Magnetic

By Robin Alexander

MAGNETIC

© 2012 BY ROBIN ALEXANDER

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

ISBN 13: 978-1-935216-44-5

First edition: 2012

This ebook Is Published By

Intaglio Publications

Walker, LA USA

WWW.INTAGLIOPUB.COM

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

_______________________________________________

CREDITS

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: TARA YOUNG

COVER DESIGN BY: TIGER GRAPHICS

Magnetic

While on a business trip Layne Stone learns that she has been dumped by her partner of six years. Hurt, angry—a little tipsy she takes solace in the arms of a stranger. The brief encounter made going home to New Orleans and starting a new life a bit less daunting for Layne.

Stacy Mayeaux was unaccustomed to waking up alone in a hotel room. Normally, she was the one that crept out before the light of morning crept in. But the woman who’d left an indelible mark upon her soul simply walked away without so much as a phone number or a kiss goodbye.

Neither woman thought they’d ever cross paths, but irony proves them wrong. Layne and Stacy meet face-to-face once again in the most unfortunate of circumstances and the pull between them is simply Magnetic.

DEDICATION

For the sweetest of Roses

Grams

And Barbara

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As always, my sincere thanks to Tara and my editorial team. And to Becky for her support and encouragement.

Chapter 1

Layne,

I took some time to let my temper cool since your departure Friday. I wanted you to know that the conclusion I’ve come to was not made out of anger, but I think we both know our relationship isn’t what it should be. I’ll be gone by the time you return home. I’m not going to quibble over what belongs to whom, so I’ll be taking only what I know belongs to me.

Olivia

Layne Stone crumpled the email that she’d printed as if holding the hard copy would make the unexpected message seem more tangible somehow. They had fought before Layne’s business trip. It was true that the relationship was failing. But to receive a one-paragraph email stating that the six years they’d spent together was over was in Layne’s opinion a coldhearted bitch slap.

“At least she didn’t send it in a text,” she said numbly as she gazed out over Detroit from the balcony of her hotel room. She looked at the light coming from windows of the surrounding buildings and the cars below, wondering about the lives around her. Did anyone feel as numb as she did at that moment? A loud knock came from inside her room. Layne looked down at her watch and sighed. For the next couple of hours, she’d have to put on her happy face and mingle with her associates and clients. In the morning, she’d return to New Orleans and start all over.

“Well…” Alana Mayeaux said, drawing out the word as she stood with one hand on her hip. Her deep green dress hugged her shapely form and revealed more cleavage than one would normally deem appropriate for a business cocktail party. Pearly white teeth appeared as dark red lips parted in a smile. “Conservative as usual, but you make a suit pop with that figure of yours. If you’d show a little leg, I might have some competition.” Alana stepped into the room and closed the door. “So don’t. Leave the roving eyes to us single gals.”

Layne didn’t bother to say that she was now in that category. Instead she stepped in front of the mirror and ran a hand through her shoulder-length blond hair, unwilling to give it any more attention. Alana moved beside her and applied more lipstick.

“Do us both a favor and stay away from Corbin Malone tonight.” Layne stared at Alana’s reflection. “Clients are off-limits, though I know you’ve bent that rule more than a few times.”

Alana toyed with a dark brown strand of hair that had escaped from her updo and grinned impishly. “His wife will be with him, so I’ll have to find other playmates.”

Alana’s attraction to married men was a bone of contention between her and Layne. As male attention went, Alana had the lion’s share. She never suffered from a lack of “playmates,” as she put it, but married men were more of a challenge, and Alana loved the thrill of pursuit, and more importantly, someone who couldn’t afford to get too attached.

“My cousin will be joining us tonight. I’ll introduce you and maybe y’all can talk shop. She’s one of your teammates. Single and very good-looking,” Alana said with a wink. “Too bad you’re already spoken for. The Mayeaux women have a reputation for being amazing between the sheets.”

Layne rolled her eyes. “Two Mayeauxs under the same roof, God help us all.”

“Yes.” Alana beamed with unabashed pride as she took Layne’s arm. “You look particularly dour this evening. Are you homesick?”

Layne switched on a lamp as they headed for the door. “I’m tired and very sick of smiling. I’m looking forward to being home in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt with a big tub of ice cream.”

“Tomorrow evening, you will be,” Alana said as they stepped into the hallway. “But tonight, I suggest drinking heavily. The smiles tend to come more easily that way.”

On the elevator ride down to the ballroom, Layne and Alana were joined by two men Layne had met at the offices of Cline & Barry, an accounting program design firm that had recently become one of her clients. Layne could not remember their names, but Alana—who had a penchant for remembering the names of everyone from the president to the mail clerks they associated with—certainly did. Layne assumed that was the reason Alana was so favored by their boss David Calloway and why he was so willing to overlook her sexual escapades that had landed them in the hot seat on a few occasions. Layne also figured that David had been in Alana’s “hot seat” at least once, which caused him to turn a blind eye to some of her more flamboyant dalliances.

Layne followed behind Alana as she took both men by the arms when they exited the elevator. Soft jazz and conversation drifted from the ballroom, and Layne released a quiet sigh before relaxing the tension that had accumulated in her jaw. David Calloway met her at the door as she walked in.

“Fashionably late as usual,” he said dryly.

“It wasn’t intentional. I received an email that required my attention,” Layne explained as she accepted a glass of champagne from one of the tuxedoed servers and looked out over the room.

“Late arrival means late departure.” David stuffed a hand into his trousers pocket and took a sip of his cocktail. “Mingle, dance, and pretend that you adore them all. Tomorrow, you can wear that frown, but tonight, at least try to look like you want to be here.”

Layne downed half her drink, then shot him one of her best fake smiles. “Will this do?”

“For now,” David said coolly. “But you and I need to talk when we get back.” He walked away without saying more.

Before six that evening when Layne had received the email from Olivia, David’s comment might’ve rattled her. But as the cold champagne tickled the back of her throat, she found that she really didn’t care, nor would she stay late. Mingle she would, and when the liquor that flowed freely began to loosen the inhibitions of the partygoers, she’d escape.

“Ms. Stone, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for the sweeping changes you made at our firm.” Amanda Cleary smiled as she thrust out her hand for Layne to shake. “I have to admit when you first made your speech about what you could accomplish with customer service revamping, I was skeptical.” Amanda raised a single brow. “To be honest, I thought it was bullshit.”

Layne laughed along with the woman whom she knew as the no-nonsense HR manager who at first had seemed unwelcoming of Calloway and Associates’ intervention into her territory. Cline & Barry had a solid reputation for the programs they designed, but the customer service had garnered negative reviews and was beginning to affect the bottom line. Layne and her team were called in by the bigwigs at the corporate office to retrain their employees and restructure policy. Within six months, the company made a turnaround and reclaimed its place in a competitive market. This visit to Detroit was the final evaluation and the party a celebration of success that David hoped would catch the attention of prospective clients.

“I believe in giving credit when credit is due,” Amanda said with a sparkle in her eye. “Morale has improved, turnover has virtually diminished, and my job is infinitely easier. So thank you.”

Layne smiled genuinely. “Music to my ears. You have my direct line, so if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to contact me.”

“Thanks again,” Amanda said with a slight nod and moved into the crowd.

Layne watched her go and caught sight of another woman she didn’t know. It was the hair that drew her attention first—deep brown, almost black and wild with waves that barely met her shoulders. Her dark eyes appraised other women brazenly, and she didn’t fit in with the carefully coiffed who surrounded her. The neat tailored suit didn’t seem to match the owner who looked more like she spent her days on the beach with her toes in the sand. When the dark gaze swept her way, Layne looked away, knowing that she’d been caught doing her own appraisal.

In Layne’s opinion, women gave away their sexuality by the way they regarded one another. Straight women tended to look at one another as adversaries while others were drawn by clothes or shoes. But a lesbian, like the one she’d been watching, was not discreet, and her eyes telegraphed brazen appreciation that had nothing to do with apparel.

Across the room, Layne found Alana and watched as she moved closer to Corbin when his wife joined a group of women nearby. Alana would flirt shamelessly with him under his spouse’s nose. And by the way Corbin was covertly smiling back, Layne wondered if Alana hadn’t already caught him in her snare.

“You wish you could be anywhere but here.”

Layne turned and faced the woman she’d been watching moments before. “Is it that obvious?”

The stranger nodded and grabbed a glass of champagne as a server went by. She handed it to Layne with a smile. “Yours is almost empty.”

“Thank…you?”

“Stacy, and you are?”

Layne watched as Stacy’s gaze swept over her, then met her eye with a look that said she’d found what she was searching for. It’d been a long time since Layne had been the recipient of a stare that revealed undisguised desire, and on this night, she welcomed it and would follow anywhere it led. “Chloe.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Stacy said as she put out her hand.

Layne took it and felt Stacy’s fingers close firmly around her hand, squeezing gently, the clasp lasting longer than the usual customary embrace. Stacy let her fingers slide down the back of Layne’s before she let her go. “So tell me where you’d rather be.”

Layne didn’t know who she was talking to and was hesitant to be blatantly honest with her answer. “It’s been a long week but a productive one. I’m just tired.”

Stacy smiled slightly as she sipped her drink. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“You tell me where I’d rather be.”

“In front of a roaring fire tucked away in a cabin somewhere high in the mountains.”

“That’s good,” Layne said seductively, “but I think you can do better.” She smiled when one of Stacy’s brows arched for a millisecond.

“You have lovely eyes, such a deep blue they remind me of the water in the Caribbean. So obviously, my next answer would be a beach somewhere, maybe in a hammock sipping a rum-filled drink.”

Layne laughed. “Oh, that’s a line. Do you usually find success with it?”

Stacy shrugged. “Sometimes, it gets my foot in the door, so to speak.”

“Third time’s the charm, as they say. You have one more shot.” Layne lowered her voice to get that foot in the door. “So tell me where I’d rather be.”

Stacy moved in closer, her breath fell against Layne’s ear as she whispered, “Upstairs, with me.”

Chapter 2

“You disappeared last night,” Alana said accusingly as she sank down into the seat next to Layne. “If I didn’t know better, I’d assume you met a playmate of your own.”

“Was David looking for me?”

“Not that I noticed.” Alana watched as the flight attendant closed the door to the plane and sighed. “Get this can in the air. I need a bloody Mary stat. I should’ve boarded sooner, but I was pleasantly detained.” She looked back at Layne, then glared at the travel pillow around her neck. “Are you going to sleep the whole flight?”

“Yes, I am. As soon as I’m allowed, I’m going to recline this seat.”

“Good, lend me your iPod so I don’t have to listen to that whiny brat in coach.”

Layne reached into her bag and handed Alana the player. “Please tell me it wasn’t Corbin who detained you.”

“Okay, I won’t,” she said with a smile. “So where were you?”

Layne yawned. “In bed.” She closed her eyes, hoping to make it obvious that she had nothing else to discuss because she was still reeling from her own behavior the previous evening. She’d never had a one-night stand. Even in her briefest sexual encounters, she had at least known her lover’s last name, what she did for a living, and where she lived. All she knew of the woman she’d shared her body with the night before was her first name and that she had more energy than a nuclear bomb.

She began examining all the motivations for her rash conduct. Olivia had knocked her for a loop. Layne had known that the relationship was on the rocks. For the last couple of months, she’d been preparing herself for the conversation she knew they had to have. But Olivia had beaten her to it—and very impersonally. Layne thought after six years she deserved more than that, but the bottom line was, they had become very impersonal. Olivia had shown more passion than Layne had seen in years when they’d fought ridiculously over who had spilled wine on the living room rug and had stained it the day before Layne left for Detroit.

Passion had been lacking in their relationship for a long time, Layne surmised, but then if she were honest with herself, Olivia had never been passionate about her. Lovemaking, when it did occur, left Layne wanting, and early on, she’d expressed that and had been rebuffed. But Olivia was successful, a bright young attorney with a promising career ahead of her. They shared common goals, they’d both wanted the expensive apartment in the middle of the city, the clothes, and the cars, and had attained it all. And for that, Layne had made concessions.

She’d been raised by a working-class father and a stay-at-home mother. Her two older brothers along with her father waited at the table each night for Layne and her mother to serve them dinner. When Layne expressed anger at the inequality, her mother had explained that it was “the woman’s lot in life to serve the man.” Unlike Cynthia Stone, her only daughter refused to accept that line of thinking, and those words had pushed her to get an education without her parents’ assistance.

Those words had haunted her in every job she’d taken and motivated her to reach higher. They were a blessing and a curse. In her career, they had driven her to the top of the corporate ladder, but they had also made her materialistic, and she’d wasted six years with a woman who was as bad if not worse than she was. Layne had money and things, but she’d not found that one significant love that filled her most secret dreams.

During the previous evening, she’d poured every ounce of passion that had been pent up for six years into a complete stranger and was met with equal fervor. For a few hours, she felt desired and devoured; it felt good physically and mentally. Stacy would never know that she’d given Layne the strength to go home and not mourn something she never really had.

“…so I’ll be taking only what I know belongs to me,” Layne quoted Olivia snidely as she dropped her bags in the middle of the living room floor. They clanged loudly in the hollowness of the room. The furniture was gone, the walls bare except for the hooks where paintings they’d bought together had once hung. Layne’s books had been dumped onto the floor with no regard when the oak bookcase had been removed. The wine-stained rug had been rolled up and left behind; that did belong solely to Olivia.

Layne looked into the kitchen and noticed that the only thing left on the counter was the coffeemaker that she’d refused to part with, even though Olivia had bought one that she swore brewed the perfect cup of coffee. Layne smiled ruefully at the coffeemaker. It was the first top-of-the-line thing she’d ever purchased, and until it exploded or completely gave up the ghost, she’d always use it over anything newer. She turned and went down the hall to her office that had been completely untouched. Next to hers, Olivia’s was bare.

Layne inhaled deeply as she walked into the bedroom. The doors to her closet remained closed. Olivia’s was open and empty, and so was the room. The king-sized bed they’d bought together along with the bedside tables were gone. “Shit,” Layne said as she leaned against the doorjamb and closed her eyes. She heard footsteps coming up the hall behind her and didn’t flinch when a gentle hand rested on her shoulder.

“Are you okay?”

“I wasn’t robbed…by a stranger anyway, but I think you know that.” Layne turned slowly and looked at one of her best friends.

Jenny Wilkins regarded her sadly. “Olivia told Molly. I tried to get here before you did, but there was an accident on Tchoupitoulas, and I had to divert.”

“Olivia emailed me last night.” Layne looked back into her empty bedroom. “Judging by the looks of this place, she started moving before I ever walked onto the jetway of the plane last Wednesday.” Layne turned back to Jenny. “A fucking email that said we’re done. It was less than a paragraph.”

“I’m sorry,” Jenny said sincerely.

“Don’t be. Anyone that knew anything about us could see this coming.” Layne ran a hand through her hair. “The finality of it all is just a shock.”

Jenny licked her lips and looked past Layne’s shoulder at the empty room. “I know you’d rather be alone right now, but you don’t even have a bed or a sofa to sleep on. Come home with me. Molly and I will give you all the privacy you need.”

Weary of hotel rooms and unwilling to sleep on a hardwood floor, Layne had no choice but to accept.

*******

“So…what do we need to do now?” Jenny asked that evening as she, Layne, and Molly sat on the front porch of their house, sipping amaretto freezes after one of Molly’s home-cooked meals. “I can take the day off tomorrow and help you shop for a sofa and bed.”

Molly’s head popped up at the mention of shopping. “We can all go,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

Layne couldn’t help but smile despite her circumstances. It was so good to see Molly bright-eyed again. Cancer, chemo, and radiation had ravaged her body the previous year, and Layne had wondered if the listlessness of Molly’s eyes would be all she could remember of one of her closest friends. But Molly was springing back. Her brows were growing in thick above her brown eyes, and her hair was beginning to grow so much that she’d stopped wearing the bandanna that Layne had gotten used to seeing.

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Layne said as she glanced at Jenny. “The apartment lease is in Olivia’s name, and I don’t want to stay there. So before I buy furniture, I think I should find a place of my own.”

Layne watched as Jenny and Molly exchanged excited glances. “There’s a house that came up for rent three blocks from here.” Molly held up both hands. “Now I know it’s not what you’re used to, but it’s super cute. The yard is smaller than ours, and it’s mostly landscaped. You wouldn’t have to worry about mowing much. You could use our lawn service. I bet they wouldn’t charge much. And you’d be so close, we could have dinner more often.”

“No pressure,” Jenny said with a laugh.

Molly raised her right hand as if swearing an oath. “No, no pressure, but it does have a back deck that would be perfect for cookouts.”

“And how is it that you know so much about this place?” Layne asked.

Jenny shrugged. “We looked at it, but we don’t want to be bothered with trying to pack up all the shit we’ve accumulated over the past five years.”

Layne nodded at the excuse, knowing that it was more about money than Jenny’s and Molly’s propensity to be pack rats. They’d quickly exhausted their savings trying to keep up with Molly’s health care bills. The last year had been financially devastating due to debt and the fact that Molly had a hard time mustering the strength to work as a nurse.

Jenny had done everything she could to bolster her client load at the accounting firm she owned and had worked herself nearly to death, refusing any help from Layne and their other close friend Ronnie. But Layne and Ronnie intervened when it appeared that Jenny had lost as much weight as Molly had. After a bitter confrontation, Jenny relented and allowed them to help with some of the bills.

The burden was finally easing, and Jenny looked more relaxed, even though she was still gaunt from stress and being overworked.

Layne admired her. Jenny had been the one to put her foot down and force Molly to resign from the hospital. Despite the burden of the household bills resting on her shoulders, she was always loving and supportive of her partner, accommodating her every need. Neither Layne nor anyone else doubted that Jenny and Molly were truly in love. When times got tough, they grew tougher and faced everything together without complaint. Layne wished she could find a love like that because if she ever did, she’d never let go.

Jenny pulled off her baseball cap and ran a hand through her platinum blond hair. Tall and thin with fair skin and blue eyes, she was in complete contrast to her petite partner, who carried a little extra weight before getting sick. Molly’s skin had always been deep olive, a product of her Cajun heritage. Side by side, Molly and Jenny were polar opposites in looks, but on the inside, they shared the same heart.

“I assume you have the phone number of the person who’s renting it,” Layne said.

“Yes, we do.” Molly shot out of her chair. “I’m gonna go call now and get you an appointment.”

Layne and Jenny watched Molly race into the house and laughed when the screen door slammed behind her. “You do realize that you’re going to have to rent this place. Mol will have it no other way. She’s wanted you close for a long time,” Jenny said with a smile.

“Yes,” Layne said, hoping she’d like the house. “I’ll make sure I have my checkbook with me when I look at it.”

Jenny patted her on the arm. “I think moving is a good idea. A fresh start is what you need.” She searched Layne’s eyes for a moment before saying, “You look surprisingly good, despite the circumstances.”

Layne cleared her throat and looked away. “I did something crazy last night, and as bad as it’s going to sound, it helped.”

“You replied to Olivia’s email and said, ‘Fuck you very much, it’s been hell for the last six years’?”

“That was tempting,” Layne admitted with a laugh, “but no, I—”

“You have a ten o’clock appointment with Kerry Brown tomorrow morning,” Molly said as she burst through the door. “He sounded very pleased.”

“Well, thank you,” Layne said with a grin.

“Now after we look at it, we can go shopping for furniture. You’ll know what you need then. It’s three bedrooms, so you’ll have a guest room and an office. There’s a sunroom off the kitchen, so I’ll start potting some plants.” Molly clapped her hands together. “We’re going to make it so cute!”

Jenny laughed and looked at Layne. “Do you hear all we’re going to do?”

Molly waved both hands. “I’m not going to take over.”

“Yes, you are,” Layne and Jenny said in unison, then laughed.

“I welcome the help, Molly,” Layne said. “I’m a bit out of sorts, so any direction you can give will be cheerfully accepted.”

“So tell me what you did last night.” Jenny winked at Layne. “Was it naughty?”

Layne nodded. “Off the charts.”

“Did you do something illegal?” Molly asked seriously.

“Maybe in a few states.” Layne glanced at Molly, then looked back at Jenny. “I met a woman at the party last night and—”

Jenny inhaled sharply. “You had angry sex. You had hot, dirty, crazy, monkey sex with a stranger.”

Layne nodded. “I did.”

Jenny slapped her leg and laughed. “It’s about damn time!”

“Please tell me it wasn’t with someone at Calloway,” Molly said.

“I don’t know who she was with,” Layne admitted with a shrug. “I don’t even know her last name.”

Jenny was stomping both feet with her head thrown back in laughter.

Molly ignored her. “Layne, I’m shocked.”

“So am I. She came on to me, and the next thing I knew, we were in my room. But you know…I have no regrets.”

Jenny cuffed Layne on the shoulder. “That’s my girl.”

“Yeah, well, you may have regrets one morning if you wake up and something’s growing on your private parts.” Molly stabbed a finger at Layne. “I don’t know how Ronnie’s avoided that with as much as she sleeps around.”

That notion quelled some of Jenny’s excitement, and Layne blanched.

“You better get your ass tested,” Molly warned.

“I don’t think it was her ass that got busy last night,” Jenny said with a chuckle, then looked at Layne. “Or was it? Did you…?”

“No,” Layne said indignantly, then shrugged. “Well…I did have a lot of champagne.”

“Oh, my God.” Molly put the heel of her hand to her forehead.

Chapter 3

Layne popped a couple of Tylenol into her mouth and swallowed them down with a gulp of water as David Calloway strode into her office and closed the door. She was still sore from adjusting to her new bed, and Molly met her every evening to do something with the house. The night before, they’d weeded flower beds. Molly refilled them with a bright array of colors, and Layne had no clue what the flowers were actually called. Perry…Perry something, Layne thought to herself. Zinnias, no Perry somebody.

David took a seat in front of her desk and stared at her curiously. “Do you remember the night of the Cline & Barry party when I said we needed to talk?”

“Yes,” Layne said with a nod.

“I’ve put that off for a month because I knew you were moving and probably had a lot on your mind.” David glanced at the empty spot on Layne’s desk that Olivia’s picture used to occupy. “Are things okay at home?”

“My new house is great, but I’m living there alone. Olivia and I broke up.”

David pursed his lips. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s okay,” Layne said with a slight smile. “What’s on your mind?”

David steepled his fingers beneath his chin and regarded her a moment before saying, “You’re not my tiger anymore. There have been times that I literally have had to grab you by the nape of your neck to slow you down, and I haven’t seen that in you for a while. Now I can assume that your relationship has been part of the problem. But I think the other side of that is you’re just flat-out exhausted and quickly approaching burnout.”

“I’m fine. I’ll admit that things with Olivia had me distracted for a while, but the tiger’s still here.” Layne pawed the air with her hand. “Rrrrrr, hear me roar.”

“You haven’t taken a vacation in three years. Most weekends, you’re here, and if not, you’re on the computer at home. While I appreciate the commitment, I think it’s taken a toll on you.”

“Okay, shoot from the hip. What’re you saying to me, David? Are you planning on replacing me?” Layne asked as her stomach coiled into a knot.

“Indeed not,” he said indignantly. “You and I have been together too long for me to even consider that. You’d have to totally drop the ball for me to even raise a brow, and I know with your work ethic that you would never allow that to happen. I want my tiger back at full strength. I want to see the fire in your eyes again. I want you to take a vacation starting next week.”

“I can’t. We’re starting the Bettenford project,” Layne said with a laugh. “I’m on fire. I’m just a little tired from the move. You’ll see the big cat again when we touch down in Sacramento.”

David shook his head. “No, I won’t. I’m firm on this. I want you out of here for three weeks.” He raised his voice when Layne began to object. “Totally out, Layne. If I see you logged into the computer, I’ll have IT lock you out. Take a cruise or go up to the mountains, do whatever, but I want you doing something besides work.” He cleared his throat and returned to his normal soft tone. “When you return, we’ll be going to Seattle for a week, and I need you at full throttle. This isn’t a punishment, so don’t look at me like that. I need you. I need the woman that helped me build this company. I won’t settle for less.”

David stood and adjusted his tie. “When you leave here Friday, don’t plan on coming back until the first of July. Use this time to sharpen your claws.”

“This is such bullshit! I’m not five years old. I know when I need rest,” Layne said as she moved a large palm tree into the corner of her sunroom. I don’t need a vacation.”

Molly gave the palm a push with her foot, moving it more in front of the window. “Yes, you do.” She smiled when Layne regarded her angrily. “We all do, especially Jenny. It wouldn’t hurt Ronnie, either.”

“Jenny isn’t going to take off. She’s too busy, and Ronnie…who the hell knows?”

“Jenny will take off if I ask her to. She has enough staff, and Morgan is more than capable of handling things at the office for a couple of weeks. Ronnie takes off at the drop of a hat. She has people that handle her store.” Molly took Layne’s hands and squeezed them. “You’ve offered us several trips, and we didn’t take them because of Jenny’s pride. I need this, she needs this. Layne, I need you to make this happen for me, for us. If you’ll loan me the money, I’ll pay you back because I’m going to start work again real soon.”

Layne swallowed hard, knowing that Molly’s pride was as strong as Jenny’s. For her to ask for a loan was serious. “Consider it an anniversary present.”

“No.” Molly shook her head and released Layne’s hands. “A loan,” she said as she folded her arms.

Layne mimicked Molly’s pose. “Here’s the deal. I pay for whatever trip you plan or it’s a no-go. You and Jenny are my closest friends, well, Ronnie, too. And you barely allowed me to help when you needed it. I want you to have this gift because it’s obviously important to you. It would mean a lot to me.”

Molly chewed her bottom lip as she rubbed the back of her neck. “Jenny would be livid with me for even asking you for a loan. To accept this would put me in really hot water.”

“She doesn’t have to know.”

“We don’t work that way.” Molly shook her head. “No secrets. Besides, she knows we don’t have the money.”

Layne inhaled deeply. “Okay, a loan to be repaid once a month after you return to work. I’ll expect one penny by the fifteenth. If you’re late, you’re just going to have to cook for me more often.”

Molly laughed and shook her head.

“That’s my offer, take it or leave it. My other stipulation is that you choose the trip and make the arrangements. All I want to do is give you my credit card. This is my protest. It makes me feel better.”

“Liar, you know I love doing stuff like that. You’ll back me up with Jenny?”

“Eww,” Layne said, taking a step back. “That’s not going to be pretty.”

*******

On Friday, Layne shut off her computer and stared at the black screen. Her days had been busy as she prepped her staff to work in her stead. Her nights were spent arguing with Jenny, who had finally relented when Layne played her final ace and claimed that the trip would be good for Molly’s health. A getaway would be refreshing for Molly after her yearlong battle. Layne had no idea what Molly was planning and wondered what she’d come up with on such short notice. She hoped it was a resort somewhere exotic that would take her mind off of all she was leaving behind.

Ronnie Blanchard, the fourth member of their family, was on board the minute she’d heard about the trip, and she was bringing her new girlfriend. That would mean Layne would be the odd girl out, something she despised. Hopefully, wherever they were going would have a pool. Layne planned to spend her days beside it with a book and maybe a drink or two.

“All set?” David asked as he stood in her doorway.

“No, but that isn’t going to make any difference to you.” Layne looked at him hopefully. “Is it?”

“Not a chance,” he said with a smile. “Get out of here and bring me pictures to prove that you did something aside from lying on your couch. Have a great time. I look forward to hearing your roar upon your return.”

Chapter 4

“A what?” Layne said after recovering from a choking fit.

“Don’t whine. You told me you wanted me to make all the plans,” Molly said as she refilled Layne’s glass.

“I hate horses…I don’t even know how to ride.” Layne stared down at the brochure in horror.

“Dumbass,” Jenny said over her shoulder as she tended the burgers on the grill.

“You hush.” Molly pointed at her, then turned to Layne. “It’s not just horses. You don’t even have to ride. This place is near the beach. You can sun all day. It’s lesbian-owned, and that’s the clientele. You might even meet someone. It’s all inclusive—activities, meals, and even the drinks.

Layne tried to smile for Molly’s sake. “Where is Crawfordville?”

“In Florida, dumbass.”

“Jenny, please,” Molly said hotly. “It’s a quiet little town, not touristy, and look,” Molly took the brochure and opened it, “it’s the best of both worlds—country and beach all in one. You have the woods and trails to hike or ride, then there’s the water. What could be more relaxing than that?”

“A Caribbean cruise where they bring the drinks poolside and feed you twenty-four hours a day.” Jenny shrugged and smiled when Molly glared at her. “I’m joking, baby. You did a great job.”

Molly pointed at her. “If you don’t want to sleep outside of the cabin for two weeks, you’ll shut up right now, Jenny.”

“Cabins?” Layne looked up at Molly, who nodded excitedly.

“You’ll have your own, and it’s right in the middle of ours and Ronnie’s. We’ll sit out beside a campfire at night, swim during the day. Les, she’s one of the owners, says the beach, just a short drive away, is a treasure trove for the shell collector. I’m so excited.”

Molly truly did look thrilled, and Layne refused to be a wet blanket, especially after all the work that Molly had put into planning the trip. She smiled. “It sounds fantastic.”

“Ronnie is totally stoked. She loves horses, and the woman she’s seeing likes to ride, as well.” Molly turned to Jenny. “What’s Ronnie’s girlfriend’s name?”

Jenny waved a hand. “I didn’t commit it to memory. She changes them like she does her underwear. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if she didn’t have a different one by the time we leave.”

“Where is Ronnie, by the way? I haven’t seen or heard from her since I came back from Detroit.”

“You have to ask?” Jenny took the last burger off the grill. “She’s been in the FOW’s pants. She’ll probably be pale as a ghost when we do see her because she’s been locked away in her bedroom.” Jenny set the platter of patties on the table. “Have you seen the pleasure chest she has? I’ve never seen so many sex toys. Half of it scared me. She’s got a dildo—”

“Stop, I’m eating.” Molly shook her head. “I won’t be able to swallow when I think about what Ronnie says she does with that thing.”

Jenny stepped behind Molly and held her hands about a foot apart. “It’s that long.”

Layne held up a dill pickle.

“Oh, much, much wider than that,” Jenny said as she took a seat. “Something’s gonna fall out of—”

“Stop,” Molly said with a laugh. “Anyway, Ronnie’s been dating this girl for two weeks. That’s a record. She may be a keeper.”

Jenny shook her head. “Ha! I’ll bet you my lucky Atlanta Braves cap that she dumps this one before we even leave New Orleans.”

“They’re meeting us at the airport Monday morning,” Molly went on. “We haven’t met the FOW yet, either.”

“FOW?” Layne asked, looking confused.

“Flavor of the week,” Jenny said. “Come on, Layne, get in step. It’s a common phrase.”

“But it’s been two weeks,” Layne said with a smirk. “You’ll have to change the acronym to FOTW.”

*******

Monday morning came early for Layne. Bleary-eyed, she followed Molly and Jenny through the New Orleans airport craving coffee and looking forward to a nap on the plane. After they cleared security, she got that cup of coffee, but when they met up with Ronnie, Layne knew that a nap wasn’t coming. Ronnie greeted them all with a hug, and Layne stared slack-jawed over her shoulder at the woman she’d seen Ronnie holding hands with as they approached.

“Everyone, this is Stacy Mayeaux,” Ronnie announced with a beaming smile. She pointed to Jenny first. “This is Jenny Wilkins, and her love, Molly Prejean. And this sexy beast is Layne Stone.” Ronnie stepped out of the way for Layne and Stacy to shake hands. Layne was stock-still as she stood face-to-face with the woman whom she’d spent one incredibly hot night with.

“Layne, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Stacy said without a hint of a smile. “You remind me of someone I met recently named Chloe. By any chance, is that a relative?”

“No,” Layne said dryly. The feel of Stacy’s hand in hers brought back a sudden memory of how she’d clutched that same hand as a mind-bending orgasm ripped through her. Layne released it quickly and stepped back. Her voice was raspy when she said, “I must have a twin I don’t know about.”

“You must,” Stacy said flatly.

“So,” Ronnie began, eyeing the two oddly. “We’re finally all together again. Isn’t this great? Two weeks to spend in the country.”

Two weeks, dear God, Layne thought miserably as her stomach began to cramp. She felt punch drunk from the one-two slam she’d just gotten. She’d slept with Ronnie’s new girlfriend and the topper? Stacy Mayeaux was Alana’s cousin. Two weeks, and the hits just keep on coming.

“What the hell was that all about?” Jenny whispered into Layne’s ear as the plane taxied down the runway, straight to hell in Layne’s opinion.

Layne looked at the seat two rows up across the aisle and cleared her throat. “Remember the woman I told you I spent the night with in Detroit?”

Jenny narrowed her eyes and nodded.

Layne inhaled sharply and mumbled. “She’s Ronnie’s new girlfriend.”

Jenny looked at where Ronnie and Stacy were sitting, then back at Layne with a grin that slipped from her face when Layne didn’t crack a smile. “You have got to be fucking kidding me!”

“Jenny, lower your voice. There are kids on this plane.” Molly leaned forward and glared at both of them. “What is wrong with you two?”

Jenny covered her mouth with both hands as Layne sank lower in her seat. “Molly, you are not going to believe this.” Jenny began laughing hysterically.

Molly looked past her at Layne with a brow raised. “What the hell is going on?”

“Oh, my God.” Jenny doubled over with laughter.

“Layne?” Molly leaned over Jenny. “What is it?”

“Stacy is the woman I slept with in Detroit,” Layne whispered.

Molly’s face went blank as her jaw sagged. “No,” she said and shook her head.

Layne nodded.

She put a hand on Layne’s shoulder. “Baby, I’m sorry, but…” Molly tried to keep a straight face before joining Jenny in laughter.

“Okay, funny, funny. Ha ha ha!” Layne spat out. “When we land, I’m going to the ticket counter and book a flight home.”

“This doesn’t happen in real life,” Jenny squeaked out. “Oh, my God, I’m hyperventilating.”

Layne leaned out and looked down the aisle, hoping to find an empty seat at the rear of the plane.

Molly grabbed her arm and tried unsuccessfully to keep a straight face. “We’re sorry,” she said as she wiped her eyes. “It’s just the shock of it all.”

“Yeah,” Layne said as she tried to sink even lower in her seat.

Molly slapped Jenny on the arm. “Get it together. We need to think.”

“There’s nothing to think about. When this plane lands, I’m running the opposite direction.”

“Layne, don’t do that. We want you with us. Ronnie and Stacy will probably be doing…their own thing.” Molly raised her hand and let it fall into her lap. “You know, we won’t see them much at all.”

Jenny sat up straight and wiped at her tear-streaked face. She leaned over Layne and looked at where Ronnie and Stacy were sitting. “I wonder if Stacy is telling Ronnie.”

Layne felt the muscles in her butt cheeks tighten. “This is going to cause nothing but tension and drama.”

Jenny shook her head. “Ronnie’s all laid up on Stacy’s shoulder. I think if Stacy had said anything, we’d know it.”

Layne pinched the bridge of her nose. “The one time I do something impulsive, it bites me in the ass. I cannot believe this is happening.”

“Don’t let it ruin your trip. It was a one-time thing, and Ronnie didn’t know her then. It’s not like you cheated or anything.” Molly waved her hand nonchalantly. “Look, our social circles are small. We’ve known people that dated the girlfriends of others. This isn’t that big of a deal. It’s not like you have feelings for Stacy. Just put it in the back of your mind. Stacy didn’t let on like she knew you, so she’s probably doing the same.”

“Chloe?” Jenny said with a chuckle. “You told her your name was Chloe?”

“I didn’t want it to get back to our clients that I’d slept with someone at a work function. I didn’t know who she knew,” Layne said between clenched teeth.

“Layne, please.” Molly reached over Jenny and clutched Layne’s arm. “Please, don’t leave us. I hate to sound selfish, but I was really looking forward to this trip, and you said you were, too. If you leave, we’re going to have to tell Ronnie why, and that’s just going to be…bad. Will you try to just put this behind you?”

Layne laid her head back against the seat. “It’s not so bad,” she began to chant. “I was someone else that night, and that woman no longer exists.”

“That’s right, keep telling yourself that, Chloe.” Jenny chuckled and sucked in a deep breath when Layne glared at her red-faced. “Molly’s right. We’ll barely see them. We’ll make sure of that.”

Layne nodded. “Fine.”

A few moments of silence passed, and Jenny looked at Layne. “Do you have regrets now?” She winced when Molly popped her on the leg.

“Shut the hell up,” Layne said as she fished her iPod from her carryon. Alana was the last person who used it. Alana Mayeaux, Stacy’s cousin. Layne knew she’d never live this down. She snatched the Braves cap off of Jenny’s head and put it on, pulling it down low over her eyes. “You lost the bet. The cap is mine, tool.”

