“Wow. That’s a lovely sentiment to hear as I’m about to tiemyself to Gavin essentially for the rest of my life.”
“Essentially?”
“Yeah. I mean I can still walk away unscathed. Until we havekids.”
“That’s the truth.”
Kendra squeezed Jacqueline’s hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“No, please. I’m the one who should be sorry. You have thisamazing news, and I don’t want to bring it down with my ancient history.”
“If it really were history, you wouldn’t be upset about it.”
“Kendra—”
“I knew something more than Teddy was bothering you when youcalled last night.”
“Let’s talk about your wedding. Oh, and babies—are you going tohave babies right away?”
“I’m not getting any younger. I told Gavin if he wants one, itneeds to be soon.”
“I’m going to be an awesome godmother.”
“I haven’t asked you to be a godmother.”
Jacqueline pretended to look offended. “Who else would you ask?”
“Maybe I’ll ask you andCasey. That way if something happens to us, at least you’ll have to finally getover yourself and be honest with her.”
She didn’t bother with the protest that Kendra would certainlyignore. “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
“Hmm—how about, Casey, I’ve never stopped loving you, and I wishwe could give us another shot.”
“Kendra.”
“I think that sums it up pretty good.”
She shook her head. “You know I can’t do that. If none of thereasons we split up have changed, then there’s no point in trying again. We’llend up the same, only maybe worse.”
“Or better. Isn’t there a chance you could figure out how to keepit together this time?”
“If it’s just a chance, the answer’s still no. I could never dothat to Sean. He’s already been through it once.”
“But you love her.”
“It’s not that simple. I know your squishy heart andwedding-brain want to believe that’s enough, but sometimes it isn’t.” She didlove her. But so much trust had been destroyed, and they’d treated each otherbadly. Jacqueline didn’t know if she could give anyone a fair shot at her heartagain, let alone Casey, with whom she already had so much baggage.
“Maybe if you talk to her—”
“She asked me to leave, Kendra. Eight years ago. Why do you thinkthat’s going to change now?”
“I can hope.” Kendra gave her a sympathetic smile. “I introducedyou guys, so I feel responsible.”
Jacqueline laughed. “You always act like you did it on purpose,too.”
“I invited her to poker, didn’t I?”
“Not for me.”
“Okay. But I did encourage you for three days afterward to callher while you were dragging your feet. You’re lucky some other hot lesbiandidn’t beat you to her.”
As soon as Kendra had seen Casey’s number on Jacqueline’s door,she’d started hounding Jacqueline to call and ask her out. But something aboutCasey had made Jacqueline nervous, and she’d spent several days with herstomach in knots and fantasies of Casey spinning through her head before shegot up her nerve.
“You haven’t told Casey that I still—”
“Of course not. I’m a vault.”
She knew Kendra still talked to Casey, but she wasn’t sure atwhat level they confided in each other. If Casey had said—no, she wouldn’t lether mind or her heart go there. Casey was off the market and definitelyoff-limits to Jacqueline.
“And, hey, I do not have wedding-brain. That’s not even a thing.”
“It is. Women who are getting married want everyone else to be,too.”
“Please. I don’t want you stealing any of my thunder with a shinynew love.”
“No new love for me. I promise.” Jacqueline signaled the waiterfor the check. “When’s the big day?”
“We haven’t set the exact date yet, but I’m thinking a fewmonths, if we can pull it off. We want a small ceremony. I’ve already done thebig, fancy wedding.”
Kendra had met her first husband, a successful music producer,just out of college. Their ceremony had landed on the society page, and she’dbeen branded the latest trophy wife of a much-older man. While Kendra had beenin it for real, the marriage didn’t last. She’d left her husband’s company andstarted her career from scratch, determined to make her own name. And she’dstayed out of the dating scene for years, until she met Gavin.
“I expect you and Casey to both stand up with me, so keep itcivil until then, okay?”
“She’s moving in with Nina.” She tilted her head in a fakegesture of indifference. “Actually, she’s selling our house—her house—andgetting a place with her.”
“She told you?” Kendra looked surprised—not that Casey wasselling, but that she’d told Jacqueline.
“You knew.”
“She mentioned that they were talking about moving in.”
“Her idea or Nina’s?” She held up her hands as soon as she saidit. “Don’t answer that. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you. Anyway, shedidn’t tell me. Sean did, but she confirmed it when I asked.”
“I don’t think she intended to keep the news from you.”
“I don’t either. I just wasn’t prepared for that kick in the gut.I haven’t lived there in years. But it’s like as long as she had the house—”
“I know.”
She took a deep breath, then expelled it, trying to clear out heremotions as well. “It’s okay. It’s good.”
“Is it?”
She forced herself to nod. “She’s happy.”
“You deserve to be happy, too.” Kendra grabbed her hand.
“I know. But right now I’ve got my hands full with work and Dad.”She’d worry about the rest later. She could try to convince herself that sheshould be looking for a relationship—someone to grow old with—because that’swhat people did. But maybe she wasn’t meant for that kind of happy ending.She’d just focus on working and making enough money to pay for a fancy nursinghome to live out her days in. She smiled to herself, glad she hadn’t voicedthat thought out loud for Kendra to hear.
*
Monday morning, Jacqueline loaded her small suitcase andbriefcase into her car. Late last week, she’d made arrangements with asenior-care company to send someone a couple of times a day to check on herfather. With one worry alleviated, she concentrated on enjoying the weekendbefore returning to work. She’d made a nice dinner for her father and SeanSaturday night, and then they’d piled onto the couch for a movie night. Seanprobably had better things to do on a Saturday night than hang out with his motherand grandfather. But he hadn’t let
