“So you’re supposed to feel beholden to him?”
“Beholden?” Jacqueline laughed. “I wouldn’t have put it exactlythat way, but yes, I guess so.”
“That’s bullshit. Was this really a big deal?”
“Not this time. But it could have been.”
“But it wasn’t.”
“I couldn’t have known that when I didn’t ask for the letter. Ihave to grovel to him a little. It’s politics. Don’t tell me you music-industrypeople don’t have any of that.”
“You’re right. I’m lucky to have a solid group around me. And agood-enough reputation to say screw you and move on if I don’t like the way ofthings.”
Jacqueline shook her head. “It’s different for me. I’ve put in alot of time and I’m almost there.”
“And you still want it? The big chair? Your boss’s job?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t I?” They’d reached the end of the block, andJacqueline stopped and faced Kendra.
“I’m just saying that it’s okay to change your mind. Maybe youwant different things now than you did when you were a hot, young,twenty-something.”
Jacqueline turned away and headed down the next street, assumingKendra would follow. “You’re not suddenly wise just because you’re gettingmarried, you know.”
“Maybe I am.”
“That reminds me. Everything’s all set for your bridal showernext month.”
“I wish you’d stop calling it that. Are you sure you’re okayhaving it at Casey’s house?” Kendra swung her arms, one hand tapping Jacqueline’sin a casual touch that, if she didn’t know Kendra better, she might believe wasaccidental.
“Sure. It makes sense. Her house is bigger than both of ours, andthis way I’ll be close if Dad needs anything.” She’d had mixed feelings whenKendra told her Casey had volunteered her house—their old house—for the party.She smothered a sarcastic comment about taking advantage of the house beforeCasey sold it. The locale made sense, for all the reasons she’d just givenKendra, so she’d just have to get over any weirdness.
She’d told Kendra to let Casey know she’d take care of theplanning. Running with Kendra’s idea for a poker theme, she’d found a companythat rented an authentic poker table and the services of a dealer. She’d evenhired a company to cater a mini-buffet designed to emulate the kind found incasinos. She’d texted the details to Casey but asked that they keep everythingfrom Kendra until that day.
When she followed Kendra around the next corner, she realizedthey’d be going right by Casey’s house. As they drew closer, Kendra craned herneck like she was trying to see if Casey was home. Jacqueline’s hope that theycould pass without incident disappeared when she saw Casey sitting on theporch. She’d been avoiding Casey for five days. Given her work schedule, ithadn’t been too difficult. When she hadn’t accidentally run into Casey at herfather’s even once, she’d wondered if Casey might also be staying away fromher. Casey had responded to her texts about the party with short, to-the-pointanswers.
They hadn’t talked about the kiss, yet. Knowing Casey, she’deventually want to. Jacqueline couldn’t forget about it. In fact, as time wenton it seemed like she remembered parts of it that she hadn’t noticed at thetime. Like Casey’s small, sexy moan when their mouths came together. Or the wayCasey had grasped desperately at her waist before wedging her hands betweenthem to break their embrace. Or how Casey’s lips tasted like peppermint andfelt just a little sticky. She didn’t wear lipstick, so it must have been lipbalm.
“Are you up there drinking beer while this bitch has me outsweating?” Kendra’s voice jerked her away from her memories of the kiss. Kendrahad stopped at the end of the walk leading up to the house, and Jacquelinealmost ran into her. Her heart was racing and she couldn’t look at Casey. Shewas certain her nipples were pushing out through her sports bra and T-shirt,but she didn’t dare check, with Kendra staring at her like she was an idiot.
“Absolutely.” Casey lifted her bottle. “Want one?”
“Yes, yes, yes.” As Kendra grabbed Jacqueline’s elbow and starteddragging her up the walk, Casey went into the house.
Once Casey was out of sight, Jacqueline pulled her arm free.“I’ll meet you back at Dad’s house.”
“What? Come on.” Kendra reached for her again, but she backed upa step.
“I’m not done walking yet.”
Kendra gave her a look that said she knew there was more goingon, then said, “Well, I’m having a beer.”
Jacqueline didn’t wait for her to get all the way up the walkbefore she stepped onto the sidewalk again and resumed her route. She didn’tlook back when she heard Casey come back to the porch.
She picked up the pace, practically power-walking to her house.She would have to get her shit under control before the party. She hadn’t evenasked if Kendra had invited Nina, but since Casey was hosting, it would be rudenot to have, so she had to assume Nina would be there. Apparently, avoidanceworked only until she couldn’t help being in Casey’s company. She would have tofigure out some other way to distract herself during the party.
The kiss was a very vivid memory, but she had another one shecould draw on that would surely remind her of why she should stay away fromCasey. She’d been trying not to go back to such a place of anger, but maybe shehad no choice. She called up her memory of the day she’d known her relationshipwith Casey was over—their last big fight. It didn’t even matter what they’dbeen arguing about at first. Things had escalated until they’d been screamingat each other, and then they’d heard Sean’s bedroom door slam and both realizedhe’d been in the hallway listening.
Casey had gotten very quiet when she said, “I’m tired offighting.”
“I knowit’s exhausting, Casey. We’re going through a rough patch and it’s hard, butwe’ll get through it.” Jacqueline was relieved that Casey might be calling atruce, but she had been mistaken.
“I don’tknow if we will. I think I need some time.”
“Time forwhat?”
“Time.Space.”
“What areyou—you’re saying we’re done?” Exasperated, she threw out the most ridiculousscenario she could think of, but when she saw the devastation on Casey’s face,her chest ached and a flash of nausea hit her.
“Jacq, I’msorry, I—”
“No.
