“I hope you don’t mind me crashing your dinner party.” DespiteJacqueline’s casual statement, the tension in her voice indicated she’d sensedsomething was off with Teddy as well.
“Dinner party?”
“It’s Wednesday.” Casey held up her loaf of bread as if thatmight jog his memory. When they’d talked earlier in the week, he said he’d putone of the lasagnas she’d stocked his freezer with into the oven for tonight.Since she didn’t smell the spicy tomato and garlic aroma, he’d apparentlyforgotten about dinner.
“What are we having?” He clearly didn’t remember their plans butseemed to be putting the pieces together and was maybe hoping her answer wouldgive him a hint.
“Not lasagna, I guess.” Casey said as she went into the kitchento confirm her suspicions. When she opened the freezer door and saw the pastadish still in there, Jacqueline looked over her shoulder.
“New plan?” Jacqueline’s mouth was close enough for Casey to feelher breath on her ear. She shivered and wondered if she imagined that she couldfeel the vibration of her words in the press of Jacqueline’s chest against herback.
“Yes.” She cleared her throat to get rid of the tremor in hervoice.
“I’ll go pick something up from that Italian place you like.”Jacqueline stepped back so Casey could close the freezer door.
“No.” Casey turned around. Jacqueline still stood close. Beforeshe could stop herself, she touched Jacqueline’s cheek. “You’re alreadyspending too much time in your car lately.”
“Casey.” Jacqueline tilted her head into Casey’s palm.
She dropped her hand and moved back against the refrigerator.“Let me see what I can come up with. You deserve some comfort food.”
“Okay. But nothing too complicated. Otherwise, we’ll order pizzaor something. From the looks of that freezer, you already spend enough timecooking for him.”
“I enjoy it.” She opened the pantry, hoping she could throwtogether something that still utilized the French bread. She grabbed a coupleof cans and turned around. “The soup will be canned, but I’ll make up for itwith amazing grilled-cheese sandwiches.”
“Sounds perfect.”
If they left it to Teddy he’d have only a stack of processed Americanslices in the fridge. But since Jacqueline had been doing his grocery shoppingand cheese was one of her vices, Casey was certain she’d find a betterselection.
She grabbed Swiss, cheddar, and Monterey jack and put togetherthree sandwiches. Jacqueline kept her company while she toasted both sides on astovetop griddle pan. She let Jacqueline lead the conversation and noticed thatshe kept it light and steered away from both her work and Teddy. Actually,Jacqueline seemed more content to listen than to talk, asking Casey about whereshe’d been hiking and if she’d taken any interesting photos lately. Caseylaunched into a detailed description of a new location she’d gotten access toin the future, which would be perfect for her fall sessions. The owner of thefarm was the grandmother of one of her clients, and Casey had shot hergranddaughter’s school pictures there. The woman had been so impressed thatshe’d given Casey her number and told her to call whenever she wanted to takepictures there. She’d even refused to charge Casey any rental fees.
“You should see it, Jacq. There’s this old weathered barn and, acouple hundred yards away, a newly painted red one so it covers whichever moodI’m going for. Then, of course, there’s all this rustic farm stuff to playwith. And the stream that runs through the property passes by both barns. I saystream, but it’s as wide as a street and waist deep in the middle. And when theleaves are changing, the colors reflect off the water brilliantly. Theafternoon light there is amazing.” She stopped, realizing she’d been waving herspatula around like a crazy woman. “Sorry, I’m babbling. And I’m sure you don’tcare about—”
“I do.” Jacqueline smiled, her eyes warm with affection thatCasey would have sworn Jacqueline couldn’t feel for her anymore. “I’ve alwaysliked how passionate you get about your work.”
Casey held her gaze for a moment longer, basking in the glowbefore she made herself look away. She pulled the pan off the burner. “I’malmost ready here. So go round up Teddy.”
As she plated their dinner, Jacqueline herded Teddy to the table.He and Casey chatted while they ate. Jacqueline grew increasingly quiet, thoughshe did moan her approval of the grilled cheese.
Casey hadn’t seen Jacqueline since their emotionally chargedconversation about kids the previous weekend. She’d felt unsettled about whereexactly they’d left things. But when Jacqueline had showed up today looking alittle beat-up and clearly not wanting to discuss the causes, she’d decided toplay along. Other than that awkward and too-familiar moment in the kitchen,they’d engaged in polite conversation that left her no closer to understandingthe new ebbs and flows of their relationship.
Something else was bothering Jacqueline, but Casey waited until theywere alone in the kitchen again to ask about it. Jacqueline insisted oncleaning up since Casey had cooked. Teddy didn’t have a dishwasher, so shefilled the sink to wash their few dishes. Casey grabbed a towel and said she’ddry them. She waited until Jacqueline was up to her forearms in soapy water andcouldn’t escape before she made an attempt.
“What’s really going on? You look exhausted.”
Jacqueline shook her head, her expression beginning to shut down.
“Is it just Teddy? Or—Kendra mentioned you had a problem atwork.”
Jacqueline scoffed. “Problems, actually.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I just need to get through this week.” Jacqueline passed her aplate.
“Okay.” She smothered her desire to convince Jacqueline toconfide in her, telling herself that wasn’t her job anymore—if it had everbeen. Sometimes she felt like she’d spent their whole relationship askingJacqueline for more.
“Don’t do that.”
“What?” She affected a casual tone.
“Don’t act like I’ve disappointed you. I can’t handle that, too.”
“To be disappointed, I’d have to have some expectations of you.”
“Ouch.”
She laid the towel down on the counter next to the sink. “Youknow, suddenly, I’m tired as well. I think I’ll say good-bye to Teddy and headhome.”
She’d taken two steps toward the living room when Jacqueline’svoice stopped her. “I screwed up. A couple of times.”
Casey folded her arms, waiting to see if Jacqueline was justtossing her a tidbit to placate her.
“I missed a crucial step in an investigation
