Tara Taylor Quinn - The Friendship Pact

Bailey turned, that irritating lump in throat, but her friend was no longer there. A couple of seconds later, she caught a glimpse of Koralynn’s retreating back just as she and Danny greeted another one of their many guests.

As if on cue, Koralynn turned around and gave her a knowing look, and Bailey sent her a silent thank-you. Koralynn’s smile brought peace back to Bailey’s evening and she relaxed as she sipped her wine, hardly daring to believe that she’d really graduated from law school.

That all these people were there just for her.

When the Mitchells had purposely and deliberately failed to invite the judge, the only member of the currently seated Pittsburgh Superior Court bench not to receive an invitation, Mama Di and Koralynn and Bailey had suspected he’d show up anyway—to save face among his peers before whom he’d played the grieving widower. Bailey had assured them it would be fine if he did. She was going to have to face him in court eventually.

But it hadn’t been fine. It would never be fine. She might have to work with the man on occasion, but she would never forget or forgive the fact that he’d abused his power and killed her mother as surely as if he’d pointed a gun at her head and pulled the trigger.

Koralynn hadn’t said a word when Bailey said she’d be fine, but, as always, her best friend had known exactly how she felt.

And somehow she’d come through again, protecting her from the evils in her world. Whether Kora had actually asked him to leave, or had someone call him away on some pretext, she didn’t know, but she knew the Mitchells had been prepared; they’d handled the situation.

As Bailey walked around that magical-looking room, which was brimming with conversation and congratulations, the judge’s presence lingered. She finished one glass of wine and stopped at the bar for a second, wishing her mother could see her—could know that she’d really made it through law school. Know that her daughter would be everything she’d ever wanted her to be, everything she’d ever wanted to be herself. Bailey was going to live the dreams her mother had given up for her and Brian.

A second glass of wine became a third.

Thankfully Jake took his position of escort seriously and stayed beside her. He even asked her to dance, which he’d shied away from when, as a favor to Danny, he’d escorted Bailey to their senior prom. And anytime since, at college homecomings, or an evening at a club.

He’d been saved from escort duty during their high school junior prom because he’d had a girlfriend.

And from having to accompany her to a college graduation party for the same reason. Different girlfriend, though.

“I’ve got something to ask you,” he said, about four drinks into the evening as they danced their first ever dance together.

“Yes, you can have a ride home in the limo,” she said, unusually chipper with him. The Mitchells had rented a limo for her and Kora and Danny, in case they wanted to go to a club after the party.

“Danny already offered and that wasn’t the question.”

“What?” Her come-hither smile as she looked up at him, her arms looped over his shoulders, was alcohol induced. But damn, it felt good.

“Are you gay?”

Her come-hither went south, but her gaze didn’t falter. “Absolutely not.” How could he even ask? They’d had sex—more than once.

“I didn’t think so. I mean...I’ve...ah, forget it.”

He’d been her escort twice as often as any of Danny’s other friends over the years. She’d had her own dates, too, but among Danny’s crowd, he knew her best of anyone—apart from Koralynn.

“No,” she said, telling herself she wasn’t hurt. “You asked me if I’m gay. Is that what you think?” Okay, after the first time they’d done it she could maybe see him thinking that. But after that night at Wesley during junior year Homecoming?

“Hell, no!” He pulled her closer, leaving no doubt as to what he was thinking—right where men’s thoughts usually went.

“Then why ask?”

“It’s just...Danny wondered.”

“You’re asking for Danny?” Did her friend’s husband really believe she was attracted to women?

The thought was followed immediately by another. That she was attracted to Koralynn?

Was that what had created the walls between them?

Bending until his forehead rested against hers, Jake sighed. “I’m asking for myself,” he said. “We aren’t kids anymore, Bailey. I’d like to give us a try. For real. I said something to Danny and he said something about wondering if you were gay.”

“He didn’t ask you to check me out?”

“No.” The reply was adamant. “Not at all. He just didn’t want me to waste my time....”

She wasn’t gay. Not even a little. Not even tempted. She got turned on by guys.

She just didn’t want a full-time man in her life.

She also didn’t want her best friend’s husband to continue to hold her at arm’s length. She wanted to be close to him—because it would make Kora happier. She wanted to be a full-fledged, completely accepted member of Kora’s family, the way she used to be.

“I’m confused,” she said now, smiling again—but not as openly. “Are you asking me out? As in just you and me?”

It would be a first. She and Jake spending an entire evening alone, not as part of a group that included Danny and Koralynn.

“I’m bungling an attempt to do exactly that.”

Wine was good. Graduating from law school was good. Having a room full of people there to help her celebrate was good. The Mitchells kicking out the judge was great.

And Jake...was a definite turn-on.

“Would you like my answer now, or after you get around to actually asking?” If she hadn’t had so much to drink she wouldn’t have flirted.

“I think now.”

Koralynn would be thrilled. Danny might warm up to her. And Bailey...

“Then, yes, Jake. I would like to go out with you.”

For a while.

Just as long as he understood that she wasn’t like Koralynn.

Because Bailey didn’t do exclusive. Or believe in happily ever after.

Not even when she was drunk.

Chapter Five

March 2010

I drove as fast as I could, feeling that if I could get there quickly enough, I could prevent what had already happened.

I drove with the urgency of one who was watching a train about to wreck and couldn’t stop it, but couldn’t not try.

I drove because I didn’t know what else to do. My best friend was on a slow train to self-destruction and I had to save her.

I’d gotten out of school that afternoon, four days before spring break, when I got Danny’s phone call. He called me every afternoon within five minutes of the last bell, to ask how my day was and catch me up on his. As a financial analyst for a marketing firm, Danny’s hours usually didn’t fluctuate all that much, but he had to make a lot of decisions he’d talk to me about. And we’d discuss what we wanted for dinner, too. That Monday was different. Danny was calling to tell me he was meeting Jake, a certified financial planner now, for a drink after work. Bailey had just broken up with him and he was taking it hard.

I didn’t like the edge to Danny’s voice when he mentioned Bailey, but I understood his frustration. Jake had been on a crash course to nowhere for most of the past year while Danny and I watched our friends stagger through a relationship strewn with choices that weren’t exactly conducive to being lifelong partners. Needless to say, we were unable to prevent the inevitable disaster.

Still, I didn’t blame Jake and Danny shouldn’t blame Bailey, either. Yeah, she was difficult sometimes, but she’d been honest with Jake from day one. Even after she agreed to date him exclusively, she’d told him that it was only for the time being. That she had no intention of marrying.