Gerri Hill - The Rainbow Cedar

"And Jenna?"

"And Jenna what?"

Jay looked away. "Did she enjoy dinner the other night?"

"Yeah, she did. She and Katherine have been catching up, she said."

"So I hear." Jay got to her knees, then stood. "Where've you been?"

Drew stood too, walking to the wall to inspect the three colors of paint that were splattered on the wall. "We have a couple of new houses. I've been charting the yard, designing the flower beds." She turned. "I like this one best," she said, pointing to the middle paint splash.

"Okay." Jay moved closer, holding up a couple of swatches of burgundy prints. "So which one goes best?"

Drew laughed and backed away. "No way. I'll stick to yards. Color is your thing." Their eyes held as Drew backed out of the room. "See you tomorrow?"

Jay nodded. "Hope so."

Drew swam lazily across her pool, trying to muster the energy for her normal laps but it was just too damn hot. She ducked her head under the water, enjoying the coolness of the springs, then surfacing again to glide slowly across die water.

She'd been halfway tempted to invite Jay to dinner, even if it was just grabbing a burger at Rhonda's, but she thought better of it. Instead, she'd ask her to lunch tomorrow. It would be safer than dinner. Dinner was too intimate a meal. Lunch, much more informal. Just two friends out for a quick bite. It would be quite innocent.

She nipped onto her back, lazily kicking her feet. If she wasn't careful, this little infatuation she had was going to end up consuming her. And if she had any sense, she'd stay away ... far away. Her attraction to Jay was reaching levels she was unaccustomed to. Her desire to see Jay, be with her, talk to her, was becoming a force she had a hard time controlling. It was like this unseen energy, powerfully pulling at her, drawing her closer and closer, tightening its grip on her with each encounter.

And making her lose her sense of reality. Because the reality was, Jay was living with Katherine. They were together. They were a couple. For eight years, they'd been a couple. And the reality was that no matter what Drew did, they would still be a couple.

Because even if Jenna and Katherine had an affair—were already having an affair—Jay would never know. She would go on, being as unhappy as she was now, but living a lie with Katherine. And Drew wondered if she pushed the issue, if she kept seeing Jay, would Jay eventually give in to her desires? Would they have their own affair? No. Doubtful. She didn't think Jay was the type. No, they would see each other, flirting with their attraction, much like they did now, driving both of them crazy with it until eventually it had to stop. Jay would pull away, they would drift apart, and their brief friendship would eventually fade.

What a waste.

Drew slipped under the water, her arms and legs moving as they glided under the surface, hands brushing the smooth stones on the bottom as she raced across the pool, trying to outrun her feelings. A waste, yes. Because when she was near Jay, when she looked into her eyes, she knew without a doubt that Jay was the one. The one with all the qualities she sought, the one who held her attention, who made her feel good, who made her heart race... the one she longed to touch, to kiss.

She finally surfaced, her lungs ready to burst as she sucked in fresh air. She stood in the water, trying to catch her breath.

She should have told Jenna no, she wouldn't be a part of their so-called foursome. What business was it of hers if Jenna and Katherine had an affair? She wasn't a knight in shining armor. No one expected her to be there should Jay fall, should she need picking up. But how could she, in good conscience, sit idly by, knowing that Jenna and Katherine were sneaking off to be together, leaving an unsuspecting Jay all alone? How could she do that?

"You're gonna get hurt," she murmured. "She's going to break your heart."

Jay punched the remote to the garage as soon as she turned in the driveway, winding through the oak trees toward the back where the garage was. But she slammed on her brakes, frowning.

Katherine's BMW convertible was parked inside.

She glanced at the clock on the dash. Six thirty. What in the world was Katherine doing home at this hour? Was something wrong? Was she ill? Questions swirled through her mind as she pulled into the garage and parked beside Katherine's car. Nothing looked out of order, but she hurried through the side door and into the backyard, stopping up short at the sight of Katherine lounging in the pool.

"You're home."

"No, you're home," Jay said, going closer. "What's up?"