*******

When they disembarked from the plane and waited at baggage claim, Layne kept her distance. She watched as Ronnie wiped an errant lock of dark hair from Stacy’s face as they stood together at the luggage carousel. Ronnie looked happy, enamored, so out of character, and Layne felt guilty, even though technically she’d done nothing wrong.

Stacy was as good-looking as she remembered. The muscles in her thighs flexed as she bent to retrieve one of Ronnie’s bags. Layne shook her head as she remembered what it felt like to straddle those toned legs, the way it felt to run her hands over Stacy’s taut abdomen. The memories of that night were forced to the forefront of her mind whenever she looked at Stacy. Layne looked away, internally cursing her rotten luck.

As they stepped outside to meet the van awaiting them, Layne continued to watch as Ronnie and Stacy walked side by side. They made a striking couple. Both were tall and well-toned, dressed similarly in running shorts and T-shirts. The two of them were dark-haired, but Ronnie’s was shorter and straight, and Layne had seen them both naked, though under different circumstances.

“How’re you?” Jenny asked as she moved alongside Layne.

“I’ve been better,” Layne said with a sigh. “I’m still thinking about a flight home.”

“This will be funny one day.” Jenny tried to keep a straight face. “Don’t let it ruin your vacation.”

Easier said than done, Layne thought to herself as everyone climbed into the van. Until that morning, Stacy had been a delightful fantasy that Layne had ruminated on when she felt lonely. Unknowingly, Stacy had kept her company many a night and eased the feeling of loss and insignificance when Layne remembered how Stacy had looked at her. In the light of morning, she pushed thoughts of that affair away, believing that she would never cross paths with her fantasy lover again.

Chapter 5

Stacy stared at the shoulder protruding from the front seat of the van. That was all she could see of the woman she now knew as Layne. She’d asked Alana about Chloe since she’d seen the Calloway pin on Chloe’s lapel that night, but Alana had claimed she didn’t know anyone by that name. And now, Stacy knew why—Chloe didn’t exist.

Stacy and Layne had not discussed anything further than that night, but Stacy had hoped she might see her again. She was thoroughly disappointed when she woke up in that hotel room alone, and even more so when the Calloway lead ran dry. After her move to New Orleans and meeting Ronnie, she’d listen to Ronnie speak often about her closest friends. Stacy had never dreamed that the woman she’d let get away without even a phone number was the Layne who Ronnie was so fond of. As Stacy stared at the shoulder she’d kissed, her hatred for irony deepened.

Irony was a cold-hearted bitch that reared her head at all the inopportune times, and this was certainly no exception. She liked Ronnie, but Chloe—or Layne rather—had made a mark on her. Before meeting Ronnie, Stacy had spent many a night mentally reliving each steamy kiss, each look, each stroke. Layne had unknowingly taken something from her that night, and Stacy wasn’t exactly sure what it was or even if she wanted it back. She had been left with more than memories—a sweet longing that she had come to accept would never be quenched, and as she looked at that shoulder, she knew for a fact that her fantasy of reconnecting someday would not come true in the way she dreamed.

“So how did you two meet?” Molly asked, softly glancing nervously at the front of the van.

She knows, Stacy thought to herself, and looked at the way Molly’s partner stared at her almost imploringly. They both know.

“We met in a bar,” Ronnie said with a laugh. “Stacy just moved to New Orleans from Detroit.”

“Detroit,” Molly repeated. “Are you from there originally? I’m not picking up on an accent.”

“No, I was born in Baton Rouge and lived there until I graduated from LSU.”

“She’s an artist,” Ronnie said proudly. “I haven’t seen any of her paintings yet, but her sketches are amazing.”

“Amateur artist,” Stacy asserted quickly.

Listening to the conversation, Layne closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the glass of the passenger window as she recalled the question Stacy had asked during their encounter.

“What colors do you see when you close your eyes?”

Layne had thought the question odd, but as Stacy kissed her way down Layne’s body, Layne closed her eyes and saw red.

“Red is the color of passion,” Stacy said before she ran her tongue over the top of Layne’s thigh.

“Layne, I understand you moved to a new place,” Ronnie said louder from the backseat.

“She did,” Molly answered when Layne pretended not to hear, “right down the street from us. The house is adorable.”

“I haven’t talked to her about Olivia,” Ronnie said softly. “Is she okay?”

“She’s fine,” Jenny said with a nod, her gaze meeting Stacy’s for a millisecond before looking away.

Ronnie turned to Stacy. “Olivia is Layne’s ex. I’m sure you gathered they broke up recently.”

Stacy nodded, wondering how recently. That would explain why Layne lied to her about her real name and why she left without so much as a goodbye. Someone was probably waiting for her at home. She turned and looked out the window, not wanting to hear anything else about Layne Stone.

The landscape looked much like that of Louisiana, and the farther they traveled, the more wooded everything became with an interspersing of houses here and there. Stacy watched it all fly by, wondering what she should say to Ronnie. She’d missed her opportunity at the airport because she’d been floored when Ronnie pointed out her friends and Stacy’s gaze fell on a pair of startled blue eyes. And when Ronnie introduced Layne by her real name, Stacy’s shock turned to anger. She didn’t bother to examine why she felt that way because being pissed off trumped what she felt after her encounter with Layne, and she hoped it would last the entire trip.

“Was that a joke?” Jenny said loudly. “Hey, Patty, was that sign for real? Was that a bear crossing?”

The driver spoke up loud enough for everyone to hear. “Black bear and yes. We have quite a few around here.”

“Layne’s tiger and bears, oh, my,” Jenny said with a laugh.

“Layne’s tiger?” Stacy inquired, looking at Ronnie.

“It’s what her boss calls her. She’s the makes-things-happen kind of girl, and no one gets in her way,” Ronnie said with a note of pride.

Stacy nodded and looked back out the window as Ronnie draped an arm over her shoulders.

“You’ll be given a map of the grounds. The rules for your safety are on the back,” Patty continued. “Pay close attention to the one that says not to leave food outside your cabins and do not feed the animals.” She looked up into the rearview mirror. “If you feed them, they will come.”

Patty slowed and turned off the main highway onto a sandy road. Palm trees grew wild among the pines and oaks. Every so often, there’d be a break in the thick foliage, and Stacy caught glimpses of people on horseback. She noticed women fishing on the banks of a large pond. It looked like a lot of fun, and she hoped that she’d be able to enjoy it. Stacy grabbed a hold of the seat in front of her when the van came to an abrupt stop. She was the last to climb out and joined the others who stood in a circle. Layne glanced at her and quickly looked away, her expression blank.

“We’ll go ahead and put your luggage in your cabins.” Patty pointed to a trail. “Follow that up to the main house, you can’t miss it. Someone at the front desk will check you in. I hope you enjoy your stay.” She touched the brim of her cowboy hat.

Stacy brought up the rear when Ronnie sidled up to Layne and noted the pale skin of Layne’s legs. In Detroit, she’d noticed that Layne was fair-skinned, but in the stark light of day, those legs looked as though they’d never seen the sun. She clamped her lips tightly together as a flash of that same body naked filled her mind. It all seemed like a sexy dream that suddenly turned into an ugly nightmare.

“Welcome to Moss Ranch,” a woman greeted them brightly as they walked into the main house. “I’m Les McGill, my partner,” she waved a hand at another woman, “is Joy Kimball. You’ve managed to arrive right at lunch. Would you ladies like to eat before we check you in?”

“Uh, y’all go on ahead.” Layne stepped forward. “I’ll take care of this and join you.”

“Okay, great.” Jenny tried to usher everyone to the dining room that was just off the reception area.

“Go ahead, sweetie.” Ronnie kissed Stacy quickly on the mouth. “I’ll stay with Layne. We’ll be along in a minute.”

Layne walked over to the counter with Les, and Ronnie joined her. When Les turned to collect the paperwork and keys, Ronnie put an arm around Layne’s waist. “I’m sorry I haven’t called you since the thing with Olivia.”

Layne glanced at her and smiled. “I got the flowers you sent. I knew you were thinking of me.”

“It was time, Layne, you know that, right?”

“Well past due.” Layne turned when Les put the paperwork in front of her and put her credit card on the counter.

“You’re not paying for our cabin.” Ronnie pulled out her wallet and presented Les with her credit card. “Stacy paid for the flights, I pay for this. I’ll give you some money toward Molly and Jenny’s bill, too. Molly told me what you did.” Les took the cards, turned, and began punching keys on the computer.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ronnie asked. “You look a little down in the dumps.”

“This vacation wasn’t my idea,” Layne said, averting her gaze. “David decided that I was overworked and basically banned me from the office. I guess I’m kind of stressed about what I’m going to walk back into.” It wasn’t a total lie, but the truth wasn’t something Layne was willing to entertain.

“You just let all of that go.” Ronnie rubbed her back soothingly. “There’s nothing you can do about it right now anyway. Relax and have a good time.”

Impossible, Layne thought to herself, but she smiled.

“Ladies, you’re all set. After lunch, Stick will show you to your cabins.” Les smiled when Layne and Ronnie looked at her questioningly. “That’s one of our hands. Her real name is Agatha Martin. She prefers Stick. Ask her why, she enjoys telling the story. Enjoy your lunch.”

Layne walked toward what was termed the mess hall in the brochure and expected to see picnic tables where dusty cowhands fresh off the trail ate beans and franks off metal plates. But what greeted her was a brightly lit room filled with moderate-sized round tables covered in white cloths with fresh flowers as the centerpiece. A large buffet and salad bar split the room in half, and the women who gathered there weren’t dressed in western garb. Instead, they looked much like Layne and her friends dressed casually in shorts, T-shirts, and tank tops. The only cowboy boots in sight were on a woman who stood talking to a group at one of the tables. She glanced at Layne and Ronnie as they walked into the room and smiled.

“They’re over there.” Ronnie took Layne by the arm.

Jenny’s plate was already loaded when they joined the group at their table. “Plates are on the buffet, and drinks are over there.” Jenny pointed at the corner. “You’re gonna love the salad bar, Layne.”

Stacy was nowhere in sight. Layne dropped her backpack in the chair next to Jenny, and her stomach started to growl when she got a whiff of the barbecue. “You need anything else, Jen, maybe another rack of ribs or perhaps a wildebeest?”

“I’m starving. All I had this morning was a muffin. I’ll get my own wildebeest, thank you very much.”

Layne went over to the salad bar and surveyed the impressive spread as she picked up a plate.

“It’s odd seeing you here…Chloe.”

Layne stiffened and looked back at the table, finding Molly and Ronnie just sitting down. “I can explain.”

Stacy moved beside her and picked at the broccoli with a pair of tongs. “You don’t need to. I think I understand why you lied about your name and left without saying goodbye.”

Layne straightened, keeping her face hidden from the others behind the top of the buffet. “You didn’t give any indication that you expected more than what…we did.”

“A note would’ve been nice, but like I said, I do understand now why you weren’t honest.”

Layne felt her anger flash at the sanctimonious attitude. “You weren’t exactly honest with Ronnie either at the airport, and I can only assume it’s more serious with her than the one-night stand we had,” Layne said lowly.

Stacy met her eye for the first time. “You didn’t either, best friend. But the simple truth of it is, what happened between us occurred before I ever met Ronnie. She does deserve to know the tie we have, but when exactly do you suggest I tell her?”

Layne bit the inside of her cheek. She’d been asking herself that same question since the encounter at the airport. “I don’t know. This is all so damn…overwhelming.”

“Yes, it is,” Stacy said with a nod. “I was more than a little taken aback when I realized who you really were and that you’re Alana’s colleague. The one she speaks so highly of, the one she was going to introduce me to that night. She thought we could at least be friends since we had so much in common and I was planning to move to New Orleans. Alana even gave me a stern warning not to hit on you because you were so very faithful to your partner. Had I known who you really were, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.”

“Really?” Layne shot back hotly. “I thought for the Mayeaux women, commitment just sweetened the challenge of getting the prey into bed. Frankly, why do you care at all?”

Stacy watched Layne stalk off without awaiting a response, which was probably the best thing, because she couldn’t answer the question. Why did she care? Why did it make her so angry to know that Layne had a girlfriend? That she was a womanizer Stacy could not deny. She’d sweet-talked many a woman between the sheets and had sneaked away, not caring what the other party felt in the light of morning. Perhaps the most plausible answer was that she was not accustomed to being left behind scratching her head.

When Stacy joined the group, Layne kept her focus on her plate that held one slice of roast and a few pieces of steamed asparagus. She appeared to be doing more slicing than eating. Stacy wasn’t sure if Molly had seen them arguing or if she sensed the tension Stacy felt swirling around her and Layne, but Molly began chattering incessantly.

“Isn’t this place great? Horseback riding, swimming, hiking. It’s like summer camp for adults. Every night, there’s live music and a barn dance. I can’t wait to see the cabins. Did you know each one has a Jacuzzi tub? This place is rustic and sort of refined at the same time. Les and Joy really seem to know what women want. Wine, dance, and song with activities to suit all tastes.”

“You memorized the brochure,” Ronnie said with a laugh. “You’re right, though, Mol, this place does have a lot of appeal.” Ronnie’s gaze swept over the room and lingered for a few seconds on the women who passed their table.

“One of the girls at the office told me that in Florida if you find a body of water larger than a bathtub, you can count on an alligator being in it.” Jenny added another rib bone to the plate where she’d made an impressive stack. “That doesn’t apply to the beach, of course, but we did pass a few ponds on the property as we came up the drive.”

Molly looked at Jenny. “You’re from Louisiana. You should be used to alligators by now, baby.”

“Yes, but our alligators stick to the swamp and maybe a few ponds on the golf courses. They have their places, we have ours. We don’t mingle.”

“Ours are equally polite as long as you don’t try to swim with them.” Everyone looked up at the woman who Layne had first noticed when they walked into the mess hall. “I thought I should come over and introduce myself. I’m Stick,” she said with a smile as she looked around the table. “I’ll be escorting you to your cabins and giving you the lay of the land.”

“I’m Ronnie and this is Stacy.” She caressed the back of Stacy’s neck, making it plain who belonged to whom, then pointed to the pair across from her. “This is Molly and Jenny. And this,” she pointed to Layne, “is Layne.”

“Well, it’s a pleasure meeting y’all,” Stick said, smiling broader at Layne when she finally looked up. “Where is everybody from?”

“Louisiana,” Jenny said as she wiped barbecue sauce from her fingers.

“Then you’re acclimated to the heat. We have a few folks here from Michigan. They think they’re about to die. Of course, I’d feel the same way if I had to face one of their winters.”

“Why don’t you sit down, Stick?” Molly pushed one of the extra chairs out with her foot.

“Thank you for the offer, but I can’t. Les needs my help with a couple of things.” Stick looked at Layne. “I’ll be watching you, though, and when you’re ready to go to the cabins, I’ll be right along.”

“That’s USDA prime dyke right there,” Jenny said after Stick had walked off. “I bet she has it stamped on her ass.”

Ronnie grinned at Layne. “She was checking you out, baby girl.”

“She was just being friendly,” Layne said as she stood. “I’m going to check out the dessert.”

Ronnie looked at Layne’s plate that appeared untouched, then at Molly. “She’s not eating. Has she been like this since Olivia…?”

“No.” Jenny shook her head. “You know how she gets peckish when she travels.”

Ronnie watched Layne as she perused the dessert bar. “She doesn’t seem right to me.” She sighed. “I feel so guilty for not going to see her after the breakup. I didn’t even call.”

“She won’t talk about it, Ronnie.” Molly glanced at Jenny. “She hasn’t said much to us about how she really feels except that it was overdue, and of course, Olivia pissed her off.”

“It’s how it was done that pisses me off, sending her an email on the day before Layne was due to leave Detroit, then cleaning out their apartment so Layne came home to nothing.” Ronnie tossed her napkin on her plate. “I know things weren’t good, but that was downright hateful even for Olivia. That bitch better hope she doesn’t run into me at the gym. I will lay her low.”

Molly met Stacy’s gaze for a second, then said to Ronnie, “Olivia isn’t worth it. Knowing her, she’ll derive some perverse satisfaction out of the knowledge that she pissed us all off. The important thing is that Layne is doing well.”

Ronnie shook her head. “She doesn’t look it. We need to draw her out of that funk, make her mingle.” Ronnie looked around. “There’s some hot women here, and not all seem to be attached.”

Jenny waved a rib. “No one draws Layne anywhere, you know that, Ronnie. She has people in her face twenty-four, seven. What Layne wants and needs is relaxation.” Jenny looked at Molly, then Ronnie. “Let her do her own thing. Don’t push her.”

“Getting her to mingle isn’t a bad idea. That Stick girl seemed mighty interested.” Molly opened her eyes wide as Jenny looked at her.

If Stacy hadn’t already figured out that the pair knew about what had happened between her and Layne, she was certain of it then.

Chapter 6

“The stables are down this trail. Regardless of your riding experience, we have a horse for you.” Stick stepped off the path and let the others pass and moved in step alongside Layne. “Anytime you want to see the beach, let me or any of the staff know, and we’ll run you down. Alligator Point is great for shelling and splashing around, but the water isn’t all that pretty. We do have day trips to Apalachicola for shopping and St. George Island for swimming.” Stick lowered her voice. “Do you ride, Layne?”

“Not unless it has a gas pedal. I’m not much of an outdoors woman,” Layne said with a slight smile. “I’m more of a lay-around-with-a-book kind of girl.”

Stick nodded. “You’ll like your cabin then. It has a hammock on the porch. I hope you’ll let me take you on a ride. Wildflowers are in bloom now. It’s very peaceful and scenic because the horses don’t have loud motors,” she said with a smile.

Stacy looked back over her shoulder. “They do have exhaust, though.”

Ronnie busted out laughing. “Horse farts.”

Stick laughed along with her. “It’s true, you’ll want to avoid Frank the flatulent. He’s the only paint we have.” Stick looked at Layne, who nodded as though she knew what the hell a paint was.

“This first cabin is assigned to Blanchard.” Stick pointed to the right.

“That’s us,” Ronnie said with a wave and wrapped her arm around Stacy’s waist. “It’s cute, isn’t it, baby?”

“Everything you need is inside, but if not, see me or Les. Actually, any of the staff will help.” Stick tugged on her T-shirt emblazoned with Moss Ranch on the pocket. “We all wear these as I’m sure you noticed. Layne, yours is here,” Stick pointed to the next, “and, Molly and Jenny, yours is just past that stand of trees.”

Layne stifled a sigh. Stacy and Ronnie’s cabin wasn’t but a stone’s throw away from hers. Molly and Jenny’s had more privacy. Stick continued to walk with her as Molly and Jenny scampered off to investigate.

“Have you heard about the barn dance we have each night?”

Layne nodded as she took in the quaint log cabin. As Stick had said, there was a hammock on one side of the porch and a swing on the other. “I may take it easy the first night. I’m kind of tired from the trip, but I’ll certainly check it out some other time.”

“Good, save me a dance when you do.” Stick smiled warmly when she caught Layne’s eye. “It was very nice meeting you. I hope to see you around.”

“You too.” Layne stepped up on her porch when Stick walked away. “Well, Layne, here you are,” she said under her breath as she slipped the key into the lock, “and here you will stay while this nightmare plays out.”

*******

“Your friends are nice,” Stacy said as she and Ronnie unpacked.

“Normally, they’re a lot more jovial. I think Molly’s probably tired. She’s just really getting her strength back. Layne isn’t herself at all.”

Stacy put the last of her shorts in a drawer and moved her suitcase into the corner. “How long were she and Olivia together?”

“Six years. I don’t know how Layne put up with her for that long. Olivia is one of those women who thinks the world revolves around her. Most of the time when we all did things together, Layne didn’t bring her along, and for that, we were grateful. Olivia almost always sent her food back complaining that it was improperly prepared. She loved to show off her latest watch or piece of jewelry she bought herself, and my personal favorite to hate was the name-dropping. She was quick to tell you about the latest politician she’d met, even claimed to have run into a few movie stars at parties Layne wasn’t invited to. Olivia is a snob. Layne’s a good person, but she has a tendency to be a bit materialistic and she’s drawn to women like that. I’m so glad she’s free of that coldhearted bitch.”

Stacy smiled. “Tell me how you really feel.”

“Oh, sweetie, I’m really censoring myself. Molly and Jenny tolerated her for Layne’s sake, but I fucking despised her, and I let her know it.” Ronnie took her toiletries into the bathroom. “This trip will be good for Layne if she’ll come out of her shell. Stick is already swooping in, and I saw a few others give her the eye. Maybe she’ll get laid by a real living human being and see what she’s been missing.”

Stacy looked out the window at the cabin beside them knowing that Layne was inside. She remembered the desperation with which Layne had clung to her. It had occurred to Stacy that night that Layne seemed to be chasing demons away by immersing herself in another soul. Her touches were tender, her kisses like fire, and her passion was all-consuming. At times, it felt as though they weren’t strangers, and there were moments when it seemed like they were making love instead of simply enjoying a pleasurable physical act. And as she pondered those memories, Stacy wondered if maybe that was why she’d been so affected by Layne. Maybe it was more than being beaten at her own game.

She listened to Ronnie humming as she put her things away, wondering how to define what was happening between them. They’d slept together the night they met and made plans to do it again the following evening. She and Ronnie were on the same page—have a good time, and when the party was over, no problem. They’d go their separate ways with no hard feelings. Ronnie had said as much after a week of nothing but sport fucking. Having no expectations and knowing that Ronnie had none of her, Stacy had relaxed, content to let things just happen, then came the invitation to take the trip. Would Ronnie even care if she knew what happened in Detroit?

“Can I ask you an odd personal question?”

Ronnie stepped into the doorway of the bathroom and grabbed her own breasts. “They’re real, baby. You’ve felt them.”

Stacy laughed and folded her arms. “Of that I have no doubt.”

Ronnie leaned against the doorjamb. “Okay, shoot.”

“Would it bother you if one of your friends dated someone you had been with?”

Ronnie pursed her lips for a moment. “You’re right, that is an odd question.”

Stacy rubbed the back of her neck and shrugged. “It happens a lot in our circles, don’t you agree?”

Ronnie eyed her suspiciously for a moment. “Lisa talked to you at the club the other night, didn’t she? I saw her go into the bathroom one time after you did.” Ronnie started ticking off fingers as she made her points. “First, Lisa and I aren’t friends. She’s an asshole, and she likes to stir shit. She and Joley were broken up a month before Joley and I did anything, so I didn’t steal Joley away from her like she’s been telling everyone. It was a one-time thing, and I found it sadly dull.”

“Oh,” Stacy said with a weak smile.

“Molly, Jenny, and Layne are my real friends, and I would never mess around with anyone they cared for. Olivia’s pretty damn good-looking, and even if she didn’t have the personality of a dirty sock, I wouldn’t give her a second glance. Layne means too much to me.”

“That’s…sweet.”

Ronnie grinned. “Don’t tell anyone I have a soft side. You’ll ruin my rep.”

Stacy looked back at Layne’s cabin as Ronnie busied herself in the bathroom. Maybe as she got to know Layne, the mystique would vaporize. With any luck, she’d downright detest Layne, and the gnawing in the pit of her stomach would finally go away.

*******

Layne did not unpack. She laid her suitcase on the chest at the foot of her bed, hoping a brilliant excuse for her to leave would miraculously manifest. She’d been lonely with Olivia, often feeling as though she shared a bed with a stranger. But as she sat in a chair and studied the cozy little love nest that surrounded her, she felt embarrassed to be there knowing she was in the middle of two couples who would no doubt make the most of the retreat designed for lovers.

On a table in a corner sat a bottle of wine with two glasses, next to it was a vase with two red roses. There were two large candles on either side of the Jacuzzi tub built for two. “Two, two, two of everything. This place is like an ark. I may as well be in a honeymoon suite in the fucking Poconos,” Layne said to no one, her voice sounding hollow as it reverberated through the room.

She leaned her head against the chair and stared at the ceiling. What she needed the most at this point in her life was work. David’s kindness was ill-timed. Layne needed the distraction of a busy office and wished she were back at Calloway being pummeled with questions and mounds of research ahead of her, not this solitude where all she had was plenty of time to think.

*******

“This is so good,” Molly said with a groan as she relaxed in the water that swirled around her. “I feel so wrong for enjoying myself when everything’s going wrong for Layne. This vacation was supposed to be good for her.”

Jenny swallowed the last of her wine and refilled her glass. “You know…Ronnie might laugh at this, too, and Layne will be off the hook.”

“I don’t know, Jen. She seems to enjoy Stacy. She’s affectionate with her, touches her a lot. Do you remember the time we spent a long weekend in Pensacola, and she brought that girl…what was her name?” Molly snapped her fingers as she thought. “Help me.”

“Jane.”

“No, that wasn’t it.”

Jenny stretched her legs out with a sigh. “It’s generic. They’re all Janes, baby.”

Molly rolled her eyes. “Fine, Jane. After the first day, Ronnie acted like she was annoyed that Jane was there. She didn’t hold her hand, barely looked at her. She behaves the same way when she spends more than a few days with any particular woman, but she’s not that way with Stacy.”

Jenny took a sip of her wine. “Yeah, this is awkward and has to be torture for Layne.”

“I don’t know how to act. I feel so rude because I’m nervous about drawing Stacy into our conversations. She must think we’re the rudest people on the planet because we’ve barely spoken to her.”

“She doesn’t talk much, either. She’s probably in shock, too,” Jenny said with a smile. “I imagine she wanted to freak when she saw Layne, but she played it cool.”

“Stacy stares at her a lot. Did you notice at lunch earlier how Stacy kept glancing Layne’s way? And in the van, she kept staring past us at Layne.”

“I noticed,” Jenny nodded, “but, Mol, we can’t intervene. The three of them have to work this out in their own way. Don’t get any ideas about talking to Ronnie. Let’s just be supportive of Layne.”

Molly tugged on one of Jenny’s toes. “What do you suppose she’s doing over there right now?”

“Plotting her escape. She’s probably on her cell phone begging David to call her back to the office.”

*******

“Just checking in,” Layne said when David answered his extension.

“Why?”

“I wanted you to know I had cell service here in case you needed anything.”

“That’s kind of you, but I don’t. I sent out an email to everyone this morning stating that you are not to be contacted for any reason. They are to consult with me if whatever arises can’t be handled. Where are you, by the way?”

Layne sighed. “A ranch in Crawfordville, Florida. I’ve only been here a few hours, and I’m ready to pull my hair out. Do you know what poison ivy looks like?”

“It makes a terrible rash, that’s all I know.”

“No, the plant. If I find any, I’m going to launch myself into it headlong, so I’ll have an excuse to leave.”

David laughed softly. “That can be handled with cream, I think. Perhaps you should consider a woodchipper.”

“David, I’m miserable, let me come back.”

“Why don’t you look at this from a different perspective? You have the opportunity to relax and have a good time, so do it. Ride a horse, take a stroll.”

“If I were crazy enough to get on a horse, I’d ride it home, and if I stroll, it will be out to the main highway where I will hitchhike back to New Orleans. I’m that desperate!”

“If you show up here on horseback, I’ll lock you out of the building and consider having you committed.”

“This place is the same thing. I’m a few steps shy of cross-stitching my name on a pillowcase. The only difference is I can wear my own clothes and keep my shoelaces.”

“Then get dressed and go outside. I have to go now. I’ll see you in a few weeks and not one day sooner.”

Layne growled and tossed her phone onto the bed when the call ended.

Chapter 7

“Isn’t this marvelous?” Molly looked up at the twinkling stars above. “Dinner under a night sky.”

The evening was cool, and dinner was served outside. Servers moved between the tables, taking dinner and drink orders. When one approached their table, Layne was the first to order. “I’d like my own personal pitcher of margaritas. Don’t bring me a glass. Just a really long straw.”

Jenny smiled up at the server. “That sounds great, but I’d like a glass. You might as well bring a couple of pitchers because it doesn’t sound like she’s going to share with any of us.”

“Layne, why don’t you and I go shopping in Apalachicola tomorrow?” Ronnie said. “Stacy wants to do some sketching, and I thought you and I could pick up a few souvenirs, then maybe sun on St. George.” Ronnie looked at Molly and Jenny. “Y’all are welcome to join us.”

“That sounds fun,” Molly said brightly. “Jen, doesn’t it?”

“Oh, yeah, shopping. Fun, fun, fun,” Jenny said as she perused the dinner menu.

Molly rolled her eyes. “Layne, what do you think?”

“That sounds fine,” Layne said, relieved that she’d have something to do to make the time pass quicker. That Stacy wouldn’t be joining them made the idea all the more appealing.

“Great, and maybe that cute cowgirl will drive us.” Ronnie winked at Layne and looked around. “I’m sure we’ll run into Stick at the dance, and, Layne, you can tell her we want to go first thing in the morning.”

“I’m not going to the dance tonight.” Layne rubbed her brow. “I have a headache that I hope to numb with the margaritas, then I’m going to pass out.”

“Do you need some Tylenol?” Molly looked concerned. “I have some back at the cabin.”

Layne smiled at her. “No, I’ll be fine, but thank you.”

Molly looked at Stacy. “What’re you going to sketch tomorrow?”

“I don’t know.” Stacy set her menu aside. “I’ll walk around until I see something that catches my eye.”

Jenny draped an arm over Molly’s shoulders. “So you paint and draw?”

Stacy nodded. “I prefer to paint, but that’s too much to pack around.”

“Do you sell any of your paintings?” Molly asked.

“No, it’s mainly just a hobby.”

Molly propped her chin in her hand. “What kind of work do you do?”

“I—”

“Ladies, two pitchers of margaritas,” the server said with a smile as she set one directly in front of Layne. “I brought you a glass just in case you decided to share with your friends.” She set it next to Layne’s pitcher along with a straw. “Have you decided on what you’d like to have for dinner?”

Layne watched Stacy out of the corner of her eye as everyone ordered. She laid a hand on the table, and Layne was reminded of how talented her hands could be. She blinked as she recalled how those fingers had brought her to dizzying heights. How they’d soothed and stroked her when she could take no more and felt herself giving into sleep. She remembered the night vividly, but as she regarded Stacy, it seemed like a dream. She didn’t know anything at all about the woman sitting across the table from her, but she did know what she sounded like in the throes of ecstasy, what her kisses tasted and felt like.

“Layne?”

“Yes?”

“Are you going to eat or just drink?” Jenny said with a laugh.

“Oh, I’ll have the margarita chicken, may as well keep with the theme,” Layne said, smiling up at the server.

“There’s Stick,” Ronnie said when she approached the table. “We were just talking about you. Why don’t you join us?” Ronnie nodded at the empty chair next to Layne.

“Oh, I see you’ve begun with the mayhem margaritas,” Stick said as she sat. “They’re very potent.”

Layne filled her glass and inserted the straw. She sucked hard, hoping it would go straight to her head so she could sleep soundly and soon.

Ronnie leaned up on the table. “We’d like to go shopping in Apalachicola tomorrow, then go to St. George.”

“Well, you may want to go light on the margaritas because you’ll have to be here at the main house at eight in the morning.” Stick grinned at Layne. “Be sure to remember your sunscreen. I’ll have you out all day.”

“Tell us about Apalachicola,” Molly said. “What’s there to do?”

“The strip is small. We park on one end and you’ll be able to walk to all the shops and restaurants. It’s a very pretty little town. I grew up there.”

“So you can tell us all the good places to go for souvenirs.” Molly nudged Jenny. “We should bring the girls in your office something.”

“I’ll take you to my favorite place. There’s not much of the kitschy stuff, but you can find some really unique items there. The folks are real friendly, and if you’re lucky, you may find one of their cats napping on a display case or shelf.” Stick waved off a glass when Jenny offered. “I can’t drink the margaritas and expect to function tomorrow.” She looked at Layne and smiled. “I want to be alert so I can show you a good time.”

Stacy watched Stick and noticed how she’d turned sideways in her chair toward Layne, making it clear she was there for more than her work. Layne would glance at Stick occasionally but faced the table, steadily nursing her drink. The night they’d met, Layne had been open and maintained steady eye contact, and when Stacy made innuendos, she could see by Layne’s body language and facial expressions that she was well aware of where Stacy was leading her and was eager to follow.

“How’s that margarita treating you?” Stacy asked with a nod toward Layne’s glass that was almost empty.

“Very well, thank you,” Layne said with a faint smile.

“And your headache?”

Layne glanced at Stacy. “Almost gone.”

“Maybe you’ll feel like dancing now,” Stick said hopefully.

Layne shook her head. “Not tonight.”

“Layne travels a lot with work.” Ronnie jumped into the conversation when Stick looked disappointed. “She has to mingle and entertain clients, so I think she’s ready to let her hair down and relax.” Ronnie tipped her glass toward Layne. “God knows you need it.”

Stick picked up the pitcher and refilled Layne’s glass. “What is it that you do?”

“We restructure customer service and human resources departments for companies that receive less-than-stellar customer satisfaction ratings.” Layne glanced at Stacy nervously for a second. “When corporations begin to grow, they’re inundated with business they struggle to maintain, and they tend to forget that they wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for the people that buy their product. Too much emphasis is put on moving the products, and they let service slip after the initial sale. We evaluate their operations and their staff, then we rewrite policies and help them to move the right people into different positions where their strengths can be better utilized.”

“Oh, I bet that doesn’t always make you popular,” Stick said with a smile.

“Not always, no.”

Ronnie smacked her hand on the table. “I almost forgot, Layne. Alana Mayeaux is Stacy’s cousin.”

Layne visibly stiffened and glanced at Jenny, who looked away with a smirk. “Ronnie…I already—”

“Are those eyes?” Jenny practically shouted and pointed to the woods. “Are those eyes looking at me? Is that a fucking bear?”

Stick looked over her shoulder and laughed. “That’s a raccoon in a tree. They get kinda brazen when they smell food.”

Jenny looked at Layne wide-eyed and shook her head, silently telegraphing a warning. “I was scared to death there for a moment.”

“You act like you’ve never been outside.” Ronnie pushed Jenny’s glass closer to her. “Drink and chill out.”

“It could’ve been a bear.” Jenny made a face and looked around at the other tables where people stared at her like she was insane.

Ronnie rolled her eyes. “Layne, you were saying?”

“I…was going to say that—”

“What’re the words to Blue Moon?” Jenny looked up at the sky. “The moon looks blue tonight. I wanna sing.”

“Layne was talking.” Ronnie looked annoyed. “Mol, what is wrong with your spouse?”

Molly shrugged. “This is normal.”

“Come on, sing it with me.” Jenny started to clap. “Blue, blue something borrowed something…shit.”

“So you know Alana,” Stacy said and smiled at Layne.

“Uh…yes. We’ve worked together for years.”

“I’m curious about your name, Stick,” Jenny said, smiling at her.

“My grandmother used to call me stick bug when I was a kid. I was so lanky, and no matter how much I ate, I couldn’t gain a pound. It used to embarrass my mother because no one believed she was feeding me.” Stick grinned. “Eventually, it just shortened to Stick, which I prefer over Agatha. I adored my grandmother, but not her name.”

“My grandmother called me bug,” Molly intoned with a grin, “because she said I bugged the shit out of her. She lived with us for a while, and I was always getting into her things.” Molly shrugged. “I like to rearrange.”

“I’ll drink to that.” Jenny looked at Layne, who also raised her glass.

Molly raised a brow. “I’m not that bad.”

“You’ve rearranged my sunroom six times.” Layne wagged a finger at Molly. “And I think you were the one that hung that print in the living room, though you blamed it on Jenny.”

Jenny shrugged. “You know it wasn’t me. I didn’t even notice you had a print in there.”

“That’s a shame, Ms. Observant,” Layne said with a laugh. “It was yours, the one I gave you for your birthday last year.”

Jenny’s jaw dropped as she turned to Molly. “My Midnight on the Bayou?”

“It’s temporary,” Molly said with both hands up. “Layne needed something above the mantel.”

“I can’t wait to see your new place, Layne,” Ronnie said, smiling at Molly and Jenny, who were bickering quietly among themselves. “Are you happy with it?”

Layne nodded and felt light-headed. “It’s bigger than the apartment, and there’s a back deck. We grilled burgers and sat out on it the other night.”

“You were invited but otherwise engaged,” Jenny said, “so no bitching.”

“I remember.” Ronnie grazed the backs of her fingertips across Stacy’s neck. “But it was short notice, and I’d already made plans to stay in.” She gave Stacy a suggestive smile and looked back at Jenny. “We were doing some rearranging of furniture ourselves.”

