The Best of Friends

by Susan Mallery

  Katie crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re not all that.”

  “You said I was mentionable. You can’t have it both ways.”

  Katie grinned. “I like him.” She glanced back at David. “You’re not gay, are you?”

  “No. Sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. It’s not a bad thing. Usually the good-looking ones are gay.” Katie picked up Jayne’s injured wrist and clucked her tongue. “You’re not coming to work with that.”

  “I know.”

  “I’d say four weeks off, at least. Then light duty. Lucky you.”

  Staying home by herself for a month wasn’t Jayne’s idea of a good time. No doubt Elizabeth would find plenty to keep her busy. Again, not good news. At least with Rebecca in town, she could do the lunch thing.

  “I would rather take it all back and be whole,” she said with a sigh.

  “And you will be.” Katie leaned over and hugged her gently. “I have to report back that you’re doing okay, and I’m only on break, so I need to run.” She glanced at David. “I can trust you, right?”

  “No, but don’t tell anyone.”

  Katie grinned.

  “See,” David said as Katie left. “She likes me.” He leaned back in his chair. “Where do you work?”

  “Across the parking lot at the breast center. I’m a radiology nurse. We do…” She narrowed her gaze as she saw he was no longer listening. “Stop it.”

  “What?”

  “I said breast center, and you went somewhere else.”

  “I did not.”

  “Don’t be gross.”

  “Define gross.”

  “You’re picturing a bunch of topless women running around.”

  The corners of his mouth twitched. “Maybe.”

  “We do medical procedures. This is serious stuff.”

  “Do they need any part-time help?”

  She eased her cast onto her belly, then closed her eyes. “You’re such a guy.”

  “You sound surprised.”

  “I am. You’re usually more proper. No, that’s not the right word. Formal.” She opened her eyes. “Serious.”

  He raised his arms and linked his fingers behind his head. “Damn. Did Rebecca tell you about that stick up my ass? Because I got it taken out a while ago. There’s barely a scar.”

  She laughed, then groaned when her wrist throbbed.

  He dropped his arms and half came out of his seat. “I’m sorry. I’ll stop talking.”

  “Probably a good idea.”

  “Because I can’t help being funny. It’s just the kind of guy I am.”

  She waved her free hand and focused on the pain for a second. That took care of any lingering need to chuckle.

  Rebecca burst into the room. “Are you all right? Is that a cast? Dear God, what happened?” She rushed toward the bed and hugged Jayne, then jumped back. “Can I do that? Did I hurt you?” She flicked her fingers at David. “I need to sit there. I’m the friend.”

  “As my queen commands,” he said, standing up and grinning at Jayne. “She’s always been bossy.”

  “I know.”

  Rebecca perched on the edge of the chair, leaned forward, and took Jayne’s uninjured hand in hers. “Talk to me. Are you all right?”

  “I will be.”

  She turned to her brother. “This is all your fault.”

  “Me? What did I do?” He glanced at Jayne. “You gotta protect me, here, Jayne. Tell her I’m innocent. And suffering. There wasn’t even a parade to welcome me. You’re not the only one dealing with something bad.”

  “He can be punished later,” Rebecca said. “I can’t believe this.”

  “Me, either,” Jayne said, hoping she could leave soon. She was ready to be out of the emergency room, not to mention away from both the Worden siblings. Together they were a little too intense for her.

  “You can’t be sick,” Rebecca said earnestly. “I need you.”

  “I’m not sick. I’m broken. There’s a difference.”

  Rebecca winced. “That sounds worse. What happens now?”

  “They release me, and I get to go home.”

  “I’ll take you.” Rebecca squeezed her fingers. “We’ll go to my place. I’ll take care of you.”

  David snorted. “I’d pay money to see that.”

  “Ignore him,” Rebecca said. “We’ll go by your place and pick up a few things, then I’ll take you to my condo. It’s great. You’ll love the view. We can watch people on the beach and mock them.”

