Page 39 of You Had Me at Merlot

“Definitely,” Leighton said. “Interaction is the key to getting people involved. Everyone wants to look good when called upon.”

“With that fantastic point, let’s all hit pause for tonight. We’ve given ourselves so much to work with,” Jessica said.

She was right. They had accomplished a great deal that night, and Leighton was glad she’d come. The Jamie factor was an unanticipated snag, and Jessica would certainly hear from her on it later. But for now,she basked in the knowledge that she and Jamie had done just fine together. In fact, when the group said good-bye in front of the building later, she hung back on the steps for a word with Jamie.

“Again, sorry if my presence caught you off guard,” Leighton said.

Jamie, who seemed much more relaxed than when they’d arrived, shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. The group gelled really well together tonight. I don’t have a problem working with you if you don’t have a problem working with me. Just a grown-up school project, right? We don’t have to make it personal.”

“Right. We don’t.” The sentiment yanked away the spring in her step because simply exchanging ideas with Jamie tonight, listening to her interact with others, reminded her of the magical time they’d spent together years ago. She saw all the things that had drawn her to Jamie in the first place. “But I’m glad it won’t be a problem.” Leighton pulled her business card from her bag and handed it to Jamie. “For committee planning purposes.”

Jamie studied the card. “Vice President of Community Relations.” She looked up. “Congratulations. You’ve ascended.” There was a bite to her tone. Leighton absorbed it.

“Thank you.”

“Is that like PR?”

She nodded. “Yes and no. We have a PR arm of the company, but my team is adjacent. A bit more proactive with a strong focus on building relationships with our customers and the communities we’re tied to across the country.” She shrugged. “The truth? I wanted to spend my time building bridges rather than burning them.” A deep breath as regret swarmed, familiar and potent. “I’m learning as I go.”

Jamie seemed to be dissecting the implication, and Leighton thought she saw her soften. Finally, she slid the business card into her bag. “Let’s build some bridges for these women who need it. Deal?” She held out her hand, a partnership. They were going to work together in spite of what they’d been through.

“Deal.” She appreciated the grace Jamie was extending her, another example of how good a person she was. “I appreciate that, Jamie, and I don’t take the invitation to work together lightly.” For whatever reason, Jamie met her gaze and held on, searching Leighton’s eyes. She imagined she was a kind of puzzle to Jamie, and likely not thegood kind. She’d brought shock, anger, and sadness into Jamie’s life, and Jamie hadn’t deserved any of it. She laughed now, thinking back to the moment she’d naively asked if they could hold on to what they’d discovered between them. “Jamie?”

“Yes?”

“Before you go, I need to tell you that back then I had to sell myself on the logic that everything we did as a company was for the greater good. A survival strategy. I know better now, and I have a lot of regret.”

“I’m glad you see that.” Jamie shrugged beneath the halo of the streetlights. “I guess in the end, we’re all just trying to make our way.” She gestured up to the building. “Like the women we’re trying to help. But I’m glad to hear you’re working on yourself. Good night.”

It was certainly not forgiveness, but it was an acknowledgment that Leighton needed deep down. Because shewasa work in progress, but pleased with the changes she’d made in her life. She and Jamie would never be close again, but it was enough to know that Jamie heard her out, knew of her efforts.

Leighton struggled for sleep that night, instead lying there with the cool sheets against her bare body, remembering the feel of the most perfect lips on hers, the skin beneath her fingertips, the sound of Jamie when pleasure washed over her. She shifted her position, uncomfortable, longing for release. She missed Jamie and all she’d made Leighton feel. Their weeks together felt like a distant dream she’d once had, perfect and rare, a glimmer of a time that somehow managed to surpass every other time in her life.

At least she had the memory ofthem, the way they’d fit together so perfectly, laughed so effortlessly. The Jamie memories were hers to keep, tucked away and safe, always and forever.

Chapter Ten

Sometimes, life called, and it was important to stop everything and answer. When Jamie’s father died a year and half ago, she’d made changes to her schedule in order to see her mother more often. She’d struggled with how she’d possibly come up with more time as a small business owner, but the change had been a blessing in disguise. Not only did she learn to rely on her team more often, but she and her mother had developed a kind of one-on-one friendship that they’d never had before. It was nice having this new little piece of her life to look forward to. She and her mother hit up the farmers markets on the weekend, met for wine in the bar every other Wednesday evening, and watched dogs play in Washington Square Park while sipping Leo’s iced blueberry lattes.

“I just don’t know if it’s the right choice for me,” her mom explained on a park bench, late that afternoon. Nearby, behind the chain-link fence, the dogs of New York wrestled and played. “A dog is such a great responsibility, and I live in an apartment.”

“I hear you. It would take some work to keep him or her exercised and happy. But I also know you’ve mentioned it about eight hundred times, so it’s at least worth talking out.”

Her mother sat forward and grinned. Her dark hair with the occasional gray streak was pulled into a low bun. “Look at that one.” She tapped Jamie’s knee about five times in excitement. “Jamie, look. His fur bounces when he runs.”

“Looks like a happy fella.” The rough-coated mix that ran through the dog park was small in size and probably about what her mom couldhandle on her own. It was a nice thought, her mom having a friend, and Jamie would be there to help out whenever she could. She worried her mom was lonely now, and a dog was a way to fill the apartment with a little bit of joy. Another soul to cuddle with while she watched TV or read a book. “I think you should do it.”

Her mother shook her head adamantly. “It would be unwise.” A beat. “But so much fun.” Another beat. “The work involved, though.” She exhaled. “But look how sweet they are.”

Jamie laughed. “You are living the kind of struggle I don’t envy.” She turned to her mom. “Take your time deciding. There’s no rush.”

“Have you ever seen a woman so conflicted? I’m like two warring nations in one body. Change the subject. Save us.” She waved her hand. “Tell me what new thing happened to you this week.”

“Easy. I ran into a woman who once broke my heart with her dishonesty, and I didn’t kill her. Surely, that warrants a motherly pat on the head.” She presented her head. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Her mother tilted hers. “Tell me this isn’t that awful Laurel. She criticized the Berber rug my mother brought over from Morocco to Saudi Arabia before I was born.”

“I know. That’s because she’s the worst kind of human, Mom. We should avoid people like her at all costs and will. But it wasn’t her.”

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