Molly cleared her throat. “I’ll bet.”

Layne felt a heat envelop her as she remembered how she and Stacy had “rearranged” the hotel room. Stacy had used everything with a surface before they managed to make it to the bed. Layne had worried that the coffee table would give way under her weight in the sitting area.

A scant niggling sensation formed in the pit of her stomach, and she realized it to be the stirrings of jealousy. She’d been so caught up in worrying about how Ronnie would feel if she knew about her and Stacy that Layne had not taken the time to entertain her own feelings. She glanced at Stacy, who met her eye for a fleeting second, knowing that Ronnie was enjoying now what she’d gotten a taste of.

“It’s a pretty night,” Layne said while the music coming from the dance faded as they drew closer to her cabin. “Thank you for walking with me, though I’m sure you’d rather be on the dance floor.”

“I can dance any night, but I don’t often get the opportunity of such pleasurable company.” Stick reached out to steady Layne as she stumbled when her sandal caught a root. Her fingers grazed the skin of Layne’s arm as she reached down to take her hand. “Are the margaritas doing a number on you?”

“Yes, I see a dozen cabins where I know there’s only one. If you’ll get me to the stairs on the right one, I’ll be grateful.”

Stick chuckled. “Take my advice, drink plenty of water before you turn in.”

“Does that work for you?”

“That, a light breakfast of toast the next morning, then a Red Bull.” Stick led Layne up onto the porch of her cabin. “I’ll have a cold one in the van for you tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you and thanks again for the escort. I’m not at ease with the woodland critters. Pickle-brained or not, I would totally lose my mind if I encountered one.”

“Then I’ll make it a point to be with you as often as I can.” Stick leaned in and kissed Layne on the cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Layne stood in the doorway of her cabin for a moment and watched Stick disappear into the darkness. She was sweet, good-looking, and definitely interested, and unfortunately, Layne was not.

Chapter 8

Jenny banged loudly on Layne’s cabin door for the third time, wondering if Layne had already risen and trekked to the mess hall. She was about to leave when the door opened a crack, and one bloodshot eyeball stared out at her. “You’re not going,” Jenny said as she put a hand on her hip. “Layne, I was looking forward to having someone commiserate in my misery while Molly and Ronnie drag me through shops of junk.”

“I think the margaritas were made with gasoline,” Layne whispered and opened the door wider as she slowly made her way back to the bed with one hand stretched out in front of her and the other on her stomach. “I’ve never puked so much in my life. This morning before dawn, I think my ribcage flew out and it was on fire.”

“You never drink like that. You should’ve known this would happen.”

Layne sank onto the bed. “Lower your voice, please.”

Jenny went into the bathroom and filled a glass with water. She dug around in Layne’s toiletry bag until she found a bottle of pain relievers. “You need to take a couple of these and empty this glass.”

“Again with the shouting,” Layne rasped and clutched her forehead.

“I think you’d feel better if we can get some food into you. I’ll run over to the mess hall and get you some toast. You wanna chance some bacon, too?”

Layne sat up straight, her face ashen, before she bolted to the bathroom. Jenny grimaced when she heard the retching. “That would be a no on the bacon,” she said as she set the water and bottle of pills on the bedside table.

Layne returned a moment later with a wet cloth draped around the back of her neck. “Sleep is what I need,” she whispered as she crawled back into bed.

“I can’t leave you alone like this.”

“Yes, you can because I’m going to do nothing but lay here.”

“I’m gonna go get Molly.” Jenny walked out despite the whimpered “no” that followed her.

Ronnie and Molly were walking down the trail between the cabins when Jenny met up with them. “Baby, Layne needs your medical expertise. She’s sick big-time.”

Ronnie’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, shit.”

“Nope, that’s not the problem. It’s all headed north.” Jenny clamped her lips tightly together before saying, “You know I can’t handle barf.”

“Okay, you and Ronnie run up to the mess hall and get some toast, crackers, too, if they have them, and a soda, something like Sprite.” Molly headed for Layne’s cabin.

“She puked when I mentioned food.”

“Get it anyway, Jen,” Molly called over her shoulder.

*******

Layne was lying on her side with the washcloth over her face when Molly walked in. “I’m pretty sure this is a hellacious hangover,” Molly said when she removed the cloth and put the backs of her fingers against Layne’s cheek.

“Yes,” Layne mumbled into the pillow.

“Have you been able to keep anything down?”

“I drank half of the glass of water Jenny left. So far, so good.” Layne grimaced when Molly sat on the side of the bed.

“It’s safe to say you won’t be going with us. Since Stick is going to be our driver, I don’t know of anyone to ask to look in on you aside from Stacy.”

Layne opened one eye. “I’ll be fine. There’s no need, and don’t leave Jenny behind. I know you want to spend time with her, and all I’m going to do is sleep.”

Molly stroked Layne’s hair from her face. “I could stay. I remember you sitting with me when I was sick. Sometimes now when I can’t sleep, I miss you reading to me.”

Layne smiled despite the pounding in her head. “You go and have a great time. If Apalachicola is as neat as Stick claims it to be, I can go another day. Besides, everyone says I need to relax, and this is the perfect opportunity.”

“Maybe you and Stacy could talk.”

Layne rolled onto her back. “I don’t think there’s anything for us to discuss. I thought about this before I passed out last night. You know how Ronnie is. By the time they get back home, she’ll be hooking up with someone else if not sooner. So I don’t see any need in telling her what happened in Detroit. I’ll just keep my distance from Stacy.”

“That’s probably the best course of action.” Molly turned when Ronnie came through the door with a tray.

“I have toast, crackers, and a can of Sprite. I lost Jenny when Les introduced her to the sweet potato pancakes.”

Layne groaned. “That would be gross even if I weren’t hungover. Ronnie, please put that tray way over on the other side of the room,” Layne said with a weak wave of her hand. “I appreciate it, but I can’t smell food right now.”

Ronnie did as she was asked, then walked over to Layne and kissed her on the forehead. “I asked Stacy to look in on you.”

“That’s not necessary.” Layne’s head swam as she tried to sit up to show Ronnie she was fine. “I can’t handle sightseeing, but I’m not bed-bound, either. What you brought is all I need. Now you two go before you miss the van.”

“I have my phone in case you need anything,” Molly said as she stood. “Call me.”

“I will.”

*******

“Stick seemed mighty disappointed when we told her Layne wasn’t going,” Ronnie said as she and Molly strolled the streets of Apalachicola with Jenny trailing behind. “That’s a guaranteed fling for the next two weeks. It might do Layne some good to saddle up the cowgirl.”

“I don’t think Layne’s looking for anything right now, temporary or not,” Jenny said as she joined them. “She just needs time to get herself together and jump back into the game when she’s ready.”

Ronnie spied something of interest in the window of one of the shops and grabbed Molly by the arm. Jenny followed. “Stacy wants a cat.” Ronnie picked up a stuffed orange one wearing a pair of sunglasses. “Do you think this will do?”

“You two are talking pets? That’s pretty serious in the lesbian dating world.” Jenny moved past her and picked up a glass flamingo.

“We’re not talking about moving in together. It would be her cat in her apartment.”

“You two have been spending a lot of time together. By the time we get back home, it’ll be four weeks. That equals…what? Seven months?” Jenny said with a grin. “In dog years, which is the same timing as your dating history. You’re not on the same scale as the rest of us humans.”

“I’ve kept her around so long because she’s the only woman that can keep up with me in the bedroom. She’s not interested in anything more than that.” Ronnie sighed. “I fucking love her.”

Jenny dropped the flamingo, which broke in half on the floor. She held up both hands and met the eye of the irritated woman behind the counter. “My bad, I’ll pay for it. I always wanted…a headless flamingo.”

Molly grabbed Ronnie’s arm. “You love her?”

“Not the way you’re thinking, Molly Prejean. I love the way she thinks, I love what she does to me, but I’m not in love, nothing even close to that.” Ronnie’s brow furrowed as Molly stared at her. “You know me.”

“Women in nearly every state of the Union know you. You’ll have conquered the whole country once you visit Hawaii.” Jenny waggled her eyebrows. “But Stacy has smashed all your records, and you have us wondering if you’re gonna hang up your strap-on and go into retirement.”

“Ha! Never,” Ronnie said with a grin, “and you forgot the Virgin Islands.”

“Because they’re not a state, right along with Guam.”

Ronnie shrugged. “U.S. territory, same thing.”

“You don’t feel anything for her?” Molly asked.

Ronnie seemed surprised by the question and said, “no,” flippantly before walking off.

Chapter 9

Layne woke up a little after noon and showered. The pain reliever was easing the dull ache in the back of her head, but she felt too puny to bother with drying her hair. She pulled on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt and made use of the hammock on the front porch. She returned a few texts from Jenny, letting her know she was still alive.

“I’m glad to see you’re awake.”

Layne turned her head slowly toward the smooth voice. “Hi.”

“I noticed you didn’t make it to lunch. I brought you this.” Stacy walked up onto the porch and set a small paper bag on the table near Layne. “It’s nothing extravagant, just chicken noodle soup.”

“Thank you,” Layne said as she looked away.

“I owe you an apology for my attitude the other day. I was more than a little taken aback.”

“So was I.” Layne closed her eyes when she heard the swing on the porch creak and knew she was headed for a conversation she didn’t want to have.

“I think we’re a bit more levelheaded today and may as well take this opportunity to talk.”

Layne had no idea what to say and waited for Stacy to continue.

“I get the impression that Molly and Jenny already know.”

“They do,” Layne said with a slight nod, “but they won’t say anything to Ronnie…I think.”

The swing creaked again, Layne turned and looked at Stacy, who’d leaned forward and propped both elbows on her knees. She was staring out into the woods, her face blank. “I don’t know where things are going with Ronnie, but if she gives me any indication that she wants something serious, I’m going to have to be honest with her about what happened that night.” Stacy looked at the ground. “Is this okay with you?”

Layne wanted to say that Ronnie didn’t do serious. Layne had known her eighteen years, and Ronnie had never been in a real relationship. “If that arises, then I expect you to do what you feel you need to.”

“Thanks.” Stacy rubbed her hands together. “Now let’s talk about us.”

Layne’s brows shot skyward. “Us?”

“If what happened between us would’ve occurred a year ago, maybe this wouldn’t be as uncomfortable, but it’s only been a month.” Stacy met Layne’s gaze. “We’re going to be here two weeks, and I don’t even know what to say to you. So I was hoping we could just pretend we’ve only just met. That way, we can spend our time feeling less awkward.”

“We have only just met, but I know what you mean.”

Stacy sat back in her chair. “So…what do you think of this place?”

“I hate it.”

“You do?” Stacy jerked a thumb toward her chest. “Because of me?”

“No, I’m not an outdoors kind of girl. I’m the cruise ship or resort type where the only wildlife you see is in the bar.”

“Ah…then why did you come?”

“My boss has basically banned me from the office because he feels I’m near burnout. Molly wanted to do something and planned this at the last minute. I couldn’t let her down.”

“Ronnie told me about the lung cancer and that Molly spent the last year fighting it.”

“Never smoked a cigarette a day in her life.” Layne looked out at the woods. “It’s in remission, and for that, we are thankful. This trip is really for her and Jenny, of course.” Layne looked back at Stacy. “What about you? Is this your thing?”

“I’ve always enjoyed camping, though this is more extravagant than what I’m used to.” Stacy sighed. “I haven’t been in years. We used to go all the time when I lived in San Francisco, but when…I moved, everything changed.”

“You didn’t mention that you were originally from Louisiana the night we met.”

“It never came up,” Stacy said with a smile, “and at that time, I didn’t know where you were from.”

Layne felt her face warm, and she stared down at her feet. “I lied to you about my name because I didn’t know…it would just look bad for me if people found out that I’d…spent the night with someone who might’ve been a client. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

“You were hurting.”

Layne blinked and looked at Stacy. “Ronnie told you about what Olivia did.”

Stacy nodded. “I understand now. I didn’t the day we talked at the buffet.” She smiled. “You never did look like a Chloe to me. Layne is much more befitting.”

“Yes, well, it was the best I could come up with on short notice.” Layne steered the conversation away from that night. “So why the move to New Orleans?”

Stacy shrugged. “It just seemed like the thing to do. I’ve been nomadic over the past few years. When I left San Fran, I spent some time in Utah, then Maine, and somehow, I ended up in Detroit. I guess I was just tired of bitter winters and snow. And I got tired of hearing my cousin beg.”

“The nomad thing, was it for work?”

“No, I’ve just felt…unsettled. I met a girl in college and fell in love. When she got a job in California at an environmental law firm, I went with her. We were together eight years when she was killed in a car accident.” Stacy pulled a leg up in the swing with her. “Nothing was ever the same after that.”

“I’m so sorry.” Layne didn’t know what else to say or do as Stacy stared off into space.

Stacy inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “We should talk about Alana.”

Layne nodded.

“I’m not going to tell her about our encounter.”

Layne sighed with relief. “I appreciate that.”

Stacy grinned. “She’s not known for her discretion.”

“No, she’s not,” Layne said with a laugh.

They were quiet for a moment or two. “I was considering the Florida Keys, but Alana said they dealt with too many hurricanes. Apparently, she considers New Orleans safer.”

“Maybe she just wanted you near. Are you two close?”

“Yeah, she’s the only one in my family I still talk to. No one else came to see me when Anna died, just her. We’ve been pretty tight ever since. The two black sheep stick together.”

Layne knew very little about Alana’s personal life outside of her proclivities. “Black sheep?”

“My lesbianism and refusal to go into the family business of politics, and Alana was responsible for the divorce of one of her father’s closest friends. According to my uncle Robert and his good buddy Gene, Alana seduced him. They’re still friends, and Alana is trash in her father’s eyes. She was nineteen when it happened and believed she was in love, thought Gene really loved her. It was a very rude awakening about a lot of things for her.”

“I had no idea. Our conversations aren’t very deep. Everything always seems to be a joke to her.”

“Yeah, that’s how she copes, I suppose.”

Layne studied Stacy’s face. “Gavin Mayeaux is your father, isn’t he?”

Stacy nodded. “I look just like him, don’t I? You’ve no doubt seen his political ads for the Senate.”

“Alana defaces every poster she can find. She has his face on a dartboard in her office. You and Alana look nothing alike, but I should’ve put things together the night we met.” Layne cleared her throat. “I was out of sorts.”

Stacy’s smile faltered for a second. “It’s understandable. Tell me about your family.”

“Well,” Layne began with a sigh. “I’m not the black sheep. I just don’t exist. My parents are strict conservatives, so they consider my,” Layne made air quotes with her fingers, “‘lifestyle’ to be inappropriate, and to include me in the family would mean they’d be condoning who I am. My brothers are much the same as my parents, so we don’t talk. I get religious cards from my mother delivered to the office once a month, but that’s about the extent of our relationship. My family now is Jenny, Molly, and Ronnie.”

Stacy pursed her lips before saying, “It sucks, doesn’t it?”

“It used to when I was younger but not anymore. I guess they thought their stonewalling would break me and I’d bend to their will, but all they did was make me stronger. My life might not be perfect, but I do just fine without them.”

“Ronnie says almost the same thing.”

“I think that’s what bonded us,” Layne said with a smile. “We met when we were both ousted. We were roommates for a long time.” Layne groaned. “God, those were some lean years. There were nights we shared a bag of potato chips for dinner. But Ronnie could always find a party. That’s how we met Molly and Jenny. The four of us just clicked.”

“So they’ve been together since college?”

“Since high school. Jenny was a jock and Molly a cheerleader. They met on a basketball court their senior year when Jenny transferred to Molly’s school. Jenny said she took one look at Molly, and that was it.”

“I know that feeling,” Stacy said wistfully and stood. “I have to go sketch something. Ronnie tried her best to get me to go shopping, but honestly, I’d rather chew off my own foot.”

Layne laughed as Stacy leapt over the three steps from her porch. “It was nice meeting you, Stacy.”

Stacy turned and looked over her shoulder. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

Chapter 10

“Thank God you and Stacy got everything sorted out,” Molly said later that evening as they walked up the trails to dinner. “I told Jenny that I didn’t know how to act.”

“So she’s not going to tell Ronnie unless things get serious?” Jenny asked. Layne nodded. “Then Ronnie will never know.”

“Don’t be so sure.” Molly glanced at Layne. “This time, it’s different with Ronnie. She’s pretending to be the same ol’ player, but I think she’s gotten a little attached.”

Layne smiled, but the tiny bit of jealousy she felt swelled a little larger. Once the ice was broken, it was very easy to talk to Stacy. She liked her. And even though she tried to suppress the memories of their night together, they’d creep in from time to time. The taste of Stacy’s skin, the way she kissed would come back unbidden, and Layne couldn’t help but think she’d missed out on something that could’ve been good.

“So what’s the deal with you and Stick?” Jenny asked. “You don’t appear to be all that interested, but she sure is. She asked all sorts of questions about you today.” Jenny bumped Layne with her hip. “Did you do something to her on your walk last night?”

“She’s a nice girl, but I’m not interested in a fling. You see what that got me the last time. Maybe I should tell her that.” Layne looked at Jenny.

“Maybe you should,” Molly agreed. “Be upfront and honest.”

“I’m going to,” Layne said resolutely.

Stick joined them again as they finished dinner, and since Layne had bowed out on the shopping trip, she agreed to go to the barn dance, which truly was in a barn. A small stage was set up at one end for the band. The stalls had been removed, and tables were set up along the walls, leaving the middle of the building open as the dance floor. The doors on either side were left open, and a breeze wafted through aided by fans. Women of all age, color, shape, and size scooted along the straw-covered dance floor.

“I know this is probably a stupid question, but would you like something to drink?” Stick asked Layne with a smile. “There’s water and soda at the bar.”

“Water would be great.” Layne watched as Stick weaved her way to the corner. Her long legs looked good in the tight jeans she was wearing. She’d traded in her work shirt for a black tank top that showed well-developed muscles in her arms and shoulders.

“She’s a tall drink of water,” Ronnie said as she moved alongside Layne. “Jenny tells me you’re not interested. Have you gone straight on us? She’s hot.”

“I’m just not in that place.”

“I’d do her in a heartbeat,” Ronnie said, eyeing Stick appreciatively. “Look at those damn arms. I bet she fucks like a—”

“What about Stacy?”

Ronnie didn’t immediately meet Layne’s stare. “She’s strong, too,” she said with a grin.

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

“You don’t understand, Layne. That’s all I’m talking about, and Stacy knows it. We’re having a good time, and when the party’s over, then it’s all said and done.” Ronnie walked off before Layne could say anything else.

Stacy watched Ronnie walk briskly away from Layne toward the bathroom. Stick moved in quickly and handed Layne a bottle of water. Layne watched the dance floor, and Stick watched her. Stacy didn’t like Stick. She recognized the lingering stares, the innuendo in the things Stick said, because she’d used the same tactics with women, with Layne. There was a time she would’ve applauded Stick’s smooth style, but when it came to Layne, the game wasn’t cool, it was repugnant. She didn’t want to see Layne in her arms or know they were next door doing the things that they’d done. It struck her then that she was genuinely jealous, and that was one emotion Stacy hadn’t felt in a very long time.

She’d hoped to see the materialistic side of Layne that Ronnie spoke of that Stacy had always equated with shallowness. But what she found in Layne was a warmhearted, self-made woman who stood on her own two feet. She’d been physically attracted to Layne the night they met, but she’d found new reasons to be drawn to Ronnie’s best friend.

Stacy looked away when Stick led Layne onto the dance floor and met twin stares from the women sitting across the table from her. Molly’s expression showed concern, Jenny’s amusement.

“Thanks for taking care of our friend today,” Jenny said.

“I didn’t do anything but bring her some soup.”

Jenny’s smile faded as one brow rose. “Good.”

“Hey, sexy, you wanna dance?”

Stacy looked up at Ronnie, eager to escape the table. “Absolutely.”

“This is a problem,” Molly said as she watched them go. “Ronnie’s acting weird, and that woman can’t take her eyes off of Layne.”

Jenny leaned in close to Molly. “Layne’s looking, too. Did you see her at dinner? I was watching her the whole time, and when Ronnie kissed Stacy, Layne closed her eyes and turned her head. Houston, we most certainly do have a problem, but there’s nothing we can do but watch.”

“I can’t sit back and watch a longtime friendship be ruined. Layne and Ronnie are going to get hurt. I think you should talk to her.”

“And what am I going to say? ‘Layne, stop looking at Stacy?”’

“I don’t mean Layne.” Molly nodded toward Stacy. “Tell her to get lost.”

“I can’t do that. What if we’re wrong and ruin whatever is happening between her and Ronnie?” Jenny pointed at Molly. “Don’t you say anything, either.”

Molly folded her arms and bit her lip.

“Baby, please,” Jenny pinched the bridge of her nose, “promise me you won’t try to intervene.

*******

Stick held Layne tightly and brushed her neck with a kiss. Layne looked over her shoulder and caught Stacy’s eye. “Stick, I need to be honest with you.” Layne put a little distance between them. “I just recently got out of a six-year relationship, and I’m not ready for…anything at the moment.”

“You live too far away for there to be anything, but what’s wrong with enjoying my company?” Stick replied with a smile.

“I can dance with you, and we can be friends, but that’s all I can do right now.”

Stick pulled her close again, molding their bodies together. “Can I still try to change your mind?”

Layne smiled and looked away. “As long as you know your chances are very slim. You’re extremely attractive, and if I was in a better place, things would be different.”

“Well, minus a day or two, I’ve got time to charm your socks off.” Stick spun Layne around when the band began a fast song and pulled her close again. “I can be very persuasive.”

Layne glanced at Ronnie and Stacy. Even though the tempo had changed, they were still dancing slowly. She watched as Ronnie’s hand slid down Stacy’s back and turned before she watched it descend any farther.

“What’s your favorite color?”

“I don’t really prefer one over another,” Layne said as she ran her palm over a firm back moist with sweat. “What’s yours?”

Stacy smiled and kissed her. “What did you see when you closed your eyes?”

“Red.”

“Let’s try that again.” Stacy kissed her slowly, her lips soft as a feather, the tip of her tongue barely touching Layne’s. “What color did you see?” Stacy asked against Layne’s ear when she pulled away.

“Blue.”

Stacy rose up and looked down at Layne. “Very good. Now I’ll show you burgundy.”

Layne realized that she’d fisted her hand in the back of Stick’s shirt. Stick looked at her questioningly with a slight smile. “I…uh…got a cramp in the back of my calf, maybe I’m a little dehydrated from this morning.”

“Why don’t you go back to the table and I’ll get you another bottle of water?”

“Good idea, thanks.”

“Layne, what’re you doing?” Molly asked when she sat down.

Layne watched Jenny tap Molly on the shoulder. She looked at both of them before saying, “About what?” Molly opened her mouth, then looked up as Ronnie and Stacy joined them.

“It’s raining.” Ronnie fanned herself with a napkin. “It was so hot and muggy, that breeze feels wonderful.”

Layne noticed the flush on Ronnie’s neck and knew it wasn’t the weather that was making her hot. Layne had seen it many times when Ronnie was aroused, then slipped away with a woman in tow. And Stacy, Layne noticed, looked at anything but her.

“Here ya go.” Stick set a bottle in front of Layne and took the seat next to her. “So what do y’all have planned for tomorrow?”

“Jenny and I were talking about horseback riding,” Molly said.

“Excellent.” Stick draped an arm over the back of Layne’s chair. “I’d love to show you the trails.”

“They must work you to death,” Stacy said, looking at Stick. “You’re driving one day, then on the trails the next.”

“I’ve been here a long time. Joy pretty much lets me do what I enjoy unless she needs me.”

“That’s really nice,” Stacy said with a smile. “I’m sure all the guests enjoy the special attention. You must stay busy year-round.”

“Yes, I do,” Stick smiled at Layne, “but it isn’t always this much fun.”

Ronnie grinned and winked at Layne before saying, “What did we do to earn your favor?”

Stick glanced at Stacy before she leaned closer to Ronnie. “You’re all very beautiful.”

“Oh, Stick,” Jenny said, fanning her face with both hands like a beauty queen who’d just been crowned. “And you haven’t even seen me in my ball gown.”

The group laughed at Jenny’s antics with the exception of Stacy, who eyed Stick. “How many clients would you say you service in a year?” Stick’s smile vaporized as she turned to Stacy, who shrugged. “I was just curious how lucrative this place is, but you probably don’t want to talk shop on your time off.”

Stick and Stacy locked gazes, neither of them smiling anymore. Molly felt the tension at the table was thick enough to cut with a knife. Under the table, she squeezed Jenny’s leg. “I’m pooped,” Molly said, looking at Layne. “I bet you are, too.”

“Yes, I am,” Layne replied with a relieved smile.

Ronnie looked over her shoulder at the door. “It’s pouring outside.”

“No problem.” Molly stood and pulled Jenny up with her. “I could use a shower, and the walk back will be cooler.”

“Good point,” Stacy added as she stood, as well.

When Layne stood, Stick joined her. “Wait right here, Layne. I’ll find an umbrella.”

Ronnie stayed seated. “Are y’all nuts? It’s a frog choker out there.”

Jenny looked at the door. “Oh, come on, titmouse, a little rain never hurt anyone.”

Ronnie reluctantly joined the group as they headed for the door but grabbed an empty beer bottle box and held it over her head as she stepped out of the barn. Stick had asked Layne to wait, but she followed closely behind Molly and Jenny, eager to be alone in her cabin so she could mentally sort out everything that had been said and decipher the odd behavior of her friends. But they’d barely gotten away when Stick arrived with another box and held it over Layne’s head while wrapping an arm around her waist. Layne had no choice but to slow her stride.

“I think Stacy thought I was flirting with Ronnie,” Stick said as the others moved on ahead. “She seemed a little pissed.”

“I didn’t get that impression at all,” Layne said nonchalantly. In truth, she wasn’t really sure why Stacy looked so put off, but she didn’t want to stoke any drama that appeared to be smoldering. Layne laughed when Jenny stomped in a puddle, sending muddy water up the side of Ronnie’s legs.

Ronnie threw her box down and yelled, “You little shit,” as she sprinted after Jenny.

Stacy picked it up but made no attempt to use it against the rain that pelted them. Layne noticed how Stacy’s shirt and shorts clung to her body, revealing every curve. She wasn’t as muscular as Stick, but she was lithe and well-toned, and Layne found herself unable to tear her gaze away from what her hands already knew.

“Children, stay on the trail,” Molly chided when Jenny cut into the brush to avoid being caught by Ronnie. She slowed her step and waited for Layne and Stick to catch up. “I’m willing to bet they’ll both be full of mud and thorns by the time we get back to the cabins. If that’s the case, Jen will be bunking with you, Layne.”

“For better or for worse, Jenny is yours, Mol. You’ll have to contend with her nasty butt.”

“And Stacy with Ronnie’s.” Molly looked at Layne. “This is the closest I’ve ever seen Ronnie get to anyone despite her bravado, don’t you agree?” Layne nodded and looked away, and Molly focused her attention on Stick. “I enjoyed your sightseeing tour today. I know Layne is sorry she missed out.”

“I’ll make it up to her. I have a day off every now and then.” Stick squeezed Layne’s waist.

Layne felt she was being bulldozed into Stick’s arms by everyone. She resented being talked about as though she weren’t there or didn’t have an opinion of her own. Irritation crept up her spine as she recalled how Molly had regarded her when she returned from the dance floor to the table. “Stick, do you mind if I have a few minutes alone with Molly?” Stick came to an abrupt halt, and Layne almost felt sorry for the disappointed expression she saw on her face.

“Sure, would you like to keep the box?”

“No, but thank you very much for trying to keep me dry. I had a nice time.”

“Me too, good night.”

Molly stood at Layne’s side as they watched Stick walk away. “I think you hurt her feelings.”

“I had just told her on the dance floor that I wasn’t interested in anything more than friendship. You knew I was going to do that, but you and Ronnie seem determined to jam us together. Why?”

Rivulets of water streamed down Molly’s face as she regarded Layne. “I know you better than anyone aside from Jenny. You’re paying too much attention to Stacy. You stared at her the whole time you were on the dance floor. Ronnie isn’t blind. She’s going to notice.”

“I’m attracted to her, that’s why I slept with her. Can you honestly expect me to not even look?”

“It’s the way you look at her, Layne, and what makes it worse is she looks at you the same way. I think Ronnie has feelings for her.”

“And mine don’t count?”

“You know what? No, not at this point,” Molly countered with a shake of her head. “You did what you did with Stacy, and you walked away, never expecting to see her again. Now this sucks, I know that, but she’s with Ronnie. Whatever you’re feeling, you need to shut it down before it gets stronger, or you’re going to screw up a deep friendship over this.”

Layne closed her eyes and leaned her head back. Rain soaked her face and cooled her ire. “You’re right. I’m just so out of my element. I don’t want to like her, but the more I get to know her, I do.”

Molly touched Layne’s face. “I’m sorry to be so brutally honest. I just wanted to wake you up. I don’t want our family to break apart.”

“It won’t,” Layne said with a sad smile. “I promise.”

They found Stacy standing on the trail with a hand on her hip. Dim light from a small lamp hanging from a post illuminated two writhing bodies in the mud. “In your face,” Jenny said with a laugh as she rolled astride Ronnie and slicked back her hair with mud.

Stacy looked at Molly. “Which one is yours?”

“I can’t really be certain at the moment,” Molly said with a laugh.

“Which one is yours?” The question meant in jest hit Layne hard. “Well, you two are more than capable of sorting this out yourselves. Good night,” she said as she walked away without looking back. “Good night, mudbugs.”

Chapter 11

“Why are you wearing clothes?” Ronnie asked Stacy as she climbed into the bed fresh from her shower.

“I drank too much beer. I feel bloated.”

Ronnie ran her hand under Stacy’s T-shirt and over her stomach. “It’s still nice and flat.” She kissed Stacy, then plunged her tongue deep into her mouth, moaning as her hand moved beneath the waistband of Stacy’s shorts.

Give in and enjoy it, Stacy thought as Ronnie broke the kiss and began nibbling the side of her neck. Forget Layne. You will never have her again.

Ronnie moved on top of Stacy, teasing her nipple with her teeth through the material of the shirt. Stacy’s body started to respond as she tried to force her mind to disengage.

“Have you ever had a threesome?”

Stacy’s eyes flew open. “A what?”

“A ménage à trois.” Ronnie pulled Stacy’s shirt up and put her mouth on her skin.

“Ah, no.”

Ronnie kissed her way down Stacy’s stomach. “Would you be opposed to it?”

“That would depend on who it was with.”

Ronnie paused and looked up at Stacy. “Most certainly me.” Her tongue resumed its pleasurable route.

“Who else?”

“I could see myself between you and Stick.”

Stacy grabbed Ronnie by the shoulder. “Stick. Are you telling me you want to fuck her? Because you don’t have to ask my permission. Layne’s maybe since those two seem to be hitting it off.”

Ronnie rested her chin on Stacy’s abdomen. “I think it would be totally hot to see you two go at it. All of that muscle, all of that strength.”

“Stick does nothing for me.” Stacy scooted from beneath Ronnie and put her back against the headboard. “But if you’re not worried about pissing off your best friend, then go ahead and do her.”

“Are you pissed?” Ronnie asked with a smile as she rose up on all fours. “You are. It’s written all over your face.”

Stacy waved a hand. “Do what you want to do.”

“Right now, I want to do you.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Stacy said with a sigh. “I know we have no commitments and that’s fine, but it’s a real buzz killer when I’m in bed with a woman and she’s talking about someone else.”

Ronnie sat back. “I’m adventurous. I thought we both were.”

“Stick is a big turnoff for me. I think she’s all talk, and between the sheets, she’s probably a limp noodle.” Stacy debated telling Ronnie about Layne. At dinner the other night, she knew Layne was on the verge. She’d even tried to help her by continuing the conversation, but it was obvious by then Layne had lost her nerve.

Ronnie sighed deeply. “I’m afraid you’re getting bored. Since we’ve been here, you seem uninterested. I’m trying to spice things up. There’s nothing I won’t do to please you sexually.” Ronnie looked more vulnerable at that moment than Stacy had ever seen her. She moved up and wrapped her arms around Stacy’s waist as she laid her head on her chest. “I don’t want Stick.”

“I’m tired, that’s all.” Stacy kissed the top of her head and closed her eyes, feeling guilty for lying and, like Layne, losing her nerve when the opportunity presented itself to be honest.

*******

Layne had risen early and was one of the first to arrive at the mess hall. She ate quickly, hoping not to run into Stick. Afterward, she started down the trail to her cabin and diverted when she saw Molly and Ronnie headed her way. She wanted time alone outside of her cabin. “Okay, if there are any creatures hiding in the brush around here, I’d greatly appreciate it if you didn’t make your presence known,” she whispered as she walked along briskly.

She was still stinging from Molly’s rebuke, even though Molly was right. There was no use risking a longtime friendship over a woman she barely knew. It would be easier for her to forget Stacy if she didn’t have to look at her every single day. What made it worse was Stacy was looking back. It’s the way you look at her, Layne, and what makes it worse is she looks at you the same way. Molly’s words had burned in her mind for a long time the previous night as Layne hoped for sleep. And they were the first to cross her mind when she woke up that morning.

Layne came to a fork in the trail and took the right, wondering if it would lead around to her cabin. She felt a little less intimidated by the wildlife as she noticed other cabins surrounding her in the woods. As she studied them, she suddenly became aware of someone running up on her fast. Layne whirled and came face-to-face with Stacy. “What’re you doing?”

Stacy’s face and hair were soaked with sweat. “Running.”

“Oh, God, from what?” Layne said in horror as she took off.

Stacy caught up with her quickly and pulled her to a stop. “Layne, I was exercising. There’s nothing behind me.”

“Oh.” Layne felt stupid as she put a hand to her chest. “I’m a little edgy being out here,” she said as she looked around. “I don’t do nature.”

Stacy tried to stifle a laugh. “You really are a city girl.”

Layne took a deep breath and felt her heart begin to go back to its normal rate. “There are bears out here. You’re not afraid?”

“No.” Stacy wiped the sweat from her face with both hands and smoothed them over her shorts. “It’s a beautiful place. I keep trying to memorize all the colors, so I can paint them when I get home.”

Stacy was sweating profusely and still she smelled good to Layne. “Okay, well, don’t let me stop you. Run on.”

Stacy stepped back and put her hands over her head and inhaled deeply. “Where’re you going?”

“I don’t really know, to tell you the truth. I was just…walking.”

“I’ll walk with you. I need to cool down anyway.”

This was just what Layne needed to avoid. “Uh, good. Maybe you can help me find Stick. She’s offered to take me for a stroll on the trails.”

Stacy’s face clouded. “Oh, yeah, she’ll take you on the trails all right.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re no stranger to innuendo, Layne. You know exactly what it means,” Stacy said nonchalantly as she started to walk off, then stopped. “When we talked yesterday, I got the impression that you weren’t…” Stacy shook her head and began walking again.

“Wait,” Layne said as she grabbed her arm. “That I wasn’t what?”

“Into casual flings, that what happened between us was an exception because you were hurting.”

Layne tilted her head to the side. “That’s right, but really, who are you to judge?” Layne knew she was making Stacy mad, and she wanted to be angry, too. It would make it all so much easier to deal with. “You know my reasons for what I did, but what were yours?”

Stacy stared at her for a moment and wrenched her arm away. She turned and jogged up the trail, leaving Layne behind. The anger Layne had wanted refused to come. Instead Stacy’s reaction to the comment about Stick intrigued her.

Layne ambled on at a lazy pace. “Think about anything else, work,” she said aloud as she looked up at the sky barely visible through the thick foliage.

They’re at Bettenford right now. Layne had never missed a trip with Calloway. She’d always been the one to make the introductory speeches before the training began. She’d stare out into the audience, judging carefully the facial expressions of those around her. She noted the bored, the aggravated, those who looked curious and took great pride at the end of their training sessions when those same people were all enthusiastic and ready to get to work. Those people she could work with. She knew how to handle conflict in the workplace, but in her personal life…especially right then, she was at a total loss because the conflict resided in her.

*******

Stacy focused on her breathing as her feet hit the packed dirt trail rhythmically. After the encounter with Layne, she needed to run again to purge the myriad emotions that washed through her, all culminating in frustration. She’d told herself that what she saw in Layne’s eyes was just wishful thinking on her part. But there were moments like the one they just experienced that every fiber in her being screamed out that it was not a delusion. And therein lay the frustration.

“Whoa. If you’re gonna run like that, you need to pay closer attention.” Stacy stopped short of running into Stick, who stood in the middle of the trail. “These are walking trails.”

