Just Destiny (13 page)

But he hadn’t. And when he did spend time with their children, he took them to inappropriate movies, stuffed them with ice cream and cotton candy at the zoo, allowing them to eat until their tummies hurt. And who got stuck with sick kids? Her. Her ex was a juvenile pain in the butt. Sometimes she suspected he ignored her rules and advice to punish her. Steve was much more mature—and trainable.

Annie was having loads of fun planning their spring wedding. Steve had wanted to elope, but no way was she going to miss out on a wedding with all the trimmings. Though not a baseball player anymore, Steve still had fans who would love to see pictures of their special day. After all, it was his first wedding and he could afford it.

She picked up her thick magazine and entered the dark foyer. Padding through the house, she glanced at the sparse living room with its ugly leather couch and modern glass coffee table. Leather and glass? She wrinkled her nose. Framed photos of Steve’s family lined the marble fireplace mantle. He even displayed his nieces’ and nephews’ school pictures.

Now all she had to do was convince Steve that a fresh start required a fresh house. Perhaps a classic Tudor on the country club golf course. She wanted to start their new life together without any baggage—and Jenny Harrison was pretty obvious baggage.

In the kitchen, Annie dropped the magazine on the counter, wandered over to a stack of stationary sitting next to a pile of ripped envelopes. Recognizing Steve’s handwriting, she picked one up.

“Doctor and Mrs. Henry?” She frowned. It wasn’t enough to invite Jenny everywhere with them, but now he was carrying her groceries and writing her thank you notes? What else was her fiancé doing for his friend? She needed to have a talk with Steve—right after she made nice with Jenny. Maybe she was overreacting.

In the freezer, Annie found two quarts of Dryer’s Slow-Churned Peppermint ice cream. She pulled one out and moved aside a container of Denali Extreme Maximum Fudge Moose Tracks, looking for strawberry or vanilla, or anything she remotely liked, but that was it. Chocolate or peppermint. Maybe she wasn’t overreacting.

Annie found a scrap of paper and started a grocery list. Strawberry ice cream. Not that she even liked ice cream, but it was the principle. She grabbed her Coach purse and fished around for her lipstick. With two quick swipes, she refreshed her makeup and smacked her lips together. She ran a brush through her straight blonde hair then fluffed it before stuffing the brush and lipstick into her bag and tossing the purse back onto the table. She snatched the ice cream from the counter and headed for the path between the side-by-side driveways.

At the Harrison’s back door she knocked twice. Maybe Jenny was napping or in her bedroom crying. She shifted the cold dessert and backed away from the door, suddenly nervous. This was so awkward. She must care for Steve a lot to try to cheer up Jenny Harrison.

Ordinarily she and Jenny hardly said more than a few sentences to each other in a whole evening, and now she was trying to comfort her fiancé’s friend. What was she supposed to do? What could she say? Annie heard rustling in the kitchen and then footsteps. Jenny opened the door.

She pasted on a big smile on her face. “Hi, Jenny. I just thought I’d come over for a little visit and see how you’re doing.”

Wow, Steve was right. The poor thing didn’t look well at all. There were huge dark craters under her eyes that no amount of makeup could hide. And her skin looked pale—almost pasty. Was she sick? Annie took a step back, hoping she wasn’t contagious.

She had the kids this weekend and Ryan was totally incapable of getting Sophie to Pee-wee tennis and then Joshie to Coleman’s birthday party—she hadn’t even wrapped his gift yet and Ryan was hopeless at wrapping. Nope—she couldn’t afford to get sick.

“I’m fine,” Jenny said.

“I can come back later if this is a bad time. I know you’re probably busy with work, and Gabe stuff. I…” She shrugged. “It’s just that we didn’t get to talk much at the funeral.”

“I’d ask you in, but the house is really a mess.” Jenny picked nervously at her navy sweatshirt.

“Oh, that’s okay.” Annie waved a hand. “I don’t mind.” She raised the melting container and smiled brightly. “I brought you ice cream. Peppermint.”

“Peppermint?” Jenny’s looked at the container before pushing the door open. “That’s my favorite.”

“Mine too,” Annie said with a bright smile as she rushed into the kitchen. It wasn’t very messy—a few dishes out—certainly no worse than her own kitchen after Bunko night. Jenny left the inside door open. Folding her arms across tiny breasts, she tucked a chunk of hair behind her ear. Poor thing, didn’t anybody ever tell her that doing that would make her ears stick out like Dumbo’s?

