Friends Without Benefits

by Dena Blake

  On the kitchen counter she found a bottle of water as well as half a loaf of bread next to the toaster, accompanied by a jar of what appeared to be homemade jam. And another note.

  You’ll find coffee in the pot. Drink the water, make some toast, and use plenty of the crystallized ginger jam. Trust me. It’ll make you feel better. I’m going to work and won’t be back until this afternoon, so no need for you to rush. Make yourself at home. There’s a smoothie in the fridge to take with you. Oh, and you’re more special than you realize. Don’t let some spoiled straight girl make you think otherwise.

  The words resonated in her head in a low, throaty voice, which sent an unexpected zap of excitement through her. Apparently she’d poured her heart out to a sweet, lovely stranger last night, and she had no idea who she was.

  After pouring a cup of coffee, she sank down onto a barstool and scanned the room. A couch with a square, wood, apothecary-type coffee table in front of it anchored the room. A long console table against the wall centered a beautiful beach watercolor. The table was topped with a few candles and decorative items, but no pictures. Across from the couch stood a square entertainment center, which housed a medium-size flat-screen TV and several other items in each of its cubes. Again, no pictures. Apparently, she wasn’t going to get a glimpse of her benefactor even from a photo. The whole place was modern but homey, somewhere Dex felt comfortable. This entire experience gnawed at her memory and comforted her all at once. Something must have gone right with the woman who lived here, but she had absolutely no recollection of her.

  Her stomach grumbled, making it loud and clear that she needed to eat. She dropped a couple of pieces of bread into the toaster and picked up the small jar of jam from the counter. Even though Dex had noticed ginger jam in her local health-food store, she’d never tried it before. She usually took the safe route with peach or strawberry. She was actually looking forward to tasting it, even in the state she was in. It certainly couldn’t make her feel worse.

  She covered the toast with a light coating of jam and settled in on the couch. The ginger was surprisingly good—sweet with a hint of pear and a nice zing that snuck up on you. She took the blanket from the corner of the couch and covered her legs before she pulled open one of the coffee-table drawers in search of a remote to click on the TV. Oddly, she felt extremely comfortable here. She had no idea why she wasn’t hauling ass out of this place right now. Someone could come home any minute and catch her happily snuggled up in their wonderfully warm fleece blanket just like it was her own home.

  After finishing her toast, she watched two episodes of one of her favorite sitcoms that had been recorded on the DVR, another sign the woman was something special. She pulled open the refrigerator and noted the array of healthy foods—including yogurt, chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and cheese—on the shelves. It seemed as though the woman could cook. She found the smoothie front and center with another note.

  Take the jam. I have more. Feel better.

  A cute smiley face punctuated the end of the sentence. Oh my God, this woman is a dream. A flash of creamy white skin popped into her head, along with the subtle scents of jasmine and orange blossom. Dex couldn’t help but think that if she’d met this woman under different circumstances, they would’ve at least been friends, possibly more. But no way could she live down last night’s fiasco. She was sure she’d made a fool out of herself, crying over a woman she’d never have. Love sucks.

  * * *

  Dex hustled off the train and walked the short distance to Juni’s house. A plastic shopping bag swung from her hand as she paced. She’d rolled the chiffon bridesmaid dress up and stuffed it inside. Otherwise, carrying it on the L would’ve been embarrassing at best. The huge bow attached to the single shoulder strap had made it difficult, but she’d managed to get it all in the bag. Thankfully, she’d never have to wear the pink monstrosity again.

  She knocked on Juni’s door, and it swung open almost immediately.

  “I’ve been worried about you. Your phone is going straight to voice mail.”

  She held up her phone. “Battery died sometime last night.”

  Juni didn’t hide the once-over she gave her. “You look like shit.”

  She pushed through the door. “Thanks. I needed that.”

  “Whose clothes are those?” She’d apparently noticed the Northwestern University T-shirt.

  “They’re on loan.” She dropped her bag on the couch and headed to the phone charger on the end table.