  “Good times,” Jayne said weakly, knowing Rebecca taking care of her would be anything but restful. “I’ll actually be fine on my own. I’d prefer it. I just want to sleep. A good night’s sleep will make everything better.”

  Behind Rebecca, David raised his eyebrows, as if remembering the cheerful doctor’s claim that there was no sleep to be had. She stared at him, willing him to keep quiet.

  “As for driving me, you don’t have to,” she continued, earnestly. “You’re busy settling in. I don’t want to get in the way of that. I’ll take a cab home.”

  Rebecca sighed. “You’re always thinking about other people. Stop it. This is why you get stuck doing so much crap for my mother. You’ve hurt yourself. You need to be fussed over. I know how to do that.”

  “Technically, you know how to have it done to you,” David murmured.

  “Do you hear a buzzing sound?” Rebecca asked. “It’s annoying. I wonder if there’s a way to make it stop.”

  “I’ll be fine on my own,” Jayne began again, but Rebecca shook her head. Blond curls tumbled artfully… like in a conditioner commercial.

  “No way.”

  David put his hands on the back of the chair. “Jayne has a point,” he began. “You’re not even unpacked, sis. Do you have any food in the house?”

  Rebecca frowned. “No, but—”

  “Why don’t we do this? I’ll take Jayne to her place and get her stuff. We’ll get her prescription filled, as well. Then I’ll drop her at your house. By then you’ll be ready to fuss over her. You can look up instructions on the Internet.”

  While Jayne appreciated the interference, she wasn’t sure David would be much better than his sister in the caretaking department. Of course, just looking at him made her feel better, so there was that.

  Rebecca nodded slowly. “You’re right. There’s no food, which we’ll need. And maybe some movies. Okay.” She released Jayne’s hand and stood. “I’ll go get things ready and see you two in a couple of hours.”

  “I’ll be the one with the broken wrist,” Jayne said.

  Rebecca turned to her brother. “I’m trusting you with her. Don’t screw up.”

  He raised both hands, palm up. “Hey,” he said with a shrug. “It’s me.”

  Just over an hour later, Jayne guided David to one of the guest parking spots at her condo complex. They’d stopped at a local drugstore to drop off her prescription.

  She turned to him and forced a smile through the throbbing of her wrist. “You could wait here. I’ll go faster if I don’t have you…” Underfoot came to mind, but that didn’t sound very nice.

  “My plan is to help, not get in the way.”

  His BMW M3 might be sleek and expensive, but there wasn’t much room between the two seats, and when he angled toward her, their arms nearly touched. She told herself she was aware of that contact because her whole left arm was tender, but she knew it was more than that.

  She was close enough to see the various colors of blue that made up his irises and the tiny scar by the corner of his mouth. He smelled clean, but with a hint of guy. Even his shirt—a soft-looking white cotton tucked into worn jeans—was perfect, as was he.

  “Jayne?”

  “What? Oh, fine. You can help. Thanks.”

  “Next time, try sounding enthused. I’m a guy—it’ll work on me.”

  “Good to know.”

  He got out on his side, then circled around, opened her car door, and closed it behind her. Sh
e led the way to her condo, pausing to pull the keys from her purse. He took them from her and unlocked the door, then motioned for her to go in first.

  She set her purse on the small table by the front door, tried not to notice that her entire condo was smaller than the foyer at his parents’ house, and said as she disappeared around the the corner, “I’ll just be a minute.”

  “Not so fast.” He appeared beside her, put his arm around her shoulders, and led her into the bedroom to the small wing chair in the corner. “Sit. I’ll handle this. Do you want something? Water? Cheetos?”

  Despite the steady throbbing in her wrist, she managed a smile. “No, but the Cheetos are an interesting choice.”

  “Tell me about it. Where’s the suitcase?”

  “Linen closet in the hall.”

  He left to get it, then returned and put the small wheeled bag on the bed.

  “What next? Girl stuff? Makeup? Creams in bottles?”

  She stood. “I’ll do it.”

