. She gulped water, then nibbled on a cracker.

“David?” She hoped she sounded less interested than she felt.

“No. The male nurse on the third floor.” Katie sat in the chair next to the sofa. “Yes, David. He gets a ‘wow,’ too. Pretty family.”

“Yes, they are.”

“You like him.”

Like that mattered. “He thinks of me as a sister.”

“Maybe,” Katie said. “Maybe not.”

“Trust me, he does. I heard him say the words.”

“He wasn’t looking at you like a sister last night. He was hovering. It was sexy.”

Jayne winced, and this time it had nothing to do with her wrist. “Don’t say that. Hope is the enemy when it comes to David Worden.”

“You haven’t been out with a man in ages. Months. When was the last time you got laid?”

Jayne laughed. “Don’t you have to be at work soon? Shouldn’t you be leaving?”

“I’m just saying, he looks like he knows what he’s doing.”

“Maybe, but he’s not for me. He’ll marry someone from a good family.”

“Who said marriage?” Katie raised her eyebrows. “I’m talking a night or two of hot sex. You do have it bad.”

“I know, but I’ll figure out a way to get over it. Maybe I could get into a clinical trial or locate some experimental medication.”

“Or maybe you could let him know you’re interested and see how it plays out.”

“Did you see ice in hell? Because that’s what it would take.”

Katie rose. “Fine. Be that way. Eat before you medicate and try to get some sleep. I’ll call you later.”

“Thanks.”

“That’s what friends are for.”

Four

JAYNE’S DAY PASSED SLOWLY. After talking to her boss and arranging to come in later in the week to fill out the required paperwork, she spent most of her time waiting for her arm to stop hurting enough so she could sleep. Despite Katie’s food delivery and advice, the painkillers made Jayne uncomfortably queasy, so she settled on ibuprofen and hoped for the best.

There was even less on daytime television than she’d thought, which meant the afternoon crawled by. She called Rebecca, but her friend didn’t pick up. Jayne wasn’t sure if she was busy or if she was upset about Katie’s appearance.

About six thirty someone knocked on her front door. Grateful for the interruption, she hurried to answer it.

She hadn’t showered, had barely combed her hair. She had on sweats with baggy knees, a T-shirt with a rip in one sleeve, and absolutely no makeup. Which meant seeing David Worden on her tiny front porch was thrilling and horrifying in equal measures.

She tried to speak but couldn’t. Not when his killer blue eyes seemed to crinkle with pleasure and he smiled at her. He seemed taller, somehow, and broader through his shoulders. She half expected to hear movie theme music in the background.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, blurting out the words before she could come up with a slightly more gracious version.

“Delivering your car from my parents’ house,” he said. “Invite me in. I have food.”

She glanced down at the bags he held and inhaled the scent of something delicious. Her stomach growled.

“Come in.”

She closed the door behind him and followed him into her small living room.

“Great sofa,” he said. “I’ve been to a lot of places where a family would give you their best goat for a sofa like that.”

She cradled her cast in her other arm and stared at him. “What? Who would trade a goat for a sofa? A goat gives you milk and meat, although once you get the meat part, it’s pretty much over. If it’s female, you can get more goats. Who needs a sofa? You can make somewhere to sit out of dead leaves.”

He laughed. “Someone’s been watching a little too much National Geographic Channel. Are you hungry?”

“Starved,” she admitted. “I’m sorry I’m crabby. Apparently I don’t do the pain thing well. And as much as I hate to repeat myself, and I do say this hoping to sound really warm and friendly, but why are you here?”

“I’m checking up on you. I’m somewhat responsible for your breaking your wrist yesterday, so I wanted to stop by and see how you were doing. I don’t have your number, so I couldn’t call. The thought of asking my mother for the number sent me down a road I didn’t want to go, and apparently you and Rebecca aren’t talking.”

Jayne stared at him. “We’re not?”

David grimaced and swore. “Maybe I’m wrong.”

“I doubt that. Rebecca said we’re not talking?”

He hesitated. “She implied something had happened earlier today. She was muttering. I didn’t push too hard.”

Jayne’s first reaction was guilt, quickly followed by annoyance. “I know she’s your sister, and God knows I love her, but sometimes she’s the most self-absorbed person on the planet.”

“Just sometimes?”

Jayne managed a smile. “A friend of mine stopped by to check on me. Katie. You met her at the hospital.”

“I remember.”

“I think Rebecca was hurt that I had another friend.” She shook her head. “Is that crazy?”

“With anyone but my sister.” David led the way into the kitchen. “Rebecca doesn’t share well. Especially not you.”

