Page 109 of The Best of Friends

While Elizabeth had looked old and haggard that morning, Blaine looked rested and happy. “Good morning, Rebecca.”

“Not for me. I spent the night at the house.”

“I’m glad your mother had someone there for her. I thought she might call one of her friends to be with her.”

“As if. Do you know what they would be thinking? She’s humiliated. How could you do this? How could you destroy our family?”

“The family you’ve ignored for ten years? This is between your mother and me. I’ve spent the better part of my marriage knowing I was a disappointment to my wife. I gave her everything I could think of to make her happy, but it was never enough. Eventually, I realized it would never be enough because I don’t matter to her. She wants what I can provide, but she doesn’t want me.”

“This is too much information,” Rebecca murmured. “Just go talk to her.”

“We have talked. I’m not getting any younger, Rebecca. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask to spend the years I have left with someone who actually likes me. I hope your mother can find the same.”

“But I—”

“No.”

“Daddy! I don’t want this.”

“You would rather I was unhappy and living with your mother than happy somewhere else?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve never cared about Elizabeth’s feelings before.”

“She says we only have each other. There is no way I’m going to be responsible for her. That’s your job.”

His face took on the same expression David’s had held. A combination of disappointment and pity. “Not anymore. Now you should leave. I have a lot to do today.”

“But you have to go back.”

“No, Rebecca. I don’t.”

Despite having grown up within spitting distance of Beverly Hills, Jayne had never been to Bel Air before. As she drove through the faux gates separating the exclusive neighborhood from the rest of the city, she told herself everybody got to be stupid now and then. It kept a person grounded and in touch with reality. This was her day for that.

David’s real estate person had called the previous night to set up an appointment to see a house. Jayne had done her best to explain that she wouldn’t be going on the house-hunting trips anymore, but the agent had insisted. This house was special. She felt it was “the one” and wanted Jayne to see it.

“In my next life, I’m going to have an actual backbone,” Jayne murmured as she checked the address, then turned onto a side street.

The homes were nice. The deeper she went into the neighborhood, the more normal they seemed. There were big lots and tall trees. She turned another corner, then saw theFOR SALEsign in front. Imagine—a neighborhood where one actually put a sign in the front yard. Scandalous!

After she did a quick tour of the house, she would go by the movers and pick up more boxes. The guy who had given her the estimate had promised to tell her when they had used boxes in. Those were free to customers and, given the cost of new boxes, much more to her liking. She’d already packed up her spare room and would be starting on her kitchen that afternoon.

Jayne parked and walked toward the front door. It was only after she rang the bell that she realized the real estate agent’s car wasn’t in the driveway. Had she gotten the time wrong?

The door opened, but instead of a stranger or the agent, she saw David standing inside. She took a step back.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, trying not to be happy to see him.

“Waiting for you. Please, come inside.”

She didn’t want to. She should run in the opposite direction. Seeing him would only make a difficult situation worse. He looked too good in jeans and a leather jacket. She had to resist. Only she was weak where he was concerned, and five minutes in his company couldn’t hurt anything, could it?

She walked inside.

The house was large but homey, with hardwood floors and pale walls. The entryway led into a big living room with French doors that opened onto a huge backyard. David put his hand on the small of her back and guided her toward the open French door.

“There’s a dog run on the side, and the swing set stays,” he said, pointing to the built-in play area. “There’s a pool around the corner, and it’s completely fenced.”