“Really,” Stacy said between quick breaths and rested her hands on her hips. “Les told me these trails were the perfect place to run, she does it herself.”

Stick’s gaze flittered over Stacy, revealing disapproval. “She does it at five a.m., not when people are taking their morning walks.” Stick folded her arms, flexing her muscles.

Stacy had grown quickly tired of Stick’s posturing and attitude. Her mood had already soured, and she was getting increasingly irritated that her exercise had been interrupted. “Are you telling me there’s a specific time to run? Because the brochure that extolled the virtues of the trails for runners didn’t mention anything of the sort, nor did Les.” Stacy straightened to her full height and took a step closer. “Frankly, I think you’re pulling this out of your—”

“Hey, babe,” Stick said brightly as she looked past Stacy.

Stacy turned and noticed Layne drawing closer.

“Enjoying your morning walk?” Stick asked, temporarily meeting Stacy’s gaze when Stacy turned back to look at her. “Better watch your step. You don’t want to be steamrolled by the likes of this one,” she said with a nod in Stacy’s direction.

“We’ve already run into each other, so to speak.” Layne smiled slightly and nodded at Stacy as she joined them.

“I’m sorry I missed you at breakfast, sweetie.”

Layne’s brow furrowed at the term of endearment. “That’s okay, Stick. I’m not a morning person.”

Stacy was compelled to resume her run and kick dirt on Stick’s boots as she passed, but it struck her odd that Layne stood very near to her.

Stick seemed to notice, too. She raised her elbow slightly. “Grab a hold and I’ll take you on that walk I promised.”

“Not this morning,” Layne said, actually bumping into Stacy. “Molly mentioned something about a ride today. I imagine they’re getting ready to go while it’s still cool.” She looked at Stacy. “I know you’re going to want to shower just so you can sweat again. We should probably hurry.”

“Well…great.” Stick dropped her arms at her sides. “I’ll go down to the stables. See you all soon.” Stacy watched the expression on Layne’s face when Stick kissed her on the cheek and ran a finger down Layne’s arm. “I’m really looking forward to taking you on a ride.”

Layne and Stacy stood motionless as Stick sauntered away with a grin. “You don’t like her,” Stacy said lowly as she watched Stick turn onto another trail.

Layne was frowning when Stacy looked at her. “I don’t want or need a lover right now,” she said as she began to walk.

“This way.” Stacy grabbed the sleeve of Layne’s shirt and steered her to the trail that led to their cabins. “What is it that you do need?”

“My life back,” Layne retorted hotly as she picked up her pace. “I need to be back at work where things make sense.”

“What doesn’t—”

“Ah!” Layne held up a hand. “I’m not discussing it. If you feel the need to chat while we walk, talk to me about the colors you’re always so interested in, birds, horse farts, or whatever.”

Stacy grinned, then pursed her lips when Layne glanced at her. “Would it be patronizing to say you’re adorable when you’re aggravated?”

“You have to ask?”

“So…colors. When I was a kid, I had every crayon color there was. When they got too small to use, I’d unwrap them and shave them down with my little sharpener. I had big piles in jars, and one day, my kindergarten teacher taught me the most wondrous thing.”

“You made new colors?”

Stacy smiled, noticing some of the ire had gone from Layne’s tone. “You could say that. She put shavings from our class on wax paper and covered them with another piece. With a house iron, she ran over the paper and melted the shavings. She added leaves and twigs, and the melting crayons added color. So I went home and did the same. I ruined the iron and the carpet in my bedroom. But when I look up at the sky here, especially around sunset, I’m reminded of that, and it makes me want to do it again.”

“Simple things excite you, don’t they?” Layne asked with a slight smile.

Stacy nodded. “Some of the simplest things in life are the most joyful.”

“Thanks for the company.” Layne put her hands on her hips and looked at her cabin. “And thanks for taking my mind off things.”

“Glad I could help.”

Layne clamped her lips together tightly. “I apologize for being a bitch.”

Stacy shook her head. “I never thought anything of the sort.” She took a step toward her own cabin. “I’ll see you on the ride.”

“I didn’t say I was riding. I said y’all were riding.” Layne was grinning impishly now.

Stacy waved a finger. “Oh, Stick is going to be upset with you.”

Layne held her arms up and shrugged.

********

“I’ll watch y’all ride.”

“We’re not going to stay in the corral. We’ll leave you behind,” Molly argued.

“You want me to avoid Stacy, but you want me to hang out with the group.” Layne looked at Jenny for help. “How am I going to do that? I already ran into her on the trail this morning when I tried to take a walk alone.”

“Well, you can’t hide in your cabin all the time. Even Ronnie will begin to suspect something’s off.” Jenny looked at Molly. “What do you want her to do?”

Molly stomped her foot. “This is fucked up!” Jenny and Layne exchanged glances when Molly dropped the F-bomb, something she rarely did. “I know this is hard, Layne. I’m sorry. I want us all to spend time together…I just want, want, want, and I know I’m not being fair.” Molly looked at Layne miserably. “We used to have some wonderful times together, and when I was sick, I’d think back on the things we did, like the time we rented those snowmobiles in Colorado. I’m not trying to play the guilt card or be manipulative, but I never thought we’d do anything like that again.”

“But we will,” Jenny said gently. “The important part to remember is we are all here and we’re together. We have a few bumps to get over.” She took Molly’s hand and kissed it with a smile. “We’ve gotten through much worse, haven’t we?”

“I’m sorry, Layne. I haven’t been fair to you,” Molly said, looking her way.

Layne put a hand on Molly’s shoulder. “I want to be with y’all too. I’ll go and ignore Stacy if I can follow in a golf cart.”

Chapter 12

Stick looked overjoyed as she selected the horses for the ride. “This handsome fella is Chopper. You won’t have to do anything but hold on to the reins, and he’ll follow my horse.”

“Hello, Chopper.” Layne looked up at the chestnut brown animal nervously.

“You can always ride with me.”

“I’ll be fine with Chopper here. He looks sweet.”

“Okay, just stand here and get acquainted while I get everyone else matched up. I’ll help you get on when we’re ready to go.”

Layne nodded and watched Stick walk away. She looked back at the horse. “Uh…listen, Chopper, you may’ve heard me say that I hate horses.” Layne smiled weakly. “That’s not true. I’m just kind of afraid of you. I read somewhere that you like carrots. If you don’t eat my face off or stomp me, I’ll hook you up, okay?”

“You’re insane.” Layne turned and looked at Ronnie as she walked up and petted Chopper. “Oh, you’re a fine fellow, aren’t you?” she said in a sweet voice, and the horse leaned his head against her. “We had horses when I was a kid.”

“I remember you saying that now. You want to put in a good word for me?”

Ronnie grinned and in the same sweet voice said, “You be nice to my friend. Not all of her ropes are on the dock as you can clearly see. You would never chew a face, would you? Maybe just a butt.”

“He’ll bite my butt?” Layne took a step back.

“No, maybe another horse’s, but not yours, unless you have a treat in your pocket. Come back here.” Ronnie took Layne’s hand in hers and stroked the side of Chopper’s face. “They spook easily because they don’t see the same way we do. He’s a sweet one, Layne. You won’t have any problems.”

“Thanks,” Layne said, liking the way the horse’s smooth coat felt beneath her hand.

“Are you okay?”

Layne looked at Ronnie. “Why would you ask?”

“Because you seem to be avoiding me.”

“I’m just in my own world right now.”

Ronnie studied Layne’s face for a moment. “Is it because I didn’t call or come to see you when things ended with you and Olivia? I feel really bad about that. I didn’t help you move or anything.”

“Baby, there was nothing to move except my clothes.” Layne looked past Ronnie to Stacy, who was petting her own horse and smiled. “I know you’ve had your hands full.”

Ronnie glanced at Stacy, then back at Layne. “What do you think of her?”

“She’s nice.”

“She is.” Ronnie smiled at Chopper as she stroked his mane. “Molly seems to think we’re serious.”

“Are you?”

“You know me, I get claustrophobic if they hang around for more than a day. I’m not like you. I’ve never been comfortable with settling down. I get bored too quickly.” Ronnie cast Layne a sideways glance. “But I’m getting older, and when I see the lines forming under my eyes, I wonder if I’ll regret that I didn’t learn to stick with one woman. I don’t want to be one of those old gals sitting alone at the end of the bar watching everyone else do what I used to.”

Layne swallowed hard as her heart went out to Ronnie. “We all change. You may find that you like being in a relationship. Find the right woman and you won’t feel so hemmed in.”

“Olivia was never right for you, you knew that. Why’d you stay so long?”

“Fear maybe.” Layne folded her arms. “I wasn’t happy, but it could’ve been worse with someone else. I thought she had all the things I wanted.”

“Has it ever occurred to you that Ms. Right might be a sanitation worker?” Ronnie asked with a grin.

Layne laughed. “You’ve made your point. I’ve been too busy looking down my nose that I wouldn’t have known a good woman if she slapped me in the face.” Layne sobered. “Olivia taught me the hard way it isn’t penthouses or expensive cars that can make me happy.”

Ronnie tilted her head toward Stacy. “She’s a bartender, has a degree in political science. Her family’s in politics, and she’s happiest serving booze.” Ronnie smiled. “I always thought if I ever did settle down, it would be with a professional or someone that owned her own business like me. Do you think less of her?”

“No,” Layne shook her head, “nor of you. If you’re happy, that’s all that’s important.”

“Therein lies the problem.” Ronnie shrugged. “I really don’t know.”

“Time to saddle up, ladies.” Stick walked over to them. “Layne, all you have to do is put your foot in the stirrup and throw your leg over his back. I’ll steady you.”

“Stick.” Ronnie laid a hand on her shoulder. “I’d like to help Layne up if you don’t mind. This is a first, and I’d like to be the one to make this memory with her.”

*******

“Okay, everybody, smile.” Stick snapped off a couple of pictures of the group on their horses and handed the camera back to Molly. “Keep that handy. You’ll see some pretty stuff out here.”

Stick had told the truth; Chopper moved behind Stick’s horse like he was on autopilot, and all Layne had to do was hold on. The others moved in behind her as they went at a lazy pace down the trails. Their first stop was on a hill overlooking a manmade pond where Stick pointed out an alligator that was barely poking its head out of the water. Next, they rode through a stand of trees that made a canopy over the trail. The branches were filled with white flowers.

“I just ate a bug.” Jenny gagged. “Swear to God, it flew right into my mouth and hit the back of my throat. I swallowed because I didn’t want it to pass back over my tongue.”

“Don’t fill up on the insects. We packed a lunch,” Ronnie teased.

“Whoa, girl,” Stacy said. Layne looked over her shoulder as Stacy’s horse did a dance and veered off the trail. Stacy pulled hard on the reins, but her horse rubbed against a tree and looked as though it was trying to rub Stacy from its back. Layne and the others watched as Stacy yanked on the reins again until the stubborn animal got in step with the others.

“She can be temperamental,” Stick called out. “But since you’re an experienced rider, I figured you could handle her.” She grinned at Layne and continued down the trail.

After about an hour or so, they picked a shady spot bordering a field of wildflowers in bloom where they ate sandwiches and fruit. Layne shared a bag of chips with Ronnie, and they talked and joked like they’d always done. Layne told Stacy a funny story or two about Ronnie but otherwise avoided her when she could.

Layne understood after her talk with Ronnie what Molly had been seeing in her all along. She genuinely liked Stacy, and the cavalier attitude was all a ruse to hide her fear of finally losing her heart. Layne felt like a heel because the few times she did glance Stacy’s way, she caught her eye. She accepted then that she’d had her time with Stacy, and that was all it was going to be. Her plan was simple—avoid Stacy when she could and shut out any thoughts or fantasies that tried to cross her mind. Simple yes, easy no because any time Stacy spoke or moved, Layne could not help but remember what it felt like to be in her arms.

“Come see,” Stick said as she pulled Layne to her feet. “I’ve found something I think you might like to have a look at.”

Layne allowed Stick to take her by the hand and lead her away from the others. They walked down the tree line to where the land sloped off to a creek. Stick pointed down at a bird’s nest, and three little heads could be seen poking out over the sticks. “Aw, what kind are they?”

“Just baby sparrows.” Stick pointed to a bird sitting on a limb nearby. “That’s momma. She’s watching us closely.”

“Let’s not disturb them then. I should tell Molly so she can take a picture.” Layne was walking back toward the group when Stick caught her by the arm, twirled her around, and kissed her hard. Layne pulled away. “Stick—”

“It’s just a kiss. You do enjoy being kissed, don’t you?”

Layne took a step back. “I can only offer you my friendship, I told you that.”

Stick moved in again and caught Layne’s hand. “But you said I could try to convince you otherwise,” she said with a smile. “Kiss me, Layne.” Stick pulled Layne closer, though she resisted.

“Have you been watching too many spaghetti westerns? This is not the way to change my mind.” Layne jumped when a horse face appeared beside her.

“Control your horse,” Stick ground out as she looked up at Stacy. “You said you were an experienced rider.”

“I am, but you saddled me with the most obstinate animal in the stable,” Stacy said just as hotly. “She wants the grass around your boots.”

Stick inhaled sharply through her nose. “Do we have a problem you and me?”

Stacy smiled. “I was wondering the same thing when you gave me wrong way Wileana here. Since you are actually the most experienced rider, I think we should trade. You’ll probably be better at handling her.”

Stick squinted against the sun. “The horse isn’t what I’m talking about. It’s the snide comments and the dirty looks. And now you’re interrupting.”

“She was coming to tell you that we’re ready to move.” Layne and Stick turned and noticed Ronnie close by astride her horse. “Everyone’s in the saddle ready to go because Molly spotted another pond, and she wanted to get a picture of the herons there.” Ronnie’s tone was curt as she regarded Stick. “And you should know when a lady says stop, she means it.”

Stick whirled around to Layne. “I was…I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, I know what you were doing.” Layne looked up at Ronnie. “I’m fine, really.”

Stick got back into her tour guide routine, even though she battled the stubborn mare. Stacy tried not to grin as she rode Stick’s horse, peacefully bringing up the rear. Molly and Jenny didn’t know what had occurred on the field but didn’t protest when Ronnie rearranged the group so Layne could ride alongside her. Stacy was far enough away that she couldn’t hear what was being said, but the two were talking a lot, and Ronnie seemed irritated.

When Stacy had seen Layne’s facial expression and the way she tried to pull away from Stick’s grasp, she’d let the horse walk up on them with a bit of guidance. Layne didn’t appear as though she felt threatened; there was no panic on her face, just annoyance. Stacy was fairly certain that Layne could’ve easily handled herself, but she’d intervened anyway. Though she resented Stick’s tactics, she’d wanted to grab Layne that morning and kiss her, too.

The wise thing Stacy knew was to be honest with Ronnie and leave. She wasn’t being fair, even though Ronnie often asserted that they were just having a good time and there would be nothing more. But good times had run out on Stacy.

Not since Anna had she been so enamored with a woman. For a long time, she felt as though she had nothing else to give. Anna had taken it all. Her sexual escapades satisfied a temporary need for companionship, and Stacy had pretended that it was Anna she’d been with.

The night with Layne had been intended to be just that, but when she woke up the next morning, she realized that Anna hadn’t been with her, only Layne. Perhaps it was Layne that made her forget, or simply, she was healing and allowing herself to open to another. Whatever it was had her searching for the woman who’d left her behind, and now she’d found her in the most unfortunate of circumstances.

Chapter 13

“This is much better than the barn dance. Hand me another, sweetie.” Jenny skewered a marshmallow on her stick and held it over the fire until it was engulfed in flames. She blew it out and waited for it to cool a second before popping the sticky treat into her mouth. “Layne, you want one?”

“No thanks.” Layne sat in the chair that she’d dragged out of her cabin while the others sat on blankets they had near the fire. She looked up at the night sky and watched the lights of a jet move beneath the stars and wondered if the woman for her was thousands of feet up en route to some destination far away. She wanted to be in love, even though she’d just been freed from a relationship. She wanted that stability, that commitment, and most of all, she wanted to be happy like her two best friends who were currently arguing over the proper roasting of a marshmallow.

“I’m not eating that, it’s charred.” Molly turned her head when Jenny held out a stick with a blackened ball of mush on the end.

“They’re the best when they’re burned on the outside. It makes the inside gooey.” Jenny popped the marshmallow into her mouth and smiled.

“It’s called roasting for a reason.” Molly put a piece of chocolate bar on a graham cracker. “You roast until they’re golden brown on the outside. Otherwise, they’d be called marshmallow flambé.”

“Then that’s what I’m having, flambé,” Jenny retorted with an overexaggerated French accent.

Ronnie was roasting her own and would occasionally feed Stacy, who sat next to her with a sketchpad. She’d glance at the fire with her dark eyes as her hand moved across the page. Layne wondered if Stacy was seeing more than just flames with that faraway stare. What would’ve happened if I’d left her a way to contact me, or if I’d contacted her? Layne wondered. Would we be sitting together on that blanket?

“So slutty Stick stinks now,” Jenny said as she put another marshmallow on her skewer. “Stick snapped and did something stupid and now she’s only a twig.” Jenny guffawed at her play on words. “Stick sucks at seduction. Sticks and Stones, and if Stick puts her hands on Layne Stone again, I’ll break her bones.”

Layne smiled and rolled her eyes at the heavens. “Give her a break, I obviously misled her.”

Ronnie chuckled. “Layne asked her if she’d been watching too many spaghetti westerns. You know, how the grizzled man with a pug full of whiskers grabs the woman who throws the back of her hand to her forehead and protests before she melts like butter when their lips meet? Just once, I’d love to have seen one of those women draw back, nail the guy in the jaw, and say, ‘Back off, tobacco breath, or I’ll knock the rest of your teeth out.”’

“Why were they called spaghetti westerns?” Molly asked as she neatly assembled her s’more.

“They were filmed in Italy,” Stacy said as she kept her eyes on what she was sketching.

“Maybe Stick’s schtick is working on another woman right now,” Jenny said.

“I hope so.” Layne yawned and stretched. “I don’t want to be the next contestant in her games.” Layne looked away when Stacy glanced up at her.

Molly’s gaze followed a marshmallow that sailed toward the shadows, and she noticed the reflection of the fire in two small eyes near the ground. “We’re not supposed to feed the animals, Ronnie. More will come.”

“It’s just a raccoon, and they raid the trash. It’s not like a few marshmallows will wreck its diet.” Ronnie threw another, this time a shorter distance and watched as the animal moved out of the shadows for the treat. “He’s cute. I bet he’d come right up and take it out of my hand.”

“He might just come up and take the whole bag,” Stacy said as she looked up.

“Bullshit on that.” Jenny tucked their bag of marshmallows between her and Molly. “Better stay away from the chocolate, too, you masked bastard.”

“Bastards.” Ronnie pointed to another set of eyes that had encroached on their campsite.

Layne folded her legs up in the chair with her. “Do they bite?”

“No,” Ronnie cooed. “Well, only if you attack first.” She tossed a marshmallow to the newcomer.

“I don’t think you should invite any more,” Molly warned.

Layne got up out of her chair and squeezed onto the blanket with Jenny and Molly and watched as the first coon slowly moved toward Ronnie.

“Bad idea, Ronnie,” Stacy said as she looked around. “We’re surrounded.”

Layne, Jenny, and Molly all turned at once and noticed another raccoon nearly at their blanket. Layne was on her feet in a heartbeat screaming at the top of her lungs as she bolted toward her cabin. Jenny and Molly did the same while Ronnie laughed maniacally.

Chapter 14

Though time together was what they all wanted, time apart seemed to be what they all needed at breakfast the next morning. Ronnie went to the beach to sun, Molly to her cabin to read, and Stacy for a jog, which left Jenny and Layne to wander aimlessly.

“There’s yoga and meditation, or a pottery class, either of those speaking to you?” Jenny asked as she looked at a paper with the day’s activities.

“I took a meditation class once when work got stressful and fell asleep so deeply that my snoring disrupted the entire class. The instructor told me she’d never seen anyone snore and drool while sitting straight up.”

“I’d really like to see that.”

“No,” Layne said with a grin. “I know you have a camera phone. What about pottery?”

Jenny shook her head. “I’ve already had my time in the mud. Oh, hey, archery. I could shoot something.” Jenny turned the paper around and studied the map. “It’s a short hike.”

“Lead the way.”

Jenny folded the paper and stuffed it into the pocket of her shorts. “Molly’s really enjoying this trip. I have to thank you for making this happen, but I don’t have to agree with the terms of the loan. Things are getting a lot better, and I should be able to pay in full all of what I owe you by the end of the year.”

“You don’t owe me anything. We all take care of each other. We’ve been doing it for years now. Y’all helped me buy that car when the engine blew in the one my parents sent me packing in.”

“I did you no favors with that rat trap. It left you stranded more than it got you anywhere.” Jenny laughed. “And it was so damn ugly, it looked like a fish bowl wearing suspenders.”

“Don’t knock the Pacer. It got me through my last two years of college.”

“That you’re still paying for, so don’t give me any guff about paying you back.” Jenny stopped and consulted with the map when they came to a fork. “It’s this way,” she said, starting off to the right. “I heard from Olivia. She called to see if you were doing okay.”

Stunned, Layne stopped walking, and Jenny turned to look at her. “What did you tell her?”

Jenny started walking again. “That you were doing great.”

“And that’s all that was said?” Layne asked as she caught up.

“No.” Jenny shook her head. “Not exactly.” She avoided Layne’s grasp and started walking faster.

“When did she call you and what did you say?”

“Yesterday after the trail ride, and I told her that she was a callous asshole for sending that email and cleaning out the apartment, and if she wanted to know anything else, she could email me since she was so good at doing that. There were some extra adjectives thrown in.”

“She’s a tool.”

“She’s a bitch.”

“Thanks,” Layne said with a smile.

Jenny grinned back at her. “Anytime, my friend. Are you nervous about getting back into the dating world?”

“I’m not in any hurry. The perfect one will come around, and I’ll truly appreciate her when she does.”

“That’s the right attitude.” Jenny stopped and put both hands on her hips as she surveyed the surroundings. “And we’re lost.”

Layne looked at a small wooden sign proclaiming they were in the bird sanctuary. “Not a good place for an archery range.”

“I never could read a map,” Jenny said with a sigh as she handed it to Layne.

“Ah, you had it upside down. Let’s double back.”

“As I was saying, you have the right mind-set, Layne. The perfect woman is going to come along at exactly the right time. I think you’ll know in your heart that she’s right for you just like I did Molly.” As Layne stepped into the intersection of two trails, she collided with a flash that sent the two rolling. “Oh, no, not that one,” Jenny said as she put a hand to her mouth.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you,” Stacy said as she got up on her knees.

“No, it was my fault. I didn’t look where I was going.” Layne handed Stacy her sunglasses with an earpiece missing. “I’ll pay for these, too.”

“No, no. I was going too fast. Are you sure you aren’t hurt?”

“Chip n Dale, you’re making spectacles out of yourselves in front of the birds.” Jenny grabbed Layne and hoisted her up, then went for Stacy. “Okay, bone check. Move your arms and legs.”

“I’m fine,” Layne said as she brushed herself off. “Stacy?”

Stacy bent down and picked up her T-shirt and hung it back around her neck. “Still intact. Are y’all birding?”

“We were trying to find the archery range, but I got us lost,” Jenny said as she pulled a twig from Layne’s hair.

“It’s down that trail.” Stacy pointed the opposite direction of where Layne was leading them.

Layne tried not to look at Stacy wearing nothing more than a sports bra, running shorts, and shoes. She picked up Stacy’s ball cap and handed it to her. “You have dirt all down the right side of your body.”

Stacy took the hat and brushed her arm and leg with it before putting it on her head backward. “I always wanted to learn how to shoot a bow. Maybe one of you could teach me.”

“We’re clueless, but we’re gonna take a stab at it anyway,” Jenny said. “You’re welcome to join us. Maybe with you along, we’ll actually find the range.”

Layne hung back since there was only enough room for two to walk side by side on the narrow trail. With no one around and Jenny and Stacy facing away from her, she was free to stroll along and study Stacy’s backside in the snug-fitting shorts she wore. The waistband on one side rode lower on her hips, showing off a slight tan line. Her shoulders that had seen more of the sun were just a bit red on top. But it was the trickle of sweat that ran along Stacy’s spine that brought back that night.

“Wrap your legs around me,” Stacy whispered into Layne’s ear. Layne had just enjoyed an orgasm but could feel another building as Stacy ground into her. With one hand, she gripped Stacy’s strong back and with the other grasped a flexed bicep as Stacy braced herself against the headboard.

Once again, Layne ran into Stacy when she and Jenny stopped suddenly.

“Do you have a head injury?” Jenny asked as she waved a hand in front of Layne’s face.

Layne swatted at it. “I’m fine.”

“Then why didn’t you answer me when I asked if you wanted water?”

“Oh…yes.” Layne spied a barrel at the junction of two trails and opened the lid. “Oh, thank God, there’s ice in here. Y’all want a bottle?” Layne asked as she rubbed a few cubes on her neck.

“Is the heat getting to you?” Stacy asked with concern.

The heat Layne was battling was bubbling up from the inside. “No,” she said and made a face as though the notion was preposterous.

Jenny looked at Layne like she was crazy, pulled out a bottle of water, and handed it to Stacy before opening one for Layne. “Drink, Daisy daze.”

*******

There was only one woman on the course armed with a crossbow. She nodded to the three as they debated on what bows they should use. The Moss Ranch employee in the equipment shack watched them in amusement before making a suggestion. “If you’re unfamiliar with the sport, you should go old-fashioned.” She handed Jenny a simple bow that looked like something a child would play with. “The rules are posted, but let’s go over them together, shall we? One shooter per target. Shoot only your target. Do not cross the line on the field while others are shooting.” She pointed at the line. “A bell will go off every fifteen minutes and only then do you collect your arrows. You all appear to be over twenty-one, though in your case, that’s debatable,” the woman said with a wink at Stacy, “so I won’t ask for your IDs. And the last rule is the most important—no horseplay or you’ll be asked to leave the course.”

“Yes, Ms. Lady,” Jenny replied, then laughed when the woman glared at her. “Okay, got it.”

Layne and Stacy received their bows, and all were given a wrist protector and a quiver of arrows. Each woman lined up with her target and prepared to shoot.

“How do I look?” Jenny held the arm protector in front of her crotch.

Layne glanced her way and laughed. “Like a dork, and you’re going to get in trouble.” Layne put her protector on correctly or so she thought.

“If you’re right-handed, that goes on your right arm,” the woman called from the shack.

“Way to go, dork. You’d been better off putting it on your crotch,” Jenny teased.

Layne heard a thwack and looked over as Stacy sent an arrow flying that missed the target by a mile. She looked back at Layne with a shrug and a smile.

Jenny was second to shoot and pumped her fist when the arrow hit the very edge of the target. “Ha! I freaking rock!”

Layne’s arrow sailed past the target and stuck in the foam behind it. “Neither of you has gotten that far, so shut up,” she said as she positioned her next arrow. She shot again and nailed the target a few inches from the red center.

“Not bad,” Stacy said with a bow. “I think you have done this before.”

“I grew up with two brothers,” Layne replied smugly, “and you ought to see me with a slingshot.”

“You should see her with a bat,” Jenny said and laughed.

“You play softball?” Stacy asked.

Layne shook her head. “Jenny, you butthole.” She looked over at Stacy. “She’s talking about the winged kind. One got into her storage room one night, and we tried to get it out. I broke my ankle.”

Jenny cackled. “Just one little ol’ bat caused me to lose half of my shelving and a trip to the hospital when Layne missed a step.”

Layne let her arrow go, and it hit close to the center of the target. “Another word from you, Jen, and I’m going to break a couple of the rules.”

“And Jenny’s changing the subject,” she said, looking at Stacy. “So how’re you liking New Orleans?”

“I’m enjoying the food, that’s for sure. I’ve gained two pounds since my return to Louisiana.” Stacy patted her flat stomach. “I have to get reacclimated to the heat in the food and the weather.”

Jenny found her quiver empty and walked over to Stacy. “You live in the city or the suburbs?”

“Harahan with my cousin until I can find my own place. She’s not in any hurry for me to move. Anytime I find something in my price range, she claims it isn’t safe, and my apartment guides keep disappearing.” Stacy smiled. “I think she likes the company.”

Layne listened to the conversation with interest but continued to shoot.

“The complex where Ronnie lives is reasonable, and I think it’s pretty nice. Have you looked there?”

Stacy drew her last arrow. “No, I haven’t. I think Ronnie likes her privacy, and it’s a small place.”

The bell chimed just as Jenny opened her mouth to say something else. She sprinted off to collect her arrows, and Layne yelled after her, “Get mine, too. They’re red, and most are in the target.”

Stacy laughed as Jenny mimicked Layne sarcastically and jogged off to collect her own. She has a nice smile, Layne thought as she watched her go. And nice legs and the softest lips… Layne shook her head, purging that train of thought from her mind. Stop thinking about her, stop looking at her…oh, nice ass.

“Can we go eat now?” Jenny asked as she returned. “I am frickin’ starving.”

“Are you sore from our accident earlier?” Stacy asked when Jenny went for a second round at the buffet.

“No, are you?”

“Just my right butt cheek. I think I may’ve landed on a root. You took a pretty hard hit. Did you play football with your brothers, too?”

Layne smiled and shook her head but didn’t look at Stacy. “Do you run every day?”

“I try. It keeps the cellulite at bay.”

“You don’t have cellulite.”

“Yes, I do,” Stacy said with a laugh and lowered her voice. “You didn’t look close enough.”

“We were supposed to forget that night, remember?”

Stacy was quiet for a moment, then said, “I can’t.”

Layne looked up from her plate and found Jenny in a conversation with someone at the dessert bar. “She never meets a stranger. And look at her plate, it’s loaded. It’ll probably be cold by the time she gets back.”

“Can you…are you able to put it out of your mind?”

Layne looked back at her plate. “I don’t want to talk about this. Ronnie’s my best friend, and I can’t let whatever I’m feeling get in the way of that.”

“What do you feel?”

Layne closed her eyes. “I won’t have this conversation with you.”

Stacy tossed her napkin onto her plate. “I wish you wouldn’t have left that morning. This is killing me.”

Layne swallowed hard and pushed her plate away when Stacy got up and left. She wished that she’d never met Stacy, had never known her touch. Because at that moment, Layne wanted to chase her down, and she knew she couldn’t.

“Where’d our friend go?” Jenny asked as she sat back down.

“I don’t know. I guess she had something to do.”

Jenny put her fork back down when Layne looked at her. “Okay, talk to me.”

“Eat, it’s not worth discussing.”

“Aw, shit, Layne. You really like her, don’t you? I was hoping you had a concussion earlier when I saw the look on your face.” Jenny smiled sadly. “That would’ve been better than what you’re feeling now, wouldn’t it?”

“Don’t tell Mol. I know you two don’t keep secrets.”

“I’ll make an exception in this case.”

Layne clenched her napkin in both hands. “I need to be back at work where I don’t have to think about anything else. Instead, I’m stuck at fucking summer camp. I could deal with this if I didn’t have to look at her every day. Why couldn’t she be an obnoxious asshole?”

“She is pretty nice,” Jenny said with a dour expression, “and pretty hot.”

“You’re not helping at all.”

“It’s my blood sugar. I need to eat. I had those three Danishes for breakfast, and they’re just all gone. Please don’t think I’m heartless if I nibble.” Jenny picked up a chicken wing. “Maybe you should just come clean with Ronnie. We could be reading too much into her behavior. Right now, she could be at the beach hitting on someone else.”

“We’re not misconstruing anything. She really likes Stacy.”

“What’re you going to do?”

“Nothing.” Layne dropped the napkin onto the table. “I’m going to keep my distance, then when I get home, I’m going to try to forget that I ever met her.”

*******

Stacy winced when she stepped out of the shower and ran the towel over her bruised hip. The collision with Layne hurt her in more ways than one. The briefest of contact made her ache for more. This was retribution, the bad karma she’d created by seducing women to meet her own needs without concern for their feelings. And now she was forced to deny her own feelings while trying to be sensitive to Ronnie’s. But every look, the scent of Layne’s skin when she passed, the sound of her voice set ablaze the yearning she felt for Layne.

It wasn’t sexual, even though she felt her body react when Layne was near. She wanted to know Layne, devour every tidbit of knowledge that she could glean from her. Wanted to be the reason for Layne’s laughter and her smile, but most of all, she wanted to wipe away the pain she saw in Layne’s eyes.

“Why?” Stacy said aloud as she threw the towel aside and went in search of her clothes. She’d thought about the answer to that question over the last day or so. Was it because she hurt so deeply that she felt drawn to someone else that was also in pain? She’d felt it the night they were together, recognized it in Layne’s eyes, though she tried to keep it hidden. Stacy had given so much of herself to ease the suffering, and the next morning, she realized that she had accomplished that feat, but it was her own pain that she’d lain to rest.

Now Stacy suffered with a new heartache.

Chapter 15

The next few days were spent on shopping, a trip into Tallahassee for a movie, and a few trail rides without Layne or Stick. Layne was friendly to Stacy but made it a point not to be alone with her. Layne stayed in her cabin as much as she could, but her self-imposed exile came to an end when Ronnie insisted that she join them for a day on the beach.

They had decided to visit Alligator Point, and the driver who took them did not stay. She gave Molly a card with a phone number and promised she’d be back to pick them up within an hour of their call. Armed with a cooler packed by Les with snacks and drinks, they spent the afternoon sunning, shelling, and wading in the surf.

Ronnie sat next to Layne as the sun began to set, and Stacy joined them. “Tell me what you see,” Stacy said to Ronnie as they looked out onto the horizon.

“A bird, a sunset, water, Jenny harassing a crab.”

“I mean the colors. Don’t you see the various shades of oranges and purples?”

“Oh, yeah, that too,” Ronnie said with a laugh. “And now I see Jenny running from the crab.” Ronnie sprang to her feet. “Jen, get the ball,” she called out, “I’m going deep.”

Stacy looked at Layne. “What do you see?”

“A bird, a sunset with a lot of colors, water, and Ronnie missing the ball.”

Stacy shook her head and laughed. “Ass.”

Layne lay back and propped herself on her elbows. “I see that giant orange orb setting on another day. I see Molly enjoying a book, and my other two best friends playing with a football. I see how fortunate we are to have one another. What do you see?”

“I see the same,” Stacy said with a sigh as she watched the others. “When I first posed the question, I was more interested in how you and Ronnie would describe the vivid colors and how it affected you.” She glanced at Layne. “We see things differently, I suppose.”

“I tend to look at things in black or white, right or wrong. In certain things, there are no shades of gray.”

Stacy nodded. “No room for speculation. No variables to consider if it means hurting someone you love.”

“Exactly,” Layne said softly.

“Layne—”

“And talking about it just seems like a betrayal.”

Stacy looked out at the water. “That’s a real shame. Your integrity makes you even more attractive and makes me want you more.”

“Don’t want me, for my sake and especially Ronnie’s,” Layne pleaded. “You don’t know her like I do. Normally, she can’t stand the company of a woman for more than a weekend. That you’re here with her says a lot, despite what’s coming out of her mouth. And all of this is just tearing me apart.”

“I know that feeling, too.” Stacy got up without another word and started walking. Layne watched as she moved farther down the beach away from everyone else, wishing things could be different.

*******

Stacy lay on her back staring out at the night sky through the window beside the bed. She felt guilty for rejecting Ronnie’s advances but would’ve felt worse had they done anything else. Layne had revealed several things in their brief conversations. Ronnie was more serious than she let on. And Layne, though interested, would never act on it because she would not be disloyal to her best friend even if it meant putting her own feelings aside. There was no hope for them, and Stacy was stunned to realize how crushing that was. They’d only had a few conversations, and she’d felt more then than she’d felt in her time with Ronnie.

Quietly, she got out of bed, feeling like she would die if she stayed within those four walls. When Stacy closed the cabin door behind her, she breathed in deeply as though she’d been holding her breath. A strong wind blew across the porch and cooled her skin while easing the feeling of claustrophobia that had propelled her from the bed.

Layne had only looked at her once during dinner, and it was that moment that Ronnie had leaned over and kissed her on the neck. Stacy had watched as Layne closed her eyes and looked down at her lap. It wasn’t long after that, that Layne excused herself from the table and retreated to her cabin for the night. Layne might not have been willing to admit her feelings verbally, but her eyes and her actions told Stacy that they were both enveloped in their own agony.

