CHAPTER ONE
“I hate these things,” Jamie told her best friend.
“What’s not to like? Valentine’s Day. Dancing and women. You can’t beat it,” Dana told her.
“I’m pretending to be your date. It’s not like I’ll be doing a lot of dancing,” Jamie complained as they walked along the dark sidewalk to the bar.
“True. But jealously is the best way, we both agreed.”
“No. You agreed. I was just too stupid and went along with it.”
“Tess is beautiful,” Dana sighed. “Wait until you see her. And when she sees me with you . . . tall, dark and beautiful, she’ll know that she made a big mistake by saying we should see other people.”
“That is so adolescent,” Jaime said. “You can’t make someone like you, Dana.”
“What’s not to like? I’m such a catch.”
“Sure you are. That’s why you’re still single,” Jamie said.
“You’re a great catch and you’re still single,” Dana pointed out.
Jamie shrugged.
“When I meet the right woman, then I’ll be caught. Not until. Besides, I’ve been called difficult.”
“Well, there’s that,” Dana said as they approached the entrance of the bar and gathered with the other women waiting to get inside. “You’re too choosy. My God, look at you. You could have anyone you wanted, but no one’s ever good enough. What are you looking for?”
“I’m looking for love at first sight,” Jamie said seriously.
“That doesn’t exist. Only in fairy tales. Out here in the real world, you’ve got to lie and cheat just to find a date.”
Jamie laughed. “I don’t think so. I want to meet someone, look into her eyes, and fall hopelessly in love. And know, right then . . . right there, that she’s the one.”
“Oh, please. You’re dreaming. And then you get to know her and find you have absolutely nothing in common and you can’t find a thing to talk about, especially after the fun in bed disappears. Then what’s left?”
“Then we weren’t really in love to begin with,” Jamie said.
“You’re going to be alone for a very long time, Jamie. You’ve got to start small and then work up. And that’s what I’m doing with Tess. We had a great time together. We laughed, we both love music, the movies.”
“Then why are you pretending to date me?”
“Because she said she wasn’t ready to commit to anything. Hell, I’m not looking to get married. I just want to date for awhile. But, she says we should see others, too. I hate when they say that. And if she sees me with you, well, then she’ll know what she’s missing out on.”
“You have a warped view, Dana. It’s lying. Why can’t you be honest with her and tell her you really like her and you want to continue seeing her?”
“Like I said, you have to lie and cheat.”
They both reached for their money when they reached the door, but Dana put her hand on Jamie’s arm.
“My treat, sweetheart,” she said.
“Listen, if you try and kiss me, I’ll deck you right here,” Jamie threatened.
“You’re all talk. I know you’ve had the hots for me for years,” Dana teased.
“Right,” Jamie murmured. Again, she couldn’t believe she’d let Dana talk her into this. She hated Valentine’s Day anyway. And pretending to be Dana’s date to make someone else jealous . . . Jesus, had she been that drunk when she’d agreed?
“Come on, hurry,” Dana said, pulling on Jamie’s arm. “We want to get a table close to the dance floor.”
“You know, you’ll owe me big time for this,” Jamie said, not for the first time.
“Yes, I know. I’ve practically promised you my first born.”
“I certainly don’t want your children. A couple of hundred dinners cooked for me is payment enough,” she said.
“I do that for a living. What’s the fun in that?” she asked.
“The fun is you can be a chef at my house and not at the damn restaurant.”
“I can’t believe you still don’t know how to cook. My God, it’s not like I haven’t shown you every trick in the book.” Dana pointed across the dance floor. “There’s a table. Sprint across the floor and grab it.”
“I will not. We can at least be civilized about this.”
“Jesus. Do you have to act like an accountant all the time?”
“I am an accountant.”
“You don’t look like an accountant. Why do you have to be one?”
Jamie rolled her eyes. “I’ve been an accountant all my life. With both parents and a brother, it’s not like I had a choice.”
