Gerri Hill - The Rainbow Cedar

Johnny laughed. "So I'll guess that if it were, say Frankie Mason from Wilkes and Bonner in that house, you wouldn't be so interested in going inside four or five times a day."

"Jay has a distinct advantage over Frankie Mason, yes. But it's not like you think. She's attached. We're just friends."

"Yeah, just your luck, huh?"

Drew's smile faded. Yeah, just her luck. She and Jay were quickly becoming friends. They were comfortable in each other's presence. Conversation never lacked. And always, that underlying degree of attraction was there, both of them ignoring it as far as Drew could tell. Jay rarely spoke of Katherine. In fact, sometimes Drew wondered if Jay forgot that Katherine existed.

But it didn't matter. Drew knew her limitations as far as Jay was concerned. Friends. Nothing more. And that was enough. Although Jay never said, she suspected Jay craved Drew's friendship as much as Drew did Jay's. She couldn't explain it. It was just there. From the moment they met, from the moment Jay ran into her truck and Drew had looked in her eyes, it was there.

So that's why Drew now bounded up the steps, pausing to remove her dirty boots before going inside.

"You don't think it's too dark?" Jay turned in a circle, looking at the walls, then back at Connie. "Too much red?"

"It's the latest thing."

"How can you possibly enjoy a meal with all this red?"

"People use their formal dining rooms maybe three times a year," Connie stated. "And a nice table and chairs with red velvet cushions would match nicely."

"Well, I hate it."

"Me too."

Jay turned, surprised to find Drew standing there watching them. She smiled. "Hey, you. You hate it, huh?"

"A little on the red side."

"It's supposed to be," Connie said.

"In fact, it's so red, it might be the deciding factor in not buying the house."

Jay nodded. "I agree." She turned to Connie. "We've got to tone it down some. How about a light burgundy?"

"Beige trim?"

"We could do a beige trim with just a hint of burgundy to match. Right?"

"The last time we tried just a hint of something, remember what happened?"

Jay laughed and glanced at Drew. "We ended up with puke green. It was disgusting. No matter what we did, the walls were still puke green." Jay walked by Connie, lightly squeezing her shoulder. "Give it a try, okay?" She took Drew's arm and led her out of the room. "She's the creative sort," she whispered when they were out of earshot. She let her hand slip off Drew's arm, silently cursing her need of physical touch. Instead, she folded her hands under her arms, watching Drew. "What's up?"

Drew ducked her head, a slight flush marring her features. "Nothing. Just wanted to cool off."

"I see. Taking advantage of the AC? And as boss you can do that." She glanced at Drew's feet. "And you were kind enough to take off your boots."

Drew followed her gaze to her dirty socks. "I don't suppose these are much cleaner," she said as she wiggled her toes.

"You want to wash up?"

"You read my mind?"

"You're filthy."

"It's part of my charm."

"That it is," Jay said before she could stop herself. She met Drew's eyes quickly, then looked away. She pointed down the hall. "Use the spare bathroom. I have towels in there already." She watched as Drew walked—sauntered—away from her. "Just ignore the paint stains," she called after her. She spun around, clenching her fists together, hating, absolutely hating her attraction to Drew. They could be good friends. Really, they could be.

Couldn't they?

Would it be like it was with Audrey? Could she tell Drew anything and expect nothing but support from her? Could she sleep over at her house when Katherine was away and stay up talking half the night?

She rolled her eyes. Right.

No, she wasn't stupid. Neither was Drew. And if she wasn't careful—if they both weren't careful—they would end up totally screwing up their budding friendship.

"Hey."

Jay spun around again, finding Drew watching her. She fell into her eyes, not even trying to stop herself. She simply couldn't help it. No woman should have eyes that color. "Hunter green," she murmured.

Drew frowned. "Huh?"

"Your eyes," Jay said quietly. "I love your eyes."

Drew nodded. "I kinda like yours too."

Jay swallowed with difficulty, finally turning away, her back to Drew. "I should get back to it, I suppose."

"Yeah, me too."

Drew moved closer. Jay could feel her. She stopped breathing.

"I won't be around tomorrow, Jay."

Jay turned, eyebrows raised.

"Got another yard to start on."

Jay nodded. "Okay."

"Want to maybe go to Rhonda's afterward?"

Jay looked away. She should decline, she knew she should. Just say no. But like any drug addict, she couldn't. "Okay."

Drew tilted her head. "Or maybe Katherine will be waiting on you?"

Jay's quick laugh was bitter, but she couldn't stop it. "No, Katherine will definitely not be waiting on me."

"When are you ever going to tell me about that?"

"Tell you what?"

"About Katherine. You seem to have a lot of free time." She moved closer. "If I were Katherine, I would be home every day at five, just to be with you. But something keeps her away."

Oh God, did Drew not have any idea what her presence did to her? "Katherine's trying to make partner. She works like a thousand hours a week. We hardly see each other," Jay said. Actually, that was a stretch. They hardly spoke these days.

She moved away from Drew, walking purposefully back to the dining room and Connie, where it was safe, where they wouldn't be alone.

"So you want to get a burger then?"

Jay nodded. "Sure. Call me when you're decent."

Drew laughed. "I may not be able to wash up. You may have to deal with a smelly me with a clean shirt."

"Just as long as you change before you get there." Jay stopped. "Wait a minute. You never told me what I owe you for the ding."

"Nothing, I told you."