“Thanks for the ice cream.” She took it and put it in the freezer. “Would you like something to drink?” Jenny peered inside the nearly empty refrigerator. “I have Coke Zero and…I’m sorry, I only have Coke Zero and water.”

Annie internally shuddered. Soda was
so
bad for you. It accelerated aging, wrecked your complexion, the caramel coloring was made of carcinogens, and even diet soda contributed to belly fat.
No. Thank. You
. “Water will be fine.”

Jenny reached into the cabinet for a clean glass. “So…I saw Steve out playing with your kids. His case must be going well.”

“What case?”

“The hazing one.”

Annie frowned and took a seat at the counter.

“Fraternity.” Jenny said, trying to prod her memory. “The kid who was beaten in the fraternity hazing. They started the trial this week.”

“Nope.” She shook her head. “Doesn’t sound familiar. Steve doesn’t really talk about work much. We’re busy with the kids and planning our wedding.”

“Ah-h.” Jenny nodded, but Annie had a feeling she didn’t really understand.

“So…well, I’m not sure how to go about this—nobody’s ever died on me,” she waved a nervous hand at her chest. “But, is there some way I can help? Maybe…take you out to lunch? Oh, I know. I know.” She bounced on her stool, impressed with her brilliant idea. “How about a girl’s day at the spa? We could get facials, mani-pedis, and then finish up with a massage and an affinoderm seaweed wrap—they’re all the rage now.” She smiled encouragingly. “It’d be fun.”

Jenny put down her glass and stared at her. “Annie, why’re you here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you sitting in my kitchen trying to pal up to me?”

“I’m just trying to be nice.”

“And you feel sorry for me.”

“No—well, of course I do. Your husband died.”

“Well don’t. I’m fine.”

Annie felt insulted at the rejection. Like she wasn’t good enough to be Jenny’s friend. “Why don’t you like me?”

Jenny blinked stupidly. “Excuse me?”

“You’ve never liked me and I want to know why. What’d I ever do to you?”

“I don’t dis—”

“Yes, you do. Do you think I’m stupid? It’s Steve, isn’t it? You’re jealous that I’m marrying him.”

Amusement brought a spark to Jenny’s dull eyes. “Hardly. Steve’s just a friend—a big brother really.”

“No-o-o, women like me—unless they’re jealous of my man. So you should like me. It must have something to do with him.” Her eyes narrowed, watching Jenny for a telltale blush or any sign of guilt or embarrassment, but Jenny just stood there swallowed by sweats two sizes too big, staring at her with those dull blue eyes.

“Okay, you want to know the truth? The truth is, I do care about Steve. He’s a good friend and I don’t want to see him hurt.”

“You think I’ll hurt him?”

“Look, I really don’t want to get into this. Thanks for the ice cream—” Jenny moved toward the door.

“No. I really want to know.” Annie hurried after her. “You think I would hurt Steve?”

Jenny sighed and folded her arms across her chest. “Look, I just think you’re not right for him, that’s all.”

Well, that stung
. “I’m not
right
for him? What? Like I’m not good enough for him? Then who is? You?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Annie raised her chin and leaned forward. “Well, I’ve got a news flash for you, little Ms. Widow Reporter, no one will ever be good enough for Steve in your eyes ’cause you’re in love with him yourself. But you’d better get over it.” She held up her left hand and waved her diamond at Jenny. “I’m the one wearing his ring and I’m going to marry him. So you can forget your pitiful little poor-me-widow tricks.”

Jenny’s eyes sprang open and her jaw dropped wide in a satisfyingly shocked look. “My
what
?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m onto you, sister.” Annie waved an index finger. “I’ve watched you manipulate your husband and Steve.” She raised her voice and opened her eyes wide in imitation of Jenny, “Oh, honey, I left my coat in the car. Would you be a dear and get it for me?” She fluttered her eyelids. “Oh, Steve, I’m too short to reach the wine glasses. Would you mind?”

“I can’t help that I’m short.”

Short, beautiful, and vulnerable. Annie simmered. “Get a step stool. You’ve had two men at your beck and call—”

“
Two
men?” Jenny raised an eyebrow. “I
am
good.”