“You could have said no. Damn, even a lawyer would have been better than an accountant.”
“Why do you dislike my profession so?”
“Because it sounds so boring. No wonder you’re single.” Then Dana sprinted the last few feet, sliding to a halt at the edge, and grabbing the table before a group of four descended. She smiled sweetly at them then grabbed Jamie’s hand. “Sit down, sweetheart. I got us a table.”
“I could end up hating you after this, you know.”
“We’ve been friends too long. Don’t threaten me.”
Jamie pulled the chair closer to the table and folded her arms on top of it, tapping her fingers lightly to the music. Country music. Could it get any worse?
“I’ll buy the first round. What do you want?” Dana asked.
“You’ll buy all the rounds,” Jamie said. “And I’ll have a . . . Sidecar, I think.”
“Brandy? Couldn’t be a cheap date and drink beer, huh?”
“No.”
“Okay. Don’t go wandering off while I’m gone.”
“I’ll be right here, sweetheart,” Jamie purred.
“Will you slow down?” Kate gasped as she struggled to keep up with Tess’ long strides. “It’s barely nine.”
“It’s Valentine’s Day. It’ll be packed.”
“It’ll be depressing,” Kate said. “Single women watching the couples make out, wishing we had someone, too. Then we’ll just grab anybody, regardless, just not to be alone on fucking Valentine’s Day. It’s depressing. They ought to do away with the whole damn day.”
“Well, you’re in a fine mood,” Tess said.
“I hate this day. Everyone at the office getting flowers, oohing and ahhing over them like it’s some big deal.”
Tess stopped suddenly and Kate nearly ran into her.
“No wonder you’re single, if you have this attitude.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Romance. It’s all about romance.”
“Bullshit. People send flowers because it’s expected. And why only on Valentine’s Day? So that others will know that somebody loves somebody else? You shouldn’t have to have an occasion. If you love somebody, you shouldn’t need a day to prove it.”
“You are so cynical. I don’t know why I asked you to come along.”
“I don’t know why you insisted I come along,” Kate said. “I was perfectly happy staying home. I had plenty of work to do.”
“You always stay home. Ever since you broke things off with Rachel, you’ve been staying home. You’ve got to get a life sometimes.”
“Don’t bring her up,” Kat said. “Not tonight.”
“My God, it’s been two years. Surely you’re over that by now.”
“Of course I’m over it,” Kate stated. “I kicked her out, remember?”
“Uh huh,” Tess said.
“I did. I distinctly remember packing her things after I hadn’t seen her in two weeks. That’s kicking her out.”
“Yes, of course. The fact that she sent her brothers to pick up her stuff and move it to her other girlfriend’s apartment means nothing.”
“I hate you. Can’t you forget that minor detail?”
Tess laughed and playfully punched Kate’s arm.
“I’m sorry. She was just such a bitch. I can’t believe you lasted as long as you did.”
“I don’t want to talk about her,” Kate said. “And you’re paying, right? I mean, this was totally your idea.”
“Yes, I’m paying,” Tess said as they moved to the end of the line, waiting to get inside the bar. “I’m a lowly secretary and you’re a goddamn attorney, but I’m paying.”
“Thank you,” Kate said sweetly. “I refuse to contribute to this holiday.”
“What makes you think she’ll even be here?” Jamie asked as she sipped from her drink.
“Because this is where we met,” Dana said. “And because I know she comes here often. Who in their right mind wouldn’t come on Valentine’s Day?”
“Well, I could think of a few,” Jamie said dryly. “Do I need to tell you now that I hate country music?”
Dana stared at her. “You can dance, right?”
“I can tango.”
“Tango? No, two-step,” Dana said.
“Two-step? How about Jitterbug?”
“Jesus Christ! Who can’t two-step?”
“I hate country music,” Jamie said again.
“A fine date you turned out to be. Well, you’ll have to try. We have to be seen dancing together. And close.”
