Magnetic (10 page)

“Don’t be so sure.” Molly glanced at Layne. “This time, it’s different with Ronnie. She’s pretending to be the same
ol
’ player, but I think she’s gotten a little attached.”

Layne smiled, but the tiny bit of jealousy she felt swelled a little larger. Once the ice was broken, it was very easy to talk to Stacy. She liked her. And even though she tried to suppress the memories of their night together, they’d creep in from time to time. The taste of Stacy’s skin, the way she kissed would come back unbidden, and Layne couldn’t help but think she’d missed out on something that could’ve been good.

“So what’s the deal with you and Stick?” Jenny asked. “You don’t appear to be all that interested, but she sure is. She asked all sorts of questions about you today.” Jenny bumped Layne with her hip. “Did you do something to her on your walk last night?”

“She’s a nice girl, but I’m not interested in a fling. You see what that got me the last time. Maybe I should tell her that.” Layne looked at Jenny.

“Maybe you should,” Molly agreed. “Be upfront and honest.”

“I’m going to,” Layne said resolutely.

Stick joined them again as they finished dinner, and since Layne had bowed out on the shopping trip, she agreed to go to the barn dance, which truly was in a barn. A small stage was set up at one end for the band. The stalls had been removed, and tables were set up along the walls, leaving the middle of the building open as the dance floor. The doors on either side were left open, and a breeze wafted through aided by fans. Women of all age, color, shape, and size scooted along the straw-covered dance floor.

“I know this is probably a stupid question, but would you like something to drink?” Stick asked Layne with a smile. “There’s water and soda at the bar.”

“Water would be great.” Layne watched as Stick weaved her way to the corner. Her long legs looked good in the tight jeans she was wearing. She’d traded in her work shirt for a black tank top that showed well-developed muscles in her arms and shoulders.

“She’s a tall drink of water,” Ronnie said as she moved alongside Layne. “Jenny tells me you’re not interested. Have you gone straight on us? She’s hot.”

“I’m just not in that place.”

“I’d do her in a heartbeat,” Ronnie said, eyeing Stick appreciatively. “Look at those damn arms. I bet she fucks like a—”

“What about Stacy?”

Ronnie didn’t immediately meet Layne’s stare. “She’s strong, too,” she said with a grin.

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

“You don’t understand, Layne. That’s all I’m talking about, and Stacy knows it. We’re having a good time, and when the party’s over, then it’s all said and done.” Ronnie walked off before Layne could say anything else.

Stacy watched Ronnie walk briskly away from Layne toward the bathroom. Stick moved in quickly and handed Layne a bottle of water. Layne watched the dance floor, and Stick watched her. Stacy didn’t like Stick. She recognized the lingering stares, the innuendo in the things Stick said, because she’d used the same tactics with women, with Layne. There was a time she would’ve applauded Stick’s smooth style, but when it came to Layne, the game wasn’t cool, it was repugnant. She didn’t want to see Layne in her arms or know they were next door doing the things that they’d done. It struck her then that she was genuinely jealous, and that was one emotion Stacy hadn’t felt in a very long time.

She’d hoped to see the materialistic side of Layne that Ronnie spoke of that Stacy had always equated with shallowness. But what she found in Layne was a warmhearted, self-made woman who stood on her own two feet. She’d been physically attracted to Layne the night they met, but she’d found new reasons to be drawn to Ronnie’s best friend.

Stacy looked away when Stick led Layne onto the dance floor and met twin stares from the women sitting across the table from her. Molly’s expression showed concern, Jenny’s amusement.

“Thanks for taking care of our friend today,” Jenny said.

“I didn’t do anything but bring her some soup.”

Jenny’s smile faded as one brow rose. “Good.”

“Hey, sexy, you wanna dance?”

Stacy looked up at Ronnie, eager to escape the table. “Absolutely.”

“This is a problem,” Molly said as she watched them go. “Ronnie’s acting weird, and that woman can’t take her eyes off of Layne.”

Jenny leaned in close to Molly. “Layne’s looking, too. Did you see her at dinner? I was watching her the whole time, and when Ronnie kissed Stacy, Layne closed her eyes and turned her head. Houston, we most certainly do have a problem, but there’s nothing we can do but watch.”

“I can’t sit back and watch a longtime friendship be ruined. Layne and Ronnie are going to get hurt. I think you should talk to her.”

“And what am I going to say? ‘Layne, stop looking at Stacy?”’

“I don’t mean Layne.” Molly nodded toward Stacy. “Tell her to get lost.”

“I can’t do that. What if we’re wrong and ruin whatever is happening between her and Ronnie?” Jenny pointed at Molly. “Don’t you say anything, either.”

Molly folded her arms and bit her lip.

“Baby, please,” Jenny pinched the bridge of her nose, “promise me you won’t try to intervene.

*******

Stick held Layne tightly and brushed her neck with a kiss. Layne looked over her shoulder and caught Stacy’s eye. “Stick, I need to be honest with you.” Layne put a little distance between them. “I just recently got out of a six-year relationship, and I’m not ready for…anything at the moment.”

“You live too far away for there to be
anything
, but what’s wrong with enjoying my company?” Stick replied with a smile.

“I can dance with you, and we can be friends, but that’s all I can do right now.”

Stick pulled her close again, molding their bodies together. “Can I still try to change your mind?”