Stacy looked over at Layne’s cabin. The lights were off, no sign of life, but as her gaze swept over the porch, she saw a solitary figure standing there staring out into the night. Layne, her arms folded, turned, and though Stacy couldn’t see her eyes, she knew that Layne was looking directly at her. They stood like that for a moment, then Layne went back inside.

*******

Layne had bowed out of the last day of activities with the promise that she would at least attend the barn dance that evening. The others took to the trails on horseback and would be gone most of the day. She welcomed the time alone. She’d barely slept after her conversation with Stacy and didn’t want to have to spend the day pretending that she was totally unaffected. Instead, she packed; leaving out only what she’d need that night and the next morning for the trip home. Once she was back in her own surroundings, it would be easier, and when she returned to work, she would be the tiger David wanted, solely focusing on the tasks at hand.

She couldn’t help but wonder what Stacy would do once they were back in New Orleans. She’d said she would have to tell Ronnie the truth if things looked like they were turning serious. Would she continue to see Ronnie after she’d admitted to Layne that she wanted her? Or would she spare them all misery and just walk away keeping their secret? Layne wouldn’t know until that happened because she wasn’t about to ask.

*******

Molly watched as Ronnie and Stacy rode side by side ahead of her and Jenny. Both had seemed withdrawn at breakfast and now they appeared not to be talking much at all. “Do you think Stacy told Ronnie?” she asked softly.

Jenny shrugged as her horse plodded along. “All three of them are acting strange.”

“That’s why I didn’t push Layne to come with us. At breakfast, she acted like she wanted to be anywhere but there, and these two are like zombies.”

“We’re probably worried about nothing,” Jenny said with a smile. “Those two probably went at it like wild animals last night, and they’re both exhausted. And Layne, she’s just keeping her distance.”

Molly looked at Jenny hopefully. “You really believe that?”

Jenny’s shoulders sagged. “No, damn it. Something’s wrong.” She looked over at Molly. “This is our last day here, and I want it to be special, so let’s leave them to whatever is going on and find that field with the wildflowers.” Jenny winked. “I brought a blanket.”

Chapter 16

The barn dance was in high gear by the time they arrived. Layne spotted Stick on the dance floor slow dancing with her newest interest, even though the band was playing a fast number. When Molly complained that her legs were sore from being on a horse all day, Jenny dragged Stacy onto the dance floor.

“I’ve got nothing but slow dances in me tonight,” Molly yelled over the music as she wove her way to an empty table.

“I’ll keep you company,” Layne said, “after I get us all something to drink. What do you want?”

“Got it covered.” Ronnie set a bucket of longneck beers on the table. “Unless you want another pitcher of margaritas.”

Layne put a hand to her stomach. “Beer is fine.”

Ronnie dropped into a chair, opened a beer, and drank half of it before the other two had settled. “It’s been fun, but I’m happy to be going home.”

“I’m homesick, too,” Molly said as she grabbed her own beer. She watched as Layne looked out over the dance floor, and Ronnie stared at Layne. Something in Ronnie’s eyes made Molly squirm. She reached over and touched Ronnie’s arm. “I miss my bed.”

Ronnie looked at her for a second as though she didn’t comprehend. “Yeah, me too.” Ronnie turned back to Layne, who was still staring at the dancers, her beer unopened in her hand. “Did you see Stick?”

Layne turned to the opposite side of the room where Stick was still snuggled up with her dance partner. “Yes, she’s moved on.” Slowly, her head turned back to where Jenny and Stacy were dancing.

Ronnie took a long pull from her beer and set it on the table. “I’ve noticed that you can’t seem to look at anything else besides what’s out there,” she said, pointing to them. “So dance with me, Layne.”

Layne looked guilty when she faced Ronnie. “I’m just gonna hang out here with Molly. I’m sure Jenny won’t care if you cut in.”

Ronnie stood, glaring down at Layne. “Molly, do you mind if I steal Layne for a few?”

“Uh…no.” Molly felt if she’d said yes it would’ve made no difference. Ronnie took Layne by the hand and half dragged her to the floor. Jenny, come back. Molly hoped if she repeated it in her mind enough times, Jenny would somehow pick up on it and return. When she didn’t, Molly’s mantra changed to Switch partners because something’s about to blow. And then things turned worse, the band began a slow song. Molly watched as Ronnie basically shoved Layne into Stacy’s arms and grabbed Jenny by the hand.

“I wanted to dance with Layne,” Jenny was saying as they came back to the table.

“Let them dance, so we can talk.” Ronnie fixed her gaze on Molly as she sat down. “Everyone’s been acting funny since we left New Orleans. I want to know why and I want to know now.”

“What do you mean?” Jenny said with a forced laugh.

Ronnie stared into Molly’s eyes. “You know exactly what I mean, don’t you?”

Jenny tried a different tack. “What’s going on, Ronnie?”

“I just asked y’all the same question. Mol, you’ve never lied to me. Don’t start now.”

Molly’s gaze swept over the dance floor. Layne was walking out the door, and Stacy was making her way to the table. “You should ask Stacy. Good night.” Molly jumped to her feet and hoped Jenny was behind her. If she couldn’t get through the crowd to the door, she intended to make a hole in the wall, and it would be shaped just like her.

*******

Layne walked as fast as her legs would move. When the slow music started, Ronnie grabbed her firmly and whispered in her ear. “I know it wasn’t Jenny you were staring at,” then Ronnie whirled her into Stacy’s arms. Layne wasn’t sure what had happened until she saw Ronnie and Jenny moving back to the table.

“Did you tell her?” Layne asked, horrified of the answer.

“No, I didn’t,” Stacy said, looking bewildered.

“What did you say to her?”

“Nothing, but I think she’s figured us out.”

“There is no us.”

Layne ran both hands through her hair as she half ran to her cabin. “I should’ve gotten right back on a plane!”

“Layne!” Jenny yelled as she came running up behind her. Molly was lagging and still some distance away. She grabbed Layne by the arm and faced her. “Did Stacy tell her?”

“She said she didn’t,” Layne said breathlessly.

“Sweetie, she knows something’s up between you and Stacy.”

Layne shook her head. “There is nothing up!”

“But it looks like it,” Molly said as she joined them. “I know you’ve tried, but it’s so obvious that there’s something between you two. You have feelings for her, admit it, at least to us.”

“I don’t know,” Layne said miserably, though she wasn’t being honest. “I was attracted to her or I would never have slept with her. I keep telling myself that’s the pull. Honestly, that may be all it is. I just don’t know.” She scrubbed at her face. “What did Ronnie say to y’all?”

“She demanded to know what was going on. She wanted to know why everyone was acting so strange, but by the look on her face, she already knew or thinks she knows the answer. Molly told her to ask Stacy, then we hightailed it out of there.”

“Come stay with us at our cabin,” Molly said.

“No, I can’t hide. If Ronnie wants to talk to me, I’m just going to have to face the music.”

*******

But that didn’t happen. Layne waited most of the night for the confrontation that never came. She’d paced back and forth rehearsing her explanation and preparing to make promises that she hoped she could keep. She was awakened early the next morning by Jenny.

“They’re gone,” Jenny said, looking tired, and held up a note. “They had someone take them to Tallahassee, and I imagine they took the earliest flight out this morning.”

Layne met the news with mixed emotions. She had not had to face Ronnie. And she and Stacy left together. Perhaps they’d worked things out.

Chapter 17

“Have you heard from her?”

“It’s only been fifteen minutes since we last spoke, Mol.” Layne cradled the phone on her shoulder as she unpacked her suitcase.

“Have you considered calling her?”

“I have, but I went to voice mail. I just told her to call me when she was ready.”

“Should I call her?”

“No,” Jenny said in the background.

“Let me try to talk to her first, then you can if you don’t mind.”

Molly sighed. “I’m on pins and needles.”

“So am I, sweetie. I promise to let you know when we do talk, okay?”

“I love you and I love Ronnie. Please try to work this out even if she’s mean. She’s just hurting.”

Layne smiled. “I know, and I love you, too.”

*******

Days passed and Ronnie hadn’t returned what Layne had felt like were a million messages on her voice mail. Her last week of vacation was almost up, and she could not return to a busy work schedule without clearing the air with Ronnie. Layne knew what the next step was, but she dreaded taking it. She drove to Ronnie’s pool supply store only to be told that Ronnie wasn’t in. Next she went to Ronnie’s apartment and banged on the door until it finally opened.

Ronnie looked at her stoically. “You should know better than anyone else that when I’m pissed I want to be left the fuck alone.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Layne said as the door began to close in her face. That wasn’t entirely true, but the statement got the desired effect as Ronnie met her toe to toe.

“What you did was as good as lying!” Layne pushed past Ronnie into her apartment with Ronnie on her heels. “You—all of you—let me make a complete fool out of myself.”

“No one looked at you that way, Ronnie. We all regret that we didn’t tell you sooner. None of us wanted to hurt you.”

“When you say ‘all,’ do you mean the four of you are still discussing this?”

Caught off guard, Layne blinked for a second or two until she realized what Ronnie was asking. “I haven’t seen or spoken to Stacy since the night y’all left, and neither has Jen and Molly.”

Ronnie plopped down on the couch and threw her feet up on the coffee table. “Regardless, I feel like the butt of a joke.”

“I can empathize with how you must feel,” Layne said as she sat on a chair. “When I first saw Stacy in the airport, I thought the Fates were playing a joke on me.” She sighed as she leaned back and tried to relax. “I hated every minute of that trip because I couldn’t enjoy it, and I kept debating whether I was doing the right thing by not telling you what happened. I made the wrong choice.”

Ronnie sighed long and loud. “I knew something was up. At first, I thought you were just grappling with the breakup, but when you barely looked at me, I thought…well, you know what I thought. I said it to you that day at the stables.” She shook her head. “Why didn’t you tell me then?”

“I wanted to,” Layne said as she looked away. “But you told me what you were feeling, and I just couldn’t bring myself to crush that.”

“But it happened anyway and would’ve eventually had things progressed with Stacy.”

Layne nodded with resignation. “I am so very sorry. If I could go back and change it all, beginning with the night I met Stacy, I would.”

Ronnie was quiet as she toyed with the TV remote, then finally said, “She’s crazy about you.”

“It was one night. She doesn’t even know me.”

“Unfortunately, she does.” Ronnie met Layne’s gaze. “I talked about you incessantly. Of course, at the time, she didn’t know it was you that I was raving about, Chloe.”

Layne made a face and looked away.

“Had I made the effort to talk to you when you got back from Detroit, I would’ve probably put the pieces together.” Ronnie pursed her lips, then said, “Maybe you should give her a shot. I know you like her, too.”

Layne smiled ruefully. “We’re not talking about a piece of furniture. She’s a human being with her own feelings. And what about ours, yours especially?”

Ronnie folded her arms. “Whatever interest I felt died the minute she told me the truth. She was extremely apologetic but also very frank and honest. I screwed myself by telling her I wasn’t interested in being serious.”

“But you were. Why didn’t you tell her the truth?”

“Because I wasn’t sure it was. It’s true, she’s the first woman I considered having more than an affair with, but I wasn’t certain I could go through with it. That’s why I played it cool. I got hurt,” Ronnie said with remorse.

“You’ll drop a hundred bucks into a slot machine just on the chance you might win, but you won’t gamble when it comes to your feelings.” Layne leaned forward and caught Ronnie’s eye. “In the pursuit of love, you have to make an investment, a gamble, and it sucks. Sometimes we don’t win, but you have to play the game.”

“You do the same thing.” Ronnie pointed a finger at Layne when she began to protest. “Before Olivia, it was Tonya, and honestly, I don’t think you really loved either of them. You go for the gals with status, money because that’s what makes you feel safe. You invested your feelings in things not the woman.” Ronnie patted her chest. “There’s no difference between you and me. That’s why I asked if you thought different of Stacy because she was a bartender.”

Layne wanted to dispute the claim, but as Ronnie’s words pelted her, she knew she couldn’t. She held her hands up and let them drop into her lap. “You’re right. I have no business throwing that in your face.”

“You want to know what really gave it all away?” Ronnie asked as she nailed Layne down with her stare. “It was you. If I showed Stacy affection, you couldn’t stand it. That last night at dinner, I kissed her neck to see what your reaction would be, and I saw pain. The first few times, I thought it was because you felt awkward being there alone, but I know every one of your expressions, and it hurt you.”

“I did feel awkward,” she argued when Ronnie stated the truth. “I was there alone, and I—” Layne shook her head as she looked away.

“There’s a reason you can’t finish that sentence. It’s because I’m right. You never flinched when Jen and Molly kissed or were affectionate. If you felt nothing for Stacy at all, you wouldn’t have minded.”

“What do you want me to say?” Layne shot back as she got up and began to pace.

“Tell me the whole truth this fucking time.”

“You weren’t honest with Stacy,” Layne retorted, “or we might not be having this conversation right now, either.”

Ronnie twirled a finger. “How long do you want to dance in a circle around this? You forced your way in here because you wanted to talk, even though I didn’t. So damn it, we’re going to. Sit down, Layne!” Ronnie was breathing heavily as Layne sank into a chair. “You have feelings for her. How deep do they go?”

“I don’t know, and that’s an honest answer. I haven’t examined it because I didn’t want to be interested in her.”

“But you are, and you can’t control it,” Ronnie surmised succinctly and sighed. “I guess we all wish we could backtrack and do things differently, but that’s not possible. As it stands, Stacy is totally taken with you, and I’d venture to say that feeling is mutual. We’ve both been playing it safe in our own ways. I took a step forward by considering a relationship, maybe you should, too.”

“I can’t do that. What if things took off with Stacy? How would you feel seeing us together? I know it would make me uncomfortable.”

Ronnie grimaced as she looked away. “If that happened, I’d have to learn to deal with it. We’re family, and certainly not the first two sisters that have been interested in the same person. We’ll survive.”

“Easier said than done.”

Chapter 18

“Who is she?” Alana asked as she spooned fried rice from a carton and set it in front of Stacy’s plate. “The woman you’ve been painting. And why doesn’t she have a face?”

Stacy picked up the container and stared at the food inside. “I can’t see it clearly yet.”

“So she’s someone you’re conjuring out of your imagination, not someone you know?”

“Did you get pineapple chicken?”

Alana narrowed her eyes and scooted the dish closer to Stacy. “While you were gone, I realized something after talking to David. He told me that Layne was vacationing in Florida at a horse ranch, exactly the same type of place you just returned from. And that got me thinking about the night in Detroit when you disappeared from the party, and so did Layne.” Alana narrowed her eyes. “So I have to ask, are you fucking my boss?”

“No,” Stacy said firmly.

Alana didn’t look convinced. “So you were at a completely different ranch?”

“I went there with Ronnie, remember?”

Alana held up a chopstick. “Yes, but Layne’s very private, and I imagine that if you were seeing her, she wouldn’t want me to know, so you made up the Ronnie ruse.”

Stacy swallowed the fried rice, feeling as though she would choke on it. She took a sip of water and stalled for time while she tried to figure her way out. “Ronnie was no ruse. I was with her the whole time. Eat, Sherlock.”

And sounding much like Sherlock Holmes, Alana replied, “But that doesn’t explain away that you and Layne disappeared from the party at nearly the same time, and that occurred right after I saw you talking to her. I remember because I was going to make my way over, but before I could get to you, you both were gone. The next morning, you admitted you slept with a woman named Chloe with a Calloway pin on her lapel.” Alana rubbed her chin. “And you both vacationed at the same ranch. I’m afraid it’s more than circumstantial, my dear cousin.”

Stacy pushed her food away. “Layne is Ronnie’s best friend, so yes, I did see her at the ranch, but there is nothing going on between us.”

Alana’s nostrils flared as she exhaled. “Guilty, just as I suspected. You’re as good as confessing when you avoid answering about the night in Detroit. The mysterious Chloe is Layne. I suspected as much when you inquired about the woman you spent the night with, but I just refused to believe it was Layne because she’d always been so faithful to Olivia.” Alana grinned. “But few can resist the Mayeaux charm.”

“Olivia broke up with her before the party. It wasn’t my charm that got to her.”

Alana began eating, then stopped. “Did you know that Ronnie was her best friend when you started seeing her?”

Stacy sighed and shook her head, knowing what was coming next. “I didn’t know until we all met in the airport that morning.”

Alana set her chopsticks down and took a sip of her wine.

“Go ahead and laugh your ass off.”

“That’s not funny. I’ve been in a pickle a time or two, but, baby, you took the whole jar. What happened?”

Stacy’s secret was out, but what made her tell the whole sordid story was she had no one to talk to. No one to help her work through the bizarre feeling of loss she felt. Alana listened thoughtfully, all play and jokes aside. When Stacy was finished, Alana looked as forlorn as Stacy felt.

“Layne’s a good woman, but she’s straitlaced, all about status, and can be very cool—downright cold at times. I have a hard time seeing you two as a match.”

“You’re not the first person to tell me she’s a material girl, even still I liked her. I wish I could explain what makes me so drawn to her, and more importantly, I wish I could stop it.”

“Have you tried getting in touch with her?”

Stacy shook her head. “It seems too callous. Ronnie and I weren’t headed to the marriage altar, but I hurt her. Layne did tell me that discussing our feelings would feel like a betrayal to Ronnie.”

“She does feel something for you then,” Alana said thoughtfully. “If she didn’t, she would’ve been comfortable enough admitting that without feeling like she was being disloyal.” A smile spread across Alana’s face. “I’m about to spend a week with her. I’ll pick her brain.”

“For obvious reasons, she doesn’t want you to know, so don’t do me any favors, cousin. If it’s meant to be, I’ll get a second chance.”

Alana waved her off. “I can be subtle and discreet.”

*******

David strode into Layne’s office with a grin. “Show me the claws,” he said as he took a seat.

Layne held up both hands. “Don’t get too close. I fantasized about using you as a scratching post while exiled in the wilderness.”

“Tell me you didn’t enjoy being away from the rat race for a while.”

“I hated it.” Layne looked at the stack of files on her desk. “Please don’t do that to me again. Do you have any idea how long it’s going to take me to catch up?”

“Two days because on Wednesday, you leave for Seattle. Slade’s Manufacturing awaits your expertise. I hope you at least got some rest because I did warn you that you’d hit the ground running when you got back.”

“All four paws are ready for action,” Layne said with determination. “I’ve already gone over their procedural manuals. Who has the dossiers on the management staff?”

“Alana ran point while you were gone. I told her to be ready to meet with you at ten this morning to go over her findings, and I warn you, they are colorful.” David droned on about the HR manager they would be facing, and Layne caught bits and pieces as her mind began to wander.

She and Ronnie had gone round and round about Stacy. Ronnie had gone so far as to offer Stacy’s phone number, and Layne had refused. Ronnie was taking the high road, but Layne could easily see how much it hurt her to do so. Then there was Alana. How much did she know? Had Stacy broken her word?

“Hello?”

Layne opened her eyes wide when she realized David was talking to her. “Sorry, I was already formulating my strategy for dealing with this…troll? Is that how Alana put it?”

“Between us, of course. No one on the team knows of her private assessment.” David stood and straightened his tie. “You’ll be on your own for the first week. I have a few things to take care of here.” He grinned. “It seems I got behind, too, since my right arm saw fit to go tramping around in the woods when I needed her most.”

Layne held up her claws again. “Scratching post, remember that.”

*******

Promptly at ten, Alana arrived with her laptop and a cup of coffee. “Is that a tan I see?” she said with a smile.

“Maybe a hint. Do you want more coffee?” Layne asked as she stood.

“Oh, no, I’ve had plenty. David told me you went to a horse ranch in Florida, and I was shocked. I thought for sure you’d take a cruise or maybe travel abroad.”

“It wasn’t my idea.” Layne tried to steer the conversation back to work as she joined Alana at the table in the corner of her office. “Do you need me to plug in your laptop?”

Alana waved her off. “I’ve got a full charge. So you ride?”

“Not really. Tell me about the woman you call a troll.”

Alana took a seat and opened the lid to her laptop. “Give me just a minute or two to boot up.” She frowned at the screen. “I have an update going on here. That’ll give us a few minutes to chat.”

Layne took a seat. “What’s the mood in Seattle?”

“The usual. Higher-ups are eager for us to get started, middle management not so much. So what else was there to do at the ranch?” Alana asked with a sparkle in her eye.

“Did you ever see The Parent Trap?”

Alana nodded.

“It was the same thing, only with alcohol and private cabins. I just didn’t find my long-lost twin.”

Alana grinned. “Did you at least find someone interesting to spend your time with?”

“Uh…no.”

“I know you and Olivia broke up.” Alana nodded toward Layne’s desk. “Her picture isn’t up anymore, and you haven’t been wearing your ring since we got back from Detroit.” Alana’s tone was gentle when she said, “I’m very sorry.”

“Thank you.” Alana grew quiet as she looked at her screen. The silence between them felt awkward to Layne.

“How were things in my absence?”

“I think David missed you.” Alana glanced toward the door before saying, “He got steamrolled by the things you normally handle. We took bets on when he’d break and call you back in. Had you been home, I have no doubt he would’ve.”

Layne smiled as she enjoyed the news. She didn’t mind one bit that he was as miserable as she was.

“That new hotel around the corner opened up a day or two ago. I haven’t had a chance to do a recon mission. You should go by there for lunch to see if it’s swank enough to house our clients when they come into town. A friend of mine told me it was nice and the food was delicious.”

“That might be a dinner option,” Layne said with a nod.

“I considered that, too, but you need a reservation. Lunch is easier. David has the Stanton brothers coming in this week, and he wanted me to go by there and have a look, but since I’ve been doing someone else’s work, I haven’t had the time,” Alana said with a wink.

“Lunch it is then.”

“Great,” Alana said with a grin. “Okay, first suspect is Mary Lennet, HR manager, code name Troll.”

Chapter 19

The Sapphire Hotel was lovely. Layne walked around the lobby admiring the Grecian décor, thinking David would be pleased. Less than a block from their office, it would be the perfect place to put their clients up. Since it was new, however, the wait for lunch was an hour even for a table for one. The maître d’ suggested the bar where the menu was limited, but he assured her she’d enjoy it. Layne walked into the crowded room and decided to take a seat at the bar itself and came face-to-face with Stacy, who looked as surprised as Layne did.

Stacy set a coaster on the bar in front of Layne and was all business. “Welcome to the Sapphire, what may I get you to drink?”

Taken aback, Layne replied, “Water, please, and a menu. Can I order takeout from here?”

“Yes, you can.” Stacy handed Layne a menu and a glass along with a bottle of water. “I’ll be with you in just a moment.”

Layne watched as Stacy moved to the other end of the bar and took care of another customer. It seemed so odd not to see her in a pair of shorts and a sports bra or T-shirt. Instead, she wore a pair of black slacks and a crisp button-down white shirt with a sapphire blue bow tie. Blood pounded in Layne’s ears as she opened the menu and tried to decide between a sandwich or salad.

“This isn’t the place to talk, but I wanted to apologize for how things went,” Stacy said lowly when she returned. “Is Ronnie doing okay?”

“She’s good. I’m wondering if it’s a coincidence that Alana suggested I come here for lunch,” Layne said as she met Stacy’s eye.

Stacy frowned. “Probably not. Your boss told her where you went on vacation, and she saw us talking that night in Detroit before we left. She had us—everything—figured out before I got home.”

“I see,” Layne said with resignation, and her appetite waned. “I’ll have the Caesar salad with blackened chicken.”

“It’ll be just a moment.” Stacy looked down and punched the order into the computer. “Excuse me again, please.”

Layne watched Stacy as she worked, and she wasn’t the only one. Several of the fellow patrons eyed her appreciatively, and Layne thought that she probably had no problem meeting plenty of interesting people. That notion caused something to stir within her, and Layne didn’t like it. She had made up her mind to try to forget Stacy Mayeaux, and now thanks to Alana, she was once again reminded of why she’d slept with Stacy in the first place.

Layne looked down at the bottle of water and went back to Detroit.

“Are you thirsty?”

“Yes, thank you,” Stacy said as she took the bottle of water and drank. Her bare skin glistened under a sheen of sweat, and Layne admired the way muscle stood out beneath the skin of her abdomen. She’d never been with someone so strong, someone who never seemed to tire, so dominant. Stacy offered her the water, then set it on the bedside table when Layne shook her head. Stacy gathered Layne in her arms. The kisses were slow and sensual, rekindling a fire that Layne had thought spent. Layne’s hand trailed down Stacy’s body over a velvety hip. She wanted more, wanted to taste. She fisted her hand in Stacy’s hair and gently pulled her head back, kissing her neck, her shoulder, feeling her arousal rise when Stacy moaned.

“Roll onto your back. It’s my turn.”

Stacy sucked in a breath through her teeth when Layne took a nipple into her mouth. “Yes,” she whispered breathlessly.

“This is on the house, it’s the least I can do,” that same voice said, and even though it wasn’t filled with the passion of Layne’s memories, it still sent chills down her spine. Stacy glanced at her customers, then rested both hands on the bar. “Are you and Ronnie okay?”

Layne nodded. “We are.”

Stacy smiled. “I hoped I’d see you again, but this wasn’t my idea.” Stacy licked her lips and sighed. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”

Layne looked away. “I know…I mean, I know what you mean.” She made a face and waved a hand, waiting her for brain to start functioning properly. “I think about things, too.”

Stacy lowered her voice, her eyes looked hopeful and sincere. “Maybe you’ll come back?”

“Maybe so.”

*******

Layne yawned as she watched her fellow passengers pass in an endless stream toward coach. With the exception of Alana, her team was already in Seattle, probably getting dressed to go into the offices of Slade’s Manufacturing to sit and listen to the customer service reps as they worked with their own clients. Layne and Alana would listen to their assessments, then confer with management on new policy and procedures. Then classes would begin.

Normally, Layne was eager to begin this phase, but as she sat there watching strangers go by, she wondered if Stacy was still sleeping, and some part of her wished she could be curled up next to her.

Alana, carefully coiffed and dressed to impress, walked on board and took the seat next to Layne. “I just made it,” she said as she stuffed her briefcase under the seat in front of her and kicked at it with one high heel. “I had a not-so-pleasant meeting with New Orleans’s finest.”

“Another ticket? What is this three now?”

“Oh, Ms. Stone, that reminds me of how long we’ve worked together.” Alana looked up as a man stuffed his carryon into the compartment above the seat across the aisle. “One of those tickets has already gone off my record, so I have only two now.” She turned back to Layne and tossed her head toward the gray trousers. “Nice ass, don’t you think?”

Layne rolled her eyes. “You’re incorrigible.”

Alana set her elbow on the rest between them and placed her chin in her palm. “I feel so close to you right now,” she said with a mischievous grin. “We finally have something in common.”

“We’re both stuck on this plane at five thirty in the morning?”

“You know,” Alana began as she picked a stray piece of hair from Layne’s shoulder, “we never really talk about you. We discuss what I’m up to or who I’m into, but all you do is listen, then voice your displeasure. So tell me, how’s your love life?”

“We,” Layne gestured between them, “don’t discuss my personal life because I’m supposed to be your boss. Technically, we’re more like colleagues because David deals with you when you get into trouble, and I get blamed when you do and reprimanded when I try to stop it. I know you know what happened with Stacy, but trust me, we’re better off avoiding the topic.”

“Stacy moped around after she came home from vacation,” Alana went on like she hadn’t heard a word Layne said, “but yesterday, she seemed to have a little life in her. She actually ate dinner, and that’s something I watch closely.” Alana smiled but didn’t make eye contact with Layne. “I remember visiting her in California when Anna was still alive, and Stacy had gotten downright paunchy. They both had, but that’s what love and happiness does. It makes you gain weight.” Alana’s expression turned serious. “I went to see her again when she decided to move, and I didn’t recognize my own cousin when she opened the door. She was practically emaciated, and their apartment was empty except for a sofa that Stacy had been sleeping on. She was pitiful.”

Alana straightened in her seat as the plane took off. Her eyes held a faraway look when she turned to Layne. “I don’t ever want to see her that way again. She adopted some of my ways, and for a while, it worked for her, but she’s not the type to play the field forever. And now she’s met someone, and for whatever reason, there’s something about you that calls to her.”

Layne looked out the window empathizing with the calling that Alana spoke of, but the circumstances that surrounded her and Stacy weren’t even close to ideal. Common sense told her to leave it alone, but what she felt defied reason, and that was not something Layne was accustomed to.

“Have you ever noticed that you tend to associate with the same type of women? I’ve learned enough about Ronnie over the past month to realize she’s a lot like me. Even though you claim to despise the things I do, you still listen. I think you have a strong sense of propriety, Layne, but there’s a side of you that can relate to keeping your heart at arm’s length. I think you want love, but you’re as afraid of the cost as I am, as Ronnie is.”

“Ronnie said virtually the same thing,” Layne said thoughtfully as she continued to watch New Orleans fade from view.

“You’ve lost a little of your edge. I think that’s what David saw and mistook for burnout, but I think toward the end of your relationship with Olivia, you woke up. Is Stacy mistaken, or is there something between the two of you?”

Layne chewed the inside of her cheek before she said, “There’s something.”

Alana laid a hand on Layne’s arm and waited for Layne to meet her gaze. “You have two weeks to debate whether you want to find out what that is or not. If you decide you do understand that, this could turn out really well because Stacy is totally devoted when she’s in love. She’ll bend over backward to make you happy. But if you aren’t honest with her and lead her to believe that you care when you don’t, no job, no security team, or locked doors will keep me from pummeling you.” Alana leaned in so close that their noses were almost touching. “There’s one person in this world that I love with all my heart, and it’s Stacy, so think hard.”

Layne searched Alana’s face for any hint of mirth and found her to be uncharacteristically dead serious. “I will,” she said hoarsely.

Alana’s smile returned. “If you’re going to nap, I want your iPod.”

Chapter 20

The tiger was distracted. Slade’s staff and Layne’s seemed to be moving at light speed all around her. No matter how many cups of coffee she downed, Layne could not hit her stride. Her laptop seemed to be in the same funk, slow and sluggish as though something was working constantly in the background and sucking up all the power.

Alana had to pull Layne aside several times to remind her of things she was forgetting. She dreaded David’s arrival because Layne knew he’d pick up on it in a heartbeat, and she doubted that he’d send her on another vacation. Her next stop would be demotion.

Sleep had forsaken her, and that was part of the problem. To rectify that, Layne swam laps in the hotel pool to exhaust herself. But her mind swam just as fast. She no longer had to look at Stacy, but she was still there, and curiosity had been replaced by longing.

Layne rolled and began doing the backstroke in the hotel pool. She had accepted her materialism wholeheartedly and knew she wanted to change, but she and Stacy were so far removed and lived on opposite sides of the spectrum. Layne was a fighter, a climber with strong ambition. She identified with the tangible, things she could touch, manipulate. She loved to work, to accomplish, loved to feel the adrenaline rush that came with a challenge. Stacy, on the other hand, had a calm stillness about her, could stare at a campfire or a sunset only concerned with the color and depth she saw there. Work appeared to be only a means of survival.

She thought about Jenny then and the way she described seeing Molly for the first time. They’d not spoken a word, and Jenny had known that Molly was for her. Until recently, Layne had always thought the two were so stubborn and resistant to change that they’d simply fought their way into love instead of falling. She’d also believed that no one really was ever enveloped so helplessly in love’s spell that she could not make her own choices. The formula was simple the way Layne saw it. Two people met, were attracted, got to know each other, and chose to love.

With Stacy, however, the formula seemed not to apply. Layne barely knew her but felt in some whimsical way that their planets had aligned perfectly, and some cosmic force had decided that despite whatever obstacles presented themselves, the two were meant to be. Layne’s mind warred against those feelings vehemently. Logic and reason made it all sound preposterous and made Layne feel like a teen who was going through an agonizing case of puberty without the pimples.

*******

“Have you eaten?” Alana asked Layne as she joined her in the conference room the next morning while they prepped for the first class.

“Yes, have you decided to monitor my diet, too, since you can’t Stacy’s?”

Alana narrowed her eyes and glared at Layne over the top of her reading glasses. “Take this,” she said as she put a pill next to Layne’s coffee cup.

Layne eyed it suspiciously. “What is it?”

“Excedrin. It packs a healthy dose of caffeine, and drink all of that coffee, you look like a zombie. Are you sick?”

“No, I’m thinking like you told me to. I can’t sleep because I’m thinking. I can’t work because of it,” Layne snapped and swallowed down the pill.

Alana looked genuinely pleased and smiled.

“What? Are you happy that I’m falling apart?”

“No.” Alana shook her head. “But you are falling.”

“Don’t start,” Layne said with a wave of her hand. “David will be here today, and I have to be focused.” She grabbed her purse and emptied the contents on the table. Three small bottles labeled Cold Fusion fell out. “Can I drink one of these with the Excedrin?”

Alana picked up one of the bottles and stared at the label. “Not unless you want your hair to stand on end right before you have a heart attack.”

Layne too stared at the label for a second and threw it back into her purse. “Maybe later.”

*******

“…what we’ll be talking about today, most of you have already heard before,” Layne said as she walked back and forth in front of the room. Heads were moving as if they were watching a tennis game. “We’re all told to cut back on sugar, carbs, caffeine,” she said with a chuckle. “All of it sounds really good, but committing to such a diet is where most of us fail. But if you’ll take to heart the information we’re going to go over and commit to implementing the principles, each one of you will have success, and so will Slade’s Manufacturing.” Layne grabbed the remote, intending to turn on the projector, but did it too fast. It shot from her grasp and sailed onto the table in front of a man who until that moment had been dozing.

“Ha! That was an accident,” Layne said as she reclaimed the remote. “Better stay on your toes, though. I have a whole arsenal of projectiles.” She went through her presentation so quickly that those who were attempting to take notes gave up. “Am I going too fast?” Heads bobbed emphatically. “Okay, why don’t we take a break? Everyone, be back in thirty seconds.” She laughed at her own joke, though no one else did. “Fifteen minutes.”

Alana walked to the front of the room and smiled at a few stragglers who passed. “A moment please, Layne?” They walked into the empty conference room next door, and Alana handed Layne a tissue. “Blot your face. You’re sweating like a dockside hooker on dollar night.”

“It’s hot in there, aren’t you hot? And this group is so slow. Doesn’t it seem like I’m having to explain myself repeatedly?” Layne grabbed Alana by her upper arms. “Excedrin rocks! I’ve never taken it because Jenny claimed it upset her stomach. I’ve never been so alert. Give everybody in the class one.”

“Unhand me, crackhead,” Alana said and pulled away. “You drank one of those silver bottles. I saw it in the trash. You probably have enough caffeine in your system to jog back to New Orleans.” Alana shook a finger in Layne’s face. “Don’t drink anything else today but water. It looks like Wimbledon in there, and you’re the tennis ball.”

“Okay, yes, yes, yes.” Layne blotted her lip with the tissue and looked at her watch. “I think this stopped. I should call everyone back in, we’ll be breaking for lunch soon.”

“It’s nine thirty.” Alana gave Layne a shake. “You’ve covered half a day’s material already, and you sound like a fucking chipmunk on helium.”

*******

David joined Alana and Layne for dinner that evening. “Are you tired?” He looked at Layne with concern.

Layne’s eyes looked like slits as she fought to keep them open. Her caffeine high had come and gone, and she felt boneless. “I am.”

“She isn’t feeling well, though she won’t admit it. Your tiger’s been roaming the jungles. There’s no telling what she may’ve picked up.” Alana winked at Layne when she flashed her a grateful but listless smile.

David and Alana began talking, and it all faded into the background until Layne heard her name somewhere in the distance, and something connected with her ankle. “I’ll have the salmon and vegetables,” she blurted out as her eyes flew open.

“Yes, we know because that’s what you ordered.” Alana opened her eyes wide, imploring Layne to do the same.

“Are you really ill?” David asked as he looked at her.

“I took some medicine today, and it has me hungover.”

“Such a little trouper.” Alana patted Layne hard on the back. “She suffered through the presentation with the sniffles, refusing any help. You should eat and enjoy a long hot bath.”

“Yes, you should.” David moved his cutlery to the other side of the table as though he feared exposure to Layne’s mysterious malady.

“I don’t want your job, Layne. At one time, I thought I did, but a couple of weeks of putting up with the crap you deal with on a daily basis has convinced me otherwise.” Alana steered Layne into the elevator and propped her against the wall. “Go to bed the minute you walk into your room, don’t even take the time to remove your makeup. In the morning, have one cup of coffee, got it?”

Layne held up a thumb.

“Stacy says hello by the way. I talked to her earlier.”

Layne waved in response, too tired to utter a word, but the mention of Stacy’s name caused the muscles in her stomach to tighten.

“Both of you are a mess,” Alana said disgustedly. “That’s the problem with love, it makes you an idiot.”