“Don’t push it, Dana. You’re lucky I’m even here.”
“I’m sure they’ll play some fast stuff. Can you do that?”
“No. I have no rhythm. I’m an accountant, remember?”
“You look like a fucking model. How can you not have rhythm?”
“I can tango,” Jamie said again.
“Why didn’t you tell me this before you agreed to be my date?” Dana demanded.
“Agreed? I think you got me drunk on one of your wine sauces. I don’t remember actually agreeing to dancing,” Jamie said.
“Never mind. We can fake it. Slow songs. No one will know. We’ll hang all over each other.”
“If you kiss me, I’ll never forgive you,” Jamie said. “You’re like my sister. I think I would get sick.”
“Thanks a lot.”
***************
“I told you we got here too late. There are no tables left,” Tess said as they moved through the crowd.
“You get more dances if you’re standing,” Kate said. “They think you’re available.”
“We are available.”
“And why is that?” Kate asked. “I mean, we’re cute enough. Why is that?”
“Because we’re too picky, that’s why. And we’re not getting any younger.”
“We’re barely thirty,” Kate said. “We have good jobs. We’re damn good catches. Why are we single?”
“Why are we having this conversation?”
“Because we’re pathetic,” Kate said. “We’re out at a bar on Valentine’s Day, for God’s sake.”
“We’re looking for a date, that’s what we’re doing here.”
“I’m not looking for a date. I refuse to date someone I met at a bar.”
“Where else are you going to meet someone?”
“At work. Through mutual friends. The usual places,” she said.
“And it’s worked so well in the past,” Tess said dryly.
“What about that woman you were seeing? Donna?”
“Dana. And I met her
here.”
“Well, there you go. It
didn’t last.”
“It didn’t last because . . . well, because she was getting too serious,”
Tess said. “And nobody gets serious with me.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I got scared,” Tess admitted.
“Scared?”
“I’m not ready to settle down. Hell, I’m thirty-one. Once you get a steady girlfriend, that’s it. You’re off the market. Then the next thing you know, you’re forty.”
“And? What if she was the one?”
“What if she wasn’t?”
“Tess, you usually know right off if they’re not the one or not. For me, it’s the first date. I guess that’s why I seldom have a second.”
***************
“When are you going to ask me to dance?”
“I’m not.”
“We could at least practice,” Dana said.
Jamie stood up with a sigh.
“Fine. Let’s practice. Don’t yell if I step on your toes.”
“You have to lead,” Dana said.
“Lead?”
“You’re taller.”
“So?”
“It looks funny if the shorter one leads.”
“I can’t dance,” Jamie said. “Do you want to totally embarrass us?”
“Okay. I’ll lead, but pretend you’re doing it.” They walked out to the dance floor. “And pretend that you like me.”
“I do like you.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I refuse to kiss you.”
“You’re being difficult.”
“I may not speak to you after this is all over with.”
“She’s not even here yet. You don’t have to kiss me.”
“Like I would.”
They moved together, first Dana taking Jamie’s right hand, them dropping it and taking her left, then dropping it again and picking up her right hand. They both stifled laughs as they attempted to move in unison.
“We look like idiots,” Dana whispered.
“We are idiots,” Jamie said as she stepped on Dana’s foot.
“My God, can’t you move?”
“I am moving.”
“Follow me,” Dana said.
“How can I follow you when you’re pushing me?”
“You’re supposed to be leading. Now, spin me around,” Dana said.
“Are you out of your mind?”
“How hard can it be?” she asked, then attempted a spin. They very nearly ended up on the floor and they both started giggling.
“This is not working,” Jamie said as another couple bumped into them.
“No shit! You have two left feet.”
“I can tango,” Jamie offered.
Dana started laughing and Jamie joined in.
“Okay. Let’s wait for a really slow song. That way, we can just stand together and move and no one will know that you don’t know how to dance,” Dana said.
“This is ridiculous. You know that, don’t you?”
