"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."
CHAPTER NINE
"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?"