“Can I see one?” Casey asked because she knew Jacqueline didn’tlike to show her cards.
Jacqueline narrowed her eyes and hesitated. Casey gave her thesweet smile that used to get her whatever she wanted. Jacqueline flipped overthe king of hearts, letting Casey know she’d probably made a good choice in herfold. But a part of her wondered what would have happened if she’d pushed herstack in and made another bold side bet. She glanced around the table and knewshe’d never have done that in front of the others. Apparently nineteen-year-oldCasey had possessed way more guts than the contemporary version of herself. Andprobably more stupidity, too. Flirting with Jacqueline wasn’t a good idea. Sheglanced at the beer bottle next to Jacqueline’s elbow. Especially nottipsy-Jacqueline.
Chapter Fourteen
“What are you doing?” Kendra whispered as she hurried aroundthe kitchen counter, holding a stack of plates. She glanced at the door toCasey’s studio as if making sure none of the guests followed her out.
“Hey, the guest of honor does not clean up.” Casey took theplates and set them on the counter.
“Don’t change the subject. I don’t want to be saying this becauseI love you both, and I’ve tried to be Switzerland when it comes to you two—”
“We’re getting along. Isn’t that what you’ve been hounding us forall these years? All of us being able to hang out together?”
Kendra pointed a finger at her. “No. I know better. The tequila—”
“You brought out the tequila.” Casey grabbed Kendra’s finger andgently pulled her hand out of her face.
“And the flirting. I’ve played enough cards with you to know it’slike damn foreplay to the two of you.”
“Poker party was your idea.”
Kendra yanked her hand free. “You and Nina broke up. And you’vebeen spending a lot of time with Jacqueline these last couple of months.”
“I haven’t seen her in weeks. I helped with Teddy, that’s all.”
“I don’t want her to get the wrong idea.”
Casey started to respond then stopped. At first she’d thoughtKendra was looking out for both of them. But now, she suspected Kendra wantedto protect Jacqueline. She hadn’t told Kendra about the kiss and assumedJacqueline hadn’t either, but maybe she’d been wrong. Kendra must have somereason to think Casey would hurt Jacqueline.
“The wrong idea about what?”
“About why you and Nina didn’t work out.”
“Not that it’s either of your business—”
“Casey—”
“No, don’t Caseyme.” She didn’t know why Kendra’s warning made her angry. She was alittle embarrassed that Kendra had called her out on her behavior, but she hadno reason to be mad when Kendra was clearly only concerned about them.
“Just be careful, please.” Kendra raised her hands, palms out insurrender. “I won’t say anything more about it.” She headed back toward thestudio and left Casey standing there contemplating their conversation.
She haddanced dangerously close to a line in the boundaries of her relationship withJacqueline today. She’d caught Jacqueline looking at her a couple of times, andinstead of realizing that alcohol and familiar surroundings probably fueled theheated glances, she’d basked in the attention. And she didn’t want to admitthat one of the reasons she and Nina hadn’t worked out was because Nina’spassionate stare had never inspired even half the reaction in her thatJacqueline’s did.
*
“Thanks again, Mabel, you were great,” Casey called through theopen doorway, then closed the door.
Jacqueline slumped on the couch next to Kendra. The rest of theguests had already left. Jacqueline had stopped drinking tequila in plenty oftime to avoid complete embarrassment. But she’d continued to maintain a healthybuzz with beer throughout the night. She’d downed a glass of water after everythird drink in an effort to stave off a hangover tomorrow.
Casey glanced at them, then walked into her studio. Jacquelinewanted to get up and follow her, but she couldn’t make her muscles obey. Theymight know better than her brain or her heart what was best for her, but ifthat were true they’d be propelling her out of this house right now. She’dspent more time in her old home tonight than she had in years, and she mighthave reached her limit without turning into a sappy mess.
“Come on, Jacq. I’ll drive your drunk ass home.” Kendra tappedJacqueline’s thigh and stood up.
She looked toward the studio and found Casey propped against thedoorframe staring at her across the darkened room. “That’s okay. I’m staying atDad’s tonight. I’ll walk.”
Kendra glanced at Casey, back at Jacqueline, then threw her handsup. “Suit yourself.” She bent to hug Jacqueline and whispered in her ear, “Becareful, sweetie.”
She hugged Casey on her way to the door. “Thank you for hosting.This was great.” She glanced back at Jacqueline before she left, her expressionindicating she thought Jacqueline was an idiot.
“Yep. I am,” Jacqueline mumbled as the door closed behind Kendra.
“What?” Casey asked as she moved farther into the room, pickingup discarded plastic cups as she went.
“Nothing.”
“Tonight was fun.” Casey rounded the counter into the kitchen andthrew away the trash.
“Yeah. Best bridal shower ever.” Jacqueline rested her headagainst the back of the couch and closed her pleasantly heavy eyelids.
Casey laughed, and the low throaty sound felt too familiar. Theyused to do this—unwind after a dinner party, talking and laughing about theirevening. Then they’d secure the house and go to bed together. Jacquelinevividly recalled watching Casey across the span of the bed while each of themundressed in only the moonlight, then sliding under the covers with her.
“I should go.” Jacqueline heaved herself off the couch way toofast for her still-fuzzy head. She took a quick step to her right to correctfor the sudden motion.
“Hey. Hold on.” Casey rushed over and grabbed her arm.
“I’m good.” She pulled her arm free. “I’m okay.” She was, exceptfor a tiny bit of slurring, but she’d get a handle on that in just a minute.
“I’m not letting you walk. You can stay here.”
“S’only a few blocks.” Jacqueline patted the pocket of her jeans,making sure she had her phone before she left.
Casey grasped her chin and turned her face until
