Page 11 of The Best of Friends

“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.”