She set her laptop aside and followed Katherine into the house. "You want something to drink?" she called up the stairs. "I have a pitcher of tea."

"I'd prefer something stronger. Something cool for outside. How about a Tom Collins?"

"Sure." Gin? At this hour?

Jay went to the bar, finding the gin and Tom Collins mix. She sliced up a lime and stuck that on the side of the glass, then took a lime wedge and added it to her iced tea. She took both drinks outside and waited for Katherine to return.

And when she did, standing there in her swimsuit, Jay's eyebrows shot up.

"My God, how much weight have you lost?" she blurted out without thinking. Katherine looked nearly gaunt.

"I know. I haven't been eating. Stress."

"How much longer can you keep this up, Kath? You're killing yourself."

She flashed a charming smile. "Hardly killing myself. But it won't be much longer."

"Is making partner worth all this?"

"Partner? Oh, that's in the bag, sweetheart. Has been. But in another month, I will have brought in more clients and more money than anyone ever has in the history of the firm. Old man

Mills about has a coronary each week when he looks at the numbers. I love it."

With that, she dove into the pool, swimming underwater until she reached the other side, then floated on her back as she kicked her legs lazily.

"And after I've sucked all his clients from him, I'm going to start my own firm. Won't that be great?"

"Wonderful," Jay said, trying to muster up some enthusiasm.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you who I ran into yesterday at lunch. Do you remember me telling you about that girl I met in law school? Jenna White?"

Jay nodded. "Your first, right? She ended up being straight?"

Katherine laughed. "She wanted to be straight, yes. Anyway, I saw her at Juan's yesterday during lunch. She's been back in town for five months already. I can't believe I haven't run into her before now."

"Really?" Lunch? She takes time for lunch? "What's she doing back?"

"She's divorced. Seems being straight didn't work out for her," Katherine said with a laugh. "She's working at Bateman."

"What a coincidence."

"Yes, I thought so." Katherine swam closer. "We're going to hook up next week for lunch one day to catch up. I thought it'd be nice to maybe have her over for dinner one night. Would you mind cooking?"

"Of course not. But will you be joining us?"

"Very funny. Of course I'll be joining you. I'll just have to make it a point to leave work early."

Jay wasn't sure if her sudden burst of anger was based on jealously or not. But really, did Katherine even hear what she was saying? She meets her at lunch, yet can't ever break away when Jay suggests they meet for a quick bite. And dinner? When was the last time Katherine made it a point to get home early for dinner? No, she was just too busy to make time for Jay. But for an old girlfriend? Sure, no problem.

"It's funny, really," Katherine said as she splashed around in the water. "In law school, she would have just died had anyone said she was gay. You should see her now. She's all out there, you know. She said being married opened her eyes. She couldn't stand having to answer to a man." Katherine laughed. "Now she's working for Bateman. Talk about a control freak. She won't last there the year."

"Well, if you start your own firm, perhaps you can bring her on board," Jay said lightly.

"I've already thought of that. Of course, just because she's an old friend won't hold much weight if she doesn't have the clients." Katherine flipped over to her back. "Why don't you come join me?"

Jay hesitated, wanting to decline. But really, when was the last time they'd had a Saturday afternoon together? "Sure."

"What do you have planned for dinner?"

Jay dove into the pool, surfacing several feet from Katherine. "I thought we'd grill steaks out here. It's been awhile."

"Sounds good. And I wouldn't mind an early dinner. I'm exhausted, really. This was a good idea to have a short weekend for once."

"Yes, it was. And forgive me for saying so, but Kath, you look terrible."

Katherine laughed. "Thanks, sweetheart."

"I mean it. You look like you could just collapse. I'm not sure you can go another month like this."

"I have to. And it won't be a problem. When they announce my new position, I'll be able to take some time off." She stood in the pool, wringing her long hair behind her. "I thought maybe we could get away somewhere." She looked over at Jay. "How about Hawaii?"

"Hawaii?"

"You've never been, have you?"

Jay just barely resisted rolling her eyes. Of course she'd never been. Katherine knew that. "No, I've not had the pleasure."

"Well, then maybe we'll think about doing that. My treat, of course." She walked out of the pool and plopped down in one of the lounge chairs in the shade. "You were right. It's quite pleasant out here after a swim."

"Yes, it is," Jay replied before ducking under the water again and swimming to the far end. Hawaii? Good Lord, what had gotten into her?

Katherine covered her mouth as another yawn came over her. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm not used to down time."

"Maybe your body is trying, to tell you something."

Katherine sipped from her fourth Tom Collins of the afternoon. "It's telling me I'm starving. Those steaks smell wonderful."

"And they'll be ready in a second. Do you want to eat out here or inside?"

"Oh, we're still in our swimsuits. Let's stay out."

"Okay. Let me get the asparagus and potatoes, I'll be right back." Jay hurried inside, ignoring the table she'd already set for dinner. She stood on tiptoe, trying to reach the large serving platter and failing.

"Crap," she muttered. She got the small step stool from the utility room, pulling down the stainless steel platter which they seldom used. On it, she placed two plates and utensils, cloth napkins, the bowl of potatoes and the steamed asparagus. She hurried back outside, kicking open the door with her foot, scowling at the smoke coming from the grill. "Kath, turn the steaks," she said.

