Page 26 of The Girl He Loves

Chapter 10

Monday

Jayne pauses,box cutter in hand, and says, “So you’re telling me you had great sex in the back of your minivan, he shows up the next day—”

“No thanks to you,” I remind her.

“Right. I buggered that up. Sorry again. But it sounds like I did you a favor.”

“Yeah,” Josie says. “He fixed your dishwasher and gave your kid a day he’ll remember forever.”

The three of us are in the back room of Jayne’s shop, The Daily Mirror, unboxing her latest fashion finds from her most recent European trip. Jayne’s boutique specializes in unique and personalized style for the everyday girl, but also high-end haute couture for clients she acts as a personal shopper for. Local elites who like to get clothing pieces no others in town have while pretending they’re doing the local economy a favor by supporting Jayne’s small business.

Only, her shop’s not so small anymore. A few years ago, she thought about opening a second shop but ended up taking The Daily Mirror online with a personal shopping and outfit matching service called The Daily Closet. After customers upload a picture of themselves, Jayne and her two apprentices help them choose outfits and accessories for all occasions. Jayne makes money hand over fist, something her momma loved to say.

I say, “Yes, he did fix my dishwasher and really made Tyler happy playing ball. At bedtime, Ty kept saying no kid his age gets to play catch with a pro football player.”

Josie sits on a worktable and swings her legs while she eats an apple. Her long black hair is done in an Elsa braid that makes her look like a fairy princess. Well, a fairy princess with really big boobs and henna all over her body.

She says, “Then Dax just left?”

I shrug because Dax’s parting was the darnedest thing. And how I felt about it was more frustrating because I didn’t want him at my house in the first place, but when he left, I wanted him to stay.

I say, “He got a phone call as we were talking about going out for dinner. I had tacos on the menu, but Dax insisted on treating us. Then his phone rang, he took the call outside, and when he came in, he apologized, spent a few more minutes with Ty, and then he left.”

From a box on the table, Jayne takes out an Italian leather purse that cost what I make in a week. “And you didn’t see him Sunday?”

I shake my head. And I was mad at myself for checking out the front window every time I walked by while cleaning the house. My dishwasher ran like a champ, and I wanted to thank him again. Not doing dishes by hand is a luxury.

Josie chucks the apple core across the room at the trash can. It hits the rim and bounces in.

“Lucky,” Jayne says.

“All skill,” Josie says before she turns her attention to me. “Do you want anything from Dax, Heather? Like maybe even a relationship?”

“Nope,” I say, more from habit than actual heart.

She says, “Would you sleep with him again?”

I’d sure thought about it a lot since he left. “That would be stupid.”

Jayne’s brows shoot up. “That wasn’t a no.”

Josie chuckles. “Because memories of it are keeping her awake at night.”

We ignore her. Of all our friends, she’s the most courageous, overt, and sexual.

Jayne says, “My guess is, the reason he left like he did was because of whoever called.”

“And you’re sure he doesn’t have a wife,” Josie says. As a divorce lawyer, she’s also the most cynical.

“I’ve never seen an announcement and his social media says he’s single. But it’s not like social media always tells the truth.” I say. But doubt is there. It never left, really.

“Maybe a girlfriend?” Again Josie.

Jayne tosses a roll of packing tape at Josie. “Why are you telling her this guy is a wanker? What if he’s a right bloke?”

Josie shrugs and gives me an apologetic smile. “I think everyone should go in knowing the downside, is all. I bet he’s a good guy and maybe the phone call was an emergency.”

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