Gerri Hill - The Rainbow Cedar

"Katherine hates football."

"That's too bad."

"Well, in the past, she would tolerate it and get us tickets to a game now and then. But not in the last several years."

"Some of the builders, they've got season tickets. Maybe I could steal you away one weekend for a game. You think?"

She watched Jay's blue eyes soften, saw the wistful look on her face. Then Jay sighed and brushed at the hair covering her ears, tucking it somewhat nervously behind her ears.

"We'll see."

"You want to come in? Have coffee or something?"

Drew was tired and wanted to go home, but she was curious about the evening, about Katherine, so she agreed. "Decaf?" At the look Jenna gave her, she suspected Jenna assumed—and was hoping—she would decline the offer.

"I think I have decaf, yes."

Once inside, Drew settled at the bar, watching as Jenna poured water into the coffeemaker.

"I enjoyed dinner," Drew said after several moments of silence.

"Did you?"

"Yeah, I did. But I'm wondering what we're doing here."

"What do you mean?"

"You and me. Obviously, there's not anything here," she said, motioning between them. "Yet we've been out four times."

Jenna laughed. "Well, I enjoy spending time with you. What? Do you want to have sex?"

Drew shook her head. "That's not what I meant. But what about you and Katherine?" She was surprised at the quick blush that crossed Jenna's face.

"Oh, God, is it that obvious?" Jenna pulled out another bar stool with her foot and sat down. "And I'm sorry, Drew. I mean, you're very attractive. You're extremely charming." Jenna's smile was nearly apologetic. "But I'm really more attracted to the intellectual type."

Drew's laugh was genuine. She could honestly say no one had ever said those words to her before. "I think I should be offended by that."

"Oh, please don't be. It's nothing against you. It's just, well, Katherine and I had a fling way back when. And when we ran into each other again, the spark was still there. Amazing, but it was."

Drew frowned. "But, wait a minute, Katherine and Jay, they're a couple. Right?"

Jenna waved her hand dismissively. "To hear Katherine tell it, they haven't been a real couple in years. In fact, the last time Katherine tried to have sex, Jay would have none of it." She shrugged. "That would turn me off right there."

Drew knew she shouldn't be hearing this, knew she shouldn't ask any questions, knew she should just get up and leave. But...

"So, you and Katherine are having an affair?" she asked, trying to keep her voice as even as possible.

"Well, I don't know if I'd call it that... yet. I mean, we've talked about it. How could we not?"

"And tonight, I was just what? A buffer?"

"Oh, Drew, I'm sorry. I should have told you. And we never intended to leave you alone so much, it's just, well, you and Jay seemed to hit if off. We didn't think you'd miss us."

Drew chose her words carefully, surprised at her anger. "I don't know if hit it off is the right phrase, but we have some things in common, have mutual acquaintances in common, yes." She tapped the countertop, staring at the coffeepot. "So I take it Katherine has no intention of telling Jay any of this."

Jenna laughed. "Oh, good Lord, no. Like I said, the spark is still there. That doesn't mean we're ready to run off and get married or anything. We're just taking it slow, seeing what happens."

Drew nodded, not at all sure what to say.

"And, well, you know—if you'd be willing—since you two did hit it off, maybe we could continue to see them together. It would make it easier all around."

"Easier for you and Katherine to sneak off alone?"

"I know it sounds terrible, Drew. But really, you saw them. Did they look happy to you?"

"Well, I'm not certain their relationship is any of my business," she said. And despite how appalled she was at Jenna's suggestion, at their plan, a part of her wanted to do just that. What better way to see Jay? Go as a foursome. It would be perfectly innocent. But she shook her head. In good conscience, she just couldn't do it. Because if Jay found out she'd known, Jay would never forgive her.

"But I guess it is premature to assume there will be other dinner dates. Katherine and I have been meeting for lunch, getting to know one another again. I guess that's enough for now."

But Drew continued to war with herself, thinking how alone Jay would be. What if she hadn't been there tonight? What if they'd just invited Jenna? Would Jay have been left alone to tend to dinner, to tend to cleaning up while the two of them hid in Katherine's office? What would Jay have done?