“Not in love,” Layne croaked out, “infatuation maybe.”

“Call it what you will.” Alana shook her head and rolled her eyes. “You’re both idiots. Of course, I can say all of this to you right now because you’re nearly drunk with exhaustion and probably won’t remember a thing I said.”

Chapter 21

Stacy stood back and looked at the painting on her easel, exhausted but happy with what she saw. Layne lay wrapped in a sheet, her hand palm up against her forehead as light filtered in through the window and splashed across her hip. Her face was in shadow as she stared out at the night and revealed deep consternation. It was the expression afterward when Stacy rejoined her on the bed that had stuck in Stacy’s mind, but she’d not been able to re-create it. Want and desire had filled Layne’s eyes then, and that was the first moment Stacy felt the pull begin.

The apartment was a wreck. She’d gone only to work, then back home to paint. Takeout containers filled the fridge, dishes piled in the sink, newspapers lay scattered around the couch. She had one day to get the place in order before Alana returned.

Their brief encounter in the bar had filled her with hope. Layne’s expressions were unguarded, and her eyes telegraphed the same longing that Stacy felt. The pull between them was magnetic, and Stacy wasn’t going to let the opportunity to romance Layne pass her by. She’d do everything in her power to sweep Layne off her feet.

*******

Layne would not call the trip a success, but she had survived. Had it not been for Alana stepping in to help her, she feared that she’d be facing unemployment. She tossed her things into her bedroom, kicked off her shoes, and flopped on the couch with her stomach growling. She knew Molly would be cooking dinner, but after the two weeks she’d had, Layne didn’t feel much like company. In the comfort of her own home, she finally relaxed and closed her eyes with a slight smile as sleep came calling.

Layne’s eyes flew open, and she looked at the clock as her mind tried to determine what had awakened her with a start. The answer came quickly when she heard a soft rap on the door. Figuring it was Molly or Jenny, she ran a hand through her hair and yelled, “coming,” as she stumbled across the living room. But when she caught sight of dark hair through the beveled glass, Layne went stock-still. Slowly, she opened the door just a crack and peered at the woman standing on her porch.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Stacy said with a nervous smile, “but I asked Alana to log into her computer and give me your address.” She held up a brown paper bag. “I figured you were tired from your trip and sick of restaurant food, so I made you dinner.”

Stunned, Layne opened the door a bit wider. “Thank you” was all she could think to say as Stacy handed her the bag and backed away.

“I hope you enjoy it, and again, I apologize for the intrusion. Good night.”

“Wait,” Layne said as Stacy turned and started down the steps. She smiled awkwardly as Stacy looked back at her. “I was napping, and I’m kind of scatterbrained. Would you like to come in?”

“Some other time?” Stacy asked with a hopeful tone. “I know you probably just want to relax.”

Layne held up the bag. “You cooked this yourself?”

Stacy nodded and thrust her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “Alana says my homemade marinara is one of my better dishes. I can’t claim the bread, though. I picked it up at a bakery near the house. That sort of baking isn’t one of my strengths yet.”

“You like to cook?”

Stacy nodded again. “Very much.”

“Me too,” Layne said, unwilling to let her go. She opened the door all the way. “You made the trip over, why don’t you come in?”

Stacy hesitated for a moment. “As long as you promise to tell me when you’re ready for me to leave. My intention wasn’t to impose.”

“This was very thoughtful,” Layne said as Stacy followed her into the kitchen. “I really wasn’t looking forward to a frozen dinner.”

“Your place is really nice.” Stacy walked around the bar to the back windows overlooking the deck. “I love the backyard.”

“Me too. I haven’t had one since I was a kid.” Layne opened the bag and pulled out the containers, opening each one. The smell of the rich sauce made her mouth water. Great care had been put into the salad with the vegetables cut up in small chunks. Stacy had even cooked the pasta and stored it separately. “I have a bottle of cabernet that would go great with this. I hope you’ll join me.”

“I’ve already eaten.” Stacy turned away from the window. “I’d be willing to have a glass of wine and a slice of bread, though. And I’ll open this.” Stacy took the bottle as Layne set the wine on the counter and held her hand out for the corkscrew. Layne handed it to her and caught Stacy’s steady gaze. “We should talk, but I won’t ask that of you tonight.”

“I know we need to.” Layne sighed as she looked down at the food. “This was so incredibly sweet, and if there weren’t so many extenuating circumstances, I could let myself…” She grimaced. “I don’t know what to do with you, with myself.”

“I understand,” Stacy said as she opened the wine. “I’m dealing with issues, too.” She poured a small amount into one of the glasses Layne set out and sniffed as she twirled the dark liquid, then laughed when Layne looked at her. “Force of habit. I was just about to have you taste it, but you like this or obviously you wouldn’t have bought it.” Stacy added more to the glass, then filled the other.

“You’re probably a lot more discriminating than I am. You may not like it.”

Stacy took a sip. “I think your selection is just fine.”

“What made you decide on bartending?” Layne asked as she sliced the bread.

“Necessity. I had no job prospects when I moved to California, so I took the first thing I could find. Anna had just begun at a law firm, and she was on the bottom rung, so we didn’t have much income coming in. My degree was basically worthless, and I couldn’t see myself behind a desk somewhere, so serving booze kind of suited me.”

Layne regarded Stacy for a moment. “I can’t see you pushing paper.” She grinned. “And I can’t see you in the kitchen, either. You have an untamed air about you.”

“Really?” Stacy said with a smile. “Then it will shock you to know that I also garden. I’m quite tame behind my façade.”

“We may have differing definitions of that word,” Layne said, raising a brow. “Excuse me for just a moment.”

Layne went into the bathroom as a flush ran through her. Being alone with Stacy without fear of interruption made her nervous—not of what Stacy might do, but what she wanted to do. The urge had hit her strongly as they stood there talking like they’d done in Detroit sans the innuendo. The tension was still there regardless. She washed her face and brushed her teeth, questioning why and knowing the answer. She’d wanted to push the food aside and put her hands on Stacy.

Layne looked at her reflection in the mirror and asked softly, “What is wrong with you?” She stared at herself as if she fully expected the image that greeted her to explain. She makes you horny. You haven’t had sex with anyone since her, and you know how great it was. You’re a walking hormone right now, too. Aunt Flow will be here in a couple of weeks. That’s all it is, just sexual desire, stupid. That’s what all of this is really about, just a bunch of erotic memories of your time spent in a mirage after being in the sexual desert for so long. You don’t know her. This isn’t falling in love. This is hormones plain and simple, and you should be old enough to know the difference.

She doused her face with water again, then returned to the kitchen and found that Stacy had moved her plate and salad to the table. Cutlery sat on a napkin near her glass of wine, and the chair had been pulled out. Oh, she’s fucking good, Layne thought as she smiled and said, “Thank you.”

“Alana tells me that you’ll be going back to Seattle in two weeks.” Stacy joined Layne at the table and picked up a slice of bread. “I knew she traveled a lot, but I had no idea it was so often. Do you ever get sick of it?”

Layne spread her napkin over her lap, determined to show that she at least had table manners. Had she been alone or with Jenny and Molly, she would’ve already been covered in sauce. “I’ve been doing it for so long that it’s commonplace now, but I do get tired of it every now and then. Having to be ‘on’ and friendly when I’m not in the mood is the worst. We want the clients to feel positive about what they’re doing, and trying to be that way all the time makes me want to scream. When I get into those moods, I swim at night if the hotel has a pool or sometimes I go to Chuck E. Cheese and beat the hell out of those little gophers that pop up out of the machine. Personally, that’s my favorite. I have all their locations programmed into my phone.”

Stacy laughed genuinely.

The sound of it ripped through Layne like a bolt of lightning. Layne loved the joy that it conveyed and found herself wanting to make Stacy do it again.

“I feel like that sometimes at work, especially when it’s slow and the customers are chatty. I like to run and exercise, but I couldn’t care less about watching sports. After I explain that I don’t follow any teams, politics comes up. And after I tell them that I’m neither Democrat nor Republican, just sensible—hoping to steer clear of that topic—they assume I have no opinion and try to get me to agree with theirs. So I make up a whole persona and regale them with tales of how I’ve hiked all over the country. Wow them with places I’ve only read about in books and magazines.” Stacy shrugged and smiled. “It keeps me entertained.”

Layne had been steadily shoving food into her mouth while Stacy talked. Flavors exploded on her tongue, and she hoped that she didn’t have sauce in her hair. “This is absolutely delicious.”

Stacy looked pleased. “Thank you.”

“Have you really hiked?”

“Some, but I’ve never encountered bears, nor have I had deer that allowed me to walk up on them, and I don’t have a wounded hawk named Socrates that I rehabbed and travel with on my journeys.”

Layne grinned. “Do you really tell people that?”

“Oh, yeah, and it gets worse as time goes on and they stick around. Sometimes, I really get caught up in the bullshit I’m spinning.”

Layne laughed. “I thought people just poured out their problems to the bartender.”

“They do that, too, and I just listen and nod. That’s the easy part.”

“I feel like a pig,” Layne looked down at her empty plate, “but I couldn’t stop.”

“I’ll take that as a good sign.” Stacy stood and collected the empty dishes. “You enjoy your wine and I’ll take care of these.”

“No.” Layne stood and followed her to the sink. “You did this for me. I can’t allow you to clean too.” She grabbed Stacy’s hand, both of them laughing as the plate clattered into the sink.

Stacy was the first to sober. “I should let you get settled in now. Thank you for the enjoyable company.”

Layne knew what she was doing and knew that she should stop. A polite “thank you” would’ve sufficed, even perhaps a chaste hug, but she’d lost restraint the minute she’d grabbed Stacy’s hand, and she couldn’t let go. The look between them lasted a millisecond, the kiss that followed much longer. Layne’s back hit the wall, her feet barely touching the floor, both her hands fisted in Stacy’s shirt. The fire that she’d fought to keep under control blazed inside of her.

Stacy pulled back suddenly, her eyes wild. “Layne?”

“Yes.” Layne refused to let her go. “Yes, I want this.” She inhaled deeply and took Stacy’s hand, pulling her toward the bedroom. And like the night they met, clothing flew in every direction in a race to get to each other.

Stacy groaned when they fell onto the bed and she felt Layne’s body pinned beneath her own. The connection she felt to Layne was so much more than physical, but the union of their bodies made it all feel so complete. Her heart thudded in her chest and desire flooded every ounce of her being, but she wanted to bask in the sweet tension. She could love Layne like this for the rest of her life and never get enough.

The kisses became long and languid. Layne smiled as she kissed Stacy’s fingertips, her face, her neck, her touches tender and at times demanding. What Layne could not allow herself to say was undeniably expressed in her actions. She felt the magnetic attraction, too, though it defied her logic, and Stacy was content to allow Layne to come to her own conclusions because she knew in her heart that it was right between them.

Stacy’s mouth and tongue on her skin made Layne’s senses come painfully alive. She craned her neck back as Stacy slowly moved down her body. Layne couldn’t touch her enough. Her hands were in Stacy’s hair, her fingers brushed Stacy’s lips, smiling when each one was kissed. Stacy’s touches were the perfect combination of affection and sexuality, so much so the line blurred between. Layne felt as though she were being made love to and devoured at the same time.

Layne inhaled sharply through her teeth when Stacy’s tongue dipped between her legs. To her, it didn’t feel as though Stacy was performing an act, a very pleasurable act. It was an experience they were both enjoying. She didn’t feel rushed as Stacy slowly coaxed her to the edge, and it surprised her how easily she trusted Stacy to take her there.

The setting sun streamed around the edges of the blinds, filling the room with warm subdued light. Stacy watched as it filtered across Layne’s abdomen, spotlighting the muscles tensing there, her hands fisted in the sheets. She was beautiful, perfect. Stacy closed her eyes, letting Layne’s breathless cry wash through her.

“Come to me,” Layne whispered as she tugged on Stacy’s hand. “Turn over and lay on your stomach while I catch my breath.” Stacy stretched out beside her. Layne kissed her temple before sitting up, running her fingers lightly over Stacy’s skin. “I’ve come to know this back rather well. I used to stare at the muscles in your shoulders, the way your body tapers down to your waist, then your hips flare.” Layne ran her hands down Stacy’s sides. “Just enough to be feminine.” Her touch was featherlight as her fingers fanned out over Stacy’s backside. “So hard to admire and not touch.”

Stacy’s eyes closed at the longing in Layne’s voice. She understood that hunger all too well. Her skin burned where Layne touched her.

Layne sighed as she ran her cheek along Stacy’s spine. “Your skin smells so good even when you’re sweating. The day we collided, I could smell you all over me.”

Stacy inhaled sharply when Layne straddled one of her legs and slipped a hand under her hip. She pulled her knee up and turned slightly when Layne kissed the skin between her shoulder blades. Layne moaned and breathed hotly against her back when her fingers dipped into Stacy’s wetness, and Stacy shuddered feeling her touch. Stacy tried to roll, wanting to face Layne fully to touch and kiss her.

“No.” Layne pushed her down with her upper body. “I know how you operate. You’ll distract me, and it feels too good to fight.” Layne’s voice was raspy as she said, “I want this,” and pushed her fingers inside of Stacy.

Stacy groaned into the pillow as she thrust her hips, taking as much of Layne as she could. She clamped her jaw and swallowed hard when Layne’s fingers grazed her clit. “I dream of this,” Layne said against her skin.

Layne kept her suspended on that sharp edge of pleasure and pain. “Layne,” Stacy rasped out when she could take no more.

“Turn over.”

Stacy rolled onto her back, missing the contact when Layne pulled her hand away. The skin of Layne’s neck and chest were flushed as she knelt between Stacy’s legs and balanced her weight on one hand above Stacy’s shoulder. “Keep those hands to yourself,” Layne warned with a smile. She stared deep into Stacy’s eyes as her hand slid between Stacy’s legs. Layne bit her lip and closed her eyes for a moment when her fingers slipped inside of Stacy.

Stacy watched as Layne’s eyes slowly opened, revealing a glimpse of blue mostly swallowed up by her dilated pupils. Her lips parted, breathing as heavily as Stacy. A small crease formed between her brows. “Don’t give it to me so easily,” she said with desperation.

Stacy sounded just as desperate to her own ears when she replied, “I can’t control it. You—” Stacy inhaled sharply when Layne stilled. “Don’t delay it…please, not this time.”

“You promise to give me more?”

“Yes,” Stacy said breathlessly.

Layne’s expression was pained as she began to move again. Stacy grabbed the arm above her shoulder and the side of the bed as Layne worked her, pushing her closer. The muscles in Stacy’s jaw quivered as she clamped her teeth knowing that she was about to completely lose her mind. She grabbed the back of Layne’s neck, pulling her head down onto her chest, needing the connection as sensation swept through her body unable to make a sound as air rushed out of her lungs.

Chapter 22

“I didn’t come here expecting this to happen.” Stacy lay partially on the mattress where the sheets had been ripped away. The room was now completely dark; dusk had faded into night, and soon it would be midnight. “I want to get to know you.” She ran the backs of her fingers across Layne’s bare hip. “More than just this.”

Layne switched on the bedside lamp and lay on her side, her gaze sweeping over the planes of Stacy’s body. “I have no self-control when you’re around,” she confessed softly.

“Apparently, neither of us is very good at restraining ourselves in the presence of the other. But there are things we need to talk about, Ronnie for one.”

Layne winced hearing her name.

“More importantly,” Stacy rolled onto her side and faced Layne, “I need to know how you feel. We’re too far gone for cat and mouse at this point. I have to tell you that I’m totally enamored with you, and I can’t make it stop. I don’t know why, I don’t care to know. I’m enjoying it far too much.”

“You don’t analyze what you’re feeling at all?” Layne asked, mystified by the lack of logic.

“Some, but I tend to go with what my instincts tell me, and I know what’s happening between us is a good thing.”

“We know very little of each other outside of the bedroom.” Layne sat up, remembering what she knew of Stacy’s history of loss and suffering. “I don’t want to lead you on or hurt you.”

Stacy gazed up at her and licked her lips. “Are you about to tell me it’s really all about sex?”

“No.” Layne shook her head. “I can’t say that. This is something just so out of control. I make decisions based on logic. But you…” Layne shook her head slowly and narrowed her eyes. “I’ve been thinking a lot about Detroit and seeing you again, and I wonder if that night hadn’t happened if I’d still be so…captivated by you, and the answer keeps coming back yes. That night was fantastic, but you really got under my skin in Florida.”

Stacy gazed up at Layne. “You consider that a bad thing?”

“I’m methodical. Things have to be in order for me. There should be a courtship where we get to know each other…but I feel like…I know all there is to know, and that makes no sense to me at all.”

Stacy traced her fingers down Layne’s arm. “I can accept that. I just need to know if you’re willing to fully explore what’s happening here. Are you open to love if that’s what it turns out to be?”

Layne inhaled deeply. “Yes, I am, but I don’t think it’s going to be simple for us. I have special people in my life that,” Layne waved a hand, “whatever this is has already affected.”

Stacy sat up and kissed Layne softly on the lips. “These are the things we need to discuss. Maybe we should do more talking than…what we seem to do best.”

Layne met Stacy’s lips again. “I’m open to that.”

“Good,” Stacy whispered before kissing Layne fully. “Now I have to go.”

*******

Alana made a show of looking at the clock when Stacy walked in. “It’s almost one in the morning. Explain yourself, young lady.”

“Explain yourself, old gal. What are you still doing up?”

“I’ve been dozing on and off on the couch, too lazy to get up and get into bed,” Alana said with a yawn. She blinked when she took a closer look at Stacy, and a slow grin spread across her face. “I figured when you didn’t immediately return that you and Layne talked, but it certainly looks like you did a lot more.”

Stacy looked down at her rumpled shirt as she sat. “We did talk.”

“Was it ‘fuck me now,’ or ‘right there and don’t stop’?”

Stacy grinned as her face warmed. “Ass.”

“I’m all for taking it to the sheets, but I thought your plan was to romance her.”

“It was.” Stacy slumped down in her chair. “Things just get crazy when I’m around her.”

Alana rubbed her forehead. “I can’t imagine Layne getting out of control. Frankly, I thought control was her middle name. Is there a procedure for how y’all have sex? Do you have to follow certain steps?”

“I don’t think we know the same woman,” Stacy said seriously.

“No, you just haven’t seen the one I know, but you will, and that’s what I worry about. She’s very focused about the things she wants and can be controlling to get it.”

Stacy thought about being controlled by Layne, and so far, she was enjoying it. “I’ll get to know that side, too, and draw my own conclusions.”

“Good,” Alana said with a nod. “I have no relationship advice except for how to avoid one. If you need help in that department, I’m your girl.”

Chapter 23

“Hey, stranger.”

Layne smiled at Molly as she pulled another bag of groceries from her car. “It’s a hot day for biking. Want to come inside and have something cool to drink?”

“Lord, yes. I was sweating through my clothes before I got out of my own driveway.” Molly parked the bike and helped Layne with the groceries.

“Where’s Jenny?”

“Working. I probably won’t see her again until sometime in October,” Molly said with a laugh. “She’s been bitching about all she has to catch up with. And yet she balks when I say I want to go back to work.”

Layne set the bags on the kitchen counter and smiled. “She wants to keep you. Make life so you won’t have to go back to work.”

“I do work. I do all the laundry, cooking, and errand running. I want to go back into the workforce so I can take a break. Soda in the pantry or fridge?”

“Fridge,” Layne said as she began putting the canned goods away.

“Whose Lexus was in your driveway last night?” Molly asked casually.

“Alana’s.” That wasn’t a lie. It was Alana’s car Layne watched Stacy climb into the night before, which made her wonder if Stacy even owned one. These things Layne didn’t know, but she did know that grazing her teeth across Stacy’s neck drove her wild.

“Alana is Stacy’s cousin, right?” Molly said with something in her tone.

“Yes.” Layne closed the pantry.

Molly didn’t say anything but stared at Layne until she met her gaze. “I’ve heard you talk about Alana for years, but I’ve never met her face-to-face because you two don’t socialize.”

“Ronnie and I have talked, and—”

“Ronnie’s full of shit,” Molly said calmly. “We’ve talked to her, too, and listened to how magnanimous she’s being, but Jenny and I don’t believe a word of it. And you wouldn’t normally, either. It’s going to do something to her seeing you two together.”

“I know this is going to sound callous, but Stacy’s feelings have to factor in here, too. When Ronnie claimed it was all just sex, that’s what she believed. She didn’t want anything more with Ronnie.”

“And she does with you? All indicators are she’s a player. She only wanted Ronnie for sex, and don’t forget the way you met her. You had a night of no-strings-attached sex. If she had any decency after knowing how close you and Ronnie are, she’d back away. I deeply resent her for that.”

“You say all this, but you haven’t talked to her. You don’t know anything about her feelings or mine for that matter.”

“Feelings?” Molly said softly. “Honey, you just got out of a six-year relationship. I know it wasn’t perfect and you were destined to split up, but that has to be messing with your mind. Layne, take a step back and look at the big picture. You’re rebounding, Stacy’s doing whatever, and when you finally come to your senses, you might find that you’ve alienated one of your closest friends over nothing.”

“Or,” Layne raised a hand, “it may all work out.”

“I sincerely hope so, but I’m on the outside looking in, and what I see is impending disaster. I want you to be happy. I can’t help but want to protect you.”

“And I love you for that, Mol, but this is one time where you’re going to have to stand aside and let things run their course.”

*******

Layne glanced at the clock on the stove as she sliced a bell pepper. She was preparing the first real meal in her new kitchen and was looking forward to sharing it with Stacy despite the conversation she’d had with Molly earlier.

They’d parted on good terms with the usual hug and kiss, but what Molly had said stuck in Layne like a thorn. She’d tried to reason that had she been in Molly’s shoes, all of it would’ve appeared the same to her. Like Layne, common sense appealed to Molly, and neither of them could be described as gamblers when it came to important things. So it made no sense to Molly that Layne was willing to roll the dice.

Molly, probably more than the rest, was sensitive to the close bond they all shared because their relationships had all been tested over the previous year when she’d been ill. Jenny, though they weren’t officially married, had been the dutiful wife, but Layne and Ronnie had shown equal dedication, taking every step with Molly. They’d often spoke of being a family, but the last year had proven that to be true, Layne surmised as she tossed the vegetables into the wok on top of the shrimp. And Molly would war against anything that threatened the four.

Layne checked the rice as she heard a soft knock on the front door. She and Stacy had planned to talk, and that was it. The idea sounded good the night before when she had been thoroughly satiated, but the thought of seeing Stacy made parts of her body heartily disagree.

“You’re right on time.” Layne opened the door with a smile that turned to a look of surprise as she looked past Stacy. “Is that your…”

“Bike?” Stacy looked over her shoulder at the motorcycle sitting in the drive. “My Maserati’s in the shop,” she quipped when she noticed the flummoxed expression on Layne’s face. “I take it you don’t ride.”

“Uh, no.” Layne closed the door. “What do you do when it rains?”

“I get wet.” Stacy smiled and kissed Layne on the lips. “What’re you cooking?”

“Shrimp stir-fry.” Layne dashed into the kitchen to check on their dinner. “So the bike thing…does that mean you hang out in dive bars and eat the toes off of small children?”

“Only on Tuesdays,” Stacy said with a cocky smile. “It’s a cheap mode of transportation and something I always wanted to try.”

“You’re very brave. New Orleans drivers are a unique breed.”

“I’ll reserve comment until I ride with you.”

Layne grinned. “I’m nothing compared to Alana.”

“Thank God for that. She thinks none of the rules apply to her. The car is either parked or doing eighty. There’s no in between.” Stacy picked up the plates as Layne filled them and moved everything to the table.

“I’m not nearly as bad as that. I’ll at least drop down to seventy,” Layne said with a smirk. “Iced tea, soda, or wine?”

“Water. I’d like to keep my wits about me this evening.” Stacy’s gaze flittered over Layne’s body, and she sighed. “We agreed to spend our time talking.”

“Yes, we did.” Layne pushed the wine aside and filled two glasses with ice water. “So where do you see yourself a year from now?” she asked as she took a seat at the table.

Stacy blinked for a second. “Is this a job interview?”

“It’s a logical question,” Layne said with a shrug. “You’ve admitted to being nomadic, and I just wondered if you planned to put down roots here.”

Stacy smiled. “I don’t roam if I’m happy.”

Layne looked thoughtful as she chewed. “You’re not much of a planner, are you?”

“Nope, I’m a take-life-as-it-happens kind of girl.” Stacy skewered a shrimp and looked at Layne. “What’re your dreams?”

“They tend to change the older I get. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a rock star,” Layne said with a chuckle. “In college, I wanted to travel the globe, but since I’m on a plane so often, I guess I just look forward to the day I don’t have to work and can find a place on the water.”

“I always wanted my own private island. A place where I could spend the day outside naked if I wanted to. No neighbors, no engine noises, just the sound of the waves on the shore and the sand beneath my feet.”

“And in the crack of your butt if you’re gonna go around naked.”

Stacy pointed her fork at Layne and grinned. “Don’t mess with my fantasy.”

Layne held up her hands in surrender. “Sand fleas, that’s all I’m saying.” She shook the mental image of Stacy’s bare skin tanned by the sun. “What about kids?”

“I’ve heard of them, but I understand they bite and fling poo like monkeys, so I keep my distance.” Stacy smiled wistfully when Layne laughed. “Anna wanted kids. We talked about it a lot.” Her expression turned serious. “I’m almost thankful that something always seemed to come up that prevented us from trying. I don’t think I could’ve handled that on my own. What about you?”

“I think about it from time to time. Will you tell me about Anna if it’s not too painful?”

Stacy took a sip of her water and stared into the glass. “She was the most determined, hardheaded, stubborn mule of a woman I’d ever seen when she was at work. She knew what she wanted, and nothing would stop her until she got it. But with me, she was totally different. She used to say she could fight the whole world if she could just come home to me. I loved taking care of her, making sure she ate when she was totally distracted with something she was working on. Sometimes, we’d turn off the phone, close the blinds, and just pretend the outside world didn’t exist. I was her own private island, and there was nothing more important to me than that.” Stacy blinked and looked away. “Tell me about Olivia,” she said abruptly.

“She was the most determined, hardheaded, stubborn ass of a woman all the time.” Layne tried to lighten the mood. “To be fair, she did have some good points, but I can’t remember any of those.”

“Ronnie painted much the same picture.”

Layne nodded. “I knew Ronnie, Jenny, and Molly didn’t like her, but I didn’t realize how much until I admitted to them that I wanted out. They cheered.”

“They wanted someone better for you.”

“Yes, they did,” Layne said with a sigh.

Stacy looked down at the table. “How is Ronnie?”

“She’s okay. We talked and ironed things out between us, but I haven’t heard much from her lately.” Layne pushed her plate aside and took a sip of her water. “This wouldn’t be so hard, I suppose, if you’d been one of her usual flings, but she liked you. She says it’s okay with her if I see you, but I know it hurts her and it hurts me.”

“Is it too much, too painful to see me? Would you rather I leave you alone?”

Layne thought for a moment. “That would make things easier for everyone else…but not me.”

“Me either,” Stacy admitted.

“I don’t know what it is about you, Stacy Mayeaux.” Layne shook her head and propped her chin in her hand with a sigh.

“Maybe it’s not me. Maybe you’re just spreading your wings, so to speak.”

“No, it’s you,” Layne said with a smile. “I look at you, and propriety goes right out the door. I’m beginning to believe in the charm Alana says the Mayeaux women have. That’s how I feel, like someone has cast a spell over me. I can rationalize and war against it all I want, but the pull is too strong to fight.”

“I feel exactly the same way,” Stacy said softly.

Layne inhaled deeply as she met Stacy’s gaze. “We’ve talked a lot.”

Stacy waved a finger. “I gave you my word that was all we were going to do tonight, so stop looking at me like that. I feel naked already.”

“This is one of the things I’m talking about,” Layne said as her brow furrowed. “My sexual appetite has never been this voracious.” She fisted her hands in her own shirt. “This isn’t me. Wait, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy sex, but this is something altogether different.”

Stacy sucked one of the ice cubes from her glass and chomped on the ice. “We’re on the same page here, too, and I’m just shy of dumping this water in my lap. But if we can’t enjoy each other’s company outside of the bedroom, then we’re going to have problems. Talk to me about something that isn’t sexual.”

“I like ice cream.”

“Good,” Stacy said with a nod. “What flavor?”

Layne put a hand to her forehead. “Not vanilla unless it has something in it or on it.”

“I like raspberry cheesecake frozen yogurt. Have you tried it?”

Layne’s eyes glassed over. “This isn’t helping.”

Stacy stood and gathered the plates. “Stay right there. You can’t be trusted at the sink. After I clean up, we’ll play a game.”

“Pin the tail on the donkey, hide-and-seek, even Scrabble sounds very sexual to me at the moment.” Layne looked at Stacy’s butt. It struck her then that she sounded just like Alana. She wondered if sexual depravity was contagious, perhaps Stacy was a carrier. “I feel bad just sitting here watching you clean up.”

“I feel better with the bar between us. You stay over there. Better yet, go sit on the couch. I can’t look at you right now.”

Layne grinned as she got up and went to the sofa. She felt desired, wanted, sexy; it was a heady brew.

“This game,” Stacy began as she walked into the room, “is very simple. I will ask you questions. You cannot ask any. Your answers must be brief unless I ask you to expound.” Stacy smiled as she sat and tucked a leg beneath her. “You get a kiss for every answer I like, but you have to tell the truth. Promise?”

“This is a totally one-sided deal. When do I get to ask my questions?”

“Another night.” Stacy licked her lips. “Will you agree to these terms?”

Layne sighed and looked at the ceiling. “I know my integrity is going to be sorely tested here, but yes, I promise.”

“We’ll start with something easy. When is your birthday?”

“June twenty-fifth. Do I have to state the year?”

Stacy leaned in and kissed Layne. “You’re in trouble, little Cancer. You’ve already broken the rules, but I went easy on you, and yes.”

“Nineteen seventy-five.” Layne bit her lip to keep from saying more.

Stacy kissed her again. “Two years older than me, and before you ask, mine is March seventh.” Stacy looked at Layne with a hint of mischief in her eyes. “What color is the bra you’re wearing?”

Layne grinned before pulling up her shirt.

Stacy groaned. “Oh, I asked for that, didn’t I?” And Layne was rewarded with another kiss. “Are you originally from New Orleans?”

“Yes.”

Layne pointed to her lips when Stacy made no move to kiss her.

“That answer was good, but I can’t say that it inspired me.”

Please ask me better questions, Layne screamed in her own head as she stared at Stacy’s mouth.

“When did you realize that you were a lesbian?”

“I was seventeen.”

Stacy grinned. “You may expound. Was there an encounter that brought on this revelation?”

“Yes.” Layne grinned and pointed to her lips.

“You’re a little shit, already manipulating the game.” Stacy leaned in and kissed Layne, nipping at her bottom lip. “Elaborate.”

“I’d always been attracted to girls, but growing up in the Stone household, I thought lightning would strike me if I dwelled on it too much. On my senior trip, we went to a wild party, and a girl who I’d known in school but wasn’t very close to acted on a dare. Her boyfriend challenged her to kiss a girl, and I just happened to be close by. Both of our lives changed that night. I stopped kidding myself, and she got pregnant.”

Stacy’s brow rose as she laughed. “Must’ve been one hell of a kiss. Am I a better kisser?”

“Absolutely.” That answer earned Layne another kiss, and it was toe curling.

“What did you first notice about me?”

“Your hair.”

Stacy ran a hand through it. “Was that good or bad?”

“Good.”

“Elaborate.”

“Everyone at those stuffy parties is just so…tightly put together. But your hair was so wild and wavy with loose curls like it is now. You looked like you’d just spent hours having sex. It was very alluring.”

Stacy smiled as she ran her fingers over the side of Layne’s neck and pulled her close. The kiss was deep and long and left Layne light-headed.

“Sex toys, do you like them?”

“Yes.”

Layne held her sigh as Stacy kissed her deeply again. She clenched her fists to keep from grabbing Stacy and pulling her closer.

“There’s so much I want to do to you,” Stacy said barely above a whisper, “and so much I want you to do to me.”

Question, damn it! Layne turned away from Stacy’s gaze fearful that she’d crack and demand to know exactly what Stacy wanted. Her mind began to race with all sorts of delicious possibilities.

“How restrained do you feel now?”

“Not very,” Layne said with tension in her voice.

Stacy kissed her again teasingly, first letting the tip of her tongue graze Layne’s lips. “If I allowed you to do one thing to me right now, what would it be?”

Layne inhaled sharply before saying, “I’d love to taste you.”

This answer obviously inspired Stacy because she kissed her hard and pulled away just before Layne became completely unraveled. “Do you want to know what I’d do to you?”

“Yes!”

Stacy stared into Layne’s eyes. “What colors do you see right now?”

“Red, burgundy, deep purples.”

Stacy’s kiss was hot and sweet at the same time. “I’d show you red by teasing every sensitive spot you’ve revealed thus far with my mouth and tongue.” Stacy leaned in close so that her breath fell against Layne’s cheek and neck. “I’d show you burgundy by taking you in every position imaginable. And, Layne…I’d show you all the shades of purple by making you come harder than you ever have before.”

“That’s more than one thing,” Layne said breathlessly as she grabbed Stacy.

“Aw, sweetie, game over.” Stacy pulled away and stood.

“You’re not seriously going to leave now, are you?” Layne asked incredulously as Stacy picked up her keys and walked to the door.

“I’d seriously love to do everything I just told you, but what I want more is for you to trust me. I gave you my word that I would not let things get physical, so I have to leave.”

“Oh, you play rough.”

“Yes, I do,” Stacy said with a smile. “Don’t get up.”

Layne sank back down onto the couch. “And you don’t play fair.”

“No, I didn’t, but I wanted you to invite me back tomorrow night.”

Layne grinned despite the ache that had taken over her entire body. “As soon as you get off work.”

“See you at seven.” Stacy opened the door. “Good night, Layne.”

“That’s your opinion,” Layne said with a heavy sigh.

Chapter 24

“Wake up.”

“I am awake,” Layne said with a yawn and looked at the clock beside her bed, “now that is.”

“Mol’s at her group meeting. She laid out a banana and a granola bar for me to have for breakfast since I went crazy on vacation. I want pancakes.”

“I’ve got mix—”

“From IHOP with the fruit and whipped cream. How soon can you be dressed?”

“Oh, damn. I’ll skip the shower and throw on a baseball cap for that,” Layne said, sitting up.

“Do it. I’ll be there in a few. Be ready to jump in the car when I pull up.”

Layne brushed her teeth, scrambled into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, and grabbed her ball cap as she raced out the front door. Jenny had not bothered to pull into the driveway but sat in the street gunning the engine. “I thought you’d never come out,” she said as Layne jumped into the car, and she took off before the door closed. “It could be crowded. I want you to limp so the hostess will feel sorry for us.”

“I draw the line at the limp, and if you do it, I’ll pretend not to know you.”

“Sometimes, you’re so cruel. How was Seattle?”

“I need coffee before I go into that fiasco.”

Jenny floored her Corolla to make it through a yellow light. “Okay, how about your love life?”

Layne glanced at her. “I know Molly told you everything. Coffee will be required for that conversation, too. Are you going to lecture me?” Layne asked seriously.

Jenny shook her head. “No, you’re not four years old.”

“Thanks. Have you talked to Ronnie?”

“Yes, and you’re gonna need coffee before you hear about it.”

*******

Jenny ordered a mountain of food compared to Layne’s two blueberry pancakes and bacon. She took the coffee carafe and filled Layne’s cup before doing her own. “Let’s start with Seattle.”

Layne told her about seeing Stacy at the Sapphire, then the conversation she’d had with Alana and her lack of sleep and concentration.

“So Alana shook you up that much?” Jenny asked.

“No. I was already distracted before she got a hold of me, Alana just added fuel to the flame. Do you think I could be going through early menopause? Confusion and inability to concentrate are two of the symptoms.”

Jenny rolled her eyes. “You know what it is, you just have a hard time facing that you met someone who makes you lose control.”

Layne thought back to the previous night and felt her pulse quicken.

“Sexually, you’re very compatible, but it’s outside of the bedroom that you’re worried about.”

Layne nodded as she stirred more cream into her coffee. “I like her, I really do, but I have got…” Layne lowered her voice as a group that looked as though they were dressed for church passed by. “I have sex on the brain.”

“Because you put the cart before the horse,” Jenny said with a wave of her hand. “Molly would totally disagree with what I’m about to say, but get it out of your system. I say screw each other silly until you both calm down, then sort out the rest.”

