Which was what she was fast approaching as she tried to decide on this, her last room.
"Whatcha doin'?"
Jay jumped, her scream turning into a growl, watching hundreds of swatches fall to the floor as her hand went to still her racing heart. Drew Montgomery stood there, tiny tank top barely covering her upper body, loose-hanging shorts stained with dirt covering the lower portion. Jay couldn't help herself as her gaze moved over the woman, pausing at her feet, which were safely clad inside work boots.
She finally breathed again. "You scared the crap out of me," she said, breaking into a smile.
"Sorry, didn't mean to. Thought you heard me." Drew bent to gather the fallen swatches and Jay did the same. "Hope these weren't in any particular order."
"Every good designer would tell you of course they're in some sort of order." Jay grinned. "I have a hard time keeping them that way." She paused. "You're starting on the yard?" Mr. Kline had told her Drew would be by sometime this week, not that Jay had been looking for her or anything.
"Yeah. Should have been here Monday, but we got behind. We were about half done with this other house when it sold. The new owner wanted some things changed."
"Can they do that?"
"Oh, sure. If they want to pay. The builders have already paid me and have tacked on the cost of landscaping into the price of the house. That won't change. But the new owners can plant whatever they want. I certainly don't want to go to the trouble of putting in my stuff only to have them rip it up. So I try to work with them on the cost."
They stood, Drew handing Jay her share of the swatches.
"Thanks," Jay said, allowing Drew to capture her eyes. Now she knew why she'd picked that particular color of green for the master bedroom. It just oozed sexuality.
"I better get busy. I don't hear any work going on so I guess the guys are waiting on me."
"Okay, yeah. I should finish up too."
"Oh? You're already done for the day?"
Drew sounded disappointed and Jay shook her head. "Just with picking out the last of the colors. Then it's shopping for paint."
"You don't do all this yourself, do you?"
"Any type of faux painting, yes. But I have someone who helps me with wall painting. She's a college graduate with a degree in petroleum engineering who doesn't want to leave Austin." Jay shrugged. "And she works for fifty cents more than minimum wage."
"Quite the bargain then," Drew said with a laugh. She headed for the door, then paused. "If you're up for it, we could swing by Rhonda's for a drink later."
It was said so casually, so friendly, Jay couldn't think of any reason to decline. So she smiled and nodded. "I'd love it."
"Great."
Jay watched her go, her gaze glued to her backside as she bounded down the steps and out into the yard. It was hot, she reasoned. A cold margarita would go down nicely after work. She spun around, a grin on her face. She shouldn't have accepted, she knew. But Drew Montgomery wasn't someone she could resist.
She stopped short, her smile turning into a frown. Resist? Oh, of course she could resist her. That wasn't what she meant. It was just... well, it was hot out.
"I never saw you again. Did you slip out early?" Drew asked as she settled into the booth opposite Jay. She'd changed shirts—in the privacy of her truck this time—before joining Jay on the sidewalk. And despite Jay's attempt to look disinterested, Drew saw her glance into the cab of the truck many times. She knew Jay was in a relationship, knew she wasn't interested in her, but still, sometimes when Jay looked at her, she had the impression Jay was fighting with herself.
"I got claustrophobic. I don't know what it was. All those women, all that noise." Jay waved her hand dismissively. "I just needed some air."
"Yeah. It was a bit crowded. Years ago, I used to love Tammy George. But she's gotten older, I've gotten older. She just doesn't do anything for me anymore."
Jay laughed. "I know what you mean. I was thinking the same thing." Jay leaned closer. "And all those young girls there. How do they even know who Tammy George is?"
"Well, she's still attractive and she can still rock."
"And apparently draw a crowd."
Drew paused, waiting while Rhonda brought their drinks over. A margarita for Jay and a beer for her.
"Here you go, ladies. Chips and salsa, on the house. Enjoy."
"Thanks, Rhonda."
Drew smiled as she watched Jay reach for her drink, the audible sigh turning into a satisfied groan.
"God, that's good." Jay looked up. "I think I'm addicted to them."
Drew held up her beer. "I've never developed a taste for tequila." She grinned. "And don't tell anyone, but I have a fondness for fruity drinks."
"Would ruin your image, would it?"
"Oh, absolutely." Drew shoved a chip into her mouth after scooping up salsa.
"How was your date the other night? You said it was a first one," Jay asked.
"She's the friend of a girlfriend of a friend of mine."
"Huh?"
Drew laughed. "My friend Val, her girlfriend is good friends with her. Sheila."
"Oh. And how did that work out?"
"It was okay. She's a bit young for me, I think. She wanted to go bar-hopping at straight clubs after Tammy George. Frankly, I couldn't keep up. I doubt there'll be a second date."
"Do you have these blind dates often?"
"Far too often, I'm afraid. Friends can't stand to see me single and can't understand how I can be content going home to an empty house every night." She held up her empty beer mug to Rhonda, then glanced at Jay's glass, still half full. "But I work hard during the week. I'm usually too exhausted for dating."
"And why exactly are you still single?"
Drew tilted her head. "What kind of question is that?"
"You're attractive, you own your own business. Why hasn't someone latched on to you?" Jay grinned. "Or do you have some really annoying habits that run them off?"
"Not that I'm aware of. But at this stage in my life, I'm not out just looking for a good time. You can get that anywhere. I've got this image in my mind of the type of woman I'd like to spend my life with." She leaned forward. "Certain qualities that appeal to me. And so far, I've not found her. And so I'm content going home to an empty house. I don't want to just settle."
"What are you? Mid-thirties?"
"Yeah. Thirty-six. You?"
"Thirty-two. "Jay twirled her glass, then looked up, meeting Drew's eyes. "Can I ask you something personal?"
Drew nodded.
"I love your name. But Drew ... where did it come from?"
Drew laughed. "When you said you wanted to ask me something personal, I thought it was going to be about my love life."
"I don't know you that well yet." Jay took a chip, skipping the salsa.
"I see." Drew took her beer from Rhonda. "Thanks."
"Are you ladies staying for dinner?"
"Oh, no," Jay said. "Just a drink."
"Very well. If you want something to snack on other than chips, let me know."
"Thanks, Rhonda." Jay looked back to Drew. "Your name?"
"My name. Well, I'm the youngest of four girls. My father is Andrew, one of five Andrews in his family, cousins and all. I was the last shot at a boy." She shrugged. "I would have preferred Andi instead of Drew though."
Jay shook her head. "Andi is too... too cutesy. Like Candi, or Toni, or something. Drew suits you better. It's stronger."