Her stomach grumbled, making it loud and clear that she needed toeat. She dropped a couple of pieces of bread into the toaster and picked up thesmall jar of jam from the counter. Even though Dex had noticed ginger jam inher local health-food store, she’d never tried it before. She usually took thesafe route with peach or strawberry. She was actually looking forward totasting it, even in the state she was in. It certainly couldn’t make her feelworse.
She covered the toast with a light coating of jam and settled inon the couch. The ginger was surprisingly good—sweet with a hint of pear and anice zing that snuck up on you. She took the blanket from the corner of thecouch and covered her legs before she pulled open one of the coffee-tabledrawers in search of a remote to click on the TV. Oddly, she felt extremelycomfortable here. She had no idea why she wasn’t hauling ass out of this placeright now. Someone could come home any minute and catch her happily snuggled upin their wonderfully warm fleece blanket just like it was her own home.
After finishing her toast, she watched two episodes of one of herfavorite sitcoms that had been recorded on the DVR, another sign the woman wassomething special. She pulled open the refrigerator and noted the array ofhealthy foods—including yogurt, chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and cheese—onthe shelves. It seemed as though the woman could cook. She found the smoothiefront and center with another note.
Takethe jam. I have more. Feel better.
A cute smiley face punctuated the end of the sentence. Oh my God, this woman is adream. A flash of creamy white skin popped into her head, along withthe subtle scents of jasmine and orange blossom. Dex couldn’t help but thinkthat if she’d met this woman under different circumstances, they would’ve atleast been friends, possibly more. But no way could she live down last night’sfiasco. She was sure she’d made a fool out of herself, crying over a woman she’dnever have. Lovesucks.
* * *
Dex hustled off the train and walked the short distance to Juni’shouse. A plastic shopping bag swung from her hand as she paced. She’d rolledthe chiffon bridesmaid dress up and stuffed it inside. Otherwise, carrying iton the L would’ve been embarrassing at best. The huge bow attached to thesingle shoulder strap had made it difficult, but she’d managed to get it all inthe bag. Thankfully, she’d never have to wear the pink monstrosity again.
She knocked on Juni’s door, and it swung open almost immediately.
“I’ve been worried about you. Your phone is going straight tovoice mail.”
She held up her phone. “Battery died sometime last night.”
Juni didn’t hide the once-over she gave her. “You look like shit.”
She pushed through the door. “Thanks. I needed that.”
“Whose clothes are those?” She’d apparently noticed theNorthwestern University T-shirt.
“They’re on loan.” She dropped her bag on the couch and headed tothe phone charger on the end table.
“From who?”
“The girl I went home with last night.”
Juni’s eyes went wide. “You went home with someone?”
“Can we postpone the interrogation until after you get me a cup ofcoffee?”
“Oh, sure. Be right back.”
Dex settled in on the couch. She didn’t have the slightest ideawhat she was going to tell her sister about the woman from last night, simplybecause she couldn’t remember a thing about her…except her low, throaty voiceand the wonderful scent of jasmine and orange blossom. She held her wrist toher nose and took in a breath. She’d found the fragrance on the bathroom vanityand sprayed a hint of it on herself. Even if she never saw her again, shereally wanted to remember this woman.
Juni returned with a mug of coffee and set a plate of butteredtoast in front of her. “This will help settle your stomach.”
She tilted her head and smiled. “I don’t really feel bad. Ialready had some toast and this awesome ginger jam this morning.” She reachedin her bag and took out the jar. “It settled my stomach instantly.”
Juni took the jar from her hand. “She makes jam?”
“Apparently, and it’s really good. She left it for me, along witha note, when she went to work.” She purposely omitted the fact that the womanwasn’t there at all this morning.
Juni raised her eyebrows. “Well, she’s awfully trusting to leaveyou alone in her house.” She sat down next to her and wiggled her fingers ather. “Let me see the note.”
That was very true. Dex would never leave someone she’d met onlyonce alone in her home. She pulled the notes from the bag, along with thecrumpled bridesmaid dress, and handed them to Juni.
“Is that your dress?”
She nodded. “I’m going to donate it to the Glass Slipper Project.”Thanks to her parents’ constant volunteerism when she was a child, Dex had seenthe good it had done in helping others and did a fair amount of volunteer worknow as an adult, as did Juni. Her brother, Ranny, did more taking than giving.The Glass Slipper Project was one of her favorite organizations. She loved towatch young girls find the dress of their dreams for prom night each spring.
Juni set the notes on the table, jumped up, grabbed the dress, andhung it from the door. “Really?” Juni laughed as she pulled at the bottom. “Doyou think anyone will wear it?”
Dex took a swallow of coffee before she answered. “Not with thathuge fucking bow on it, but they
