by Reid, Penny
Epilogue
Quinn, four months later
When I walked into the luxury plumbing fixture store on West Lake Street, I was immediately struck by the fact that they had rows of toilets hanging on the walls. The floor was plain cement. The walls were ordinary red brick. Covering the floor and walls was an array of sinks, tubs, faucets, and toilets. The space was large, but it felt small due to the large selection of bathroom fixtures.
Automatically I did a sweep of the store, located exits, sized up the other customers, and so forth. Habits come naturally. Once comfortable, I walked to Elizabeth; she was about forty feet away, studying a row of faucets on the wall.
She didn’t look up when I approached but merely tipped her head in my direction as a greeting. “McHotpants.”
“Elizabeth.” I rubbed the back of my neck. I didn’t mind the nickname when Janie used it. But it just didn’t seem right with her friends, particularly Elizabeth. I hoped that today’s meeting would improve our strained interactions. “Thank you for meeting me.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “No problem. Anything for Janie. She said she’d meet us here at six.” She reached out and twisted the knobs on a faucet.
If Janie was going to arrive at six, then that meant I only had a half hour to work through whatever issues Elizabeth obviously had with me dating Janie. I waited for Elizabeth to look up, but instead she frowned at the metal spigot and walked farther into the store.
I scowled at her, trying not to grind my teeth. “Why did you want to meet here?”
“I want a new faucet.”
“What’s wrong with the faucet in the apartment?”
“I don’t like it.”
With a great deal of effort, I managed to keep from rolling my eyes. “Ok.”
She fiddled with another series of levers. “Ok? So you’re ok with me changing the sink?”
I glanced around the store again, counting three more people I’d missed in my first sweep of the space. “Elizabeth, you can remodel the bathroom if you want. I don’t care.”
“And you’ll pay for it?”
“Sure, whatever; whatever you want.”
She looked at me then. Her pale blue eyes narrowed, and she inspected me as if I was a disease.
Since we’d first met some four months ago, I had felt at cross-purposes with Elizabeth. She was irritable every time I was alone in a room with her. Just last week, which was the last time Janie and I had spent the night at their place, Elizabeth made passive-aggressive remarks about my inability to make a good cup of coffee.
I know how to make coffee. I make really good coffee. She just doesn’t like me.
Usually I wouldn’t care, but her best friend happens to be the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. It is necessary to make an effort.
I met her glare with one of my own; finally, she spoke. “So, Mr. Granite Face, what is this about?” She motioned between the two of us. “Why did you want to meet before Janie arrives?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, preparing to negotiate. “We need to figure out some way to get along.”
“You’re right.” She didn’t look surprised by my statement.
“What is it about me that you dislike?”
She lifted her blonde eyebrows. “I don’t dislike you.”
I didn’t want to call her a liar, so I didn’t respond.
After a protracted moment, she continued. “It’s not that I dislike you. I just don’t trust you.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t understand your motivations, and I still think you’re hiding something.” She mimicked my stance, crossing her arms over her chest. She was small and looked silly when she tried to appear tough.
“I’m not hiding anything.”
“Oh, really?” Elizabeth started rubbing her chin with her thumb and forefinger. “What did you do with Jem? What happened to all of those thugs from Boston? Why didn’t they press charges?”
“Janie and I discussed all of this. She knows that I took care of it.”
Elizabeth didn’t hide her anger very well. “Well, Janie won’t tell me.”
“That’s probably for your own good.”
“I want to know what happened. I don’t want to be patted on the head and sent on my way! What if they come back? What about Janie?”
“Janie is stronger than you think, and I’ll protect her.”
“I need to know so I can take care of her; you can’t protect her forever!” Elizabeth waved her arms around wildly. She was starting to draw attention to herself. I didn’t particularly care, but it was annoying.
And because I was annoyed, I responded without thinking. “Yes, I can. When we get married, she’ll be—”
“You’re getting married?” Elizabeth’s shouted exclamation echoed against the porcelain tubs and drew all remaining eyes to our position.
