Gerri Hill - The Rainbow Cedar

"I'm totally in love with you, Jay. And I'm scared you're going to break my heart," she said. "Scared to death."

Jay shook her head. "No." She moved into Drew's arms and Drew held her tight. "No, I'm not going to break your heart," she whispered into Drew's ear. "I'm going to love you to death." Her lips lingered before she pulled away and slipped out of her arms again.

"So now what? We go back and keep on pretending?"

Jay took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. "No." She shook her head. "I'm tired of playing games. Aren't you?"

"So you're ready for that confrontation with her?"

"I'm ready for the truth. I'm ready to get on with my life."

But the relief Drew felt at those words was short-lived. When they returned to the garden, Jenna and Katherine were already there, sipping strong Hawaiian coffee and chatting with Eleu.

"There you two are," Katherine said with a smile. "I was hoping you'd be here waiting for me, Jay."

"Waiting for you?"

"Yes. I missed you terribly last night." Her smile was beaming and Drew frowned. Something was up.

"But I trust you enjoyed the theater and dinner," Jay said as she pulled out a chair.

"Oh, it was fun, but I hated that we missed the last shuttle."

"Well, we managed without you."

"Something special for breakfast?" Eleu asked quietly behind Jay. "Or just fruit?"

"This is fine, Eleu. Don't go to any trouble."

"For you, Drew?"

"I'm good, thanks." Drew pulled out a chair opposite Jay, chancing a quick glance her way. Jay looked at her and Drew saw a quiet determination on her face.

"I hope you guys didn't have any excursions planned today," Jenna said. "I think we'd like to join you at the beach, just hang out, you know."

"No, actually we didn't make any plans for today," Drew said. "Although it still looks like it could rain."

"Eleu says the clouds will burn off by noon," Katherine said. She turned to Jay. "I'm ready to see you in that cute black bikini," she added with a wink.

Drew's eyebrows shot up. Was that the same black bikini that was a tangled mess after Drew had ripped it from Jay's body last night?

"You hate the ocean, remember," Jay said as she stabbed a piece of pineapple.

"I didn't say I wanted to get in the water." She put her coffee cup down, smiling at Jay. "It'll be good to spend the day with you though."

"Will it?"

"Of course." She stared at Jay. "But you seem a little agitated this morning. What is it? Are you angry that we missed the shuttle last night?"

Jay tilted her head as she stared at Katherine, then she flashed a quick smile. "Honestly, Kath, I didn't even know you were gone."

Drew and Jenna watched the exchange silently. Drew wondered if they were about to witness that big dramatic scene Jay had warned her about. But no, Katherine didn't even seem fazed by Jay's comment.

"Now I know that's not true." She reached across the table and touched Jay's hand, rubbing it lightly. "I'll make it up to you, darling." She glanced at Drew. "You don't mind if I steal Jay away from you today, do you? We've got some catching up to do."

Drew wasn't certain if that statement needed an answer or not, but Jay saved her from replying.

"Kath, why don't we go to our cottage?"

Katherine flashed a beaming smile, her eyes sparkling. "Excellent idea." She glanced at Jenna and winked.

Jay stood, her glance moving to Drew. There was a look there Drew wasn't sure she'd seen before. Not anger really, something even deeper than that. She watched them go, feeling jealousy rear its ugly head as Katherine's hand slipped around Jay's waist.

"That was a little odd, wasn't it?" Jenna said.

Drew nodded. "This whole trip's been odd."

Jenna sighed. "Oh, well, I suppose things will be getting back to normal."

"What do you mean?"

Jenna waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, me and Katherine. That's over with."

Drew frowned. "I thought you were in love."

"We had our fling, but we realized last night that there just wasn't anything there except lust. The sex was great. In fact, the best I've ever had. But beyond that, we really didn't enjoy each other's company all that much."

Drew felt her chest tighten at her words. Their affair was over. Now what? Was that why Katherine had been so sickeningly sweet to Jay this morning?

"I'm in the mood for a Bloody Mary," Jenna said. "Want one?"

"That'll be a good start," she said, her glance going to the cottages, wondering what was happening inside.

"We need to talk, Katherine." Jay stood at the window, looking out at the ocean. The cool breeze felt good on her heated face. "Don't you think we need to talk?"

"Does that mean you did miss me after all?"

Jay turned, ignoring the smile Katherine was offering her. "It's been a very strange trip, Kath. Even you have to admit that."

"Why do you say so?"

"Because it's almost like we're on two separate vacations, we just happen to be sharing a cottage at night."

"Oh, Jay, come on. You must admit you'd have been bored silly touring museums and galleries with me. And I'd never have done all that snorkeling and other stuff with you," she said, moving closer. "But, I've got it out of my system. I've seen my last show, toured my last museum. Now I'm ready for a little us time."

"Us time? Now you're ready?" Jay took a step back as Katherine reached for her. "It's not always about you, Kath. You still don't have a clue, do you?"

"Apparently not. But I don't care to stand here in the middle of our room talking about it." She paused. "How about a drive?"

"A drive?"

"You said you wanted to talk. Let's get alone and talk."

Jay hesitated. A drive would be good. There would be no interruptions, at least. But something told her to say what she had to say now, to get it over with. Because honestly, she didn't trust Katherine.

"Come on, Jay. If we need, we can talk over lunch somewhere."

Jay gave in. Perhaps it would be a little more civilized than having a break-up fight here in the cottage, within earshot of anyone who might pass by. "Okay. Let's take a drive."