Layne raised her cup. “I like that notion.”

“But?”

Layne opened her eyes wide. “But what?”

Jenny grinned as she waited.

“Okay.” Layne set her cup down. “I worry that’s all I want from her. She’s suffered a terrible loss in her life, and she’s admitted that she can’t get me out of her head, and it’s more than sex. I think she’s looking for more, and I’m afraid that I won’t be able to deliver. She’s just getting on her feet, and I don’t want to knock her back down.”

“So you care if she gets hurt?”

“Drink your coffee, Jen. I know that’s what I just said, maybe not in those words.”

“My point, smart-ass, is you already care about her feelings. Tell me what else you like about her outside of the bedroom.”

“She has a great sense of humor,” Layne said with a smile. “She makes me feel calm. I know that sounds funny since she also makes me lose my mind, but when I’m with her…I just feel…content. She makes me feel like…I’m the only thing that matters in her world.” Layne waved a hand as she thought. “She’s intelligent and so damn thoughtful.”

“Sounds like a great catch to me. Now tell me what you don’t like.”

Layne chewed her lip and stared out the window. “She has no life plan. Not interested in buying a house, not concerned about her career. I mean, what kind of retirement plan does a bartender have? And she rides a motorcycle. That’s her mode of transportation.”

“She’s so not like Olivia,” Jenny said and raised a brow. “Did she make you feel content?”

Layne rolled her eyes. “I’m being materialistic again.”

“No, you’re not. You know what? No one wants to be in a relationship with a bum. Have you ever heard anyone say, my idea of the ideal mate is someone who can’t hold a job, lays on the couch all day eating potato chips, and trashes the house while I’m out trying to make enough money to pay the bills and keep Fritos in the pantry?”

“Stacy’s not a bum,” Layne said with her brow furrowed. “She has a job, and she’s looking for her own place. And when I got back from Seattle, she had cooked for me and delivered it to the house. You ought to see what she’s done in my yard.”

Jenny rubbed her hands together as the server began filling the table with food, and Layne glared at her, realizing what Jenny had done. When the server walked away, Layne said, “I get it. Stacy and I have two different definitions of success.”

“I’m fucking brilliant. No one thinks I pay attention unless there’s food involved.” Jenny pushed the whipped cream aside and poured syrup over her pancakes. “Did you notice that I didn’t put anything into my coffee?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“This is why.” Jenny scooped the whipped cream up with a spoon and stirred it into her cup. “Cream and sugar in one shot, and it makes the coffee so much smoother.”

“That’s brilliant, Einstein.”

“Yes, it is. I’m fucking brilliant. So listen to me when I say, stop trying to fit Stacy into your mold and let her be who she is. Because hearing you talk tells me she’s worth the effort. I don’t care if she’s a rodeo clown and rides a tricycle. As long as she makes you happy, that’s all that really matters.”

“You make a good point,” Layne said as she cut into her pancakes. But in her mind, it just wasn’t that simple.

“Now let’s talk about Ronnie. Molly is convinced that she’s still torn up over Stacy. I think part of her is. She did like Stacy after all, but more than that, I think it’s her pride that’s truly wounded. She’s already been on two dates, but here’s the clincher. It was with the same woman, and they haven’t slept together. Maybe all of this has taught her a lesson. So well-intentioned as my beloved is, don’t let her scare you away from Stacy.” Jenny pointed a finger at Layne. “That’s the word with the bark on it because I’m fucking brilliant…and I also told Mol I was going to tell you all of this. Not the word and bark part. We’ll keep that between us because I’m also fucking henpecked.”

Chapter 25

Stacy stood on the porch grinning from ear to ear with a backpack slung over her shoulder when Layne opened the door. She pulled her sunglasses off her eyes, sweeping over Layne from head to toe. “You look…delicious.”

Layne opened the door wide and stepped back to let Stacy in. “Funny, I was thinking the same about you. I didn’t cook anything. I was thinking about taking you out.”

Stacy closed the door and kissed Layne on the mouth. “I was just thinking about taking you but not to dinner.”

Layne moaned as Stacy kissed the side of her neck. “Suddenly, I’m not so hungry anymore.”

“You will be later.” Stacy smiled and took Layne by the hand. Layne felt her pulse quicken and parts of her body come alive as she followed.

“What’s in the bag?”

“Oh, you’ll see.” Stacy tossed the bag on the bed and turned to Layne. “I like this shirt,” she said as she began to unbutton it.

Layne went for Stacy’s belt. “I like these jeans, they show off your butt.”

Stacy playfully swatted her hands away. “I call the shots today.” She slid the shirt off of Layne’s shoulders and breathed in deeply as she regarded the midnight blue bra. “Very sexy.” She lowered her head and kissed Layne’s chest as she unclasped the bra and let it fall to the floor. “What kind of toys do you enjoy?” Stacy asked as she unfastened Layne’s shorts.

Layne’s blood pressure spiked as she looked at the bag on her bed. She kicked at her shorts as they landed around her ankles. Stacy knelt and slid her underwear down. Layne sighed as Stacy kissed the tops of her thighs. “I think I’m going to enjoy anything you have in mind.”

“Good answer.” Stacy stood and pushed Layne onto the bed. Layne reached for her, but Stacy pushed her hands away. “I want you to lay right here and wonder what I’m about to do to you. Close your eyes and think about that, and don’t open them until I tell you to.”

Layne smiled as she closed her eyes. “And if I don’t obey?”

“Oh, we’ll both be very sorry,” Stacy said against the skin of Layne’s stomach before she kissed her there. “You know I can be a stickler for the rules.”

Layne kept her eyes closed and heard the click of the bathroom door as it shut. So many possibilities raced through her mind. She didn’t have to touch herself to know that she’d already grown incredibly wet. Stacy turned her on like no other. She constantly intrigued her, challenged her to relax in ways she never considered. Layne jumped when she felt Stacy’s hands slip beneath her knees, so deep in thought she never heard her come out of the bathroom. Stacy pulled her to the edge of the bed, and Layne inhaled sharply when she felt Stacy’s mouth on her.

Stacy took her time teasing Layne with every stroke of her tongue. She enjoyed the feel of Layne’s legs over her shoulders and the way Layne would dig her heels lightly into her back, urging her to prolong the contact that would send Layne over the edge. Layne began to thrust her hips more urgently, and Stacy stopped the sweet torture. She smiled at the small groan of frustration that Layne released when she pulled away completely.

Stacy walked around the bed and put her hands beneath Layne’s shoulders. “Keep your eyes closed. I want you right here,” she said as she tugged Layne across the bed. She watched the rapid rise and fall of Layne’s chest as she climbed onto the bed between Layne’s legs. She balanced the weight of her upper body on one hand while with the other she slipped the tip of the dildo through Layne’s wetness. “Is this okay?”

Layne gasped as she pushed against her opening. “Yes.” She squeezed Stacy’s bicep as she wrapped her legs around Stacy’s waist.

Stacy thrust slowly, feeling more of the dildo slip into Layne. She repositioned, settling her weight onto her elbows as her hips did the work. “Open your eyes.” Layne bit her lip and gazed up at her. “I want to be able to kiss and hold you while I make you come.”

Layne smiled slightly. “I love it.” She gasped again as Stacy began to thrust deeper.

Stacy put her mouth against Layne’s ear. “I can feel the resistance, and I can feel how it slips deeper into you on each stroke.” Layne responded by digging her fingers into Stacy’s back. Stacy groaned when she felt every inch of the dildo slide into Layne. She continued to thrust slow and steady as Layne got used to it, allowing Layne’s hips to dictate the pace. Stacy kissed her, slipping her tongue deep into Layne’s mouth. Layne panted into the kiss as her hips began to move faster.

“Fu…fuck…fuck me, Stacy,” Layne rasped out against her lips.

The request shot through Stacy like a lightning bolt. The muscles in her stomach contracted forcefully; her hips responded, pushing hard and fast. Layne quickly came unraveled, begging her to stop and not to in the same breath. Stacy rolled, pulling Layne on top of her. The dildo slipped out, and both of them struggled to get it quickly back in place. Layne shuddered as she sat up. She pinched Stacy’s nipples, making her thrust harder.

Stacy hooked her legs around Layne’s and said, “Come to me,” between quick breaths. When Layne lay down on her, she gripped her shoulders, forcing Layne down while she pushed deeper. She felt Layne stiffen and heard two quick gasps against her ear. Layne held the rigid stance for what seemed like minutes, then inhaled loudly before releasing a broken cry. Stacy felt her own orgasm tear through her and released a shuddering groan as she held tightly to Layne.

“I’m going to have to start working out,” Layne said later when she caught her breath but still lay limply on Stacy.

Stacy grinned. “You just did. I’m more than happy to be your personal trainer.”

Layne sat up and ran her hands over Stacy’s sweating stomach. “Is this how you made all these muscles?”

“No, those exercises aren’t nearly as enjoyable.” Stacy thrust her hips infinitesimally, gauging Layne’s reaction. She felt arousal begin to stir quickly as she watched Layne’s eyelids flutter. Layne grazed her nipples with the backs of her fingertips. “You make me want to do this all night.”

Layne’s eyes were full of desire. “What do you get out of this?” She pushed down a little firmer.

“The base hits the perfect spot,” Stacy said with a grin, “and I haven’t even turned on the bullets yet.”

One of Layne’s brows shot up. “Bullets?”

“Sit back a little bit.” Stacy reached down and pushed the button on the top of two small vibrators. She pushed into Layne with a smile.

“Ah…those bullets.” Layne swiveled her hips. “How well do you feel them?”

Stacy groaned and closed her eyes. “Oh…very well.”

*******

Stacy took a sip of her wine and looked up at the night sky. “I love that you have a very private backyard.” The evening breeze cooled her heated skin as they sat out on the deck wearing nothing more than towels wrapped around their waists.

Layne took the last bite of her half a turkey sandwich that they’d split between them. She chewed slowly and sighed, after which she took Stacy’s glass and sipped from it. “Stay with me tonight.”

“You’re not exhausted?”

“Very, and I’d like to spend the rest of the evening curled up with you.”

Stacy smiled. “I’d like that very much.” Layne kissed her hand before pressing that glass back into it. “Do you have a lawn service?”

Layne yawned as she looked out over the yard. “It needs to be cut, doesn’t it?” She frowned at the weeds that had sprung up seemingly overnight. “I decided to do it myself and bought a mower, but I’ve been busy since I returned home.” She winked at Stacy.

“I’m off tomorrow. I’d be happy to do it. Your azaleas need to be pruned since they’ve bloomed out, probably wouldn’t take me two hours tops.”

“I won’t ask you to do my lawn.”

“You didn’t. I love manual labor. I love to work hard and feel like I’ve really accomplished something at the end of the day. This would be a real treat for me.” Stacy lowered her voice as she regarded Layne, “Don’t deny me.”

It struck Layne at that moment that she really couldn’t deny Stacy anything if it made her happy. “You amaze me.”

Stacy grinned. “How so?”

“You’re just so different. I like it.” Layne looked away. “I’m going to miss you when I have to leave Friday.”

“Good, that means you’ll be thinking of me because I know I’m going to be thinking of you constantly.”

The words washed over Layne like velvet. She wanted to let go and give into the feelings that welled up inside of her, but a small voice in the back of her mind declared it was way too soon. “I don’t even have your phone number.”

“You seem like a nice enough girl, I suppose I could trust you with it,” Stacy said with a smile.

Layne winked. “I’m not that nice. You should know that by now.”

“Downright naughty,” Stacy said with a nod. “I have no complaints.”

Chapter 26

Stacy killed the engine to the mower and wiped sweat from her face as she admired her handiwork. She’d offered to prune the azaleas without asking if Layne had anything to trim them with. When she’d opened the free-standing garage that morning, she was disappointed to find only the mower and a gas can. With the grass cut, everything looked so overgrown in comparison.

“Honda…can’t go wrong with a machine like that.”

“Pardon?” Stacy looked around until she found a pair of eyes beneath a tattered ball cap peering out from between the thick hedges that divided Layne’s yard from the neighbors’.

“Your mower, it’s the top of the line. I was applauding your choice.”

“Oh,” Stacy said with a smile. “I can’t take credit for that. It belongs to Layne.” Stacy pointed to the house. “Have you met her?”

“I’ve spoken to her a few times, but she doesn’t seem to be the social type.” The face disappeared from view, and Stacy heard a gate creak. A tall man who appeared to be in his late sixties or early seventies wearing a button-down shirt over a pair of Bermuda shorts approached her. “I’m Bob Lester.” He thrust out his left hand while the other shook spastically. “Pay no mind to the shaking. I have Parkinson’s.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Bob,” Stacy said as she shook his good hand. “I’m Stacy Mayeaux.”

Bob squinted behind his wire-rimmed glasses. “You look a lot like the Mayeaux that’s running for the Senate. That guy’s on the ball. I hope he stomps that windbag in office now. We need some muscle. You related because you could sure pass for his kid?”

“I get that a lot. Your yard is beautiful,” Stacy said, changing the subject. “You do it all yourself?”

“Most of it. The stuff they have me taking for the Parkinson’s is a mixed bag of tricks. When I take enough to get control of my motor function, it makes me into a zombie. If I want use of my brain, I have to cut back, but then my old hand here does whatever it wants. My wife, Deb, does the trim work, and I cut the grass. Some days when I’m lucky, I can pull a weed or two.” He pointed at the house. “You live here, too?”

“No. I’m just helping out.” Bob’s gaze was curious as it swept over her. If he was a fan of her father, then he’d be a Republican, and Stacy wondered if he was the type to want to run her out of town. “Layne doesn’t have a lot of lawn equipment, so I was thinking of renting a hedge trimmer. Is there a hardware store near here?”

“You’d probably have to find a Home Depot for that. Mason’s up the block will sell you something used, but I doubt they rent. I’ve got one you can use.” Bob looked around the yard. “And an old weed whacker that still runs good. You can borrow that too if you want.”

“I truly appreciate the offer, but I’m not comfortable borrowing someone else’s equipment. I understand lawn tools are sacred,” she said with a smile.

Bob grinned. “I thought you looked like you understood the code of the lawn.” He patted his chest. “I’m a trader. I’ll trade you that weed whacker if you’ll help me replace a wheel on my trailer. I can’t do it by myself while my hand is out of control. Whatta ya say?”

“Well, that hardly seems fair. Changing a wheel will take less than an hour.”

“It’ll take you that long to crank the whacker. You’ll think yourself on the short end of the stick.”

Stacy smiled. “Let me have a look at that wheel, and we’ll debate the whacker.”

“All right, come on.”

*******

The first thing Layne noticed was the motorcycle parked in her driveway as she pulled up. She smiled, liking the idea of Stacy being inside the house waiting on her. As she got out of the car, she was bowled over by the sight of her lawn. The grass was cut, the driveway edged, and the tufts of grass that had been growing next to the flowerbeds were gone. It looked totally manicured.

Inside, Stacy was putting the finishing touches on dinner, her hair wet and wavy from a recent shower. I could get used to this really quick, Layne thought as she dumped her briefcase on the floor.

“How was your day?” Stacy asked with a smile as she greeted Layne with a kiss and a glass of wine.

“Not as productive as yours, I’m sure. I thought I was treating you to dinner tonight.”

“I’m kind of tired after being in the sun all day, and I figured you probably would be too since you didn’t get much sleep last night. Why don’t you change into something comfortable and I’ll make your plate?”

Layne leaned in close and sniffed at Stacy’s neck; her skin smelled clean and fragrant. “I’m spoiled rotten already.”

“Good,” Stacy said with a twinkle in her eye as she stepped back. “My plan is working. Go change.”

As Layne got out of her work clothes, she realized she wasn’t accustomed to such treatment, and she’d not been joking about being spoiled. She and Olivia had stressful and time-consuming jobs. Arguments often ensued over who would cook or take out the trash. She idly wondered if this was what life with Stacy would be like.

“I didn’t have a whole lot of time to think about dinner, so I just whipped up a pasta salad,” Stacy said as Layne walked into the kitchen. “I wanted to make chicken shish kebabs, but the day just got away from me.”

“This is perf— Oh, my God!” Layne looked out the window behind the kitchen table, her jaw sagging. The backyard looked like something out of a magazine. The hedges along the fence had been trimmed neatly as were the boxwoods lining the deck. “You did all of this by yourself?”

“Kind of.” Stacy pulled Layne’s chair out. “I had some help from Bob.”

“Bob?” Layne said as she sank into the chair.

“Your neighbor.” Stacy tossed her head toward the house next door. “Really nice guy, we spent most of the day together. He has Parkinson’s, so there’s a few things he can’t do. We worked out a few trades, and I was able to procure a weed whacker, and he let me borrow the hedge trimmer. His wife, Deb, was so happy that Bob found someone to help him with the things she couldn’t do that she made me lunch and gave me an outstanding chicken salad recipe.”

“You made friends with the neighbors?”

Stacy nodded, then looked at Layne with concern. “Did I overstep my bounds? Does this make you uncomfortable?”

“No,” Layne blurted out. “I’m just shocked at all you’ve done. ‘Procured a weed whacker’?”

“I helped Bob change a wheel on his trailer, so he and his wife could take their mower to be worked on. He bent the deck. Then I power washed his carport. He gave me the trimmer in exchange for the work.”

“You did all this for me?” Layne asked in amazement.

“I did it because I enjoyed it. I haven’t been running or going to the gym lately, so this was really great exercise.” Stacy held her fork poised over her food. “You look kind of overwhelmed. Be honest and tell me what you feel.”

“I feel…grateful.” Layne sighed. “I am overwhelmed but in a good way.”

Stacy took a bite and chewed slowly as she studied Layne’s face.

“This is the perfect meal, by the way, not too filling, cool, light, tasty—”

“Are things moving too fast for you?” Stacy asked with a slight smile.

Layne considered the question as she sipped her wine. “No, I don’t think so. I like coming home and you being here. It’s such a luxury to have dinner waiting on me and things I’ve been putting off taken care of. More important than that, I’ve enjoyed your company.”

Stacy put a hand atop Layne’s. “Then why do you look so scared?”

“I really don’t know. I guess I need time to analyze it to come up with an answer.”

“I’m trying to charm, not rope and tie you. I’ve had that done to me, and I didn’t like it at all.”

“Not by Anna, right?”

“No.” Stacy set her fork down and picked up her glass of wine. “After I left California, I settled for a while in a small town just outside of Salt Lake City. I’d been there less than a month, and I met a woman named Lisa.” Stacy massaged her brow and squinted. “I was in such a weird mental state, I guess. I wanted some normalcy back in my life and I thought companionship. Later on, I realized it was really distraction that I was looking for. I didn’t mean to lead Lisa on, but I think I misled both of us. We met for dinner one evening, and she told me that she’d found a job for me in an office because she didn’t like me working in a bar and that she’d booted her roommate so I could move in. We hadn’t discussed anything like that, and I was stunned. When I told her I wasn’t comfortable with her plans, she backed off for a few days but started with comments like, ‘the job is open any time you’re ready.’”

Stacy rubbed the back of her neck and looked at Layne with discomfort in her gaze. “I packed my things and hit the road one night and never looked back. After that, my…interactions with women were very short-lived to put it lightly. When I met Ronnie, we were on the same page, or at least I thought, so I didn’t feel any pressure.” Stacy took a sip of her wine and licked her lips. “I need to be blatantly honest with you, but I need you to promise not to read anything into what I have to say.”

“Okay.” Layne picked up her glass and held it in both hands.

Stacy pushed her plate away and wiped her hands on her napkin. “I missed Anna so much. I just wasn’t ready for it to be over when she was taken from me. I sought out women who looked like her—dark hair, petite—and when I was with them, I pretended they were her. The morning after, I always felt worse because she wasn’t there. I just ached so much for her. The night we met, you weren’t anything like the others in looks or personality, but I was stuck in my old patterns.” Stacy looked at Layne. “Anna wasn’t there that night, just you. I’ve thought a lot about that and came to a couple of conclusions. First, I think I’ve finally laid Anna to rest. And second, I think we connected that night because you were on some level like I was. You just needed to be in someone’s arms. But there’s a magnetism we’ve both admitted to. I know this sounds silly, but maybe we met at just the right time. We both took different paths to get to that night. Call it fate, luck, or whatever, but here we are. I’m not afraid to find out if this will work or not, but I hope it does.”

Layne studied Stacy’s face. “You’re not afraid of getting hurt?”

“Yeah,” Stacy said with a laugh, then turned serious. “But I’m more afraid of getting used to shutting a part of myself down. I think everyone is self-protective to varying degrees, but if you never take a chance, you only live half a life.”

Layne finished off her wine as she contemplated all that she’d heard. In front of her sat a beautiful woman who was opening her heart to her. And it scared Layne to death.

“I’ve got some things I need to do at home tonight, so I’m going to leave you to relax,” Stacy said lightly as she got up and cleared the table.

“Don’t clean up. You’ve done enough already,” Layne said as she stood.

“Most of it’s done. I’ll just—”

“Stop! Don’t ignore me,” Layne retorted hotly.

Stacy’s hands froze as she rinsed a plate. She set it in the bottom of the sink. “All right.”

Layne searched Stacy’s impassive expression as she walked over and kissed Layne on the cheek. “Good night.”

*******

Stacy’s initial reaction to Layne’s behavior was anger, but instead of letting it well inside her and begin to strengthen the barrier she’d built around her heart and was trying to tear down daily, she put herself in Layne’s shoes. Well-intentioned as she had been, Stacy had to admit to herself that she’d invaded Layne’s safe haven. Layne had tried to cope, but it was clearly displayed on her face that she felt threatened in some way. Stacy also acknowledged that she needed her own space to sort things out for herself, and obviously, so did Layne.

Layne retreated to the one place where she felt most comfortable—work. When Stacy had left, she’d retrieved her laptop and took it into her home office. For a while, she shoved away every emotion and confusing thought as she immersed herself in the daily status reports given by her team still at work in Seattle. She’d shut herself off mentally from Stacy but could not stop the feeling of loneliness that filled her chest and made her physically ache because some part of her was acknowledging that she’d hurt Stacy and didn’t like it.

Chapter 27

“A bloody Mary, please, and give her teeth. I need to feel a bite,” Stacy’s first customer said as he took a seat at the end of the bar.

“Coming right up,” she said with a smile, then winced internally when the same man requested that she change the channel of the TV mounted above her head from ESPN to Fox News. There was no one else at the bar to complain, so she did as asked.

Stacy didn’t care one iota for basketball, but she’d have happily listened to the commentators drone on about the Celtics instead of a perky blonde quote her father on gay rights. “…one man, one woman.” The diatribe was old, but what galled her the most was that her father had no real religious convictions one way or the other. He spouted off what he thought his constituents wanted to hear, what he thought would gain him votes. And he’d put all of that above his own daughter.

Her mood was already dour because when she awoke that morning, it wasn’t with an open mind. She wasn’t really sure where things stood with Layne. Perhaps Layne had spent the night thinking and decided that it was too much to ponder. Maybe Layne would take the easy way out and just say, Enough. This thing between us is just too complicated to bother with.

Stacy set the drink in front of her customer with a forced smile and began wiping down the bar.

“I have a delivery for Stacy Mayeaux,” one of the porters said as he walked up to the bar, his face hidden behind a wall of flowers.

“Mayeaux?” the customer piped up, “any relation to—”

“Nope,” Stacy said without looking his way as the porter set the arrangement on the bar.

A round male face peeked around it at her. “Somebody loves you,” he said with a smile and walked off.

Stacy gave the flowers a sniff and moved them out of the way to the center island and opened the card.

You are wonderful in every sense of the word. No buts.

Stacy smiled but wasn’t allowed to bask in the moment as a group settled at the bar.

*******

Layne’s heels clacked on the tiled floor as she walked into the lobby of the Sapphire. It was well after the lunch hour, and she was disappointed to find that there were only a few seats at the bar where Stacy worked. Partially hidden by the archway separating the lounge from the lobby, she watched Stacy as she filled drink orders. Muscles contracted in her abdomen as she regarded Stacy, then began to flutter when Stacy gazed in her direction. With a purposeful stride, she walked over to the bar and took a seat.

“Welcome to the Sapphire, what may I get for you?” Stacy said with a smile much warmer than she’d been giving to the other patrons surrounding them.

“How’s your iced tea?”

“It’s good,” Stacy said as she set a coaster on the bar. “You should try the Lebanese iced tea. It has pine nuts in it, very tasty.”

“I’ll have that then and a menu.”

Stacy slid the menu in front of Layne. “Just a moment on your tea.”

Layne nodded and perused the menu as she waited. A few minutes later, Stacy set her drink on the bar. “I’m hungry, but I don’t want to eat heavily because I’m cooking dinner this evening for someone. Can you recommend something besides salad?”

“I’d suggest the veggie spring roll appetizer. They’re filling and light.”

“I’ll go with that, thank you,” Layne said seriously as she handed the menu back to Stacy.

“Will this be to go, or will you be dining in?”

“Dining in.” Layne watched as a few of the patrons left the bar, but there were still too many to talk candidly, and she didn’t want to cause Stacy any problems at work. When Stacy drew close again, Layne lowered her voice and said, “I don’t see a ring on your finger. Does that mean you’re single?”

A woman sitting two stools over looked at Layne with an expression of surprise that quickly turned to indignation.

“I wasn’t talking to you, honey,” Layne said with a wry smile and turned to Stacy with a brow raised.

“No, I’m not married, but I am seeing someone I consider special.” Stacy didn’t crack a smile as she moved farther down the bar to tend to another customer.

The woman beside Layne looked at her with a smirk that Layne met head-on. “She’s hot, can’t blame a girl for trying.” Apparently, the woman could because she took her drink and moved farther down the bar, giving Layne the privacy she wanted. But the game played on as Stacy delivered her lunch and cutlery.

“Is there anything else I can get for you besides more tea?”

“I’m fine.” Layne spread her napkin across her lap. “Has anyone ever told you that you bear a striking resemblance to—”

“Ass,” Stacy said lowly with a chuckle.

“Dinner’s at seven. Will you be there?” Layne whispered.

“Yes, I will,” Stacy said with a smile. “The flowers are beautiful.”

When Layne had finished her lunch, she softly demanded her bill, then made a fuss about the tea being four dollars. She could tell that Stacy wanted to laugh. Layne put her money in the folder along with a house key and slid it in front of Stacy. “This isn’t a roping, just a little something to let you know I’m not playing around, either.” Layne looked back over her shoulder as she walked out. The expression on Stacy’s face was worth a million bucks.

Layne found herself vacillating again between the desire to let go and allow things to take their course with Stacy and her need to have everything in order, under her control. This courtship, or whatever they were engaged in, was unorthodox. To Layne, the progression was out of order. There were no dates; rather this thing between them had taken on an intimacy of evening meals, late-night stays—some overnight—and a domestication that usually came after months of being together. Layne had just given Stacy her house key without considering what that actually meant, and what freaked her out the most was she liked it.

*******

During dinner that evening, the conversation was light. Layne and Stacy discussed their day and Layne’s upcoming trip. Stacy volunteered to take care of the yard and water the plants while Layne was gone. But as they sat on the deck enjoying the evening, Stacy pulled Layne’s house key from her pocket.

“I’m not sure what this means,” Stacy said, holding it up.

“That makes two of us,” Layne said honestly. “I felt terrible about how things ended last night. What you did for me was extremely kind and I loved it.” Layne sighed as she looked over the yard. “I think that’s what scared me. We’re not sharing financial responsibilities or living under the same roof, but it feels like it sometimes. It’s like we’re already in a committed relationship, and we don’t really know each other. But as I said before, the odd thing is I feel like we do.”

“It would be very easy to change that. We could take a step back, start going out on dinner dates, go to the movies like everybody else does.”

“My need for organization screams that that is exactly what we should be doing, but…I enjoy this, and I keep asking myself what’s so wrong with it.” Layne reached over and took Stacy’s hand. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you seem so much more at ease with it than I do, and that throws me, too.”

“When you preface something by saying, ‘don’t take this the wrong way,’ the person hearing it almost always does,” Stacy said with a smile. “I do get where you’re coming from, though. We didn’t start off typically, so our relationship isn’t going to be typical, either. But if it’s working, why buck?”

Layne squeezed Stacy’s hand. “You teach me how to relax and I’ll teach you…nothing,” she said with a smile. “I like you just the way you are. Hold on to that key, you’ll need it to check on my plants.” Layne swallowed hard. “Just hold on to it for if…”

Stacy returned it to her pocket. “You’re telling me that you trust me. That’s all this is, and that’s fine with me.”

Layne smiled and nodded.

Chapter 28

Layne’s heart was heavy as she boarded the plane to Seattle. She actually looked forward to Alana joining her, wanting the connection to Stacy. The warm body she’d left that morning felt so cuddly and soft that she could barely force herself out of bed.

They stopped talking about the future, and Layne did her best to just throw caution to the wind and enjoy things as they unfolded. They spent every night making love like they’d never see each other again. They’d taken walks, watched a movie or two. And Stacy had introduced Layne to her neighbors, Deb and Bob.

Layne had gotten a few emails from Ronnie, who said she was happy that things were working out with Stacy, and Layne knew it would be a while before they saw each other in person. It wasn’t out of the norm for Ronnie to disappear, but it was for different reasons this time, and that still stung Layne a bit. She’d also talked to Jenny on the phone one day during lunch, and Jenny explained that she’d been working on Molly, who still was hanging on to her resentment for Stacy like a dog would a bone. That too stung Layne, but Jenny assured her that it wouldn’t last forever.

“You’ve stolen my cook.” Alana did her best to keep a straight face as she glared at Layne. “I used to have a meal when I got home, but now it’s hot nothing.”

“I’d like to say I’m sorry, but that would be a lie.” Layne grinned at Alana as she dropped into her seat. “Get a ticket this morning?”

“No, it was raining, and I guess the doughnut Gestapo didn’t want to get wet. Are you rested and focused this time?”

“No,” Layne said with a grin as she remembered what she and Stacy had done the night before.

Alana stared at her for a moment. “You look different. All of the years we’ve worked together you’ve had a determined and fierce look in your eyes. It’s not there. You look happy, Layne, and I know Stacy is. She hasn’t painted a stroke since that first night we got back from Seattle. Stacy paints away her pain.”

“I’ve never seen any of her work.”

“She’ll show you when she’s ready. Her older stuff is beautiful—lots of landscapes, some of Anna, all warm colors. The stuff she’s done over the past few years is dark, even yours.”

“Mine?” Layne asked in alarm.

“Shit,” Alana mumbled and looked at the rest of the boarders. “Did you eat breakfast? Do you have anything in your bag? I am freaking starved. I’ve gotten used to Stacy doing all the shopping, my pantry is bare.”

Layne squeezed Alana’s arm. “Mine?”

Alana sighed. “I figured she’d have shown it to you or at least told you about it by now. She’s private about her painting. I think you should wait and let her reveal it when she’s ready.”

“It’s dark?”

“Sad, you look sad,” Alana said impatiently. “She started on it the day after she arrived in New Orleans. I’d gone into her room one day to do something I can’t remember, and I kind of peeked at it. Of course, you didn’t have a face then. After we got back from Seattle, it was done, and yes, I sneaked back into her room when she wasn’t there. Honestly, that’s how I’ve gotten a look at her work because she’s not keen with even me looking at it.”

“Is she good?”

Alana smiled and looked at Layne. “Amazing. Her talent in that arena is not a Mayeaux trait. She got that solely from her mother. Colleen was a master, God rest her soul. She died when Stacy was twelve.”

“How?” Layne asked, feeling sorry for Stacy, who’d lost two very important women in her life.

“Brain aneurysm.” Alana snapped her fingers. “Took her just like that. She was my favorite aunt.” Alana looked away. “Coffee, my kingdom for a cup of coffee.”

Layne handed her the mocha latte she’d boarded with. “It’s got my germs on it, but you’re welcome to it if you dare.”

“I dare,” Alana said as she took a long swallow. “Thanks.”

*******

Stacy seldom carried her cell phone on her person, but she’d developed a habit of keeping it with her when Layne left. The past three days, she survived on text messages and late-night phone calls. As she finished mowing Layne’s backyard, she looked at it and smiled seeing Layne’s latest text. I miss you.

“Are you keeping the plants on the inside watered, as well?”

Stacy looked up at Molly, who was standing a few feet away. “Yes, I am,” she said with a smile that wasn’t returned.

Molly cocked her head to the side and folded her arms. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

“Yes, I take care of my cousin’s, too.”

Molly pursed her lips as she looked around the backyard. “Are you staying here while she’s gone?”

“No, but Bob and Deb next door keep an eye on her place if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Fine,” Molly said with a nod and turned to walk away.

“I won’t hurt her.”

Molly stopped and turned. “You had no problem hurting Ronnie.”

“That’s not true, and I think you know that. You just don’t trust or like me. You don’t know me, either.”

“I know Layne and Ronnie, and that’s all that matters to me,” Molly replied coolly.

“But if it turns out that I’m good for Layne and make her happy, will you let your guard down and get to know me?”

“Why do you care?”

“It’s important to Layne.”

“Take those sunglasses off and look me in the eye when you answer my next question.” Molly met Stacy’s gaze when she moved the glasses onto the top of her head. “Do you have legitimate feelings for Layne?”

“I do,” Stacy said, her gaze unwavering. “I can’t tell you I’m in love, but what I feel grows stronger every time I’m with her.”

Molly stared Stacy down for a moment and sighed. “I want to make threats and tell you all sorts of terrible things I’d do to you if you hurt her, but I’m no good at it.” She straightened and stood tall, which wasn’t very high. “Even a house cat can do damage if angered.”

“I get your point,” Stacy said with a smile.

“Don’t get too relaxed. I have my eye on you.” Molly pointed two fingers at her own eyes, then turned them on Stacy. “That philodendron on the side of the driveway needs water.”

Stacy nodded. “I’ll take care of it. What do you suggest for the canna lilies? They’re looking ratty.”

“Cut them to the ground, they’re full of worms. Keep the new leaves that come back coated in pesticide.” Molly stabbed a finger at Stacy. “Don’t try to charm me with plant talk. I’m not there yet.”

Stacy grinned at the smirk that flittered across Molly’s face before she turned and walked away. “If you kill those indoor houseplants, you’ll see the angry house cat I warned you about,” Molly called over her shoulder.

Chapter 29

“…you’ve all done a marvelous job instituting and enforcing the updated policies. I’ve seen many of you using the positive reinforcement techniques that we’ve discussed in class, and it’s exciting to witness it in action and see the results we all want. Naturally, you’re going to encounter something that falls outside of normal procedure from time to time. I strongly encourage you as managers to meet and discuss these issues among you and come up with a solution as a team. I’m always available to give advice if you need it, as is Alana Mayeaux. We won’t stop working for you when our job here is complete. Call us anytime you need assistance.” Layne smiled at the group. “Our time together has taught me and my team a few things, as well. Thank you for working with us.”

Layne’s speech was met with a polite round of applause. She and Alana shook hands with each of the managers as they filed out of the conference room. “This one was easy,” Alana turned to Layne, “but we’re going to have our hands full with Lansing and Associates in Austin.” Her shoulders sagged as she delivered the news. “David wants us on a flight there tonight. Travel has already emailed us the arrangements.”

“What?” Layne pulled her phone from her jacket pocket and frowned at her mail.

“He called right as we began this meeting, that’s why I stepped into the hall. He claims he’s up to his ass in alligators and needs backup.”

Layne was infuriated at having her plans overturned. She’d been looking forward to going home to Stacy. In the past, she met unplanned events with enthusiasm. That’s why I was David’s tiger, Layne thought. ‘Was.’ What am I now? My personal life is changing, but my professional life can’t be allowed to suffer for it.

“Let’s get back to the hotel and get our things together. We’ll go to Austin and kick some butt,” Layne said with a conviction she didn’t feel.

*******

It would be late by the time Layne arrived in Austin, so while she and Alana raced across town in a cab to catch their flight, she sent Stacy a text.

I know you’re at work right now and probably won’t see this until later. I’m sorry to tell you that Alana and I are on the way to Austin to handle a problem. I’ll let you know as soon as I know I’m coming home. Miss you.

“That’s really cute,” Alana said with a grin as she stared at Layne’s phone.

Layne turned it away. “Have you no respect for privacy?”

Alana shrugged. “I already told you I have a peeking problem.”

*******

The tiger was pissed off, her scruff was up, claws flexed and extended. Layne’s pupils dilated as she waited for her moment to pounce.