I glanced around the store, offered nothing but an unfriendly glare in apology for her outburst, then took Elizabeth by the arm and escorted her to the back of the store. When I was satisfied that no one was listening or watching, I responded in a low voice. “I haven’t asked her yet.”
Elizabeth blinked at me; her mouth opened and closed. I gave up and rolled my eyes.
When she finally spoke, her voice was a tight whisper. “I can’t believe you’re going to ask her to marry you!” To my surprise, she sounded excited and happy.
I blinked at her; my mouth opened and closed.
“Oh, my God, you have to let me help! I want to help! This is so exciting!” She hopped back and forth on her feet, clapping her hands.
I responded through gritted teeth. “No. I don’t need your help. I can do it on my own.”
She stopped hopping and abruptly frowned. Her voice was still a whisper although somewhat louder. “See, this is why I don’t like you!”
“I thought you did like me.”
“No, I do like you, I like you for Janie, but I don’t like that you hide things! Why do you do that?”
I studied her. Elizabeth’s hands were planted on her hips, and at least she didn’t appear angry. She looked hurt. What I knew about Elizabeth I’d learned from Janie; it was obvious that Elizabeth had been taking care of Janie in one way or another since college. It occurred to me that I might need to modify my approach.
I licked my lips and glanced toward the door; what I was about to admit would be easier if I didn’t have to look at her. “I’m not used to sharing—not information, not resources, and definitely not people.”
I heard her sigh before she spoke. “Well, me either. But I love Janie, and what is important is her happiness. I want her to be happy.”
“You know I love her.” I growled; the preachy tenor of her words and tone irritated me, and my response and resulting glare were perfunctory.
“I know…I know you love her.” She held her hands up, her eyes wide and pacifying, and her tone softened. “But we have to find a way to get along; you said it yourself,” she added on a sigh. “We have to learn to share.”
I released a slow breath and reluctantly admitted to myself that Elizabeth was right; we had to share Janie. This was the issue. I didn’t know how to share her. I wasn’t even sure that I wanted to. Part of me wanted to stay in bed with her every second of every day and explore her perfect body. There was a ferocity behind the sentiment that still surprised me, caught me off guard. But I loved Janie, and that meant I needed to do things just because they were good for her and made her happy.
“Also, you might find that I’m pretty handy to have around.” Elizabeth’s mouth curved into a beseeching smile. “I’m a valuable ally. For example, I am exceptionally good with wound care.”
I allowed a small smile, but I knew it didn’t quite reach my eyes. I comprehended that befriending Elizabeth was a much better strategy than merely tolerating her.
I rubbed my hand over my face; before I changed my mind, I quickly consented to her interference. “Ok, fine.”
“Ok? Fine
?”
I refocused my attention on the short blonde and found her watching me, her hands clasped together hopefully.
“Ok, fine; you can help me.”
A high-pitched squealing sound met my ears and I winced; then, she hugged me. I patted her on the back, hoping to pacify this bit of overzealous effervescence.
“You won’t regret it! Oh, my God, I’m so excited! Have you picked out a ring?”
I was already regretting it but decided to keep that to myself.
“No. I haven’t done anything yet.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I glanced at my watch then at the front door. Janie would be arriving at any minute, and I didn’t want to be talking about engagement rings with Elizabeth when she showed up.
“That’s ok, I know what she likes. I can help with that, but don’t get her a diamond unless it’s synthetic because…”
“I know, I know, the atrocities of the African diamond trade. I was, uh, actually thinking about getting her something antique.”
Elizabeth glanced up thoughtfully then nodded. “Yeah, that’s a good idea; did you know she really loves rubies?”
The question promptly caught my attention. This was actual valuable information. “No, I didn’t know that.”
Maybe Elizabeth could be helpful after all.
