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  “Good plan. Besides, you aren’t even my type,” Andrea said over her shoulder as she pushed open the door.

  What? Her type? And what makes her think she could be my type? Maybe I’m not attracted to gorgeous blondes with big brown eyes.

  Chapter Four

  “ASTONISHINGLY ENOUGH, I’M RATHER attracted to her,” Kelly told Shawn and Carrie as they sat down to supper a couple of nights later. She’d told them the story about meeting Andrea and what Andrea had said to her while Carrie settled Piper with some roast beef.

  “She said I’m not her type and I told her she doesn’t even live here, so I wasn’t interested, either.”

  “Well, how much are you going to have to see her? I mean, other than when you’re installing the bookcases. You can do most of the work elsewhere, right?” Shawn asked.

  “True, I don’t have to see her that much. That might squash Elise’s matchmaking ideas, if that’s what’s going on. I didn’t see it, but Andrea believed it was. As I said, I am attracted to her. She’s beautiful, but she’s also coming out of a horrible breakup from what Elise said. Besides, Andrea made it clear she isn’t interested in anyone, especially someone who’s not her type, as she put it.”

  “How attracted to her are you? I mean, is she simply pretty to look at or…what?”

  “Confession? I was mesmerized by her voice. She’s gorgeous. I don’t know. It seems like a dead-end street, though. She’s only here for a while to recuperate. I don’t know where she lives now, but it’s not here. When I asked her if she lived in New York like Elise, she pretty much said ‘not now’ and got up and left the room.”

  “Oh well, she sounds like she’s hurting and wouldn’t be interested in anyone right now. That’s totally understandable. Hmm…I wonder if she meant she doesn’t live there now, or she didn’t want to answer that question right now.”

  “I hadn’t considered all of that,” Kelly said. “I figured she was just blowing me off. I was sure I’d said something to upset her, but Elise told me I hadn’t and that it was okay.”

  “You’re very easy to talk to. Maybe she needs a friend while she’s here. You could hang out together if she likes and let it go at that,” Carrie said.

  Kelly nodded. “Good idea. That might keep Elise happy. Besides, if I let Andrea know that my interest is to get to know her as a friend, she might relax a little. That might be good for her while she’s here. Anyway, if Elise can see we’re playing nice, at least she won’t try setting her up with someone else. That is, of course, unless Andrea wants to be set up.”

  “What do you mean?” Shawn put her fork down and looked up at Kelly.

  “Maybe she wouldn’t mind being set up with someone but not me.”

  “Kelly…” Shawn picked up her fork and pointed it at her. “Are you honestly thinking that?”

  “She’s made it very clear that I’m not her type. It could be that she’d rather hang out with some more urbane women. Or she could be one of those women who likes the more feminine types.” She stared at her biscuit as she pushed the butter across it with her knife. “Or maybe she wouldn’t be caught dead with one of the ‘help’ around here.”

  “If she really is like that, she isn’t worthy of your interest no matter how pretty she is or what her voice makes you feel,” Carrie said. “But maybe, just maybe, she’s exactly what she looks like…someone who’s hurting. If that’s what’s happening, she doesn’t need a date right now. She needs a friend. You’re very good at being a friend, Kelly.”

  Kelly let out a sigh. “Yes, I’m good at being a friend.” She sighed again. “One of these days, however, I’d like to be good at being a partner. I want a relationship like you two have. But on the other hand, I can’t make something out of nothing. There has to be something there, something from both of us, to make it work.” Kelly picked at her green beans.

  “You don’t think there could be?” Carrie asked.

  “To tell you the truth, we’ve scarcely gotten to know each other. I felt something…like she was definitely interested, too. I could see something in her eyes.”

  “If you are too, I’d say you need to back up and think about this,” Carrie said. “Give things a chance to see if something develops. Don’t write her off yet as just another snobby rich girl.”

  “I need to go back again and re-measure after I show Elise the drawings I have. If Andrea’s there, she might be interested in something very low key and a chance to talk.”

  “There you go. I’ve got a feeling she might appreciate having that right now more than anything else.”

  Shawn chimed in, “I do feel for her. It’s hard getting back up after having your heart broken in tiny pieces. It takes time to put it back together and I can’t imagine her being able to do that during a short vacation. Didn’t you say she’s staying with her aunt for a few weeks?”

  “Right, that’s what Elise said, although she also made it clear Andrea could stay as long as she wants.”

  “Never know what will happen, do you? I wonder if she could be working from her aunt’s, telecommuting,” Shawn suggested. “She must’ve had a job of some kind wherever she came from.”

  “A pretty good one, too, if you ask me,” Kelly said. “She’s driving a rental car, but it’s no Chevy. It’s a Mercedes. Unless she’s independently wealthy, she’s got a good career going of some kind.”

  “So, you ask her what she does for a living and you can talk about that unless she truly doesn’t want to talk to you.” Carrie got up and retrieved the ice tea pitcher.

  “I guess so. It’s possible she doesn’t trust me to not be nosy. Who knows? It’s possible she could use a pretty good listener closer to her own age. I’m good at that.”