“So I should feel special?” She motioned to the small dinette set in the corner by the window. “Have a seat.”

He crossed the room in three long strides. “You’d probably go off on me again if I said anything about the table, right?”

“Are we talking more goats?”

“I was going to mention cattle, but you’re pretty sensitive.” He set the two bags on the table. “Chinese. I got one of everything because I didn’t know what you like. So what we need now are plates.”

Plates? As in something to put the food on? She was having trouble wrapping her mind around the fact that David was actually here… in her condo. Was he staying to eat with her? She couldn’t figure out a way to ask without being rude, so she kept the question to herself and pointed to the cupboard with the plates. When he collected two, she had her answer.

She put out flatware and napkins. “I have wine,” she said. “Either color.”

“Very cosmopolitan. How about red?” He put cartons of takeout on the table. “Wine okay with your prescription?”

“No, but I’m not taking the painkillers anymore. They don’t agree with me. I’ll do the ibuprofen thing until the swelling goes down.”

Five minutes later they were sitting across from each other at her small table. There was plenty of food, a nice merlot, and David Worden smiling at her. What was wrong with this picture?

“Need me to cut your food?” he asked. “Or feed you? I’m good at that sort of thing.”

“It’s egg rolls,” she said. “I’m fine.”

“If you change your mind, just let me know.”

“You’ll be the first.”

Which apparently didn’t impress him as he scooped food onto her plate.

“And if I don’t want that much?” she asked, pointing to the large portion of chow mein noodles.

“Not my problem.” He picked up his fork. “Don’t sweat the thing with Rebecca.”

Jayne wasn’t sweating it, exactly. She felt… weird. “I wasn’t trying to hurt her.”

“It’s more than that. Friendship works both ways. If she had a problem, she should have said something.”

“You’re using logic. This isn’t a logical situation. This is female friendships.”

“Words that sound scary, I’ll admit. But the truth is, you get to have a life. She’s been living on another continent for years. She can be pouty. Don’t let her boss you around.”

“You’re taking my side.”

He grinned. “Part of my charm. Admit it. I’m the highlight of your day.”

He was, but she couldn’t even joke about that. “I broke my wrist about thirty hours ago. It’s a pretty low bar.”

“A win’s a win.”

She laughed, enjoying her time with David. He was fun—something she’d always known. But until the last couple of days, she’d never had the full force of his charms focused on her. It made thinking with a clear mind impossible

Time for a change of subject, she told herself, searching for something safe. “Elizabeth mentioned you were moving to L.A. permanently. Is that true?”

“I’m ready to give up my traveling ways. I’ve seen the world, found plenty of exciting gemstones.”

“You’ll have cocktail party conversation for a lifetime.”

“You don’t think people will get tired of hearing about the time headhunters had me trapped?”

“Unlikely.”

He leaned toward her. “I have a favor to ask.”

Was it possible he wanted to see her naked? Because that would totally work for her.

“Which is?”

“You’re not going to blindly say yes?” he asked.

“Do I look stupid?”

He grinned. “No. You look good.”

She thought about her ratty clothes and messy hair, but decided to take the comment in the deranged spirit in which he must have meant it.

Their eyes locked. She felt and heard an actual click as they stared at each other. Jayne told herself to look away or at least blink. Somewhere in the complex, a door slammed. She jumped.

“The, ah, favor?” she asked, reaching for her wine.

“I’m buying a house.”

“Okay.”

“Apparently this isn’t something a man should do on his own.” He pointed at her wrist. “Based on what Katie said last night, you won’t be going back to work for a while. Would you mind helping me? Looking at property with me and giving me your opinion?”

She said the only thing she could think of. “Why do you care what I think?”

He looked puzzled. “Why not? You’re smart, you have good taste, and I think it would be fun.”

How did he know this about her?

He sighed. “My mother wants me to have a woman along,” he admitted. “She’s not on my short list, but she trusts you.”

Now this was making sense. “So you’re using me to keep your mother at bay.”

“I’m asking you to help me buy a house because I also trust your judgment, and I would enjoy spending the time with you.”

She opened her mouth, then closed it. He was good. Better than good—he was a Worden.

“Sure,” she said. “I have a few weeks off.”

“Excellent.” He flashed her another smile. Had she been standing, she would have been fighting weak knees.

“I have to go into work tomorrow morning to fill out paperwork,” she said. “After that I would be happy to offer my opinion on the real estate front.” She picked up her wine. “Do we know what I’m supposed to stop you from buying?”

“Not a clue.”

“Okay, I’m sure Elizabeth will be in touch to let me know.”

“I have no doubt.” He grinned.

She smiled in return. “Have you picked an area you want to focus on?”

