Gerri Hill - The Rainbow Cedar

Jay relaxed, leaning back in her chair and refilling her wineglass for the third time. "I had no idea you were organic. How did that start?"

"My grandfather. He had a little nursery out in South Austin, back when South Austin was still outside the city."

"Oh, my God. Montgomery Nursery? I go there all the time."

"Yeah. That was his. They kept the name."

"So—"

"He died seven years ago. But it was the only organic nursery at the time. Bobby Vickers owns it now. He'd worked for my grandfather for years. It was only natural I sell to him. I was too busy with my business to hang on to it."

"Small world," she said quietly.

"That it is. I'm surprised we haven't run into each other before."

"Really. Especially when I worked for Wilkes and Bonner. I was around new construction all the time."

Jay moved from her computer chair to the comfortable recliner tucked into a corner of the office, carefully setting her wineglass on the low table beside it. She was surprised at how at ease she was talking to Drew as their conversation drifted to more personal things, like college and family. But more surprising was how fast the time flew by as they chatted away like old friends.

"Oh, my God, it's after ten," she said later. "I had no intention of taking up this much of your time."

Drew laughed. "And ten is my bedtime on a work night. I don't make exceptions for just anyone, you know."

"And to think I really just called to see about your truck."

"The ding is hardly worth repairing, Jay. I can probably just take it somewhere and have them pop it out of the bumper. Don't go to the trouble of claiming it on your insurance."

Jay paused. "Katherine is afraid you're going to sue."

"Sue? For what? And Katherine is your... partner?"

"Yes. She's also an attorney so she's paranoid that way."

"I see. Well, you can tell her I'm not going to sue. It's just a little ding, Jay."

"And I still feel terrible about hitting it. Please promise me you'll let me know the cost when you get it fixed."

"If that'll make you feel better, sure."

"Good. Now I've taken up enough of your time." She stood, stretching out her back. "Go to bed."

Drew closed her phone, unconsciously plugging it in to charge. Normally, she hated talking on the phone. Hated it. State your business, ask your questions, hang up. But tonight the conversation flowed easily. There were no awkward moments, no lulls.

Why are the most interesting women always taken?

"Because they're interesting," she said, stating the obvious.

But she suspected Jay was someone she could become friends with, despite her being in a relationship. They had much in common, and even though their paths hadn't crossed before— professionally—she anticipated them crossing frequently now. Especially if Jay was involved in the interior design of a home when Drew was busy working on the outside.

She finally moved, shoving her thoughts away. It was late and she had a busy day tomorrow.

"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."