The Rainbow Cedar

CHAPTER FOUR

"You know it's already ninety-five out."

"Uh-huh."

Jay nodded at their waiter, nearly ripping the iced tea from his hand and taking a large drink. "God, that's good." She looked at Audrey over the rim of the glass. "Only an insane person would wear pantyhose."

Audrey rolled her eyes. "Not again."

"I'm just saying, skirt and hose? That's archaic."

"Dress code, Jay."

"Which is another archaic concept. Good grief, it's summer." She put the glass down. "In Texas."

"I know where we live."

"They shouldn't even sell hose during the summer."

"As we've discussed for the last several summers... brokerage firm, dress code, very important clients. Or have you forgotten where I work?"

"It's insane. That's all I'm saying."

"Why must we have this conversation every summer? Why?"

Jay shook her head. "Because it's insane, and you're making me hot."

Audrey grinned. "Oh, baby. It's been awhile since someone's told me I make them hot."

Jay laughed. "Speaking of hot, I talked to Drew Montgomery the other night."

"Drew? The woman you hit?"

"Yes. We talked for over an hour."

Audrey stared at her. "Now who's insane?"

"It was so easy." Jay leaned back, relaxing. "She put me in touch with a builder. Gave him my card. So I met him this morning. He liked my portfolio, and just like that, I got a job." She smiled as Shelly, Rhonda's lunchtime help, brought their burgers and fries. "Thanks, Shell."

"Shelly? My mayo?"

"Sorry, Audrey. I'll bring it right out."

"She's knows I like mayo," Audrey complained after Shelly was out of earshot. "She knows I dip my fries in mayo. Why doesn't she just bring it out the first time? Why must I always ask for it?"

"That's kinda crazy too," Jay said as she shoved two fries into her mouth. "And fattening."

"I have always been this size, do not start with me." She paused. "Skinny bitch," she muttered under her breath.

Jay laughed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't pick on you. You're my only friend."

"Yeah. Try to remember that."

Jay acknowledged the subtle wink Shelly gave her when she returned with the mayo. What started out innocently—forgetting the mayo—had turned into a game for Shelly. One she apparently enjoyed much more than Audrey did.

"I'll try not to forget your tip this time, Shell," Audrey mumbled as she chewed her first fry laden with creamy mayonnaise. "Now, what about this job?"

Jay wiped her mouth with her napkin. "They make the best burgers. God. I could eat here everyday."

"You practically do. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were hoping to run into Drew again."

Jay scoffed. "But you do know better."

"So, about the job."

"Oh, yeah. It's with R and K Builders. They're a small company. I think they probably only have two or three houses going at once. They're not spec houses. They design them to be custom, so they're really nice. And probably since they are such a small company, Wilkes and Bonner didn't want to waste their talent on them, so they outsourced. Mr. Kline found out and got pissed off," she said, remembering Drew's words. Randy Kline, when they'd met, said no such thing.

"So what'd you get? Just one house?"

Jay grinned. "That's the great part. I think he intended to give me one house, just to try me out. But he loved my portfolio. In fact, he said my style was just what he was looking for." She knew she was beaming, but she couldn't help it. "I got three."

"Oh, wow, Jay, that's fabulous. I'm so proud."

Jay reached across the table and squeezed Audrey's hand. "Thanks. I feel like maybe—finally—my big break is here."

"So why don't we go out and celebrate tonight?" Audrey bit into her burger, chewing quickly. "Or is Katherine making herself available, since it is Friday and all?"

"I haven't even told Katherine yet." Jay stood. "I'm going to get us some more tea." At the counter, she winked at Shelly as she grabbed a half-full pitcher of tea and brought it back to their table. "Besides, Friday nights are no different than any other night for her."

Audrey shook her head, but Jay wasn't in the mood to listen to how bad Katherine was. She didn't need Audrey to tell her.

"So, what'd you have in mind?"

"See a movie?" Audrey suggested.

Jay thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm too wired to sit still that long."

"Dancing?"

"Good grief, no. You and me?" Jay glanced at the blackboard behind the tiny stage, noting one of her favorite singers was playing tonight. She hadn't been out to listen to Tammy George since last summer. "How about margaritas?"

"That means here."

"Tammy George."

Audrey whipped her head around, her eyes wide as she read the board. "Wow. Cool." She nodded. "Okay, but it'll be crowded."

Jay knew it would, but it would be fun. A night out. And she knew Katherine wouldn't mind. She suspected it was a load off Katherine's mind knowing Jay had a pal like Audrey. Audrey was forever single, but forever looking. She went on her share of blind dates, but—as Jay had told her once—she was looking for a diamond among a box full of rocks. Therefore, one blind date rarely led to two, which was why Audrey had as much free time on her hands as Jay did.

"Crowded is fine," Jay said as she picked up her burger again. "Besides, maybe you'll get lucky."

Audrey snorted. "I've been here when it's crowded. They come out of the woods. And frankly, most of the women who come out of the woods scare me." She dipped a fry into her mayo cup, then pointed it at Jay. "But might you be hoping it's crowded enough for a Drew Montgomery sighting?"

"Oh, don't be silly," Jay said, dismayed to feel her face flushing with embarrassment. The thought had crossed her mind, she admitted.

"Right. And I'll just pretend I didn't see you blush."

"Oh, all right," she conceded. "Would it be so bad if she were here? I need to thank her anyway. My new job and all."

"You could just call her. Because as much as I hate what Katherine is doing to you, I think this Drew person is going to be trouble."

"Trouble? How so?"

Audrey raised her eyebrows. "Dreamy, steamy and creamy."