“Gabe Lansing enlisted your services, but ol’ Gabe doesn’t work in this office anymore. The buck stops with me now.” Albert Curly looked as though he was tempted to throw his feet up on the conference table but thought better of it. “Bottom line, we run the show, and we don’t want you here. You’re not going to get the open door you expect, so I suggest you tell Gabe that we’re doing fine and don’t need your so-called expertise.” Albert grinned when the other two who sat on either side of him chuckled.

This wasn’t uncharted territory for Calloway. They’d had their share of unwilling clients, and they’d dealt with each one with reason, cajoling. David looked at Layne expectantly because she could charm the mortar out of a brick wall when she wanted to, but on this morning, she didn’t.

“Mr. Calloway, do you have Mr. Lansing’s phone number?” Layne asked with her hand poised above the intercom sitting in the middle of the table.

David blinked in surprise.

“That’s not a good idea, pretty lady,” Albert said as he sat up straighter. “You do that, and it’s going to cause a full-scale war between us all.” He pointed to the two sitting beside him. “We’re unified and ready to meet Gabe head-on.”

“And why should that matter to me?” Layne asked with a bored expression.

“Because he’ll fire you rather than having to replace all of us at the same time,” Albert retorted.

“You’re worried about us being fired after you’ve succinctly stated that we’re not needed?” Layne smiled as she crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair. “Let’s look at the nuts and bolts of this. Your sales are down thirteen percent from last year at this time, customer satisfaction is down forty-seven percent. Lansing produces one patented product. Other companies have tried to manufacture a rival but have failed to produce a product that can outlast the Lansing Hydraulic Pump. Your product is sound, and you have a large market in the petrochemical industry. The reason Lansing is failing is not the economy, it’s mismanagement. You were promoted to director of operations last year, and for the first time in the company’s history, your profits are down. You are right, Mr. Curly, the buck does stop with you, and Mr. Lansing knows it. Calling us in to rectify that should mean to you that this is your last hope before you find yourself in a very long unemployment line.”

Layne tapped her fingers on the table. “I’m not going to beg to help bail you out of something you’ve gotten yourself into,” she said with a cold smile. “I have better things to do with my time. So we’ll get out of your hair and explain to Mr. Lansing the same things I just told you, but I can guarantee when the wheels of our plane touch down on the runway in New Orleans, you’re going to be looking at the want ads.”

The bluff had been called, the cards laid out on the table, and Albert Curly paled but was not willing to acquiesce easily. “And you think by coming in and teaching our secretaries how to smile and our people to sound cheery on the phone will change all that?”

“On the flight from Seattle to Austin, I went over your company portfolio and relayed the data I learned, but you haven’t taken the time to review ours?”

“Sister sunshine, I don’t have the time to study pamphlets on manners. I have a company to run,” Albert said with a chuckle, but this time, his associates didn’t share in his humor.

“If I take the time to work with you,” Layne began and held up a finger, “and that’s a big if. The first thing we’ll do is teach you how to conduct research. If I were in your shoes and I considered Calloway the adversary, I would’ve already studied everything I could. But it’s not just research, it’s implementation, and frankly, I don’t think you have the ambition or fortitude.” Layne stood. “All of this I will explain to Mr. Lansing. A week from now when I return, if you’re still here, I expect your full compliance. You can start by showing me that you’re willing to rise to the challenge by addressing me properly. My name is Ms. Stone,” she pointed to Alana, “that is Ms. Mayeaux, and you already know Mr. Calloway. Have a good day, gentlemen.”

No one said a word as the three of them left the building and approached David’s rental car to which David handed Alana the keys. The gesture meant he was upset, and Layne was about to get an earful as soon as they left the parking lot. David proved that to be true the minute Alana pulled onto the highway.

“What the hell was that, Layne? Lansing specifically told me that he wanted to rehab Albert Curly, who happens to be his nephew, for fuck’s sake!” David threw up his hands. “Well, we’re done here!”

“Let me talk to Lansing,” Layne said calmly from the backseat.

David turned sideways so he could glare at her. “And what are you going to tell him? We can’t do the job he hired us to do?”

“We can do the job. Larry, Moe, and Curly back there cannot. I did my job, David. I went over the sales reports and researched Lansing from its inception. Gabe Lansing is a businessman. He’s been running this company successfully for almost twenty years. Do you honestly think he’s going to let it fall in the crapper because he wants to throw his nephew a bone?”

“You better hope you’re right because I’m not going to throw mine away because you have a bad case of PMS.”

Alana braked hard, hanging David in his seatbelt. “My bad,” she said coolly, “I thought that guy was going to swerve into our lane.” She winked at Layne in the rearview.

Layne’s tone was calm and collected. “You asked for the tiger, David. You got it.”

*******

Gabe Lansing was more than willing to meet with them that afternoon in his home. Layne virtually turned his kitchen into a boardroom where she spread out charts and graphs on his kitchen table. The facts spoke for themselves, and by the end of the day, she’d convinced Gabe to hang on to Calloway and jettison the dead weight that was killing the company he created. Gabe Lansing came out of semi-retirement that evening.

Chapter 30

Stacy’s motorcycle was parked again in front of Layne’s house when Molly took her afternoon bike ride. She frowned when she noticed that the row of Japanese fringe lining the back of the flowerbeds had been trimmed so that the lower limbs no longer touched the mulch. Molly had wanted to do that since she and Layne had put in the new flowers, but with the heat, she lacked the strength. She chewed her bottom lip as she climbed off the bike. She’d looked forward to working in Layne’s yard to show her appreciation for all that Layne had done for her, and now Stacy was taking over. This was a whole new reason to resent the player.

Molly heard voices and walked around the side of the house. There was no one in Layne’s backyard, but she very clearly heard Stacy talking to someone. The sound of a power saw drew her to the hedge, and she peeked through the foliage to find Stacy and an older couple working on something. Stacy happened to look her way and looked startled for a second before she said, “Hi, Molly. Come over and meet Layne’s neighbors.”

Caught and unable to escape without appearing rude, Molly sighed and walked around the hedge to the gate. “Looks like heavy construction back here,” she said as she joined the three.

Stacy smiled and gestured to the older couple. “Molly, this is Bob and Deb. Molly is one of Layne’s best friends.”

“Pleasure to meet you both,” Molly said with a smile. “What’re y’all building?”

“I’ve wanted a dry place to park my trailer for a long time, but I haven’t been able to build it and can’t afford to pay a whole lot to have someone do it for me.” Bob grinned at Stacy. “Luckily, I found someone willing to do the labor in trade.”

Molly raised an inquisitive brow as she regarded Stacy.

“Bob and Deb have bought a sprinkler system that they never installed and don’t intend to use.”

“That was an impulse buy,” Deb looked at her husband, “way too complicated for me with all those settings. But for someone who travels a lot like Layne, it would be perfect. She won’t have to worry about having someone come by every day and water her plants.”

Layne never did have to worry about her plants, she has me, Molly thought but smiled anyway. She watched as Bob’s right hand began to jerk when he reached for a glass of water. Deb reached over and pressed it against his hip before putting the glass into his left hand.

“I have Parkinson’s,” he explained, meeting Molly’s gaze. “The more I try to use it, the wilder it gets.”

“You’ve used it a lot today, that’s for sure.” Stacy put her hands on her hips and looked at what they’d accomplished. “The frame is done. All we’ll have to do tomorrow evening is put on the tin roof, and you’ll have yourself a shed. I get off work at six. I should be here around six thirty or so.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” Bob looked exhausted; his shirt was soaked through with sweat, but he had a happy expression on his face. “Stacy, don’t pick up that stuff, Deb and I will get it.”

Stacy ignored him as she rolled up an extension cord and grabbed a saw on her way to the shed. “I’m paying it forward, Bob. I’m going to need your help installing that sprinkler system.”

“That’s a given, honey. Anytime you need help, you’ve got the Bob,” he said with a broad grin.

‘“The Bob’ can be a blessing and a curse,” Deb said with a laugh. “Don’t let him near the pipe cement or a silicone gun. If one bead is required, Bob puts ten.”

Bob shrugged. “I don’t want things to come apart.”

Deb looked at Molly and pointed up to a birdhouse. “You see birds up there?”

Molly looked at it and shook her head.

“A branch hit it and broke it to pieces. ‘The Bob’ decided to fix it instead of getting a new one. He used the fix-all silicone. It’s back together, but there’s so much silicone inside that the birds can’t get through the holes.”

“Ah,” Bob said with a wave of his hand. “She feeds them too much, they’re too fat to fit inside.”

“Molly, if you want to come by tomorrow night, we’ll be having chicken pot pie and salad. You’re more than welcome to join us,” Deb said with a smile.

“Thank you kindly for the offer, but I have to fix dinner, too. It was a pleasure meeting you and ‘The Bob.’”

“Nice meeting you, too, hon,” Bob said with a smile as Deb took him by the arm. “You drop in anytime.”

Stacy joined Molly as they walked back to Layne’s house. “Do you even know if Layne wants a sprinkler system?” Molly asked.

Stacy shook her head. “I have no idea. If she wants it, great. If not, I’ll just tell Bob we can’t use it.”

“Then why do all this work?”

“It makes Bob happy, makes him feel useful, and it’s good exercise for me.” Stacy wiped her face with the towel draped around her neck, then threw it over the seat of her motorcycle. “I enjoy their company, too.”

“The philodendron looks good,” Molly said. She chewed her bottom lip, wanting to hold on to her dislike of Stacy as she felt it begin to slip. “Are you the real deal?”

Stacy looked caught off guard. “Pardon?”

Molly folded her arms. “I thought you were perfect for Ronnie, but that turned out not to be the case. You seem perfect for Layne, too. You seem like an amazing find, but things aren’t always as they seem.” Molly stared Stacy in the eye. “So I have to ask…are you genuine? Are you the real deal?”

Without hesitation, Stacy replied resolutely, “I am. I’m not a saint, I have my flaws, but I have just as many good points. Layne’s taken my heart. She began the night we met, I just didn’t realize it. I would’ve never dated Ronnie if I knew there was even a hint of a chance that I’d find Layne again.”

Molly wanted to let go of her reservations about Stacy, but some part of her could not. “One could say you’re looking for a meal ticket. Layne makes a lot of money. She’s vulnerable right now since the split with Olivia, perfect for the picking.”

Stacy’s nostrils flared as she regarded Molly. She pursed her lips before inhaling deeply and breathing out slowly. “I pay my own bills, have for some time now. If I wanted the cars, the clothes, the high-profile job, it would be as simple as going to my father and capitulating to his demands. Once I made enough money to get myself established, I could do anything I wanted. But that’s the point, Molly. I do what I want right now. I respect Layne and how hard she works, but that’s where we’re different. I have no desire to climb the ladder of what people think is success. What I enjoy doing is supporting the people who do. When Layne comes home after a day of strife, I can be here to help her relax and prepare for the next.” Stacy pointed to the house next door. “All Bob wants to do is fix things around the house, but he can’t because of his illness. I can help with that, and it makes him happy. I like to uplift and encourage, and my schedule as a bartender allows me to do that. Would you be more accepting of me if I was the top-selling real estate or insurance agent in New Orleans? An attorney? Would any of those things make me more respectable in your eyes?”

Molly was pummeled with so many mixed emotions she could barely think to formulate a response. She too was in Stacy’s position, but not because she wanted to be. Cancer had taken her out of the workplace, and though she enjoyed taking care of Jenny, she felt somewhat insignificant. She also related to Bob’s situation. With a little help, she would’ve enjoyed pulling a few weeds out of her garden when she was undergoing treatment, but every hand that reached out to help was taxed with caring for her numerous needs. Stacy recognized that in Bob and was willing to help someone she barely knew. The gravity of that was humbling.

“No good deed goes unpunished, as the saying goes,” Stacy said. “When people are nice or bend over to help you, there’s always a motivation, a reason why, and it’s usually to get something.” Stacy put a hand to her chest. “I want something. I want Layne. She makes me happy, and I want to build a life with her. So, yes, Molly, I am up to something. I want to win Layne’s heart and show her that I can and will take care of her.” Stacy’s hands dropped to her sides. “Now you know my secret.”

“If it’s too good to be true, it usually is,” Molly said with a slight smile, “as the saying goes.”

“Here’s another one for you—the proof is in the pudding.” Stacy put her hands on her hips and looked at Molly in challenge.

“If it quacks like a duck…shit.” Molly waved a hand as her shoulders sagged. “I love Layne. I’m overprotective, and I know it.”

“I think that’s wonderful.” Stacy sighed. “I think in time you’ll come to believe that I am the real deal.”

Chapter 31

The immediate issue with Lansing was resolved, but the one brewing between David and Layne was not. The PMS comment did not sit well with Layne, and her change in strategies did not sit well with David. At his behest, they had a working dinner in his suite after a day at the Lansing office. Alana wished that she’d been excluded from this particular meeting and made herself a drink when David pushed the Lansing files aside and focused his sights on Layne.

“Calloway procedure, which you well know, is we do not go on the offensive. The very core of what we do is showing people that they can overcome disputes with compromise and level-headed discussion.”

“And frank discourse. So I must ask you, David, do you want to lecture me or do you want to hear what I have to say? I’ll just listen if you want, but I would like the right to speak candidly.”

Oh, shit, Alana thought as she added more gin to her drink.

“I will hear everything you have to say as long as you remember that when all is said, what I want will be,” David said.

Layne nodded. “Agreed. You have the floor first.”

“Okay, what the hell is wrong with you?”

“I’m not in the mood for bullshit, and it has nothing to do with PMS. That comment was sexist, and you know it. I may be more sensitive to issues when I’m hormonal, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less significant.”

“I do apologize,” David said, looking at Alana, “to you both.” He turned back to Layne. “I wanted my tiger, but what came back from vacation was a Tasmanian devil. One week, you’re falling asleep during dinner, and the next, you’re lopping off heads. You and I used to be on the same field, used the same playbook, but you’re in another galaxy altogether. You really averted disaster this time, but I don’t know what to expect from you when we’re faced with the next dumbass. A few months before your vacation, you’d totally lost your spark. I worried that you’d burned out, then I found out about your breakup, and as I told you, I thought the reason for your malaise was both. That I could understand, but what is this?” he asked, waving a hand at Layne.

She didn’t know, either. Layne felt she was being tested in her personal life, and now, her professional status was in question. The tiger she felt was being poked with a stick opened one agitated eye as the fur started to bristle and the tail began to twitch. “What exactly is it that you want? Is it the domesticated feline or the untamed animal that you call out, then force back into the cage when it reveals its very nature?”

To Alana, Layne looked like a jungle cat on the verge of pouncing. She worried for David who sat nearby. She worried that Layne would cross the line and choke him with his tie and that she had nothing but a flimsy bar between her and the melee. So she poured herself another drink.

Then David uttered the one line that seemed to cause it all to break loose. “I want the old Layne back.”

“Me too,” Layne exploded as she pounded her chest. “I don’t know where the hell she went! I thought I was doing okay, then you demanded I take a vacation. And then I saw her. Now I’m supposed to sit back and take it easy, let things unfold,” Layne said with a maniacal facial expression. “Then you want the tiger, then you don’t. I can’t focus, but I can’t hide away in my work, either. I blame you for this, David, all of it.” Layne grabbed the bottom of her chair and ground out, “I blame you.”

David’s face looked as though someone had forced his head out the window of a jet fighter going Mach five. “I…don’t think I understand.” He looked to Alana for help.

Alana raised her glass. “She’s falling in love and falling apart.”

“Oh,” David said as though it all made sense, then shook his head. “I still don’t understand.”

“And that’s why you’re not married.” Alana raised her glass again.

Layne got up and started pacing. “No, no, none of this makes sense. I really could be losing it here.”

Cheap gin was coursing its way through Alana’s bloodstream, and still it was all logical to her. “Okay, here’s the summation,” she said as she stepped from behind her refuge. “Layne met someone while on the vacation you demanded she take. I suspect she’s really falling in love for the very first time. That’s her personal life and shouldn’t factor into her profession, but it does, especially when you change her schedule at the drop of a hat.” Alana waved a hand. “This whole tiger analogy is silly to me, but I’ll bite. David, you want her claws bared, but you can’t control what she scratches. For years, you’ve controlled her personal life, and she’s given you all her time. But you can’t continue to control everything.” Alana took a healthy swig of her drink and staved off a burp. “If you want Layne back, then you’re gonna have to make some concessions, especially while she’s in this phase of denial,” Alana belted out, glaring at Layne.

The room went silent. Alana stood unsteadily, watching David and Layne as they stared out into space in deep contemplation.

“You’re right,” David said finally. “I want the woman who used to spend all her weekends working with me. I do acknowledge that I haven’t allowed her much of a personal life, which could be the reason she and Olivia broke up.” He jumped to his feet. “I can work with this. We can make changes right here and now that will make things easier on all of us.”

Layne put a hand to her brow. “More changes, God help me.”

“No, wait.” David moved to Layne’s side and smiled. “Alana, you’ve shown a lot of dedication, and you and Layne work well together.”

“Oh, hold up now.” Alana looked concerned. “Let’s not be rash. We’re all drinking…well, I am.”

David waved her off. “I think we have several strong people on our team. One of them can fill your shoes, Alana. The company is growing after all, and you’re totally right,” David said excitedly as his plan came together in his mind. “Layne can’t physically head every team anymore, so you’ll rotate. This will give you both time at home.”

“She does deserve a raise. She’s been working her ass off for years,” Layne said. “You are talking about a promotion in job and salary, right?”

“Yes,” David said begrudgingly, then forced a smile. “Alana, we’ll talk figures when we get back to New Orleans.”

Alana looked sadly at her empty glass. “As I said, this is rash and a decision made purely on emotion. Maybe we should all sober up and think about this before any commitments are made.” A raise sounded good, but added responsibilities would cut into her playtime on the nights she was out of town. She paled at the thought of spending her evenings alone going over data as Layne did.

David draped an arm around Layne’s shoulders and pulled Alana close. “This is going to work for all of us,” he said excitedly.

Alana raised her glass and shook the cubes. “Yippee ki aye,” she said listlessly.

Chapter 32

It was around nine when Layne finally found some alone time in her hotel room. She, David, and Alana spent a couple of hours hammering out details and dividing responsibilities. Alana seemed to come around and embrace the change as a positive thing, but Layne figured she was still drunk.

Are you awake? Layne sent the text and waited, hoping that Stacy would be.

I am.

Layne grinned. Are you alone?

Unfortunately.

Layne pressed send on her phone, and seconds later, she heard Stacy’s voice. The charge upon hearing it lent credence to what Alana had claimed earlier. “What are you doing?”

“Painting.”

One of Layne’s brows shot up as she recalled another thing Alana had said: Stacy paints away her pain.

“I’m lonely,” Stacy said playfully.

“I hope to remedy that tomorrow. I’m leaving on the first flight in the morning.”

“Aw, shucks, I’m not finished going through all your mail and trying on your clothes.”

Layne laughed. “I’d like to see you in my jeans.”

“I’d like to be in your jeans.”

“Ditto, honey,” Layne said with a sigh. “What’s your schedule this week? I get in around noon tomorrow.”

“I have to work till six, but I could be on your doorstep at two seconds after.”

“No, I don’t want you flying on that bike. Five after is fine.”

Stacy laughed, then cleared her throat. “I have something to tell you.”

“Did you really riffle through my things because your cousin has a peeking problem? She spies on my texts, and now I’m wondering if that’s hereditary.”

“No, it’s not. I know all about her propensity to snoop. I’ve found evidence she’s been in my room. She tends to leave a cookie crumb trail. I…got an offer to take the night shifts on weekends. I’m really excited, because that means a lot more money. I’ll have my own place soon despite Alana’s attempts to keep me here,” Stacy said with a chuckle.

Layne bit her lip. With her schedule even scaled back, her time with Stacy was limited. All they would have together was a few weeknights. She wasn’t willing to lose another minute. “This is in addition to the shifts you already work?”

“Yes,” Stacy replied a little less enthusiastically.

Layne changed the subject quickly, afraid she was coming off as a wet blanket, but she could not muster excitement over Stacy’s news. “Your cousin got a promotion today too. I feel no guilt in ruining her surprise since she’s nosey.”

“Is that so? I’m almost afraid to ask…promoted to what?”

“My position has been split between us,” Layne said with a smile. “It’ll mean less travel for us both.”

“I’m really excited to hear that on one hand because I’ll get to see you more often, not so much about Alana, though. That means she’ll be here when you’re gone. She sings badly and does it a lot. I’m going to have to invest in earplugs.”

“I’m so glad to hear you say that. David thinks she sounds fine, but I’m fairly certain he’s tone deaf. There are times when we’re all in a car together that I’d chew through the floorboard to get away from that…painful yowling.”

“You’re being too kind, I’m sure. Would you like me to pick up dinner tomorrow night so you don’t have to worry about cooking while you get settled in?”

“No, I’ve got that covered. What’s your favorite Chinese dish?”

“Pineapple or cashew chicken.”

“It’ll be there waiting on you along with me.”

“I look forward to that,” Stacy said, and Layne could tell she was smiling.

“See you soon.”

“Okay.”

“Bye.”

Layne ended the call longing for home—for Stacy. She would be traveling less, but she’d also be in the office five days a week. When would they find time to be together, a few hours in the evening, maybe a few more on weekend days? All together that would equal little more than one day a week. Layne’s logic kicked in. If she moves in with me then she doesn’t have to take the extra shifts. Is this crazy? “Yes it is,” Layne answered aloud.

*******

“Let’s meet first thing in the morning,” David said as they walked through the New Orleans airport toward baggage claim. “I want to make the announcement and start taking internal applications for Alana’s position. Of course, I’ll take your recommendations, but I have to tell you I’m already leaning toward Ryan Farrar for the slot.”

“Farrar has no finesse,” Alana argued.

The conversation faded into the background as Layne followed the bickering pair, wondering if the Chinese restaurant near her home had good pineapple chicken or not. The cashew was okay, but the chicken never really tasted fresh. Now the one on Canal Street, they had good chicken— Layne shook herself as she stepped onto the escalator that descended to baggage claim, shocked at how her mind was working. Her only concern was making sure Stacy had quality meat in her food? When she was certain that questions loomed about whether or not to ask Stacy to move in with her. The chicken at the place on Canal Street is definitely better.

*******

“Tell me that you’re pregnant. Tell me that you finally murdered one of your colleagues and you need help hiding the body. Tell me something that is going to validate me leaving my office in the middle of the day to rush over here,” Jenny said as she walked in the front door.

Layne wrung her hands nervously. “I’m thinking about asking Stacy to move in with me.”

Jenny pursed her lips. “Okay, yeah, that’s big, too. Kitchen table or couch?”

“Table. Soda or tea?”

“Long Island is preferable, but I’ll take the kind you’re talking about.” Jenny followed Layne into the kitchen. “I guess my first question is why?”

“I work five days a week, sometimes from seven to five. I travel a lot, too, and Stacy’s about to take night shifts on the weekends to earn more money for her own apartment. If she lives with me, she won’t have to worry about trying to pick up more shifts, and we can see each other more often,” Layne explained as she filled two glasses with ice.

Jenny scratched her head. “Are you telling me you’re basing this decision entirely on not being able to see each other as much as you want?”

“That’s the practicality of what I’m considering.” Layne set the glasses on the table and sat down. “There’s…other things, too.”

Jenny pointed to the glasses. “Isn’t there supposed to be tea in these?”

“Oh, yeah.” Layne laughed nervously as she jumped up, grabbed the pitcher and poured the tea.

“Tell me what the other things are before your mind totally slips away and you start drooling.”

As Layne thought about voicing what she was considering, it suddenly sounded silly. “When you tell the story about how you and Molly met, you always said ‘you knew’ the minute you met her.”

“Yes, I did,” Jenny said resolutely. “I had just turned seventeen, and I was really horny. I was also living with my folks, and I could make all the audacious claims I wanted to.”

“What was it you knew exactly?”

Jenny smiled and shook her head. “I can’t explain that. She was just so damn cute with those pom-poms and a mouth full of braces. We had a good start, but it took us a long time to be what we are now, and we didn’t move in together until she graduated college.”

“But if you’d met her ten years later, do you think you’d have felt the same?”

Jenny inhaled deeply and nodded. “Do you really feel this way about Stacy?”

“We’ve been playing house. She’s here whenever I am, and when I’m not, she takes care of everything. Look at my yard. While I was gone, she took all the leftovers out of the fridge and cleaned the containers. My bed is made with fresh linens. My trash can was brought out to the street on garbage day.”

“Stop,” Jenny held up a hand, “I’m falling in love with her, too.”

Layne didn’t crack a smile at the joke. “So am I.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I know we haven’t been together for a long time, and it seems premature to confess that. Consider this, though. I dated Olivia six months before we moved in together. Where is she now? At the end of the day, I wasn’t happy with her. I’m happy with Stacy.”

“This is going to sound…” Jenny shook her head, “just wrong, but have you considered that if you do this, you will be in a sense supporting Stacy? Are you going to like knowing that you shoulder the financial burden? Will she?”

“She supports me in other ways. It doesn’t have to be all about the money.”

Jenny’s brows shot skyward. “Not about the money? That came out of your mouth?”

“Don’t make fun of me,” Layne said seriously. “I’ve learned my lesson about that. I do make enough money to support us both. Hetero couples do it all the time, and no one really thinks twice about it. Why is this such a big deal for me?”

“I’m sorry, it’s not. I really can’t refute anything you’ve told me, but will Stacy?”

“That’s what has me worried. I don’t want her to feel like I’m trying to rope and tie her. And she doesn’t strike me as the type that wants to be kept, but again, it’s not like that.”

“This is going to be a big moment in your relationship. Whatever the outcome, you have my support. Molly’s not so much, so prepare yourself for that, too. I wouldn’t put it past her to go by Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo in search of something to break the spell she thinks you’re under. If you find powder around your door, don’t touch it.”

Chapter 33

The feel of Layne’s body in her arms filled Stacy with excitement, joy, and contentment all at the same time. She’d missed Layne, but while holding her and kissing her, Stacy remembered why. Layne simply fit her perfectly—physically, emotionally, mentally. “I don’t want to let you go,” she said as she held Layne tight and breathed in the familiar sweet scent of her hair.

“Good,” Layne murmured against her neck.

When they finally did pull apart, they ate dinner and discussed all that had happened on the trip, and Stacy told Layne about the conversation she had with Molly…well, most of it. She left out the part about her losing her heart, afraid that she’d overwhelm Layne.

“She didn’t hit you with a garden rake,” Layne said with a laugh as they took their usual spots on the deck. “That’s a good sign.”

“She’s awfully tiny. I’d feel bad about defending myself against her, so she’d probably put a good ass whipping on me.”

“Molly’s going to be fine,” Layne said with a smile but hoped that was true, especially if Stacy accepted her proposal to move in. “So tell me about the new shift.”

“I’ll be working six to two Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday will be my only day off. Brad, my manager, said he could be flexible during the week if I needed more time off.” Stacy sighed. “If you’d like to go out sometime on the weekends I have a few people I can swap shifts with. I know this kind of impinges on our time together, but I can’t refuse the extra income right now.”

“I’ve gotten incredibly spoiled having you around.” Layne was a bit jumpy. When she stilled her foot from tapping on the deck, her hand went crazy.

“Bob took your trash can to the street on garbage day. I can’t take credit for that.” Stacy grinned. “He also went on patrol. His wife, Deb, told me he’d walk around your house a few times each night. She thinks he enjoyed having something to do, so don’t freak out if you see him in the backyard every so often.”

“I appreciate that. I would’ve never had that extra protection if it had not been for you.” Layne looked at her neighbors’ house just able to see the roof peeking over the hedge. “I travel a lot, maybe less now that Alana’s going to be taking some of the trips, but it’s good to have someone here.” She inhaled sharply and pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’s more than that it’s…I want to ask you something.”

Layne was holding on to the chair white-knuckled. Stacy felt tension creep up the back of her neck as she noted Layne’s body language. “What is it?”

“Would you…I…would like…?” Layne bit her lip for a second and asked. “Do you still have my key?”

“Of course. Do you want it back?” Stacy stuffed her hand into her pocket.

“No.” Layne reached out a hand, stilling her. “I’d like you to use it every morning to lock the door behind you when you leave and at night when you get home if I’m not here.” Layne jerked a thumb toward the sunroom. “Don’t you think that would be the perfect place to set up your paint things?”

“Are you asking me to move in with you?” Stacy asked as her heart began to pound.

“Poorly, but yes.”

“I’m not ready,” Stacy said with regret. “It’s not that I don’t want to,” she amended quickly. “I just need more time to get my finances in order.”

“To do what?”

“To contribute my fair share.” Stacy stood suddenly. “My career isn’t stellar, and I can’t afford a Lexus to sit next to yours in the driveway, but I have to pay at least half of the household bills.”

“Stacy, do you realize exactly what you do around here?”

“I do those things because I lov—” Stacy’s chest tightened as she glanced at Layne, hoping she hadn’t noticed the slip. The smile on her face said she did.

“I’m falling for you, too. Isn’t that enough?” Layne stood and faced her. “You told me that we should take things as they come, let it all unfold. Well, it is.” Layne widened her eyes. “Albeit fast, but I do know I want to be with you. If you want to work extra hours, then fine, just as long as you’re coming home to me. No pressure, but say yes before I pass out from anxiety over here.”

“I have to think about this,” Stacy said, shocked by the change in Layne.

“That’s okay.” Layne folded her arms. “I won’t badger you. I’m just going to say all the reasons why you should but tonight only. I’ve already mentioned the sunroom.” She pointed to the house next door. “You already have friends here. I’m a pretty good cook. I have a lot of Scooby-Doo boxer shorts like the ones I’m wearing, and if I must say so, I look mighty fetching in them. Do I need to go over what happens when we’re in the bedroom, or living room for that matter?”

“No,” Stacy said with a smile, “it’s on my mind constantly.”

“You know,” Layne put her hands on her hips, “this idea is sounding better to me with every point I make.”

“It does,” Stacy conceded. “And you’re serious about this?”

“You know me well enough by now that I wouldn’t say it out loud if I wasn’t.”

“Yeah, I do.” Stacy clamped her lips together tightly.

“Let’s try this,” Layne said seriously. “If it doesn’t work out, then…it just doesn’t, but I believe it will.” Layne held up both hands. “Can’t tell you why, I just do.”

Stacy ran a hand through her hair. “I’m just a little stunned.”

“I know,” Layne said as she took a step closer. “I’m a facts and figures kind of girl, but my heart says this is right, and I’m going with it.”

“You’ll give me a day or so to think about it?”

Layne reached out and took Stacy’s hand. “Of course, but if you can come up with an answer within the hour, I’ll throw in a cat.”

Chapter 34

“Stacy!”

Stacy jumped, smearing a stroke on the painting she was working on.

“It’s on me!”

Stacy’s shoulders sagged as she sighed and rolled her eyes. “Knock him off.”

“You come get it.”

Stacy dropped her brush into the cleaning solution and walked down the hall to the office. Layne was sitting at her desk, the orange kitten was tangled in the wire of Layne’s iPod earpieces, and he was chewing like there was no tomorrow.

“His name is Chickory,” Stacy said with a grin as she walked over to the desk and picked up the kitten.

Layne frowned up at her. “It’s an it when it’s being bad.”

“You’re not bad, are you?” Stacy asked the kitten as she held him near her face. He swiped her nose. “You’re right, he’s the devil.”

Layne pointed her pen at Stacy. “We should’ve known that when Ronnie gave him to us as a housewarming, move-in-together-kind-of-thing gift that we’re being paid back for falling in love.”

“I do love you.” Stacy waved the kitten’s paw at Layne and said in a small raspy voice, “and I love you, too, Layne.”

Layne melted and smiled. “I love you, too. But not you right now,” she said, glaring at the kitten. “I’ll love you again later when you curl up in my lap.”

“There will be no curling of anyone. We have dinner to prepare.” Stacy nuzzled the kitten. “And we have company coming over. How much longer are you going to need in here?”

“I was trying to send your cousin my research on the project she’s working. Give me a few more minutes and take that tiny terror with you.”

Stacy leaned over the desk and gave Layne a kiss before she left with the kitten hanging around her neck. “Can you behave for a few minutes at least? I have things to do and so does your other mom.” She fished Chickory’s favorite mouse toy from beneath the refrigerator and turned him loose with it. He attacked, and Stacy went back to her painting.

Layne hit the send button and stretched the kinks out of her back with a sigh. There were no weekend chores for her to rush off and attend. The dry cleaning had been picked up and was hanging in her closet. The pantry was filled with groceries that she didn’t have to find time to shop for. The check engine light had come on in her car a few days earlier, and Stacy had picked the car up from the office and had it serviced. Layne had never felt so spoiled or content in her entire life. Stacy often made jokes about being a kept woman, even though she took those extra shifts at the Sapphire and worked constantly. If anyone was kept, Layne knew it to be her.

Layne pushed away from her desk and left her office. “I find your attire very distracting. Aren’t you cold?” she asked as she walked into the sunroom and wrapped her arms around Stacy’s bare waist.

“I’ve ruined too many shirts, and I’m so not wearing a smock. It’s not a good look for me. Besides, this sports bra is my lucky charm. I do my best work in it.”

Layne ran her hands down Stacy’s smooth back and admired her rear end in the faded jeans. Outside, the day was gray and overcast. The azaleas and the grass were the only thing still green; everything else was brown and drooping from the frosts they’d had over the past few weeks. The gloom normally depressed her, but having Stacy to curl up with chased the chill and the grayness away.

Layne rested her chin on Stacy’s shoulder. “This is going over the mantel.”

It was late summer. The sun had begun to set on a group of women gathered on the deck outside. Jenny was laughing, Molly talking, her hands up, as she explained something. Ronnie was smiling; on her lap sat Bailey, the keeper, her brown hair reflecting the last of the day’s light. Layne saw herself sitting next to Stacy; they were facing each other, the love in their expressions unmistakable.

“This could be a photograph, it’s so detailed,” Layne said impressed with what she saw.

“Did you notice Bob?” Stacy pointed to a face peering from between the hedges. “It took me forever to get him and Deb to join us that night.”

Layne laughed at the expression Stacy had painted on Bob’s face. “I could paint Chickory. All I’d have to do is make an orange stripe across the canvas. He never sits still. And just so you know, he just took a crap on your sweater.”

“Chickory! Damn!”

The kitten darted off with Stacy running behind him. Layne laughed and looked at the canvases stacked along the wall. The pieces that Alana had described as dark were tucked away in a corner. Layne picked up the painting of herself lying on the bed in Detroit; Stacy had captured everything she felt then. She’d been lost, disillusioned. She set it down and picked up the most recent, and Stacy had portrayed her perfectly—happy, peaceful, and content as she sat wrapped in a blanket watching the sun set on another perfect day.

Layne went to her then, unwilling to be separated by a few walls in the home they shared, drawn like a magnet.

Epilogue

“Welcome to the Sapphire, what may I get for you?”

“A Lebanese tea with extra pine nuts, and I’d like to see your lunch menu.”

Stacy set it on the bar in front of Layne. “Your drink will be just a moment.”

Layne smiled at the woman sitting next to her on the bar stool and pointed at Stacy. “She’s a looker, isn’t she? I might just ask her out.”

“She’s married. Check out the ring finger on her left hand. You’re out of luck, sugar,” the woman deadpanned.

Layne held up her left hand and wiggled her ring finger, showing off her own band. “That don’t mean a thing, and I feel lucky.”

Stacy set the drink on the bar. “Have you decided what you want for lunch?”

“You. What’re you doing when you get off work today?”

“I’m going out of town. I’m celebrating my one-year anniversary.” Stacy walked away with a grin.

The woman sitting next to Layne gave her a smug look. “I guess your luck ran dry.”

“I am the luckiest girl in the world, and before this day is over, that woman will be in my bed. I’ll guarantee you that. You, however, are not so lucky because we’re dropping the cat off at your place, and he’s sharpened his claws, Alana.”

“Yippee ki aye,” Alana said drolly.

About the Author

Robin Alexander is the author of the Goldie Award-winning Gloria’s Secret and eleven other novels for Intaglio Publications—Gloria’s Inn, Gift of Time, The Taking of Eden, Love’s Someday, Pitifully Ugly, Undeniable, A Devil in Disguise Half to Death, Gloria’s Legacy, A Kiss Doesn’t Lie and The Secret of St. Claire.

Robin spends her days working with the staff of Intaglio and her nights with her own writings. She still manages to find time to spend with her partner, Becky, and their three dogs and four cats.

You can reach her at robinalex65@yahoo.com. You can visit her website at www.robinalexanderbooks.com and find her on Facebook.