Layne smiled and looked away. “As long as you know your chances are very slim. You’re extremely attractive, and if I was in a better place, things would be different.”

“Well, minus a day or two, I’ve got time to charm your socks off.” Stick spun Layne around when the band began a fast song and pulled her close again. “I can be very persuasive.”

Layne glanced at Ronnie and Stacy. Even though the tempo had changed, they were still dancing slowly. She watched as Ronnie’s hand slid down Stacy’s back and turned before she watched it descend any farther.

“What’s your favorite color?”

“I don’t really prefer one over another,” Layne said as she ran her palm over a firm back moist with sweat. “What’s yours?”

Stacy smiled and kissed her. “What did you see when you closed your eyes?”

“Red.”

“Let’s try that again.” Stacy kissed her slowly, her lips soft as a feather, the tip of her tongue barely touching Layne’s. “What color did you see?” Stacy asked against Layne’s ear when she pulled away.

“Blue.”

Stacy rose up and looked down at Layne. “Very good. Now I’ll show you burgundy.”

Layne realized that she’d fisted her hand in the back of Stick’s shirt. Stick looked at her questioningly with a slight smile. “I…uh…got a cramp in the back of my calf, maybe I’m a little dehydrated from this morning.”

“Why don’t you go back to the table and I’ll get you another bottle of water?”

“Good idea, thanks.”

“Layne, what’re you doing?” Molly asked when she sat down.

Layne watched Jenny tap Molly on the shoulder. She looked at both of them before saying, “About what?” Molly opened her mouth, then looked up as Ronnie and Stacy joined them.

“It’s raining.” Ronnie fanned herself with a napkin. “It was so hot and muggy, that breeze feels wonderful.”

Layne noticed the flush on Ronnie’s neck and knew it wasn’t the weather that was making her hot. Layne had seen it many times when Ronnie was aroused, then slipped away with a woman in tow. And Stacy, Layne noticed, looked at anything but her.

“Here
ya
go.” Stick set a bottle in front of Layne and took the seat next to her. “So what do y’all have planned for tomorrow?”

“Jenny and I were talking about horseback riding,” Molly said.

“Excellent.” Stick draped an arm over the back of Layne’s chair. “I’d love to show you the trails.”

“They must work you to death,” Stacy said, looking at Stick. “You’re driving one day, then on the trails the next.”

“I’ve been here a long time. Joy pretty much lets me do what I enjoy unless she needs me.”

“That’s really nice,” Stacy said with a smile. “I’m sure all the guests enjoy the special attention. You must stay busy year-round.”

“Yes, I do,” Stick smiled at Layne, “but it isn’t always this much fun.”

Ronnie grinned and winked at Layne before saying, “What did we do to earn your favor?”

Stick glanced at Stacy before she leaned closer to Ronnie. “You’re all very beautiful.”

“Oh, Stick,” Jenny said, fanning her face with both hands like a beauty queen who’d just been crowned. “And you haven’t even seen me in my ball gown.”

The group laughed at Jenny’s antics with the exception of Stacy, who eyed Stick. “How many clients would you say you
service
in a year?” Stick’s smile vaporized as she turned to Stacy, who shrugged. “I was just curious how lucrative this place is, but you probably don’t want to talk shop on your time off.”

Stick and Stacy locked gazes, neither of them smiling anymore. Molly felt the tension at the table was thick enough to cut with a knife. Under the table, she squeezed Jenny’s leg. “I’m pooped,” Molly said, looking at Layne. “I bet you are, too.”

“Yes, I am,” Layne replied with a relieved smile.

Ronnie looked over her shoulder at the door. “It’s pouring outside.”

“No problem.” Molly stood and pulled Jenny up with her. “I could use a shower, and the walk back will be cooler.”

“Good point,” Stacy added as she stood, as well.

When Layne stood, Stick joined her. “Wait right here, Layne. I’ll find an umbrella.”

Ronnie stayed seated. “Are y’all nuts? It’s a frog choker out there.”

Jenny looked at the door. “Oh, come on, titmouse, a little rain never hurt anyone.”

Ronnie reluctantly joined the group as they headed for the door but grabbed an empty beer bottle box and held it over her head as she stepped out of the barn. Stick had asked Layne to wait, but she followed closely behind Molly and Jenny, eager to be alone in her cabin so she could mentally sort out everything that had been said and decipher the odd behavior of her friends. But they’d barely gotten away when Stick arrived with another box and held it over Layne’s head while wrapping an arm around her waist. Layne had no choice but to slow her stride.

“I think Stacy thought I was flirting with Ronnie,” Stick said as the others moved on ahead. “She seemed a little pissed.”

“I didn’t get that impression at all,” Layne said nonchalantly. In truth, she wasn’t really sure why Stacy looked so put off, but she didn’t want to stoke any drama that appeared to be smoldering. Layne laughed when Jenny stomped in a puddle, sending muddy water up the side of Ronnie’s legs.

Ronnie threw her box down and yelled, “You little shit,” as she sprinted after Jenny.

Stacy picked it up but made no attempt to use it against the rain that pelted them. Layne noticed how Stacy’s shirt and shorts clung to her body, revealing every curve. She wasn’t as muscular as Stick, but she was lithe and well-toned, and Layne found herself unable to tear her gaze away from what her hands already knew.