Katherine lifted the lid, ducking back from the smoke before flipping their rib eyes over. She looked at Jay over the rim of the gas grill. "Were we out of filet mignon?"

"Sorry. You'll have to settle for rib eye."

"You should make a note to stock up," she said. "I much prefer them."

Jay bit her lip as she set the table outside. "Of course, Kath. But these are prime cut." She walked over to the grill. "And they're ready to come off." She took the tongs from Katherine. "Go sit. I'll bring them over."

Katherine took her drink and moved away. She stood looking out over the pool, finally turning back to Jay. "You're very good to me, you know."

"You think?"

"Yes. I haven't been very good to you this past year."

Jay hesitated, torn between agreeing with her and perhaps having that discussion Audrey had urged her to have... or simply ignoring the statement and having dinner. She met Katherine's eyes, still so lifeless. She chose to ignore it. "You've been very busy, Kath, I know that. And I've been busy with my business. It's starting to take off, I think."

Katherine nodded, but didn't comment.

"Sit. Make yourself a plate. Do you want another drink?"

"No, I think I've had enough." She sat down. "But where's my steak sauce?"

"Sorry. I forgot it. Be right back." Jay hurried back into the house, nearly exhausted herself, just from serving dinner. She stopped in the kitchen, taking a breath. Had it always been this way? Had she always been the caretaker? Had Katherine always been the queen?

Yes.

And without warning, that heavy weight settled around her again, making her shoulders ache, making her chest heavy. A feeling of confinement, of imprisonment, washed over her, making her breath hard to catch, her lungs tight. She leaned against the counter, eyes closed, trying to ward off the dizziness.

Anxiety attack?

But it passed as soon as it started, her head clearing, the ache leaving her shoulders. "Christ," she murmured, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Jay?"

Jay turned, expecting Katherine to be standing there. But she was still on the patio. "Coming." She found Katherine's favorite steak sauce in the fridge and hurried back outside.

"The seasoning is great on these. I almost don't need the sauce."

Jay gritted her teeth and placed the steak sauce within Katherine's reach. "Well, just in case."


CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Jay stomped across the drop cloth, her mood still as sour as it had been on Sunday. And if she'd had a can of paint opened, she very well might have flung it against the wall.

"What is wrong with you?"

Jay glanced at Connie. "Nothing."

"I think you should let me do the painting today. You're in some kind of mood."

Jay whipped around, angry. But Connie simply stood there, a concerned look on her face. "God, I'm sorry," Jay said. "I really am."

"Bad weekend?"

"Yeah."

"Relationship hell?"

Jay laughed. "Something like that. But I think you're right. I should let you work. I'll make a run to the paint store. Get what

I need for the bedroom. How does that sound?"

Connie waved her away. "Take your time. The AC is working today. I'll be fine."

Jay left without another word, going through the front door and standing on the stoop, looking out over the yard, watching as Drew's guy Johnny gave instructions to the five young men with him.

"Hey," she called, waiting until Johnny turned around. "Where's Drew?"

Johnny shook his head. "She won't be out until this afternoon. Had a meeting with a builder this morning."

Jay nodded. Okay, at least Drew wasn't still avoiding her. She jogged down the sidewalk to her van, starting the engine and turning the AC on high. She sat there, hands gripped tightly on the steering wheel. Yeah, relationship hell.

Katherine had made it about halfway through dinner before exhaustion—and alcohol—claimed her. She practically had to be carried up the stairs to bed. And at midnight, when Jay had ventured into their bedroom, Katherine woke, wanting to make love. Jay had given in to the familiar touch, trying in vain to conjure up those old feelings. Katherine's kisses were soft, gentle... like she remembered. Her touch was light across her skin. But that was all. There was no passion, no urgency in their embrace. And before either of them had even come close to orgasm, Katherine had fallen asleep again, forgetting all about their lovemaking, stopping in mid-stroke and rolling over to face die wall.

Jay had never been more humiliated in all her life. She withdrew her fingers from Katherine and slipped from the bed, going back outside to sit by the pool. It was hours later before sleep claimed her.

And the next morning, Katherine had cuddled with her in bed, whispering how wonderful the sex had been the night before. Thankfully, Katherine was invigorated and had practically run down the stairs and into her office, working the morning away until Jay had called her for lunch. A lunch Katherine only picked at before dashing away to the firm, saying she had files she had to work on.

And when Jay awoke at two the next morning, Katherine had been sleeping beside her. And at six, Katherine had been gone.

She sighed. So much for their weekend together.

She pulled away from the curb, her tires squealing. And yes, she was in some kind of mood.

Drew stepped out of her truck, disappointed that Jay's van was nowhere in sight. She slammed her door, squinting into the sun as she watched Johnny and his crew unload grass pallets from the trailer.

"About time you show up," Johnny called.

Drew pointed at her clothes. "Don't think I'll be helping you today."

"So you just stopped by to supervise then, huh?"

"Of course."

"And I know you're lying. You just missed her." He pointed down the street. "She went that way. Was in a bit of a hurry too. Left tire marks."

Drew looked at the street, seeing the faint mark of tire treads. She nodded. "Be right back."

She went to the door and knocked once, then went inside. She found Connie on the floor in the living room, her head bobbing to a silent beat. Drew frowned, then noticed the white wires going to each ear. She walked closer, then nudged Connie with her foot. The girl nearly jumped out of her skin.