Page 12 of The Best of Friends

“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.