  “From who?”

  “The girl I went home with last night.”

  Juni’s eyes went wide. “You went home with someone?”

  “Can we postpone the interrogation until after you get me a cup of coffee?”

  “Oh, sure. Be right back.”

  Dex settled in on the couch. She didn’t have the slightest idea what she was going to tell her sister about the woman from last night, simply because she couldn’t remember a thing about her…except her low, throaty voice and the wonderful scent of jasmine and orange blossom. She held her wrist to her nose and took in a breath. She’d found the fragrance on the bathroom vanity and sprayed a hint of it on herself. Even if she never saw her again, she really wanted to remember this woman.

  Juni returned with a mug of coffee and set a plate of buttered toast in front of her. “This will help settle your stomach.”

  She tilted her head and smiled. “I don’t really feel bad. I already had some toast and this awesome ginger jam this morning.” She reached in her bag and took out the jar. “It settled my stomach instantly.”

  Juni took the jar from her hand. “She makes jam?”

  “Apparently, and it’s really good. She left it for me, along with a note, when she went to work.” She purposely omitted the fact that the woman wasn’t there at all this morning.

  Juni raised her eyebrows. “Well, she’s awfully trusting to leave you alone in her house.” She sat down next to her and wiggled her fingers at her. “Let me see the note.”

  That was very true. Dex would never leave someone she’d met only once alone in her home. She pulled the notes from the bag, along with the crumpled bridesmaid dress, and handed them to Juni.

  “Is that your dress?”

  She nodded. “I’m going to donate it to the Glass Slipper Project.” Thanks to her parents’ constant volunteerism when she was a child, Dex had seen the good it had done in helping others and did a fair amount of volunteer work now as an adult, as did Juni. Her brother, Ranny, did more taking than giving. The Glass Slipper Project was one of her favorite organizations. She loved to watch young girls find the dress of their dreams for prom night each spring.

  Juni set the notes on the table, jumped up, grabbed the dress, and hung it from the door. “Really?” Juni laughed as she pulled at the bottom. “Do you think anyone will wear it?”

  Dex took a swallow of coffee before she answered. “Not with that huge fucking bow on it, but they can alter it. In any case, it’ll be free to a girl who needs it. And, best of all, it’ll be out of my hands.”

  Juni went back to the notes. “Wow. She left you three?” She passed them between her hands, examining the pink notepaper.

  She nodded. “She’s very sweet.”

  Juni unfolded the first one and read it. “She’s a fucking miracle. Where is she?” Her eyes widened as she went through them. “Who is she? I want to meet her now.”

  She contemplated telling Juni a lie, but Dex wasn’t very good at lying, and Juni could always see right through her. “I have no idea. She didn’t sign her name, and if she told me what it was last night, I don’t remember. That’s all a big blur.” Not that she’d ever see her again anyway.

  “So you don’t remember anything about her?” Juni’s shoulders dropped.

  She took in a deep breath and shook her head. “Except the wonderful way she smelled.” She put her wrist beneath Juni’s nose, and she inhaled the scent. “And I think she had curly black hair.” She sighed. “And silvery-
blue eyes.”

  “Damn it, Dex.” Juni tossed the notes onto the coffee table. “You picked a hell of a night to get stinking drunk.”

  “Under the circumstances I think it was appropriate.” She picked up the notes and stared at them. “And forgivable.”

  “Fuck.”

  “Did you see me with anyone in particular last night?” Someone had to have noticed her. Surely the mystery woman hadn’t thrown a bag over Dex’s head and sneaked her out the back door.

  Juni shook her head. “No. After I left you at the bar, I danced a few times. When I came back you’d disappeared. I thought you’d gone home.”

  “I probably should have, after the fourth shot.” She’d known she should be happy for Grace, but seeing her in such joy had only made Dex want to deaden the pain. So that was exactly what she’d done, and now the love gods were punishing her for doing it. Would a day ever come when she could bring someone new into her heart? She certainly hoped so, but not today. Her mystery woman was a complete blur.

