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? "

" 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? "

Jay nearly spit out her drink. " No! You know what I mean. Besides, Drew knows about Katherine. She knows it's just friendship between us."

" She may know that Katherine exists in your life, but does she know how this last year has been? Does she know Katherine has been absent for the last eight months? Does she know how unhappy you are? "

Jay stared at her. " I'm not unhappy."

" Oh, Jay, you don't have to say it for me to know. You're miserable. You had an anxiety attack the other night, didn't you? " Audrey gripped her hand. " When you left the bar? "

Jay nodded.

" If you feel like your relationship with Katherine is failing, spending time with Drew is not going to solve anything. It'll just make it worse."

" Worse for whom? "

" For everyone, Jay. Katherine may be totally blinded by this. She may have no idea how unhappy you are. In fact, I'd swear to it. She's not around enough to know. And knowing you, you've not told her. You just go along with this crazy plan of hers, letting her work herself into an early grave, just to make partner at a firm long known for its suppression of women. Good grief, with her reputation, she could probably go to any firm in town and name her price. But no, she wants to prove something, wants to be the first."

" It's crazy, I know."

" So you've got to tell her. I know you've said you talked, but have you really told her how miserable you've been? "

" How can she not know? My God, we see each other less than roommates would." Jay got up to refill her glass. " And the other night, she comes home well after midnight—nearly two— and wants to have sex."

" And you didn't? "

" No." She took a deep breath. " I don't. I mean, I have such... such anger inside me. How can she not see that? Doesn't our relationship mean anything to her? Doesn't it mean more than her goddamn career? "

Audrey's eyebrows shot up and Jay smiled apologetically. " Sorry. I know you hate that word."

" So, you're angry at Katherine for the deterioration of your relationship? "

" Yes."

" And that's where Drew comes in? "

Jay shook her head. " No. I don't have any romantic interest in Drew. I like her. I enjoy her company. And I don't see anything wrong with having dinner with her."

" You're so full of shit. Fill me up, " Audrey said as she handed Jay her glass. " So if you see nothing wrong with it, then why are you here wanting me to give you my blessing? "

" Because I feel guilty, " Jay said.

" Why? "

" Because... damn, she's cute and attractive and... and perhaps I am a little bit attracted to her."

" A little? "

" Okay, a lot. Jesus, you're good at this, " Jay said with a laugh.

" There, we've got it out in the open finally. You're attracted to Drew, you feel guilty for seeing her, and what else? "

" I swear, Audrey, sometimes I hate you."

" What are friends for? "

" So I shouldn't go to dinner with her, right? "

Audrey laughed. " We both know you're going to dinner with her. But I think you need to decide how far you're going to take it. I think you should be honest with her. Tell her about Katherine, and tell her you're attracted to her."

" Are you crazy? I will not."

" Why? "

" Because, that's why. Because."

" Because you know she's attracted to you too? Because if you admit it to her, then who knows what will happen? "

" Oh, Audrey... yes and yes." Jay put her glass down and paced, moving behind Audrey. " Yes, we have this thing. I know it. She knows it. But we've not said anything, you know. It's just there. And I mean, really, it's crazy. We've been out alone a handful of times, we talk on the phone, we see each other during the day when we're at the same house, but still, we've not said one word about it. And it's, well, it's because of Katherine. Drew knows she exists. Drew knows I'm not single. So maybe she's okay with us just being friends. I mean, maybe she's just content to hang out."

" And you're living in a dream world."

" So I shouldn't go out with her? "

" If you're believing this dribble that you're spewing, no. But why can't you just be honest with her? "

" Honesty is scary."

" Honesty is the best policy."

Jay laughed and went to Audrey, wrapping her arms around her. " I love you. I swear, you make sense even when you make no sense."

" I know. I'm the best friend ever."

" You are."

" Thank you. And I love you too."