Juni’s expression went blank. “Oh, I rented the best Star Warsmovies. I thought maybe we’d hang out here and have a movie marathon.” She wasclearly disappointed.
“Can’t. I have to go draw out a design in Roscoe Village.” Shetook her cup into the kitchen, rinsed it, and put it in the dishwasher. Workingwould keep her mind off yesterday, and Grace.
“But it’s Sunday.” Juni drew the word out slowly.
“Um, rich people have their own schedules.”
“Since when do you conform to them?”
“That’s how I make the big bucks.” She swiped the notes from thecoffee table, slipped them into the waistband of her yoga pants, and took offto the door. “And why aren’t you minding the books at the store today?”
Juni followed her. “I left Grant in charge.”
“Letting the new guy run the shop. That’s a big step.” Dex tuggedopen the door.
“He can handle it. It’s been six months since he started, and he’spicked up things extremely well. That brain of his absorbs everything.” Junileaned against the open doorjamb and watched Dex carefully. “I thought thismight be a tough day for you.”
Dex couldn’t stand the sad puppy-dog face she gave her. “Firstthree in the series?”
“Duh.” Juni had definite opinions about Star Wars, and Dex happened toagree with her on this one.
“How about I go home and shower, take care of my appointment, thenpick up a pizza and see you in a few hours.”
The smile that spread across Juni’s face melted her instantly.“Sausage and mushroom?”
“Heavy on the cheese.”
“Yay!” Juni jumped up and down and clapped her hands wildly.
Dex fell against the door and laughed. “I love you, sis.”
“I know.” Juni smiled and pushed her out the door. “Now, hurryback.”
Chapter Three
Her knuckles had barely hit the door before Grace pulled itopen. Dex stopped cold at the sight of the woman glowing in front of her. Shewas dressed in jeans and a coral V-neck sweater that brought out the color ofher electric-blue eyes spectacularly. The deep, warm, bronze tone nowblanketing her usually creamy, white skin made her eyes even more vibrant thanusual. Grace was definitely even more beautiful than Dex remembered. This“absence makes the heart grow fonder” crap was for the birds.
Grace flew through the doorway and pulled Dex into a hug. “Oh myGod. It’s so good to see you.”
“You too,” Dex said as Grace took her hand and pulled her into theliving room. The two weeks were up, and Dex’s heart was finally beginning tofeel normal again. Just the sight of Grace blew that out of the water. She’dmade three new bids on landscapes and five on outdoor Christmas decorationswhile Grace was gone. The holiday season would soon be here, and she’d be toobusy to listen to her heart pining away for Grace. The message had been clear,and Dex had promised herself to move on. She didn’t see any sense in holdingout for something that was never going to happen. But at this moment, withGrace holding her hand, everything she’d told herself seemed iffy. She neededto get ahold of her emotions, suck it up, and hear all about Grace’s honeymoon.
“Have a seat, and I’ll get you some coffee.”
Dex did as she was told and slid into the oversized leather couch.The house seemed different somehow since Dex had been here last. But nothinghad really changed. She guessed she just hadn’t noticed how Brent’s furnishingswere making a presence in the living room. The comforting man-cave andcontemporary-modern styles mingled surprising well, with chocolate and creamcolors filling the room. The modern end tables accented the furniture nicely.Dex was sure the whole mix was an agonizing sacrifice for Grace.
“What happened to your couch?”
She tilted her head toward the hallway. “In the office.”
“Why?”
“Because this monstrosity couldn’t fit through the doorway.”
“Meant to be the center of attention, eh?” Dex ran her hand acrossthe worn leather. “This is nice, though.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “For now,” she said, handing her a mug ofcoffee.
She sipped at the steaming brew that Grace had made especially forher. Grace was a tea drinker, always had been, but since Dex liked coffee,she’d learned to make it.
“Here,” Grace said as she handed her a shopping bag and sat on thecouch next to her. “I bought this for you at one of the galleries.”
Dex set her coffee on the table before she reached into the bag.“Wow.” She admired the small, white, kneeling female sculpture. “Grace, thisis…”
“I know how much you love contemporary art.” Grace dunked the teabagin her mug up and down a few times.
“Really, Grace. This must have cost a fortune. It’s too much.”
“No, it’s not. You helped me a lot with the wedding.” She searchedher bag for something else and handed her a string of what looked like marbles.“Plus, you’re my best friend.”
Dex held it up to her neck and scrunched her nose. “A necklace?”
Grace laughed. “Definitely not. They’re komboloi beads, made ofamber. They’re supposed to keep your hands busy.”
Dex held up the colorful string and let the marbles slide fromside to side. “Oh. Nice.”
“Or you can just hang them on the wall.” Grace stood and reachedfor her hand. “Leave that and come with me.” She pulled her into the office,sat in the chair behind the desk, and motioned for Dex to get the one in the corner.“I’ve got so many pictures to show you.” She put the camera card in the slot onthe side of the laptop and fiddled with the mouse. “Do you know how to makethese play?”
Dex stood up. “Here. Let me drive.”
Grace switched seats with her, and Dex had the pictures pulled upin just a few clicks.
As Dex clicked through the massive number of pictures, her stomachstarted to twist. She saw pictures of Brent and Grace at the beach, Brent andGrace at dinner, Brent and Grace at the Acropolis.
“Can you help me make a slide show out of these?”
“Sure. Do you have some music you want to add to it?”
“Yes. We bought some in Greece that would be perfect.” Grace ranout of the room and returned quickly with a CD.
While the pictures copied
