Patricia Kay - His Best Friend

“Oh, really?”

Something about the way she’d responded struck him as odd. “Yeah. I was disappointed when I didn’t. In fact, I was kind of kicking myself for not finding out your name so I could call you.”

She seemed to consider that for a moment. Then, blue eyes meeting his, she said, “I did try to call you.”

“You did?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Last weekend, actually. I was in Austin for the day and thought I’d invite you to a party some friends were giving.”

“But…did you call my cell phone number?”

She shrugged. “I called whatever number was on that card you gave me.”

“That’s my cell phone.” He couldn’t believe he’d missed her call. “I don’t remember getting a missed message signal.”

“That’s because someone answered the phone.”

“Somebody else answered my cell phone?” Now John was thoroughly confused. How was that possible? His cell phone never left his possession. “Maybe you misdialed.”

“I didn’t misdial.”

“I don’t understand.”

“There’s something I don’t understand, either. Why did you tell me your name was Jason Webb?”

“Jason Webb?” Something was totally screwy here. “Jason is a friend of mine. Why would you think I was Jason?”

“That’s what it said on the card you gave me.”

John stared at her. Then he swore. “I’m an idiot!” He realized he must have mistakenly pulled out the card Jason had given him earlier that day instead of his own. “I gave you the wrong card. Jason was one of the guys I was having lunch with that day, and he had some new business cards he passed out. I must have stuck his in the pocket where I keep some of mine.”

“Ah,” she said. “That explains it.”

“So you talked to Jason?”

She smiled. “Yes.”

“What did he say?”

“Well, he obviously had no idea who I was, and I was too embarrassed to try to explain. See, the thing is, I thought it was you I was talking to…and that you didn’t remember me.”

John wanted to say there was no way he could have ever forgotten her, but he stopped himself just in time. No matter how much he liked this girl, she was Philip’s date. John had no right to undercut him. Nor did he want to.

But he couldn’t help wondering what might have happened if he’d given her the right card. Would she still have come here with Philip? Or would she be John’s date tonight?

Yet what difference did it make now? Even if she encouraged him, there was nothing he could do to change things. She was here with Philip, and he knew Philip was already halfway in love with her. Unless his cousin decided he was no longer interested in her, John could do nothing but sit on the sidelines.

And keep kicking himself.

“Are you having a good time?”

Claudia smiled at Jennifer. “Yes, I am. You have nice friends.”

“Thank you.”

“And the food is great. Did you make it all yourself?”

“Uh-huh. I love to cook and bake. If I wasn’t in the communications field, I would’ve gone to culinary school.” She made a face. “Some days I really wish I had.”

“I was like that all the years I worked in sales. Last year I finally decided I had to make some changes in my life or go nuts. So I picked up the last few graduate hours I needed and started applying for jobs, and now…here I am.”

Jennifer studied her gravely. “I have a feeling you’re braver than I am.”

“Oh, I doubt that. You probably just haven’t reached the point where you’re ready to make a change. Maybe you never will. I mean, I’m sure people in all professions get frustrated at times.”

Jennifer nodded. “Yes, you’re probably right. I know my dad complains about his work a lot, and so has John. In fact, he just changed companies.”

“He did mention that.”

“Yeah, the company he worked for in Austin wasn’t getting the kinds of projects he hoped to work on. So he started looking around a month or so ago and ended up landing a job with a really successful film company here. He’s thrilled.” She smiled. “So am I. I missed him when he lived in Austin. Now all my family is right here in Houston, and that’s the way I like it.”

“Philip was telling me about your family on the way over. How you and he are double cousins.”

“Yes, it’s kind of neat. Our parents are really close. Thank goodness. It would be awful if they didn’t get along. I feel so sorry for people whose families are constantly fighting.”

“Me, too,” Claudia said fervently.

“Philip told me you have a couple of sisters and a brother?”

“Yes.”

Jennifer seemed to hesitate, then said, “Phil really likes you.”

Claudia didn’t know what to say. Involuntarily, her gaze moved past Jennifer to John, who stood nearby talking to a cute redhead. When he laughed and touched the redhead’s arm, Claudia jerked her gaze away. “Philip is very nice.”

Jennifer studied her thoughtfully. “Yes, he is. Have you two been dating long?”

Claudia shook her head. “This is only the second time I’ve been out with him.”

“Really? I thought—” Jennifer broke off. “Obviously, I misunderstood.”

Claudia would have liked to pursue this statement, but just then, Philip walked up to them. “I hope you’re telling Claudia what a great guy I am,” he said to Jennifer.

She laughed. “Oh, you men. You’re impossible. You think the entire world revolves around you, don’t you?”

“You mean it doesn’t?” This came from John, who had also walked up behind them. He put his arm companionably around Philip’s shoulders.

Jennifer rolled her eyes.

Claudia laughed.

“Now where were we?” Jennifer said to Claudia.

“You were telling her what a great guy I am,” Philip said, grinning.

“On that note, I think I’d better check on the food,” Jennifer said. “Last time I looked, the potato casserole was fast disappearing.” She was laughing as she walked away.

“I guess that’s my cue to leave, too,” John said. But he didn’t look as if he wanted to go.

For a moment, no one spoke. Because of the silence between them, Claudia became aware of the music playing. It was an old rock tune, one of her favorites. “Now’s your chance to impress me, Philip. I’d love to dance.”

“Me?” He gave her a look of mock horror. “I have two left feet. But John’s a good dancer.” He turned to John. “Can I trust you with her?”

Claudia’s heart did a little skip as John’s gaze met hers. “Of course you can, said the big bad wolf,” John answered in a deep voice.

All three laughed and John took her arm, leading her out to the small area that had been cleared for dancing.

Claudia soon discovered John was a great dancer. He had a loose body with a natural rhythm that couldn’t be taught. Claudia loved to dance, so when “Proud Mary” wound up and the next song was a slow ballad, she allowed herself to be drawn into his arms for that one, too.

“Having a good time?” he asked.

He was wearing some kind of woodsy scent—aftershave or cologne—she couldn’t tell which. Whatever it was, she liked it. “Yes, I am.”

He pulled her just a fraction closer. “Me, too.”

Claudia closed her eyes. She had a feeling it might be a mistake to indulge in any fantasies about John, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.

Why didn’t you give me the right business card?

She was acutely aware of their bodies touching. No wonder some religions banned the activity. Dancing had to be one of the sexiest things two people could do.

She forced herself to smile brightly when the song ended. “Thanks. I enjoyed that.”

Philip was waiting right where they’d left him. He reached for her hand. “That’s enough. I want her now.”