"And I told you I was going to pay for it."

"Well, there's nothing to pay for. I haven't gotten it fixed."

"Why not?"

"I decided I liked it."

They looked at each other, both staring. "You like the ding?"

Drew nodded.

Jay smiled. "I think you want to leave it so you'll have something to hold over my head."

"Perhaps." Drew moved to the door, pausing. "See you tomorrow. I'll call you."

"Can't wait."

Sadly, it was the truth. With a sigh, she turned to Connie, finding her watching. "What?"

"She's cute."

"I know."

"Really cute." "I know."

"She's got a thing for you."

Jay shook her head, about to deny it, but didn't. "I know," she said instead.

"And it goes both ways, I suspect."

Jay took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Yes, I know."

"I need a therapy session."

"I thought you were cured. I haven't heard from you all week."

"Want to come over? We could swim."

"In the mansion? No, thanks."

Jay laughed. "I'd suggest Rhonda's, but I've been there three times this week."

"And who are you stepping out with?"

Jay bit her lower lip. "Drew."

"Oh, my God," Audrey practically yelled into the phone. "Are you insane?"

"Like I said, I need a therapy session."

"Come to the apartment. We'll order pizza."

"You're a peach. Be right there."

Jay folded her phone and tossed it onto the seat. What she really wanted was for Audrey to talk her out of her dinner date tomorrow night. Well, no, what she really wanted was for Audrey to say it was okay to have dinner with Drew. It was just burgers at the bar, after all.

"Right. Audrey will be all over that one," she said sarcastically.

She drove quickly, taking the exit off of MoPac and going to West Lake Hills. Their own home, tucked into the hills near Balcones, was but a stone's throw across the hills. But here in apartment hell, it was hard to imagine the tranquility of their spacious cedar and oak lot. Not that Audrey's apartment complex lacked character. It was better than most, with native trees tucked into every available spot, trying to hide the concrete and pavement that had ruined it to begin with.

She hurried through the parking lot, the summer heat still permeating as the asphalt shimmered even after the sun had slipped below the trees. She rapped on the door, waiting for Audrey to unlock it and let her in. Cool air hit her face as she slipped inside and she slumped back against the door, fanning herself.

"I hate summers."

"You weren't complaining the other day when we were at the pool."

"That's different. Barton Springs pool is a ritual." She shoved off the door and tossed her purse on the sofa, following Audrey into the kitchen, spying the blender on the counter. "Gonna make margaritas?"

"Yep. Got a new mix."

"Fabulous. But what was wrong with your old one?"

"Nothing. This is just different." Audrey bent down, finding the tequila bottle. "And guess what? I've got a date tomorrow night."

Jay grinned. "You do? Wonderful. Who with?"

"Her name is Diante."

"Diante? What the hell kind of name is that?"

Audrey shrugged. "Don't know. I just met her at a meeting today. She's a banker." Audrey paused. "Older than me. She's probably in her forties."

"A banker in her forties who is single?" Jay raised her eyebrows. "She is single, right?"

"She's from Dallas. Only in town this week."

"So does that mean she's single?"

Audrey shrugged again. "I didn't ask. I mean, I guess she's single if she asked me out."

"Maybe it's just dinner. Not really a date."

"No, I think it's a date."

Jay's eyes widened. "She wants to have sex?"

"That was the gist I got."

"But you don't do that."

Audrey laughed. "Of course I have sex."

"Not with strangers. You don't have sex with strangers," Jay insisted.

"Okay, Jay. I don't have sex with strangers."

"Oh, my God! You're going to sleep with her. You just met her today."

"I swear, you're such a prude. She's a professional woman, quite attractive I might add, and in town for a week. It's not any concern of mine if she's single or not."

"You wore that short skirt, didn't you, "Jay accused.

"With fishnet hose. She didn't stand a chance."

"You're so bad. Perhaps you're the one in need of a therapy session."

The doorbell rang and Audrey stopped Jay as she went to her purse. "It's on me this time."

Jay took the pizza back to the bar, pulling out a bar stool and flipping open the box before Audrey had even paid.

"You've not eaten today?"

Jay shook her head. "Not a bite," she said with her mouth full.

Audrey poured ice into the blender and pushed the button. Jay watched the ice spin, her mouth watering as she waited for Audrey to finish.

"Try this," Audrey said, sliding a glass her way. "It's got more of a lime tang to it."

Jay took a sip, nodding. "Good. Different, but good."

"Thought you'd like it." Audrey pulled out a bar stool and joined Jay, picking up a piece of pizza. "I only had a salad for lunch. Pizza sounded good."

"I'm not used to working, I guess," Jay said. "I need to start making a sandwich or something. By the time you drive somewhere to eat and get back, you've lost nearly two hours."

"So, what about this therapy session?"

Jay put her pizza down and reached for her drink instead. "I've been to lunch with her. And we went to the bar for drinks the other day after work. But we didn't have dinner, just a plate of nachos."

"So what's got you worried?"

"She asked me to meet her there for dinner tomorrow."

"And you said?"

Jay looked away. "I said yes."

"Jay, Jay, Jay. You are just looking for trouble, aren't you?"

"We're friends. There's nothing wrong with having dinner. You and I do it all the time."

"A bit different."

"How so?"

"You don't cream your pants every time you see me."

"Oh, that is so gross," Jay said with a laugh. "And so not true."

"What? You do cream your pants when you see me?"