  “No. Just tell me. I can pack. I have skills. Yell out what you need.” He pushed on her good shoulder until she sat. “Better.”

  She talked him through a few skin-care products, a blow dryer and brush, then told him where to find her cosmetics bag. When he walked back into the bedroom, he grinned.

  “Now for the good stuff. Top drawer? It’s always the top drawer.”

  She was on her feet in a flash. “You’re not getting into my underwear drawer.”

  “But that’s why I’m here.”

  He was funny, irreverent, and unlike anyone she could have imagined. In the past ten or so years, she’d probably talked to him less than a dozen times. They’d mostly chatted about the weather and whichever beautiful woman he had with him at that moment.

  He reached for the drawer pull. “Please?”

  “Get back.”

  “Fine.” He sighed heavily, then sauntered to the chair and threw himself on the cushion. “But I protest.”

  “Duly noted.”

  She collected a couple of panties and bras and tossed them into the suitcase. T-shirts and a pair of jeans followed. By then the throbbing pain was all she could think about. David must have seen that in her face, because he took the jeans from her.

  “I’ll finish packing and load the car,” he said. “You sit. I don’t want you fainting. If you do, I’ll panic, and let me just say, that’s not pretty.”

  She hurt too much to smile, so she nodded and collapsed onto the chair.

  David loaded the suitcase in the trunk and returned for Jayne. She was where he’d left her, the injured arm up against her chest, her good arm cradling the broken one. Her face had the pallor of pain rather than a good sunscreen. He crouched in front of her.

  “I can carry you, if that would help,” he offered. She was of average height, but pretty skinny. The car wasn’t that far.

  Her eyes opened. They were dark brown and large. Pretty, he thought absently. He’d always thought Jayne was pretty.

  Not that he’d done anything about it. She was his sister’s friend and Elizabeth’s protégé. He’d learned early to hone his skills of self-preservation, which meant avoiding complications.

  “I’m supposed to be the one on drugs, not you,” she said.

  “Is that a no?”

  She waved him back and stood. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”

  He locked her condo, then got her in the car. “I’ll take you to Rebecca’s, then go get the prescription.”

  “Thanks,” she murmured, and leaned back in the seat.

  He reached around her for the seatbelt, then snapped it into place. He’d barely started the engine when his cell phone rang. Seconds later, it connected in his car. He pushed the button on his steering wheel.

  “This is David,” he said as he backed out of the parking space and started out of the complex.

  “Are you at the house?” his mother asked. “Did you make it?”

  “I made it,” he said, and glanced at Jayne. She looked panicked, as if he was going to mention her. I won’t, he mouthed.

  Thanks, she mouthed back.

  “The house looks great, Mom,” he said. “I really liked the flowers.”

  Jayne covered her eyes with her free hand.

  “What an odd thing to say,” his mother told him.

  “The virgins were a thoughtful touch, too. A dozen is a nice, round number.”

  Jayne’s mouth twitched.

  “Really, David.” Elizabeth sounded exasperated. “Half the time I don’t know what you’re talking about. Jayne was there to welcome you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good. Tell her if you need anything, and she’ll take care of it. Your father and I are finally out of France. Why the French can’t do something about that hideous fog, I’ll never know. And of course we had to stop for fuel. God forbid we should buy a plane that can get from France to Los Angeles without having to stop. It’s like being on a commuter train. But you know your father. He thinks this is fine. We should be there in about six hours.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  “Will it be late there? I can never keep track of the time change. Ask Jayne. She’ll know. And eat something. You’re such a bachelor. When was the last time you had a vegetable? Corn chips don’t count.”

  “We seem to be having some trouble with the connection. There’s static.”

  “I don’t hear any static. You’re hanging up, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  “I’ll see you later.”

  “I’ll be counting the hours.”

  He disconnected the call.

  “The flowers,” Jayne said as soon as he hung up.

  “Give me the name of the florist, and I’ll order some more. She won’t know what happened.”