“Sit down and shut up. I’m going for more drinks.”
Jamie sat as she was told, resting her elbows on the table again. She scanned the crowd, wondering what this Tess person looked like. She better be a knock-out, for all the trouble Dana was putting her through. She watched the women milling about, jostling for standing positions in the crowded bar. Her eyes stopped moving when they landed on a gorgeous blonde standing next to a tall redhead. Her short hair was tasseled, looking like it hadn’t seen a brush all day. Then the blonde raked her fingers through it. Jamie nodded. No brush. Fingers. She was dressed conservatively. Slacks and sweater. She looked out of place, especially next to the redhead, who was wearing jeans and boots. Jamie watched as the blonde lightly touched the redhead’s arm and moved closer to speak to her. No, no, Jamie thought. The redhead was all wrong for this woman. They didn’t go together at all.
Then the blonde turned towards her, as if sensing her watching. Across the room, their eyes met. Jamie felt her heart catch and she swallowed. A slight smile touched the blonde’s lips before she looked away.
“Oh my God,” Jamie whispered. It’s her.
“Here you go, sweetheart,” Dana said as she set two drinks on the table.
“Thanks,” Jamie murmured but her eyes never left the blonde.
“It’s crowded as hell in here tonight,” Dana said. “Lots of people . . . looking for love,” she sang.
“In all the wrong places,” Jamie supplied, then laughed. The song was a standing joke between them.
“Come on. This song is slow enough. I want to check out the other side. Maybe she’s over there.”
Jamie hesitated. She would look like an ass out there, but at least she could get a better look at the blonde.
“Okay. But no spinning,” Jamie said.
They shuffled along with the other dancers, getting bumped from behind often. Jamie didn’t care. Her eyes were searching, trying to find her again.
There, still standing next to the redhead. As they passed by them, she saw that the woman’s eyes were blue. They were locked on her own. She stumbled. Dana stepped on her foot and she nearly fell. When she looked back at the blonde, she was covering the smile on her face with one hand and Jamie felt a blush creep up her face. Then blue eyes locked on hers again and she found she couldn’t breathe.
“What is wrong with you?” Dana demanded.
“It’s her,” Jamie whispered.
“Her, who? You don’t even know what she looks like.”
“No. Her,” Jamie said again. “The one. Love at first sight,” Jamie whispered.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“There,” Jamie said, turning Dana slightly.
“Oh my God,” Dana hissed. “No!” she said.
“Yes! She’s the one. Our eyes met. I nearly collapsed.”
“You can’t have her,” Dana said.
“I can try. Oh, sure, she’s with someone, but big deal.”
“How could you do this to me?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“The woman. She’s mine.”
“Who?”
“Tess.”
“Tess? That’s Tess?”
“Yes. Isn’t she beautiful?”
Jamie’s heart sunk. Yes, the woman was beautiful. But she didn’t look at all like Dana’s type. And she certainly didn’t look like a Tess. No, that couldn’t be Tess. Damn, how unfair was that? One look and Cupid’s arrow went straight to her heart. Apparently, it had misfired.
Jamie turned her back to the blonde, away from temptation, watching Dana’s face as she still stared. No, it certainly wasn’t fair.
“So that’s Tess?” she asked quietly.
“Yes. And who in the world is she with? They don’t go together at all,” she said.
“Yes, I know. They are all wrong for each other.” And you’re wrong for her, too, Jamie thought.
They stumbled through the rest of the dance, finally ending up back at their table. Jamie reached for her drink and swallowed it down in one gulp. Tess. The name wasn’t right, either. Nothing was right. She closed her eyes, still seeing the blue ones locked onto her own.
“Wonder who she’s with?” Dana said. “But Tess is beautiful, right? I told you so.”
“Certainly.”
“I’m sorry. But you can’t have her,” Dana said again.
“Yes, I know. She’s yours.”
