The Old Deep and Dark by Ellen Hart

Author:Ellen Hart
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
ISBN: 9781250047809
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

19

It was going on midnight when Jane pulled into her driveway. As thoughts of Jordan Deere and his family tumbled around inside her mind, she did a double take. Backing up a few feet, she saw that Avi’s car was parked in front of the house. She hadn’t expected this and was hardly prepared for the conversation their problems demanded.

Entering through the back door, Jane heard the usual patter of dog paws as Mouse and Gimlet raced into the kitchen to greet her. She crouched down and pulled them into her arms. Gimlet did her happy dance, balancing on her two back feet. Mouse nosed Jane’s hand, asking for a scratch. Finally, the welcome complete, Jane rose and grabbed a bottle of single malt off the counter, poured herself a drink, downed it in one neat gulp, and then walked out of the kitchen, through the dining room, into the living room.

She was still struggling with how best to handle things, when, instead of Avi, Julia stood up and turned toward her. She’d been sitting on the couch.

“What are you doing here?” demanded Jane.

“What a wonderfully warm welcome. It’s nice to see you, too.”

“Where’s Avi?”

Julia gave Jane a quizzical look. “She’s in Chicago.”

“Then why is her car outside?”

“Ah,” said Julia. “I get it. You thought she’d come back to spend the night. No, sorry. It’s just me. Avi left her car in the airport lot. I asked for her keys before I left, since I didn’t want to take a cab when I got back to town. Poor Janey. You’re disappointed.”

“How did you get in here?”

“Your neighbor, Evelyn Bratrude. She came over to let the dogs out about eight. Saw me sitting on the front steps. We’re old friends, you know—from the years you and I were together. She let me in. Don’t blame her. She didn’t think she was doing anything wrong. She’s always been such a help to you with your various varmints. I see you have a new dog. The curly little black one. Never thought of you as the poodle type.”

“She was a stray. Needed a home.”

“Sure,” said Julia, moving around the end of the couch to face Jane without any furniture between them. “You’re good with strays.”

“You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself, Julia. I didn’t think of you that way when we first met.”

“You’re getting better at sparing with me. I like that.” She stepped closer, sniffed Jane’s breath. “I see. I could be wrong, but I’d say that’s scotch. Aren’t you going to offer me one?”

“You’re here for a reason. What is it?”

“Can’t I merely stop by to say hi? See how you’re doing? I thought we agreed to be friends. Lesbians are supposed to be good at that—not kicking the ex out the door forever just because the relationship fizzled.”

“That hardly covers what happened to us. Lies don’t really qualify as communication.”

Julia smiled as she stepped around Jane and sauntered toward the kitchen.

Jane figured she’d have to play her game if she wanted to find out why she’d come.

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