Page 23 of The Best of Friends

“I’m asking you to help me buy a house because I also trust your judgment, and I would enjoy spending the time with you.”

She opened her mouth, then closed it. He was good. Better than good—he was a Worden.

“Sure,” she said. “I have a few weeks off.”

“Excellent.” He flashed her another smile. Had she been standing, she would have been fighting weak knees.

“I have to go into work tomorrow morning to fill out paperwork,” she said. “After that I would be happy to offer my opinion on the real estate front.” She picked up her wine. “Do we know what I’m supposed to stop you from buying?”

“Not a clue.”

“Okay, I’m sure Elizabeth will be in touch to let me know.”

“I have no doubt.” He grinned.

She smiled in return. “Have you picked an area you want to focus on?”

“Something close to a nude beach.”

“There are places in the Valley where they film porn.”

“That works, too.”

***

Elizabeth poured tea into a thin china cup, then passed it to Jayne.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, eyeing the bright pink cast with only slightly concealed horror. “Weren’t there any other choices in color?”

Jayne took the tea and did her best not to smile. “Several. I wanted something cheerful.”

“I see. Perhaps something less obvious next time, dear,” Elizabeth murmured. “Although you’re still relatively young. I suppose it’s better than plain white.” She offered the plate of cookies, then leaned back in the cream-colored wingback chair in her office.

Three large windows allowed a view of the side yard, where roses bloomed. The desk was antique, having once belonged to Queen Victoria. The sideboard, where Elizabeth kept her office supplies, was Italian from the eighteenth century. Or seventeenth, Jayne could never remember.

“David is back,” Elizabeth announced. “Permanently, or so he says. He’s a man, so one can never be sure. Still, this is excellent news. He says he’s interested in buying a house and getting married. I’d like you to help him with that.”

Jayne knew Elizabeth meant for Jayne to help with the house hunting, but she had the brief, humorous thought of saying, “Yes, of course. I’ll sacrifice myself and become David’s wife.” If only to be able to stare into those blue eyes every morning, she thought, remembering how nice the man had looked sitting across from her last night at dinner.

“I intend to influence him,” Elizabeth continued. “The house hunting is frightening enough, but God knows what kind of woman he’ll want to date. Men, as a rule, are idiots when it comes to picking the right kind of woman to marry. Especially the rich men. So I’ll want you to tell me if he mentions anyone.”

“I’m not going to spy on him,” Jayne said.

Elizabeth’s thin eyebrows raised slightly.

“I can’t,” she added, hoping she wasn’t blushing. “If he knows I’m giving you information, he won’t say anything. Besides, he’s gone this long without making a mistake. I doubt he’ll suddenly make a bad choice now.”

“I suppose,” Elizabeth said grudgingly. “I don’t need details, but if he’s about to propose to someone completely wrong, you have to tell me.”

“I’ll mention disasters, nothing else.”

Elizabeth didn’t look pleased, but she nodded anyway.

Jayne picked up her tea. The truth was, David was unlikely to tell her anything about his personal life. Too bad, in a way. Hearing about the amazing beauties who cluttered his bed might help with her peace of mind. Once she got over the heartache.

“Now about the house,” Elizabeth said. “He hasn’t given me any hints as to where he’s thinking he wants to buy. You know what areas to avoid. Nothing too big. He can always trade up when he starts a family. Ignore the carpet and paint color. That can all be fixed. Go for large rooms that flow well. A decent kitchen. But location is key.” She sighed. “I just wish he would take me along. But he’s stubborn. He gets that from Blaine.”

“And from you,” Jayne said.