***************
Kate watched as the woman turned away from her, wondering at the pained look in her eyes. Maybe her foot hurt where her partner had stepped on it. Kate continued watching as they moved farther away from her. Tall, dark and handsome. God, did that description ever fit this woman. Her dark hair reached past her shoulders, with bangs trying to cover her expressive eyes. Her black jeans were snug enough to show off a firm backside and long legs. Kate continued to stare as they danced away from her.
“Who are you staring at?” Tess asked.
“Hmm?”
Tess punched her arm. Kate jumped.
“What?” Kate asked.
“Who are you staring at?”
“A woman,” Kate murmured.
“It’s a lesbian bar. I could have guessed that. Who?”
“The tall brunette, on the end there,” she pointed. “She’s dancing with a short blonde. They can’t dance worth a damn. You can’t miss them,” she said.
“Oh my God! That’s Dana,” Tess hissed.
“Dana?”
“Yes. I can’t believe it! So it took her a whole week to find someone else. See, I told you. It wasn’t meant to be.”
“That’s Dana?” Kate’s heart sank. For a second, she had felt a connection, a spark. And apparently it was with Tess’ Dana.
“Yes, that’s Dana. She’s cute, isn’t she?”
“Very.”
“And you’re right. They can’t dance. But it’s not Dana’s fault. She was very good. Must be the brunette’s fault.”
Kate’s head snapped around.
“The brunette? That’s not Dana?”
“Dana? No, no. She’s the blonde.”
“Oh, thank God,” Kate murmured as she grabbed Tess’ arm.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I thought you meant the brunette was Dana. I was looking at the brunette.”
“No. She’s not at all my type.”
“I know. She’s . . . too tall for you.”
“So you were looking at the brunette? Dana’s date?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was your Dana,” Kate said.
“She’s not my Dana. And I can’t believe she’s already with someone else.”
“Well, as far as Dana knows, you’re with someone else,” Kate stated. “And I thought you were the one that broke it off?”
“I was. And now I see that it was for good reason. She obviously wasn’t sincere when she said that she wanted to be with me. God, you can’t trust women.”
“What do you expect?” Kate demanded. “You told her to get lost. She did. Can you blame her? And my God, did you look at the woman she's with?”
“She wasn’t that cute,” Tess said.
“Cute? She’s gorgeous!” Kate said.
“She is not. She looks . . . I don’t know. Like a lawyer or something,” Tess said.
Kate put her hands on hips and faced Tess.
“What exactly are you saying?”
“I’m saying she’s dressed like you. She doesn’t fit in. She’s not at all Dana’s type.”
Kate glanced across the dance floor at the two women sitting at a table alone. She felt drawn to the woman, but it hardly mattered. She had rules. Never date someone you meet at a bar. And certainly never date someone who was dating someone else.
“Maybe you should ask her to dance,” Tess said.
“Dana?”
“No! The other one.”
“I will not. They are obviously here as a couple.”
“They can’t be that much of a couple. I was with Dana last weekend.”
“Maybe she had this woman on the side.”
“As if.”
No. Kate had to agree. No woman would have this beautiful creature on the side. She would be out front for all to see.
***************
“Hold my hand,” Dana said. “She’s looking.”
Jamie took her hand, then glanced up. But it was the redhead who was looking, not Tess.
“No she’s not.”
“Yes, she is. God, she’s staring right at us.”
Jamie peeked again. No, just the redhead was looking. Tess wasn’t even standing there anymore.
“Dana, she’s not even there anymore. Just the redhead,” Jamie said.
“Just the redhead?” Dana hissed. “That’s Tess!”
“The redhead is Tess?”
“Yes. Who did you think? Surely not that blonde?”
Jamie closed her eyes and laughed.
“Let me get this straight. The redhead is Tess? Not the cute blonde?”
“Of course.”
“Oh, thank you. Thank you.” She met Dana’s eyes. “The blonde. She’s the one I was staring at. She’s the one,” she said.
“The blonde?”