“It’s something about the fact that any other color makes the gem a sapphire, but if it’s red, it’s considered a ruby.”
I felt my lips curve into a smile. A ruby would be perfect for Janie.
Our attention was drawn to the front of the shop by the jingling of a bell announcing the entry of a new customer. I knew it was Janie before I saw her. It was the most ridiculous thing, but my heart constricted then expanded whenever she entered a room. I’d come to expect the uncontrolled response, but I hadn’t yet grown accustomed to it.
My feet were carrying me to her before my mind grasped their intention; I was too busy noticing that she was wearing a skirt, which likely meant she was wearing thigh highs with lace at the tops. She knew that drove me crazy. I was already plotting to get her alone so that I could confirm my suspicion. Also, she was wearing her hair in a bun, and I immediately started formulating plans to hide all her hair ties as soon as possible.
I caught her eye as I approached, and again, my heart lurched when she smiled. Warmth radiated from my chest outward, and I automatically returned her smile because I had to. I simply did not have a choice.
“Hey.” We reached for each other, and her soft palm rested on my cheek briefly as she gave me a small kiss.
It wasn’t enough. It never seemed to be enough.
I fought the urge to deepen the shallow contact and stuffed my hands in my pockets. I’d never been one for public displays of affection. Now, however, I had difficulty keeping my hands off Janie’s body regardless of where we were. I also had difficulty concentrating on anything or anyone but her.
“Hi,” she responded, her focus split between our surroundings and me. Our surroundings finally won the battle for her attention. “I love this place.” She breathed the words as if she was in awe.
I watched her spin a slow circle. Her eyes brightened as they took in the dually sparse and cluttered atmosphere.
“Why do you love it?” I had a sense that I would enjoy her answer. I knew it would be unexpected and unique. Everything about her was unexpected and unique. She was my bright light of eccentricity in a very predictable and ordinary world. She made everything new and interesting or funny.
Janie issued me a skeptical glare. I’m sure she meant it to look distrustful, but instead she just looked adorable and gorgeous. “You’re going to make fun of me.”
I smiled despite myself, something that was becoming very common when we were together. “I’m not going to make fun of you. I really want to know.” I reached for her hand, losing the war against restraint, wanting to feel the warmth of her skin against mine. “Why do you like it here?”
She tilted her head, her big hazel eyes moving over my face, then meeting mine. I guessed they were looking for the sincerity of my statement. I wanted to kiss her again but knew that she would never answer the question if I did.
“It’s actually embarrassing, and it’s about my worst day ever, which actually turned into one of the best days ever because it was the first time I talked to you and looked at you in the eye. Did you know that I had a really hard time doing that? Looking at you in the eye was hard for me, and in my defense, there are actually a number of cultures where it is a sign of respect not to look someone in the eye. For example, in Japan, school-aged children—”
“Janie.” I moved our hands behind her back, drawing her against me. “Why do you love it here?”
She blinked, her soft mouth parted. She blushed. It was devastating and made my pulse quicken.
I used to try to make her blush on purpose. I enjoyed flustering her and watching the way her eyes heated, and I especially loved the way she would glance at me through her lashes. Janie was brilliant and beautiful. I loved that I seemed to be one of the few who could surprise her enough to elicit an involuntary reaction.
It’s not that Janie was cold; it’s that she was naturally aloof. Whenever I watched her at work or in a group, she seemed to be holding herself apart from the action, but it never struck me as purposeful. She appeared to be more comfortable watching. Maybe that’s why her impulsive reactions were so gratifying.
“It’s the bathroom fixtures.” She cleared her throat and lifted her chin, meeting my gaze directly, bravely. “I am a fan of bathrooms. I have found them to be exceptionally good for meditation.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Meditation? You meditate in the bathroom?”