"Well, I guess I wouldn't be totally opposed to joining you in another foursome," Drew finally conceded. She had a feeling she would live to regret that decision.

"It was the most awkward dinner party I have ever attended," Jay said. "And I gave the damn thing!"

"And you had no idea Drew would be there?"

"How would I? No, Jenna was just bringing a date. Talk about a small world."

Audrey stole the last fry from Jay's plate, then plunged it into her small bowl of mayonnaise. "And after they left, Katherine actually went back to the office? Are you kidding me?"

"And I haven't even spoken to her since. Two days." Jay shoved her plate away and reached for her tea. "I haven't seen Drew either."

"Your life's a crazy mess, you know."

"Why, Audrey, thanks so much for stating the obvious," Jay said dryly. "I can't even get alone with Katherine long enough to ask her if we're over, you know? It's like she can't stand to be around me anymore." Jay lifted her head, staring at the far wall, seeing nothing. "Like she... she just can't stand me."

"Oh, sweetie, you know that's not true."

Jay shook her head, shocked at the tears that were threatening. "I don't know what to do," she whispered. "She's all I've got."

"Jay…"

"You know what I mean. Eight years, she's taken the place of my family. I live in her house. My car is on her damn insurance, for God's sake," she said. "I let her control my life. I have nothing on my own."

"You have your business."

"Oh, right. My fledgling business with two clients."

"It's taking off," Audrey reminded her.

Jay leaned her head against her hands. "I know. You're right. It's been a good month." She slammed her fist against the table. "But I gave her eight years, Audrey. I have sacrificed for her career, I have given up a lot for her. And to think our relationship has been reduced to this, well it just fucking sucks." As Audrey's eyebrows shot to the ceiling, Jay reached across and squeezed her hand. "I know you hate that word. Sorry. But it's the fucking truth," she added with a smile.

Audrey nodded, fighting back her own smile. "I forgive you for your foul language. But I think perhaps you're being too hard on yourself. And you're assuming a lot of things here, Jay. She may have no intention of ending your relationship. She may simply be overworked and not thinking clearly."

"She was thinking clearly enough to make it home for dinner to entertain her old friend, wasn't she?"

"You're jealous of this friend," Audrey stated.

"I am not."

* * *

"Of course you are. But are you jealous because of Katherine? Or is it because of Drew?"

"Don't be silly."

"No, you don't be silly. Because frankly, you're going to drive us both crazy with these therapy session lunches."

Jay closed her eyes, fighting back tears. "Katherine is someone I don't know anymore. We're like mere acquaintances on the rare occasions we're together." She opened her eyes. "And Drew, she's like a breath of fresh air. She makes me feel good about myself. So yes, I'm jealous that she's dating Jenna. I'm afraid I'll lose her friendship."

Right? That was all she was afraid of, wasn't it? That Drew would fall in love with Jenna—with anyone—and she would drift out of her life as quickly as she had drifted into it.

Right?

Drew stood in the entry, quietly watching Jay who was sitting cross-legged on the floor, balancing a book in her lap and a handful of swatches in one hand, her glance darting from the book to the wall and back again. Drew's eyes followed her every movement, wondering why she found her actions so adorable. And wondering if she could sneak up on her.

So she tiptoed, much like a child, across the room, unable to wipe the grin off her face as she bent down and quickly covered Jay's eyes with her hands.

"Guess who?"

Jay's scream and subsequent flailing arms sent Drew backward and she landed hard on her ass behind Jay.

"Jesus Christ! I almost peed my pants!"

Drew rubbed the side of her cheek. "Seemed like a good idea at the time."

Jay scooted around until she was facing Drew, both of them still sitting on die carpet. Drew was surprised when Jay reached out and gently touched her cheek, her fingers moving across her skin.

"Did I hurt you?"

Drew shook her head, afraid Jay would move her hand. And she did, her fingers slipping away. But Jay's eyes—God, those eyes—they looked up, holding hers captive.

"You scared me."

"I missed you."

Jay nodded. "Yes."

"Good weekend?"

"No, not really. You?"

Drew shrugged. "Nothing special."