Page 54 of The Best of Friends

Jayne stared at the woman across from her. Elizabeth had been a huge part of her life for over a decade. The selfish demands, the accusations were new but not surprising. It was Elizabeth’s way. Jayne had no idea what life without the Wordens would be like, but it was time to find out.

She collected her purse and stood.

“You’ve always been good me,” she said softly. “And I’ve paid you back a thousandfold. If you want my help until I leave, I’m happy to give it. If not, then I wish you the best. Good-bye, Elizabeth.”

Jayne turned and left.

Ten

“I’M NOT MYSELF,” REBECCA said dramatically, draped across the sofa, her eyes closed, her perfect face flushed.

“Then who are you?” Jayne asked.

Rebecca opened her eyes. “You know what I mean, and don’t pretend you don’t. I’m desperately depressed. Nothing about coming home is the way I thought it would be. I haven’t even been fighting with my mother, and you know how I was looking forward to that.”

“Then go see her. I’m sure the two of you could get into it. Then you’ll upset her and feel better yourself.”

“I’m not going to be the one to blink first. If I go there, she wins. I want to win.” She sat up and sighed. “But it’s not just that. You’re leaving.”

A topic that was bound to come up sooner or later. “Yes, I am.”

“You’re leaving me. We’re supposed to be friends.”

If Jayne didn’t know Rebecca better, she would swear that actual tears had filled her eyes and that her lower lip had quivered. But she did know her, and she understood every one of Rebecca’s self-absorbed tendencies, not to mention her tricks.

“I love you like a sister,” Jayne said calmly, “but no. My leaving is not up for negotiation. You went halfway around the world ten years ago, and I didn’t try to make you feel guilty. You stayed gone, and I was warm and supportive. I expect the same from you.”

“But this is different. I’m back, and I want you here.”

“Want some cheese with that whine?”

“You’re not being very sympathetic,” Rebecca complained.

Jayne leaned back in the club chair. “Probably because I’m not feeling sympathetic. There’s nothing wrong with your life. You’re young, beautiful, successful, and rich. You have a family who loves you, a best friend with the devotion of a search-and-rescue dog, and all the potential in the world.” She raised her left hand. “I, on the other hand, have a broken wrist and had to face telling your mother I was leaving.”

Rebecca grinned. “That was the best story ever. Tell me again.”

“I’ve already told you three times.”

“It gets better with every telling.” She sighed. “You’re very difficult these days. Very sure of yourself. Worse, you have a shiny new love interest, and all I have is an old, boring man.”

Jayne desperately wanted to squirm. “David isn’t a love interest. He’s a… complication.”

“A nice one.”

“Definitely.” A complication that kissed like the devil and charmed her and made her laugh. David was the best kind of trouble.

Rebecca sat up, her eyes wide, her mouth open. “Oh, no. There’s a party, for David. Now don’t get upset, but my mother plans to—”

“Have several perfect women over so he can pick the right wife. I know. We had lunch to discuss the details. Then I announced I was leaving, so I don’t know if I’ll be helping or not.”

“You can’t be serious.”

Jayne wasn’t sure. “I’ll do it if she asks.”

“But you’re dating David.”

“We’re not dating. We’ve been to dinner once. We talk and house hunt. We’ve kissed. It was no big deal.” At least not to him, which was what she would be reminding herself over and over again. “I’m offering my advice, such as it is, on the houses he’s looking at, and I think he’s asking me along only because the alternative is his mother. It’s nothing.”