Annie narrowed her eyes, pissed that Jenny dared mock her. “You just sit around batting those big blue eyes to manipulate men to do whatever you want. I bet you’re even a crier—of course you’re a crier, it’s the best way to get to men. You’re a spoiled brat is what you are.

“Now that your husband’s not around to dance attendance on you, you turn to Steve—knowing full well that he’s such a sweet guy that you can pull that sympathy card into the
next century
and he’ll keep falling for it.

“Well, I’m sick of it. Steve’s engaged to
me
, not you. Find another man to wait on you, princess. Just friends, my ass.” She paused before adding, “And if it’s true that you’re really just friends, you’re even more despicable than I thought. Friends don’t use friends. If you had any decency, you’d leave him alone.”

Annie brushed past her and through the door. Pausing in the driveway, she looked back over her shoulder. “Enjoy your ice cream, princess.”

Annie walked across the yard, adding a little extra swing to her hips when Steve turned and spotted her.
I’ll be damned if that little widow’s gonna take my man
.

He tossed Sophie onto his shoulders and came over. “Well? Did she like the ice cream?”

Annie shrugged. “She kept it and said she’d eat it later.” She leaned in and brushed her breast against his arm. “You’re right, babe, she did need cheering up. I offered to take her to lunch. She wasn’t keen on that, but she
did
like the idea of a day of pampering at the Coloseum International.”

Steve raised his eyebrows. “Really?”

She nodded. “Especially when I told her it was your treat and that you insisted—that’s okay, right?” She opened her eyes wide. “I figured you’d be happy to chip in—after all I’m taking a day off work to keep her company, and it was your idea to cheer her up.”

“Well, sure. I’m happy to pay. I just didn’t think Jenny was into that type of thing.”

“Well, I guess you don’t know her as well as you thought you did.” Annie held out her hand, palm up. “I need a credit card to make the reservations.”

Steve swung Sophie to the ground, pulled out his wallet, and handed his VISA to Annie.

“Oh, and Jenny felt a little weird about you paying,” she wrinkled her nose. “So it’s probably best if you don’t make a big deal about it—don’t want to spook her.” She smiled and flipped Steve’s credit card back and forth in her hand. “Thanks, sweetie.”

And thanks to you too, Jenny. Too bad you’re going to cancel on me. How could you be so mean when you know how badly Steve wants us to get along?

She held out her hand to Sophie. “Come on, honey, let’s go inside and get a popsicle.” She looked over her shoulder. “Joshie, coming?”

“The grill’s on. We’re eating in twenty minutes, Annie,” Steve said.

“Psht.” She waved a dismissing hand. She was in a great mood and felt like celebrating with her kids. She smiled brightly at her son. “One little popsicle won’t hurt. They’ll still eat dinner.”

Ignoring the way her son peeked at Steve out of the corner of his eye, she spun on her heel and headed for the house.

* * *

Jenny stood in the open doorway, staring at the woman marching back to Steve’s house.
Well, that was fun
. She’d felt Annie’s jealous hatred hitting her in waves. Beware blondes bearing gifts. Annie
was
right about one thing. Jenny had never really liked her. And now she liked her even less.

Her and Steve? Romantically involved? Ridiculous. Sure they’d shared that one night, but they’d been under incredible stress and it’d been the only time. Heck, Steve bossed her around and treated her like a kid sister.

Actually, Jenny felt sorry for Annie. She had some real insecurity issues. Then again Jenny already knew that; Annie was constantly texting and calling Steve. Sad, really. Jenny shut the door and backed into the kitchen. She sat in a chair at the table.

But Annie might have a point about her taking advantage of Steve. She’d been leaning on him too much. He shouldn’t be addressing her condolence notes. And she wasn’t helpless. She could carry her own groceries, put out her garbage cans, and rake her own leaves. This winter she could even shovel her own walk. The driveway was a bit much—she’d have to get the number of a snow removal service, but she could take care of herself.

Steve just did all those things for her automatically—it’s not like she asked him to.

But you allow it
.

True. Truth be told, she liked being taken care of. Now that Gabe was gone, Jenny appreciated someone thinking of her. It was comforting. But still, she’d probably be a little upset at her husband showing that much consideration for another woman too.

After all, Steve
did
invite her to go out with them—as if she’d ever willingly spend an evening being a third wheel to Steve and his fiancée—but it must piss Annie off that he always asked. It’d bug her if Gabe had always tried to include a female friend on their nights out.