  “Humph. You were only on number two when I left you.”

  “So you didn’t bring me any food?”

  “Nope. I was busy rounding up my own entertainment for the night.”

  “You met someone, right?” She did remember that. Dark hair, dark beard, nice smile, and very attentive to Juni.

  “Well, I didn’t really meet someone. I already knew him. We just got friendlier.”

  “Who was it again?”

  “Do you remember Josh? He owns Crushed Beans on the corner by the bookstore. I pointed him out to you last night.”

  “Oh yeah.” She tilted her head. “Crushed Worms. That worked out for you?”

  “Yes.” Juni grinned. “And stop saying that. He heard you last night.” A flush of pink took over Juni’s face.

  “Look at you? All flustered. He must be something special.”

  “I am not flustered.”

  “Uh, yes. You are. Your cheeks could rival the pink on this notepaper right now.” She dipped her head toward the notes on the coffee table and grinned. “Does he know Brent and Grace?”

  “Apparently he’s good friends with Grace’s brother. He doesn’t get out much because of the business but had taken the day off. So, he dragged him along.”

  “Wow. That’s certainly serendipitous.”

  A huge smile spread across Juni’s face. “Right?”

  “So it was a good night.” Dex smiled. “I poured my heart out to a complete stranger.” The low, throaty voice resonated in her head again, and she shook it from her thoughts. “And you started something new with the coffee man.”

  Dex’s phone chimed multiple times as it came to life. “What the hell? Was I that popular last night?”

  Juni shrugged. “I may have called you once or twice…and texted a few times.”

  “Three calls and five texts.”

  “I was worried. You should be glad I didn’t call the police.” She tossed a couch pillow at her, and it hit Dex in the head. “Ooh. Maybe the mystery girl got your number and called.”

  The pillow shot to the head didn’t faze her. “No such luck.” Or maybe it was lucky that she hadn’t called. Dex could only imagine what she’d thought of her last night.

  As she scrolled farther she skipped over a message from her mother that she knew would be a couple of paragraphs long and found one from Grace that had come through after midnight. Her stomach churned. What could Grace have possibly wanted to tell her last night? She scrolled to it first, touched it with her finger, and read it.

  I was disappointed that I didn’t get to see you when I left tonight. We’re on the plane, getting ready to take off. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks. Ciao xoxo.

  The expression on Dex’s face must have given it away. Juni snatched the phone from her and read the message. “That bitch. On the plane headed to Greece. On her honeymoon. Why can’t she just leave you alone?” Juni shot to her feet and tossed the phone onto the couch.

  “I’m her best friend. Who else is she going to text?” She spoke with a sad sort of irony.

  “She shouldn’t be texting anyone. She’s with her new husband.”

  Dex picked up her coffee cup and stared into the blackness filling it. The color matched her mood as she remembered how just a week ago she’d reminded Grace how she felt about her, then asked her to reconsider her upcoming marriage to Brent. Dex had thought she might have a chance when Grace had pulled her into an embrace, held her tight, and whispered that she’d never been closer to any other soul besides Dex. They were indeed soul mates. But then she let go, and with shimmering, vibrant blue eyes, Grace told her she was sure about her decision to marry Brent.

  That was that. No more hope. The decision had been made. Truthfully, she knew Grace had made it a long time ago. Dex had watched Grace fall in love with Brent and had wallowed in self-pity. She hadn’t even thought about finding someone to fall in love with herself. She’d held out for a half-court bucket shot, and the ball hadn’t even grazed the rim.

  “You need to stay far away from that woman when she gets back.” Juni nudged her shoulder with her hand. “Are you listening to me?”

  “Yeah, sure. I will.” She glanced at the time on her phone. “I need to get going,” she said as she pushed off the couch.

  Juni’s expression went blank. “Oh, I rented the best Star Wars movies. I thought maybe we’d hang out here and have a movie marathon.” She was clearly disappointed.