  “She’ll know. There’s water everywhere and flowers.”

  “I can clean it up.”

  She looked at him, her expression doubtful.

  “I’m very capable. Trust me.”

  Her eyes told him that wasn’t likely to happen anytime soon, but she gave him the name of the florist.

  He pushed another button on his steering wheel, spoke Rebecca’s name, then listened as the call was connected.

  “Very fancy,” Jayne told him.

  He grinned. “Hey,” he said when his sister picked up. “We’re coming over. Are you ready?”

  “I’m here with food and movies.”

  “Great. Give us five minutes, then come out front.”

  “Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

  He hung up. “Impressive. A few more days like this and you’ll be as spoiled and demanding as my sister.”

  “Something to aspire to,” she said with a laugh.

  Something unlikely, he thought. Jayne was nothing like Rebecca. He wasn’t sure why they were ever friends, although the relationship had lasted for years. They’d met in high school. He vaguely remembered Jayne’s mother dying and Jayne coming to live with the family. He’d been long gone by then, though.

  He glanced at her again, reminding himself he didn’t do complications. Except Jayne was all grown up now, and he’d passed thirty a couple of years ago. He’d learned there weren’t that many women who got him to thinking the way Jayne had. He had a gut feeling she was someone he could like.

  He pulled up in front of a beachfront condo. Rebecca was waiting on the sidewalk, hopping from foot to foot. As usual, his beautiful sister caused men all around to stop for a second look. Just as usual, Rebecca didn’t notice any of them.

  “You’re here,” she said, pulling open the passenger’s-side door. “I’m going to take excellent care of you because I need you healthy and strong. Come on, Jayne. Can you do stairs?”

  Jayne climbed out of the car. “If we go slow and sing camp songs, I’m sure I can make it.”

  David grinned. “I like her,” he said.

  Rebecca glared at him. “Don’t for a moment think I’ve forgotten this is probably your fault. You hurt Jayne, just wh
en I came back home.”

  David got the suitcase and followed them inside. He loved his sister, but he wasn’t blind to her faults. She was the center of her universe, and little else mattered to her beyond her own comforts. Still, she seemed really to care about Jayne, which David thought said more about the friend than his sister.

  He was back in L.A. to settle down. Find the right kind of woman, a house. Be normal. After a decade traveling the world, he was looking for home. Wouldn’t it be funny if he found it in a place he’d never thought to look?

  Three

  JAYNE ALLOWED HERSELF TO be led into Rebecca’s large condo with a view that practically stretched to Hawaii. But right now what interested her most was the cushy sofa. There were already several pillows in place, along with blankets. Even though she’d worked only half a day and then had done little more than snap a bone, she ached everywhere and was exhausted. As she settled onto the cushions, Rebecca took her luggage and hustled David out.

  Jayne looked at the gorgeous stretch of the ocean, the sun heading for the horizon. Rich was a very nice way to live. Weird, but nice.

  “How are you feeling?” Rebecca asked, hovering by the sofa. “Your poor wrist. What can I get you? There’s food, and David’s getting your prescription. Should you eat something so you can take it?”

  “In a minute,” Jayne said, not sure she could face food. Although she would have to. Otherwise, she would be barfing the pill nearly as soon as she took it.

  “Do you want more pillows? A blanket?”

  “How about if you sit?”

  Rebecca sank onto the coffee table next to the sofa. “Am I being my mother?”

  “She would send staff.”

  Rebecca smiled. “You’re right. I just feel so bad that you’re hurt.”

  “I’ll heal. The body does.”

  Her friend had changed out of her leather pants and leopard duster into jeans and a cropped T-shirt. She still looked like a model prepping for an “at home” cover shoot, but Jayne had learned to deal with Rebecca’s beauty a long time ago. She’d read an article once that said the difference between stunningly beautiful and ordinary could be measured in millimeters. An eye too narrow, a mouth too small. It was all in the numbers, and Rebecca’s features were perfect, although right now she looked a little sad.