Part 7 (1/2)

”I'm off. See you in a few.” He gave Matt a quick kiss on the mouth before he left. They seemed very comfortable together despite the short amount of time they'd known each other. Matt fell in love easily, then seemed so content that she wondered if she was missing out on some secret. Her own relations.h.i.+ps always seemed complicated in comparison.

”How's your used-car inventory right now?” she asked.

”We've got a bunch of stuff-a Camry with low miles and a couple of SUVs. Why? Do you want to trade the Solara?”

”No. It's not for me. I might bring someone by later this week.”

”Okay.” Matt's tone was saturated with curiosity.

”Jori's been taking the bus to work. I just thought you might be able to help her out.”

* 65 *

”Jori's the pastry chef, right?” he asked as he stood to gather the empty beer bottles from the coffee table.

”Yeah.” Sawyer grabbed the nearly empty bowl of popcorn and followed him into the kitchen.

”Is she hot?” He disposed of the bottles and took the bowl from her.

”Matt!”

He nodded. ”She is.”

Sawyer pretended to glare at him. ”Yeah, she's hot. But that's not why I'm doing this.”

”Uh-huh.” She could tell he didn't believe her. ”I'll be there Thursday morning. Why don't you bring her by before work and I'll show her what we have.”

”I'll check with her and see if she's free.” Sawyer told herself she was just trying to be friendly and help Jori out. After all, why should she have to deal with an untrustworthy salesman when Sawyer knew someone who would make her a good deal?

Her generosity had nothing to do with her desire to see more of Jori.

Sawyer turned onto Jori's street, admiring as always the sprawling lawns in front of each large home. The neighborhood contained mostly older houses, and the residents here had enough money to stave off the growth and overcrowding that had spread through much of the city. She pulled into Jori's driveway and circled the main house a few minutes early. She had told Matt to expect them around eleven, and then she planned to take Jori to a late lunch before they went to work.

She was debating where to go for lunch when Jori, her hair still wet, stuck her head out the door at the top of the stairs.

”I'm almost ready. Do you want to wait up here?”

Sawyer told herself it was her desire to get out of the beaming sun and not her curiosity about Jori's place that propelled her out * 66 *

of the car. She paused at the top of the stairs and called through the door Jori had left open.

”I'll be out in a minute,” Jori answered from what Sawyer a.s.sumed was the bathroom.

She wandered around the apartment. It wasn't large, but with the natural light and the minimalist furnis.h.i.+ngs, it didn't feel cramped either. She thought about her own place. No one would walk in and say it looked like her. But even after the short time she'd known Jori, this s.p.a.ce, with its rich colors and una.s.suming decor, felt like it fi t. She could imagine Jori taking comfort in the warm stillness here after a long day.

Though the screen at the far end of the room only partially obscured the bed with its Asian-inspired duvet, Sawyer avoided circling it, fearing she would be intruding on Jori's privacy.

Instead she moved around the room and touched the back of the futon and the maple end table. Candles sat on nearly every surface, as did several decorative vases, but something was missing. She carefully lifted one of the vases, a beautiful gla.s.s piece with a swirl of dark red around the neck that looked like a ribbon embedded inside. It was heavier than she expected, given its delicate appearance.

The bathroom door opened and Jori headed for the kitchen, carrying her uniform on a hanger. When she turned to open the refrigerator door, Sawyer noticed the navy bandana that would cover her hair when she got to work, but for now it looked s.e.xy hanging out of the back pocket of her faded blue jeans.

”You don't have any pictures of your family around,” she said, jerking her eyes away from Jori's a.s.s before she could be caught.

”What?” Jori asked from behind the refrigerator door.

”Well, most people put family photos out.”

Jori fought a streak of panic and forced a casual tone. ”My place is small and I don't like clutter.” Before Sawyer could press her, she rushed on. ”Would you like something to drink?”

”No, thank you.”

* 67 *

She grabbed a bottle of water. ”Ready?” She crossed to the door and held it open for Sawyer.

After she followed Sawyer to the car, she was surprised when Sawyer held the door for her, and her arm tingled when it brushed Sawyer's as she got in. She leaned across to unlock Sawyer's door and saw her eyes dip. Confused, she looked down and realized that as she'd reached for the door, the V-neck of her s.h.i.+rt had gaped, giving Sawyer a view of her small b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

She felt uncomfortable and knew she was blus.h.i.+ng. She wished she'd put on a bra that morning, but once she got into the chef's jacket no one could tell if she was wearing one or not, so she often didn't bother. She realized Sawyer was still staring and cleared her throat. Sawyer jerked her eyes away and hurriedly climbed in, started the engine, and backed out without looking at her again.

Sawyer's observant inquiry about her lack of family photos had thrown her. She had dodged the question, reluctant to explain her lack of sentimentality about her family because she was afraid of Sawyer's reaction. As a young girl she'd seen pitying looks on the face of more than one social worker, and that wasn't what she wanted to see when Sawyer looked at her.

She much preferred the expression on Sawyer's face as she'd leaned across the interior of the car. The fl ash of heat as Sawyer's gaze caressed her made her wonder how she would feel if Sawyer were actually to touch her, made her long for the certain intensity. Her face fl ushed anew as she realized the direction of her thoughts, and she looked out the window so Sawyer wouldn't notice.

Sawyer steered into the dealers.h.i.+p and parked in front.

Waving at the man who strode through the front door, she got out and met him at the front of the car.

”Jori, this is my roommate, Matt.”

”Hey, how are you?” Matt held out his hand.

Jori took it and was surprised to fi nd his grip warm and enveloping. His smile was friendly, and when he released her * 68 *

hand he stepped back, leaving her a comfortable cus.h.i.+on of personal s.p.a.ce. ”It's nice to meet you.”

She'd expected something a bit more aggressive from a car dealer. Of course, she didn't trust them as a breed, so she readily admitted she was already biased against him in spite of her initial reaction. He certainly looked the part, with his slicked-back hair, dark navy suit, and bright yellow tie. But the welcome in his eyes contradicted the glossy appearance.

”What can I help you fi nd today?”

”I'm looking for a used sedan, nothing too expensive or fl ashy.”

Sawyer smiled in encouragement when Jori glanced nervously at her. She'd already talked to Matt a bit about what Jori was hunting for, but she'd let them work it out from here.

She trusted Matt not to screw Jori. So while he led her from car to car and pointed out the features as well as the fl aws of each one, Sawyer wandered among the new vehicles nearby.

When she noticed Matt leave Jori standing next to a green Toyota Camry and head for the building, she strolled back to Jori.

”Did you fi nd something you like?”