Page 47 of The Best of Friends

Jayne laughed. “This isn’t about you. This is about me. And your mother. I’m her lapdog. Do my ears look floppy? Because they feel floppy to me. She’s all pissy because I didn’t tell her you were coming back, and when I pointed out it’s because we’re friends, she said that she and I were friends, too.” Technically, Elizabeth said she was a better friend, but Jayne didn’t think sharing that would help anything. “I came home and got the call about the job. It was timing. Maybe a sign from God. The worst part is, I feel guilty and I haven’t done anything wrong. How does she do that? How does she make me feel so small? Or do I let her?”

“I think it’s because you let her, but asaying that isn’t very helpful.”

“No, it’s not.” Jayne scooped up the cool, creamy ice cream, then chewed the nuts. “I don’t exactly hate her, but I wouldn’t mind not running into her for another forty or fifty years. Why can’t she be more gracious? I know what she and Blaine did for me, and I’m very grateful. But I’m getting damned tired of having it shoved in my face all the time.”

Rebecca’s expression turned speculative. “The reason she’s so good at making you feel like crap is because she’s been there.”

“Oppressed and taken advantage of?”

“Poor.”

Jayne nearly dropped the carton. “Excuse me? Elizabeth Worden, poor? I don’t believe it.”

“She wasn’t always Elizabeth Worden. In fact, my snobby mother used to be a…”

Jayne found herself leaning forward. “What?”

“A secretary. She was Blaine’s secretary. Based on what I know about David’s birthday and their anniversary, I would say my mother was putting out before the wedding. In fact, I think the young prince is the reason they got married.”

“She was pregnant?” Jayne tried to imagine Blaine and Elizabeth having sex, then wished she hadn’t. “But I don’t understand. If she was a regular person then, why is she such a bitch now?”

“It happens. People who don’t grow up with money either get it or they don’t. My mother doesn’t. It’s all about status and fitting in with her. I think she’s afraid to even think about who and what she was. If she’s nice to anyone less well off, she’s afraid people will think she’s like them.” She took a big bite of the ice cream. “Kinda makes you look at everything differently, huh?”

“Yes. It makes me want a do-over on some of our conversations.” Especially the one a few days ago, where Elizabeth had done her best to make Jayne feel guilty. Even more frustrating, Jayne had let her. “I wonder if she signed a prenup.”

“No idea.” Rebecca scooped up more ice cream. “She was pregnant, so I doubt Dad would have pushed, but wouldn’t that be fun.”

Jayne considered the options. “Do you think she would have risked it all with an affair if she had?”

“Ah, yes. Jonathan. Did she have a cow?”

“There was no actual mooing, but she wasn’t happy. Did you have to pick him?”

“Pretty much.” Rebecca tilted her head. “Did I say I was sorry for tossing you in the middle of that?”

“Of course not. You never apologize. The fact that Elizabeth doesn’t know that I know about the affair helped.”

Rebecca paused in midlick of her spoon. “What do you mean I never apologize? Of course I do.”

“Uh-huh? Any examples?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean I’m not sincere.”

“Then it’s okay.”

“This would be you being bitchy,” Rebecca said cheerfully, and dug back into the ice cream.

“I’m still dealing with everything happening. Considering I’m not even working, there’s way too much going on in my life. Things are complicated.”

“Like what things?”

Jayne hesitated. She wasn’t sure how Rebecca would react, which made her not want to say anything. But she really needed to talk to someone, and Katie wouldn’t get the problem.

“You have to promise not to tell anyone or discuss this with the person involved.”

Rebecca put her carton on the table and set her spoon next to it. “Now I have to know. Tell me. And yes, I promise.”

Jayne hesitated. “It’s David. He, um, well… He kissed me.”

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