Page 104 of The Best of Friends

As always, her entire body sighed in appreciation at the sight of him. Tall, blond, movie-star handsome. Completely crush-worthy. Of course she’d fallen for him years ago. He was the male ideal. Now she was in love with the man behind the pretty exterior, but that was a problem for another day. Once all this was over, she would figure out a way to heal and move on with her life. Teenage Lori had beaten breast cancer. Somehow Jayne could get over David Worden.

He smiled as he approached, making it tough to breathe. Then he took her hand in his and pulled her into one of the private rooms off to the side. Places where the very rich could sit and think about their two- or three-million-dollar purchase without being disturbed by the general public.

The space was small, with a sofa, a couple of chairs, and a table. The lighting was soft, and there were mirrors on the wall—all the better to see the glittery jewelry—and real china for coffee or a snack. Spend a couple million at Worden’s and they gave you a cookie.

“I’ve been leaving you messages,” he said, closing the door behind them and staring into her eyes. “I was starting to feel like a stalker.”

She wished she could smile, or maybe had thought to touch up her makeup. No doubt she was blotchy and puffy.

David reached up and brushed his fingers along her cheek. “Have you been crying?”

“Yes, but that’s not why I’m here,” she said. “Or maybe it is. I don’t know anymore.”

He took her other hand in his. “Let me talk, Jayne. I’m sorry about Rebecca. I’m sorry she can be such a bitch, and I’m sorry you had to hear that. But I’m not willing to let her come between us. I meant what I said. I love you.”

The words should have been magic, and this should have been the happiest day of her life. There should be flowers and singing birds and music. Instead, she felt only dread and resignation.

She pulled her hands free, then cupped his face. She could feel the beginning of stubble on his jaw, see the small scar by his upper lip. His eyes were still that impossible color of blue, the lashes gold-tipped.

“You’re better than the fantasy,” she told him. “But I meant what I said, too. You’re not worth it. We have to break the cycle here. Now. We’re not going to see each other anymore. I’m leaving in a few weeks, and you’ll find some perfectly nice girl to marry. I wish you all the best, David. I want you to be happy and live your life.”

“You’re going to let them win?”

“I’m not willing to let myself lose. I have to do what’s best for me. I want that to be you, believe me. But it’s not.”

He grabbed her shoulders. “I don’t accept that. I want you to dateme,not Rebecca or my mother.”

“I can’t have one without the other, and I’m finished with them.”

“I won’t let you go.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“But I love you.”

The Worden moment, she thought sadly. It was in-escapable. “This isn’t about you,” she said, pulled free, then left.

* * *

Elizabeth sipped her cocktail. “Rebecca says that Jayne swears she and David aren’t seeing each other anymore. I’m hopeful, but I can’t be sure until I talk to David, and I want to give him space. I don’t suppose he said anything at the office today?”

Blaine continued to read his magazine.

Elizabeth glared at him. “Blaine, I’m speaking to you.”

“What?” He glanced up, looking over his reading glasses like an old man. “I wasn’t listening.”

“Obviously.” She glanced at her watch. Dinner was late. She was going to have to have another talk with Carmine. The woman was getting tiresome. “I was saying that I think David and Jayne aren’t seeing each other anymore, but I’m not sure. Did you and he discuss that today at work?”

“David broke up with Jayne? Why? I thought they were good together.”

The man was an idiot. Despite the family name and money, he was a total fool. If she wasn’t around to monitor him, he wouldn’t be able to get dressed in the morning.

“They’re not good together. They’re a disaster. Which isn’t the point. Has your son said anything?”

“No.”

“Will you ask him?”