"Wonderful. Eleu says a trip across the island is a must. How about we head to the west side?"

"What do you think is up with that?" Drew asked, motioning from their spot by the pool. Jay and Katherine were walking down the path, heading to the parking lot.

"Oh, Katherine had planned on kidnapping Jay for the afternoon. I guess they're heading out."

Drew's hand visibly shook as she set her Blood Mary down. "Kidnap?"

"She thinks Jay may be a little miffed at her, so she's booked a room at some fancy hotel on the other side of the island. She plans on wooing her." Jenna smirked. "Her words, not mine."

Drew couldn't believe that Jay would just up and leave with-out saying a word to her. And couldn't believe that Jay would actually go with Katherine. She'd thought, well, she'd thought that she and Jay had something, thought it was real between them.

But she'd known all along, hadn't she? Known that Jay was not free, known that Jay was still in a relationship—an eight-year relationship.

Images from last night flashed back to her—Jay's mouth leaving her breast, Jay's hand sliding across her skin, Jay's eyes locked on her own as she came, Jay's mouth moving between her legs for the third, and then fourth time. She closed her eyes, remembering. Yeah. No matter what happens, it was very real between them last night. As real as making love can get. She sat up quickly. "I need to speak with Eleu."

"Well, wait a minute. Do you want to do something today?" Drew shrugged.

"Sure. Whatever you want."

"I was thinking maybe an island cruise, one of those dinner cruises where you catch the sunset. How about that?"

"Sure. It'll be romantic."

"A hotel?"

"Why not?"

Katherine got out and slammed the door, leaving Jay to follow. She stared at the multi-floored towers, then back to the retreating back of Katherine, wondering what she was up to. Especially after the nearly silent drive over. They'd made only casual conversation, nothing personal, but even that was strained.

"Great. Just great," she murmured, hurrying to catch up with Katherine. "Are you going to tell me what we're doing here?"

"How about lunch? They're supposed to have a fantastic view from the outdoor patio."

"Lunch. Okay, sure." Jay glanced at her watch. It wasn't even ten o'clock. But she dutifully followed Katherine, expecting her to lead them through the lobby. Instead, she walked to the desk, handing the clerk a credit card.

"Katherine Patton. I have reservations."

"You what?" Jay gasped.

Katherine turned, her smile nearly blinding. "Yes, darling. A room."

"We don't need a room, Kath," Jay said quietly, not wanting to cause a scene.

"Of course we do. We may decide to order room service," she said, winking at the clerk.

A quick blush colored Jay's face and she turned away, fuming. Of all the nerve! Of all the fucking nerve!

"No, I don't know where they went."

Drew paced, hating the jealousy, hating the uncertainty. "But you're sure they left?"

Eleu nodded. "Yes. Katherine drove them away."

"Well, goddamn," she mumbled. She looked at Eleu. "You think maybe, well, maybe I was wrong about Jay?" Drew shrugged. "Maybe I pushed too much."

"You were not wrong. You must have faith, Drew. Don't assume something just because it appears she has left. You don't know the circumstances."

"Yeah, but she could have at least said something to me."

Eleu smiled. "Jealousy is such an evil thing, isn't it? And no matter our age, it still attacks us."

Drew laughed. "You think I'm being silly?"

"Yes. I have seen how Jay looks at you. I have seen how you look at her. You must have faith. Because Okalani has blessed you."

Drew frowned.

"The garden has ears... and eyes."

"Oh, dear God. You saw us?"

Eleu nodded. "I saw love. That is all. Now, go with Jenna. Get away. It will do you no good to sit here waiting. It will only

drive you crazy."

"You're right." Drew turned, finding Jenna still sitting by the pool, sipping on her drink. "She wants to do an island cruise, one of those that serve dinner."

"They're very nice. You should go."

"I guess we will." Drew nodded slightly at Eleu. "Thanks. I feel better."

Jay stood on the balcony staring out over the ocean, listening—but not really hearing—as Katherine ordered them champagne. The view was spectacular up this high. Drew would love it.

She shook her head. No, Drew would hate it. It couldn't match the grandeur of their views from the volcano. Not the views, not the smell, not the fresh air... and certainly not the company.

Taking a deep breath, she turned around, going back inside. The suite was huge. She could only guess what Katherine had paid for it.

"Champagne will be right up."

"Why champagne, Kath?"

"Why not?"

Jay spread her arms out. "Oh, I don't know. First of all, what the hell are we doing here? I just wanted to talk. We need to talk, Kath."

Katherine sat down on the sofa and crossed her legs, swinging one nonchalantly as she smiled at Jay. "Okay. So talk. What's on your mind?"

Jay hated the smile, hated the pose on the sofa, and she hated the fact that she was intimidated by Katherine. She crossed her arms defensively, wondering how to begin.

"Why are we in a two hundred dollar a night room?" Katherine laughed. "Try two-fifty. And why not? Is it just terrible of me to want to spend some time with you? Is it so wrong to take you away so we can be alone?"

"Alone? What is it, Kath? Has Jenna run her course already?" Katherine sat up straighten "What are you insinuating?"

"Oh, come on. You know what I'm insinuating."

Katherine laughed. "Are you actually jealous of the time I spent with Jenna?"

Jay shook her head. "Surprisingly, jealous was not ever one of the emotions I felt. I think I just now realized that. But anger, yes. Betrayal, that too."