“Yes. I’m going to talk to her, ask her to dance or something.”
“Absolutely not!”
“Why the hell not?”
“For one thing, you can’t dance. For another, you’re here as my date! And apparently that’s Tess’ date.”
“No. Our eyes met. There was something there,” Jamie said.
“You and your love at first sight. Jamie, it doesn’t exist. Give it up. So your eyes met? Look around the room. You’ll meet lots of eyes,” Dana said.
Jamie looked over again and the blonde had returned. She watched as the blonde lifted her head, moving her eyes slowly across the room until they landed on Jamie. Again, their stare was intense. Jamie felt as if this woman were looking into her soul. Then the woman’s eyes dropped and Jamie followed them . . . right to her hand still clasped with Dana’s. Damn! She pulled it away quickly, but the woman had turned away.
“Shit,” Jamie muttered.
“What?”
“This is ridiculous! I’m playing your date to make some other woman jealous and now the blonde thinks we’re seeing each other.”
“As far as she knows, we are.”
“Dana, I can’t go through with this. I have to meet her,” Jamie insisted.
“Jamie, please. I’ll look like a total fool if Tess finds out. And if you hit on her friend, she’ll find out.”
“Jesus, Dana. You can’t expect me to just sit here and let her walk away. It’s not like I meet someone everyday that . . . makes my heart stop.” Jamie watched them, then her eyes widened. “I’m going. Tess just walked away.”
“Jamie, please?”
“I’ll tell her I’m cheating on you or something. I have to meet her, Dana.”
Before Dana could stop her, Jamie got up and walked across the room, striding purposefully towards the blonde.
***************
The woman stopped in front of her, so close, Kate could smell her fragrance, could see the laugh lines around her eyes, could see the pulse that throbbed in her neck.
“I would ask you to dance, but . . . I’ve been told I have two left feet,” Jamie finally said when she found her voice. The woman’s eyes were bluer than she imagined and she still stared into them. Actually, she wanted to drown there.
Kate finally found her voice, too.
“Wouldn’t your girlfriend mind?”
“I don’t have a girlfriend.” At the blonde’s raised eyebrows, Jamie remembered her date. “Oh, you mean Dana. Well, I can explain about that.” Then she looked around for Tess. “Would your girlfriend mind?”
“Who?” Kate asked with a frown.
“The redhead.”
Kate smiled and shook her head. “We’re just friends.”
Jamie smiled with relief.
“Good.” Then, without thinking, she took the blonde’s hand and led her out to the dance floor.
“I thought you couldn’t dance.”
“I can’t,” Jamie said. But she pulled the woman into her arms, her eyes closing as the blonde moved close to her.
Kate couldn’t imagine how she ended up on the dance floor, in this woman’s arms, in a matter of seconds. But she hardly cared. Her body had a mind of its own as it practically molded itself to the other woman. She had a hard time catching her breath as the woman’s arms circled her waist and she let her own slide up around strong shoulders.
“Please tell me your name,” Jamie whispered.
Kate closed her eyes as she felt the woman’s breath tickle her ear.
“Kate,” she murmured. She felt the woman nod.
“That’s lovely. I’m Jamie,” she said.
Jamie. Yes, it fit her, Kate thought.
They moved together slowly on the floor, ignoring the other couples as they passed by them. Jamie’s hands tightened at her waist and Kate moved closer, gasping at the intimate contact. Never in her life had she reacted to a stranger this way. But her body felt as if it belonged right here, next to this woman. There was no rhythm, no rhyme or reason to their movements. Just two women, two bodies sliding together to the beat of the music. But when their breasts pressed together, Kate moaned, burying her face against Jamie’s neck. She couldn’t fathom the instant desire she felt for this stranger. A desire that burned slowly down her body, causing her to press even closer to the woman.
