Page 59 of The Best of Friends

She wanted to ask if he was mad, but that would be stupid. David might enjoy her company, but she was never going to be important to him.

“Does my mom know?” he asked.

She nodded.

His expression turned sympathetic. “I’m guessing it didn’t go well.”

“No. Rebecca wasn’t happy, either.”

He stunned her by moving forward and pulling her into his arms. As he hugged her close and kissed her, he murmured, “I apologize on behalf of Wordens everywhere.” He straightened. “I’ll miss you. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you.”

“I’ll miss you, too.”Desperately and with every breath.

“Can I come see you in Dallas?”

He was being polite, she told herself. He really didn’t mean it. But the words made her feel all gooey inside.

“You can,” she said.

“Naked?” he whispered in her ear. “Can I see you naked?”

Her mind went blank. Was he serious or kidding? How on earth was she supposed to respond?

Her doorbell rang. “Perfect timing,” she said, and escaped into the living room.

Her friends had arrived together. Charlotte and Gigi were both tall. Charlotte had dark hair and was model thin, while Gigi was more curvy and had a lot of gray in her blond hair. Jayne introduced all of them to David.

“I remember you from the hospital,” he said as he shook Katie’s hand. “Good to see you again.”

Katie grinned, looking him up and down. “Good to see you, too.” She looked at Charlotte and Gigi. “See?”

Jayne held in a groan.

“See what?” David asked.

“You don’t want to know,” Jayne said, glaring at her friends. “Behave.”

“I am behaving,” he said.

“Not you.”

“Katie said you were pretty,” Gigi offered. “Although my eight-year-old granddaughter says boys can’t be pretty. She’ll figure it out as she gets older.”

Charlotte sat on the sofa and reached for a handful of chips. “So you’re the new boyfriend.”

Jayne willed herself not to blush. “We had this conversation earlier. David is a friend, nothing more. He wants our help with his business. You’re all going to cooperate and not say anything that will embarrass me.”

Katie laughed. “Nice try.” She sat in the kitchen chair Jayne had pulled into the room. “Why aren’t you and Jayne dating? We love her. Why don’t you?”

Jayne tried to speak, but the words got caught in her throat. She gestured wildly at Gigi and Charlotte, both of whom ignored her and waited for David to answer.

“I’m getting to know her,” he said.

“And?” Katie prompted.

He grinned. “Impressive.”

“You are all totally out of control,” Jayne announced. “Now behave, or there’s no wine for any of you.”