  “Can’t. I have to go draw out a design in Roscoe Village.” She took her cup into the kitchen, rinsed it, and put it in the dishwasher. Working would keep her mind off yesterday, and Grace.

  “But it’s Sunday.” Juni drew the word out slowly.

  “Um, rich people have their own schedules.”

  “Since when do you conform to them?”

  “That’s how I make the big bucks.” She swiped the notes from the coffee table, slipped them into the waistband of her yoga pants, and took off to the door. “And why aren’t you minding the books at the store today?”

  Juni followed her. “I left Grant in charge.”

  “Letting the new guy run the shop. That’s a big step.” Dex tugged open the door.

  “He can handle it. It’s been six months since he started, and he’s picked up things extremely well. That brain of his absorbs everything.” Juni leaned against the open doorjamb and watched Dex carefully. “I thought this might be a tough day for you.”

  Dex couldn’t stand the sad puppy-dog face she gave her. “First three in the series?”

  “Duh.” Juni had definite opinions about Star Wars, and Dex happened to agree with her on this one.

  “How about I go home and shower, take care of my appointment, then pick up a pizza and see you in a few hours.”

  The smile that spread across Juni’s face melted her instantly. “Sausage and mushroom?”

  “Heavy on the cheese.”

  “Yay!” Juni jumped up and down and clapped her hands wildly.

  Dex fell against the door and laughed. “I love you, sis.”

  “I know.” Juni smiled and pushed her out the door. “Now, hurry back.”

  Chapter Three

  Her knuckles had barely hit the door before Grace pulled it open. Dex stopped cold at the sight of the woman glowing in front of her. She was dressed in jeans and a coral V-neck sweater that brought out the color of her electric-blue eyes spectacularly. The deep, warm, bronze tone now blanketing her usually creamy, white skin made her eyes even more vibrant than usual. Grace was definitely even more beautiful than Dex remembered. This “absence makes the heart grow fonder” crap was for the birds.

  Grace flew through the doorway and pulled Dex into a hug. “Oh my God. It’s so good to see you.”

  “You too,” Dex said as Grace took her hand and pulled her into the living room. The two weeks were up, and Dex’s heart was finally beginning to feel normal again. Just the sight of Grace blew that out of the water. She’d made three new bids on landscape
s and five on outdoor Christmas decorations while Grace was gone. The holiday season would soon be here, and she’d be too busy to listen to her heart pining away for Grace. The message had been clear, and Dex had promised herself to move on. She didn’t see any sense in holding out for something that was never going to happen. But at this moment, with Grace holding her hand, everything she’d told herself seemed iffy. She needed to get ahold of her emotions, suck it up, and hear all about Grace’s honeymoon.

  “Have a seat, and I’ll get you some coffee.”

  Dex did as she was told and slid into the oversized leather couch. The house seemed different somehow since Dex had been here last. But nothing had really changed. She guessed she just hadn’t noticed how Brent’s furnishings were making a presence in the living room. The comforting man-cave and contemporary-modern styles mingled surprising well, with chocolate and cream colors filling the room. The modern end tables accented the furniture nicely. Dex was sure the whole mix was an agonizing sacrifice for Grace.

  “What happened to your couch?”

  She tilted her head toward the hallway. “In the office.”

  “Why?”

  “Because this monstrosity couldn’t fit through the doorway.”

  “Meant to be the center of attention, eh?” Dex ran her hand across the worn leather. “This is nice, though.”

  Grace rolled her eyes. “For now,” she said, handing her a mug of coffee.

  She sipped at the steaming brew that Grace had made especially for her. Grace was a tea drinker, always had been, but since Dex liked coffee, she’d learned to make it.

  “Here,” Grace said as she handed her a shopping bag and sat on the couch next to her. “I bought this for you at one of the galleries.”

  Dex set her coffee on the table before she reached into the bag. “Wow.” She admired the small, white, kneeling female sculpture. “Grace, this is…”