“Something close to a nude beach.”

“There are places in the Valley where they film porn.”

“That works, too.”

*   *   *

Elizabeth poured tea into a thin china cup, then passed it to Jayne.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, eyeing the bright pink cast with only slightly concealed horror. “Weren’t there any other choices in color?”

Jayne took the tea and did her best not to smile. “Several. I wanted something cheerful.”

“I see. Perhaps something less obvious next time, dear,” Elizabeth murmured. “Although you’re still relatively young. I suppose it’s better than plain white.” She offered the plate of cookies, then leaned back in the cream-colored wingback chair in her office.

Three large windows allowed a view of the side yard, where roses bloomed. The desk was antique, having once belonged to Queen Victoria. The sideboard, where Elizabeth kept her office supplies, was Italian from the eighteenth century. Or seventeenth, Jayne could never remember.

“David is back,” Elizabeth announced. “Permanently, or so he says. He’s a man, so one can never be sure. Still, this is excellent news. He says he’s interested in buying a house and getting married. I’d like you to help him with that.”

Jayne knew Elizabeth meant for Jayne to help with the house hunting, but she had the brief, humorous thought of saying, “Yes, of course. I’ll sacrifice myself and become David’s wife.” If only to be able to stare into those blue eyes every morning, she thought, remembering how nice the man had looked sitting across from her last night at dinner.

“I intend to influence him,” Elizabeth continued. “The house hunting is frightening enough, but God knows what kind of woman he’ll want to date. Men, as a rule, are idiots when it comes to picking the right kind of woman to marry. Especially the rich men. So I’ll want you to tell me if he mentions anyone.”

“I’m not going to spy on him,” Jayne said.

Elizabeth’s thin eyebrows raised slightly.

“I can’t,” she added, hoping she wasn’t blushing. “If he knows I’m giving you information, he won’t say anything. Besides, he’s gone this long without making a mistake. I doubt he’ll suddenly make a bad choice now.”

“I suppose,” Elizabeth said grudgingly. “I don’t need details, but if he’s about to propose to someone completely wrong, you have to tell me.”

“I’ll mention disasters, nothing else.”

Elizabeth didn’t look pleased, but she nodded anyway.

Jayne picked up her tea. The truth was, David was unlikely to tell her anything about his personal life. Too bad, in a way. Hearing about the amazing beauties who cluttered his bed might help with her peace of mind. Once she got over the heartache.

“Now about the house,” Elizabeth said. “He hasn’t given me any hints as to where he’s thinking he wants to buy. You know what areas to avoid. Nothing too big. He can always trade up when he starts a family. Ignore the carpet and paint color. That can all be fixed. Go for large rooms that flow well. A decent kitchen. But location is key.” She sighed. “I just wish he would take me along. But he’s stubborn. He gets that from Blaine.”

“And from you,” Jayne said.

Elizabeth smiled. “I’m determined. There’s a difference.” She set down her tea and reached for a pad of paper on the small table next to her. “I’m going to host a brunch in the next few weeks. Invite the right people. Friends, associates. We’re going to tell everyone this is about welcoming David home, but I also want to use this as a chance to let him meet some nice girls. I’ll need your help with this.”

“Of course,” Jayne said automatically. Just how she wanted to spend her day—finding a nice girl for David.

Elizabeth spent the next half hour going over details until Jayne was finally able to excuse herself.

Once she was home, she collapsed on the sofa and wondered how she’d gotten into such a mess. She hadn’t set out to become Elizabeth’s lapdog. The situation had just sort of evolved. And the truth was, while Elizabeth could be a giant pain in the ass, she’d also been the one to take Jayne in when her mother had died.

Jayne had been in her senior year of high school, with no money, no family, just an aching emptiness and total terror. She remembered standing by her mother’s side, staring down at her body, willing her to open her eyes again and say that everything would be all right. One of the nurses, she couldn’t remember which, had led her into the hallway. Jayne had stood there shaking, too frightened and sad to cry.

Panicked thoughts had chased each other, one more desperate than the last. What would happen to her now? Where would she go? Foster care was the obvious solution, and that thought was nearly as horrifying as the death of her mother. She’d been cold down to her bones—cold in a way that had nothing to do with temperature.

Then she’d heard a familiar clicking sound. Expensive shoes on the hospital floor. Elizabeth had walked toward her, looking elegant and completely out of place in the medical setting. She’d put her arm around Jayne and led her to the closest waiting area.

“You’ll come home with us,” Elizabeth said. “Your things are being moved this afternoon. Rebecca needs your steadying influence, and you need a place to stay. It will work out for the best. We’re practically family as it is.”