Page 46 of The Best of Friends

“Oh, sure. I’m blissful that my best friend wants to move thousands of miles away and didn’t bother to let me know.” Rebecca put her hands on her slender hips. “I just got home. Doesn’t that matter?”

“You just got home from being gone,” Jayne said gently. “You left me for over a decade. You went off and had a life while I was here dealing with your mother.”

“Is that what this is about?” Rebecca asked, obviously annoyed. “My mother?”

“In part,” Jayne admitted. “Look, I’m sorry I hurt you. That wasn’t the point. I wasn’t…” She couldn’t find the word.

“Thinking,” Rebecca said. “You weren’t thinking about anyone but yourself.”

Jayne’s happy bubble burst. “Something that only you get to do?” she asked coolly. “It’s okay for everyone else, but not for me, right? I’m the faithful family retainer. Always steady, always available.”

She stepped toward Rebecca. “You’re right. I didn’t think to tell you. In part because it happened so quickly, but also because I didn’t want to be talked out of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Rebecca’s eyes widened. “I would never do that. How can you think that of me? I’ve always cared about you.”

Maybe, Jayne thought sadly. But if Rebecca thought Jayne’s leaving would inconvenience her in any way, she would be the first one to try to talk Jayne out of it.

Not that there was any point in having the conversation. Rebecca wouldn’t admit it, and all they would do was fight.

“I just wanted to go see what they were offering,” Jayne said slowly. “It’s really going to be good for me.” She drew in a breath. “I have to go. This isn’t about you—it’s about your mother and David and everything.”

“What about David?”

Jayne knew she had to tread carefully so Rebecca didn’t guess the truth. “I’m helping him buy a house, which is great. I like David. But what’s next? Elizabeth asking me to quit my job so I can work with the wedding planner?”

“Probably,” Rebecca said with a sigh.

“I need to escape. I’ll never have my own life if I stay here. You know that better than anyone.”

Rebecca pressed her lips together. “You should have told me. You should have trusted me to be happy for you.”

“I know.” Jayne didn’t actually believe that, but saying it made things easier.

“You’re my best friend,” Rebecca told her.

“You’re mine.”

Her friend stared at her for a long time. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Rebecca, don’t.”

Rebecca shrugged. “You have any ice cream?”

Jayne smiled. “Every flavor you love, including Cherry Garcia and pistachio. Want some?”

Rebecca nodded.

They collected ice cream, spoons, and Diet Coke, then headed out onto the patio. Jayne settled into her chair. She reached for the pistachio, took off the top, and dug in her spoon.

Rebecca picked up the Cherry Garcia. “Have you told my mother?”

“No.” Jayne didn’t even want to think about the explosion that would cause. “She’s not going to be happy.”

Rebecca brightened at the thought. “Can I be there when you tell her?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“But it would make me happy.”