Jamie heard the soft moan and her breath caught. She closed her eyes as her lips moved softly, slowly across the woman’s hair, her cheek. Then Kate lifted her head and their eyes met. They were both breathing hard and Jamie felt Kate’s arms tighten, felt her pull Jamie closer. She was lost. Her hungry mouth closed the distance, meeting Kate’s lips with her own.
Kate didn’t think as her mouth opened. Her tongue dueled with Jamie’s and she nearly collapsed right there in her arms. She groaned as Jamie pulled her closer, molding their hips together. She pressed against her hard, letting go of her inhabitions. Their kisses were hot, wet . . . hungry. Kate’s hands moved into Jamie’s hair, holding her close. Then suddenly they were bumped from behind and they pulled apart, both their breath coming in ragged gasps.
Their eyes met again, both questioning. They had stopped dancing. They simply stood and stared.
Oh my God! You were making out with a total stranger on the dance floor. Have you lost your mind? Kate stepped away from Jamie, thankful that the song had ended.
“I can’t believe you did that,” Kate hissed.
“Did what?”
“Kissed me. I don’t even know you.”
“You kissed me, too,” Jamie stated, still breathless.
“I most certainly did not. I don’t do that. And your girlfriend . . . your date is right there,” she said, motioning with her head towards Dana.
“I can explain. Please. Let me explain,” Jamie begged.
Kate shoved both hands through her hair. She had been making out with a stranger on the dance floor. Thank God no one knew her here. No one except Tess, who was now standing beside them.
“Kate? What’s going on?” Tess asked as she looked Jamie over head to toe.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
“I . . ..” But Jamie closed her mouth. She looked from Kate’s angry eyes to Tess’ angry eyes and she wanted to crawl in a hole. Then she looked back to Kate, staring into the blue eyes that caused her heart to skip.
“Come on,” Tess said. “I brought you another drink.”
“Okay. Thanks,” Kate said. She turned to follow Tess, then stopped and looked back at Jamie, who still stood there. “Go back to your date,” she said quietly.
“Please, I’ve got to see you again.”
“No. I’m not really interested. You’re seeing someone.”
“I’m . . ..” Shit! Dana would kill her. “I can explain,” she said weakly. “Please,” she whispered.
Something about the way she nearly begged caused Kate’s heart to catch. She stared at the woman who had been kissing her so thoroughly only moments before. Damn, but she was attractive. And her eyes . . . so dark, so intense. They held her captive. Oh, hell.
“The woman you’re with . . . Tess used to date her,” Kate said. “In fact, up until last weekend.”
“I know. And it’s not what you think,” Jamie said. “Please, give me a chance to explain.”
“Why?”
“Because . . . because of what just happened out there,” Jamie whispered.
But Kate shook her head. “I have rules. Never date someone you meet at a bar. Never date someone who’s seeing someone else.”
“Okay. I’ll give you the first one. But the second, I can explain,” Jamie said again.
“Then that still leaves the first,” Kate said.
“Then let’s meet somewhere else. Breakfast. Nine o’clock. Downtown. Saturday morning. How about Clare’s?”
“Why in the world would I agree to that?”
“Because you kissed me. And because you want to do it again,” Jamie whispered.
Christ! It was true.
“I don’t do this,” Kate whispered.
“Do it for me,” Jamie said. “Please?”
“Shit,” Kate whispered. She was torn. Torn between her rules and this beautiful woman who had nearly kissed her senseless minutes ago. “Okay. Nine.” She turned away before she could change her mind.
Jamie walked quickly back to their table, meeting the very angry eyes of Dana. She smiled weakly. Dana didn’t return it.
“She thinks I’m cheating on you,” Jamie said. “I’m sure Tess will be sympathetic about it.”
“I can’t believe you just did that!”
“If you had any sense at all, you’d just go over there and ask Tess to dance. Then we could end this stupid charade.”
“Can’t you control your hormones for one night? My God! You were practically making out with the woman right there!”
Jamie smiled. She couldn’t believe it, no. But, yes, they had been.
“Dana, she’s . .