“That’d mean he raised you right.”
“He did.” She speared her fork into the food, set the containeraside, and turned her body to make sure Casey could see she was sincere. “Thehouse thing caught me off guard, and I reacted badly.”
“I wasn’t trying to upset you. Especially not when I brought up—”
“No. It’s my fault.” Jacqueline interrupted before Casey couldturn the conversation to Elle. “You don’t owe me any explanations. And thehouse is yours, to do what you want with.”
“I know that. But I thought you should hear it from me.”
“When Sean said—well, I guess I assumed she’d be moving in withyou.” The idea of Nina living in her house—Casey’s house—wasn’t any easier toaccept.
“I didn’t exactly go into detail with him.”
Jacqueline nodded, then covered Casey’s hand with hers. “Ifyou’re happy, then I’m happy for you. For both of you.” She stared at theirhands, resting on Casey’s thigh. How many nights, when Sean was young, had theysat on this porch together and watched him in the yard with one of theneighborhood kids? Then she remembered how those evenings had dwindled as she’dtraveled more, and she wondered if Casey had still sat out here—alone. It hurtto know that she hadn’t paid enough attention at the time to know the answer.Since she couldn’t ask now, she slid her hand away, stood, and took a few stepsdown the walk away from the steps.
Casey narrowed her eyes, as if trying to work out the answer toher own question. Jacqueline was so certain their conversation was going totake a different turn that she was almost startled when Casey returned to thetopic of moving in with Nina.
“It’s time for Nina and me to focus on our future. Sean’s goingon to the next stage of his life. He won’t need me—or you—as much.”
“I’m really not ready to talk about him being a grown-up.”Jacqueline laughed softly. “It’ll just make me feel old.”
Casey smiled. “We are old.” She tilted her head toward the stairnext to her. “Now sit back down and finish eating.”
Chapter Six
Jacqueline caught a bead of condensation as it ran down theoutside of her water glass and dragged her finger back up to the rim. Sheglanced at her watch, then at the door. The waiter made eye contact from acrossthe room, but she waved him off again. She wasn’t on a super-tight schedule,but she didn’t have all day either. Kendra had texted that she was runninglate. And though it might save time, Kendra would be mad if Jacqueline orderedwithout her.
Jacqueline had cursed a couple of other drivers in the densetraffic from her office to the popular West End lunch spot. Kendra wouldn’t bequite so harried when she arrived, as Jacqueline would bet she’d call an Ubercar to pick her up at her Music Row office. She hated driving and avoided itwhenever she could.
When she strode through the front door looking relaxed andconfident, Jacqueline knew she’d spent the last fifteen minutes checking heremail in the backseat of a car rather than silently willing the car in front ofher to “just go” so they could make the light before it turned. As Kendra woveher way through the tables, Jacqueline stood.
“You look cute,” Jacqueline said as they embraced. Kendra’s blackjeans, maroon blouse, and black leather jacket accentuated her voluptuous body.A soft, light-gray scarf was wound loosely around her neck.
“You look—tired.” Kendra laughed. “How’s Teddy?”
“He’s hanging in there. Sean came home a day early for theweekend. Which is why I was able to sneak away to meet you for lunch.”
“I’m glad you did.” They both sat, and Kendra waved the hoveringwaiter over. “I assume you’ve had time to look at the menu. I already know whatI want.”
Jacqueline ordered a turkey-and-avocado sandwich with trufflefries, while Kendra opted for the Swiss chard and oyster-mushroom tacos.
“Did you go vegetarian on me?” Jacqueline asked after the waiterhad left.
“It’s the most low-cal thing on the menu. Gavin’s trying out somenew menu items, and I’ve been his guinea pig every night this week. Pigapparently being the operative word.” She patted her belly gently. “If I don’twatch it, I’ll blimp out.”
“You’re beautiful. And lucky your boyfriend is an amazing chef.Is he here?” Jacqueline made a show of lifting her chin and looking toward thedoor to the kitchen.
“He’s back there somewhere.” Kendra hitched a thumb over hershoulder. “I’m sure he’ll make an appearance eventually. You know he’s a bit ofan attention whore and will want you to have a chance to properly congratulatehim.”
“For a few new menu items? That’s great and all, but I don’t knowif it’s reason for a celebration.”
“No. For popping the question.” She stuck out her left hand, nowadorned with a giant solitaire.
“Oh, my God, that’s great.” Jacqueline sprang out of her seat,hugged Kendra, and gushed over the ring. “I’ll forgive him for keeping you fromme for the past couple of weeks. But he better not think he can get away withit again.”
Kendra laughed. “It wasn’t him. I’ve been holed up in the studiowith Brooke Donahue, putting the finishing touches on her album.” Kendra hadbeen Brooke’s producer on both of her albums.
“Oh, she’s totally forgiven. I love her.” Jacqueline returned toher side of the table and they sat down.
“I know. She knows. Remember when you hit on her at thatfund-raiser I was kind enough to invite you to.”
“I didn’t hit on her. I simply told her how much I enjoyed hermusic.”
“Would you break your rule about dating local for her?”
“Maybe. But not my rule about dating married.” She had—once—aftera very lengthy dry spell. Giving in to loneliness, she’d let a gorgeous womanseduce her into ignoring the wedding-ring set on her elegant finger. But theguilt had eaten her up. As it turned out, she still had some morals after all.She’d never crossed that boundary again.
“That’s probably a good thing. Addison is completely in love withBrooke, and she might kick your ass. It’s pretty clear how happy they are.”
Jacqueline shrugged.
“What was that?”
“What?”
“The shrug and the look.” Kendra waved her fork at Jacqueline.
“Happy