She nodded, fighting a smile. “Well, it’s meditation of a sort. I used to wrap all my thoughts up and put them in a box on a shelf in a closet in my head, but lately, I just sit in the bathroom and work through things in there. Something about all the porcelain and tile, I think.” She pulled away from me, glancing over my shoulder. “Hey, Elizabeth! I didn’t know you were already here.”
Honestly, I’d forgotten Elizabeth was there. I released my hold on Janie and stepped back as she greeted her friend.
“Yep. Got here a little while ago.” Elizabeth smiled warmly at Janie and hitched a thumb over her shoulder. “I’ve been looking at faucets.”
“Are you done looking? What time is our reservation? Because I wouldn’t mind looking around if we have time…” Janie’s hopeful eyes moved between Elizabeth and me.
“We have plenty of time; the reservation isn’t until six thirty, and we’re only ten minutes away,” I reassured her and won an immediate smile.
Elizabeth took Janie by the hand. “Come look at these; the lever release is really smooth.”
I watched as Janie and Elizabeth approached the row of sink fixtures and fiddled with the knobs, oohing and ahhing at intervals. I hung back and just studied the pair of them: Janie, tall and perfectly round in all the right places contrasted with Elizabeth’s shorter, slimmer form. They were opposites in many ways, but they interacted with the practiced ease that only time and trusted friendship brings.
When they’d exhausted their time and returned to where I stood, I was pretending to check my email on my phone. I didn’t want to admit in front of her friend that I’d been merely watching her for the last quarter of an hour, enjoying her animated expressions and the way she moved. Also, studying their interaction allowed me to recognize how relaxed Janie was around Elizabeth. This friendship meant a great deal to Janie. It meant a great deal to both of them.
I glanced up and met Janie’s smile with one of my own. “Are we ready?”
Janie nodded, biting her lip. “I am very ready. I am so hungry I could eat a horse, but not in the demonstration of great wealth way or the sacrifice to the gods way, but in the colloquialism way in which I am stating that I am very hungry.”
Elizabeth chuckled at Janie’s earnest explanation and caught my gaze. She gave me a small smile
then abruptly narrowed her eyes at me.
“Uh…” Elizabeth suddenly pulled out the hospital pager from her purse. “Well, look at that; shoot.” She looked up at Janie and her expression was apologetic. “It looks like I won’t be able to come to dinner tonight.” Elizabeth glanced at me briefly then added, “I guess it’s just you two kids tonight.”
One of my eyebrows lifted, as is my habit when I am suspicious of a person or a situation. The timing of her page seemed very remarkable, and I knew immediately what Elizabeth was doing. She’d just had fifteen minutes of uninterrupted Janie time in a bathroom fixture store. Elizabeth was showing me that she, too, could share Janie by gracefully bowing out of dinner.
Janie frowned. “That’s too bad.” Her gaze flickered to me then back to Elizabeth, and the volume of her voice was slightly lower when she spoke again. “I was really hoping that you and Quinn might have a chance to…you know, talk and get to know each other a little better.”
I watched as her blonde friend gave her a soft smile. “I’ll have to take a rain check; I’m sorry. I really have to go.” Elizabeth squeezed Janie’s hand then moved toward the door. “Have a good time!”
My lips twisted to the side as Elizabeth moved past me and I gave her a grateful smile, which I was sure reached my eyes. She issued me a meaningful glare that told me unequivocally: You owe me one.
I nodded to let her know that I understood and that I intended to pay her back. In fact, I fully intended to exploit Elizabeth’s knowledge of Janie’s tastes when choosing an engagement ring and planning the proposal. My future interactions with Elizabeth would be mutually beneficial, and surprisingly, I was actually looking forward to becoming friends with her. I was looking forward to how happy it would make Janie.
Janie’s sigh pulled my attention back to her, and I enveloped her in my arms as the bell jingled on the front door announcing Elizabeth’s departure.
“That’s too bad.” She snuggled against my chest.
“There will be a next time.”
Janie grunted noncommittally then leaned back, catching my eye. “Did you two talk before I arrived?”