Katherine lazily splashed water on her legs, putting the float in motion as she drifted toward Jay. "I was tired."

"Yeah, about six months ago."

Katherine laughed. "I made partner. And I met my client goals."

"Congratulations."

Katherine stretched her arms behind her, uttering a satisfied moan as her eyes closed. "So, I'm taking a break. And don't worry about dinner. I've ordered. French okay?"

"Sure."

"Why don't you join me?"

"Okay. Let me change."

"And I'll have another drink," she said, pointing to the empty glass at the pool's edge.

Jay nodded, stopping to collect the glass. She was tired too. She'd had a long day, starting, at seven that morning and only breaking for a quick lunch. And she still had work to do. But a dip in the pool sounded refreshing after the heat of the day.

So she shed her clothes, slipping into the sleek, black swim-suit—her favorite. Katherine would say the color wasn't flattering on her, but she didn't care. She refused to wear the bright, flowery one Katherine preferred. She thought it made her look old.

As she made Katherine's drink, she changed her mind on the iced tea she'd already poured. It was hot and she was tired. So she left the gin out, making a Tom Collins for herself too.

"So does this mean you'll be getting back to normal hours?" Jay asked when she joined Katherine in the pool.

"For awhile, yes. Until the end of the year. I think by January, I'll be ready to seriously consider going off on my own. Of course, that'll mean more work as I try to build my own practice. But I've made a lot of contacts." She pulled her long hair behind her, holding the wet ends off of her back. "But I'm ready for a break. And I'm glad you're home. I found us a wonderful place to stay."

Jay frowned, drifting idly in her pool chair. "Stay? Stay where?"

"In Hawaii. Ten days. And I don't want ten days in a hotel room. How does a bungalow on the beach sound?"

"That sounds... sounds lovely. When did you want to do this?"

"Oh, I've already made reservations. Didn't I tell you? The first week in August."

Jay's eyes widened. "August? Kath, you can't expect me to just drop everything without notice. I have deadlines. I'm under contract."

"For what?"

Jay bit her lip. "I have a business, remember?"

"Oh, that. Well, I can't see how ten days can make a difference. Besides, it's still four weeks away. I'm sure you can make arrangements."

And most likely she could. The three houses she'd originally signed on for were all but done. And she knew Kline was about to finish up on another one and she'd most likely get that job as well. But it was just the principle of it all, as if her work was not important. As if she could just put it on the back burner because Katherine decided they needed a vacation.

"I just love the name of the place. Cedars Under the Rainbow. There's some sort of legend that goes with it."

"What are you talking about?"

"The bungalows that I've reserved. They're on Maui."

Jay's eyebrows shot up. "Plural? We need more than one?"

Katherine laughed. "Well, Jenna and her date will need one."

Jay was taken aback, shocked by this news. "Jenna? You're planning to invite Jenna?"

"Didn't I tell you?" Katherine asked, waving her hand dismissively. "It's been so great to see her again, but we just don't have time to catch up. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. Besides, she enjoys a lot of the things that I do. I thought that would let you off the hook."

Jay stared, speechless.

"You can do your snorkeling and water stuff, and Jenna can keep me company while we tour museums and art galleries, and squeeze in some shopping."

"And her date" Jay asked. "I'm to what? Babysit?"

"Well, I assume she'll invite Drew. You two seemed to hit it off the other week at dinner. It won't be like it'll be a complete stranger."

Drew? In Hawaii? Oh, God. "Okay, wait, let me get this straight. You wanted to go to Hawaii because we haven't had much time together lately and you needed a break. Fine. But you're going to invite Jenna and her date so that you'll have someone to do the things you like, and I'll have someone to keep me company while you two are out and about together. Is that the plan?" Are you kidding me?

"I think it's perfect. That way I won't have to beg you to get some culture in your life for once and go with me, and you won't expect me to go spear fishing or something equally disgusting."

Spear fishing? Since when have I ever wanted to go spear fishing? Snorkeling, yes. "I guess I'm just a little surprised you'd plan all this without consulting me. I mean, our first vacation in years, you'd think we could both have some input."