  “Yes, you are. You’re an excellent listener, as a matter of fact.” Carrie smiled at her as she refilled her glass. “I can give you a reference if you need one.”

  Kelly grinned back at her. “Thanks. I might take you up on that.”

  Shawn reached for another biscuit. “Look, Kelly, you’re a great friend and she’d be lucky to have you in her life. If she isn’t in a space to have someone to talk to, it’s on her. All you can do is offer.”

  “Thanks, guys. When I go back over to show Elise my drawings I’ll try to talk to Andrea. I’m sure she could use someone to talk to while she’s here, if nothing else.”

  Chapter Five

  KELLY PULLED INTO ELISE’S driveway two days later with the drawings and the Mercedes gone. So much for getting a chance to talk to Andrea today. Since Elise knew I was coming, so did Andrea. Maybe she doesn’t want to see me. Yeah, that was possible after our last conversation. Well, I guess that’s pretty much that.

  Kelly couldn’t hide her surprise when Andrea answered the door. The slight smile on Andrea’s face made her look much more pleasant than the last time.

  “Well, hi.” Kelly answered Andrea’s smile with one of her own.

  “Hi, yourself. Guess you’re surprised to see me, right?” Andrea motioned for Kelly to come in. “Aunt Elise had another appointment this morning, after all, and she said that since I knew what she wanted, I should meet with you.”

  “If she’s happy with you approving the drawings, I am, too.” Kelly stepped into the entry hall. “I admit I’m surprised to see you because the Mercedes is gone. I assumed it was yours, so I also assumed you’d be in it.”

  “It is mine. Actually, it’s my rental. But when she asked if she could borrow it, of course I said yes. I almost never say no to Aunt Elise.”

  “I can imagine most people don’t say no to her.” Kelly grinned. “She’s one of those people.”

  “No, they don’t. Not because she’s mean or anything, but because people usually want to say yes. It’s always been that way. So, can I get you something to drink…some iced tea or water or a soda?”

  “Sure, some iced tea would be nice. We could spread the drawings out on the kitchen counter, if you like.”

  “Works for me. That big island in the ki
tchen is great for that kind of stuff.”

  Kelly followed Andrea into the kitchen, taking in the lovely view of Andrea’s backside and bare legs.

  “I’ll get us some tea while we look at the plans. I promise not to spill anything on them.” Andrea turned to retrieve two ice tea glasses waiting on the counter near the refrigerator.

  “Thanks, I appreciate that.” Kelly spread the drawings on the highly polished, light grey granite counter in the center of the kitchen. She was running her hand along the ogee bullnose and around the corner as Andrea returned with two glasses of iced tea. “This is a very nice countertop.”

  Andrea set the glasses away from Kelly’s sketches. “Aunt Elise wasn’t sure she’d like granite countertops. But when the contractor showed her all the different choices for the edges and colors, she was sold. She didn’t want the usual rounded edges. It came out nicely, didn’t it?”

  “Very nice. Whoever did this, I admire their workmanship.”

  “I guess you don’t know that the company that referred you built this house. Everything in it, they did. You’re the first outside contractor that’s ever been allowed to work on anything in this place. Obviously, they trust you.”

  “Well, I’m close with someone who works there, but they’ve seen my work, too.” Kelly took a sip of her tea. “Good tea. Thanks.” She put the glass back down away from the sketches. “Anyway, how about we take a look at the plans?”

  “Glad you like the tea. Okay, walk me through it,” Andrea said, leaning over the counter to look.

  “These shelves are open to the wall behind.” Kelly pointed to the sketches. “Elise said she wanted the wall color to show through the open shelves on the top. The bottom cabinets are also open to the back, but they have doors on them. Even though there’s glass in them, they’ll still give the lower sections a cleaner appearance. She and I thought that might look better since there’ll be chairs in front of them.”

  “They look like they’d be perfect in there. They have the same basic style as her desk and chairs. What color will they be?”

  “She said she wanted them painted or stained white. I’m going to give her a couple of samples when we’re ready and she can decide on the final finish then. A good coat of acrylic should make them durable and clean easily.” Kelly looked at Andrea. “You like the look of them?”

  Andrea ran a finger over the drawings, as if she was trying to feel the texture of the wood. “I’m sure Aunt Elise will love these. When do you think you’ll start working on them?” Her voice almost a whisper.

  “Now that the drawings are approved, I’ll go buy the wood and get started on it this afternoon or tomorrow, depending on what I can get this afternoon.”

  “How long will it be before you come back again to start working in the house?”

  “Two to three weeks, if all goes as planned. Are you still going to be here?”

  “Maybe. I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying. Aunt Elise said I’m welcome to stay as long as I want, but…”

  “But…”

  Andrea sighed, then looked up at Kelly. “If you’re not in a hurry to leave, bring your tea and let’s sit in the dinette for a little bit.”

  “Actually, I’m in no hurry at all. I’d be happy to chat with you for a while.”

  Taken aback at Andrea’s change in demeanor from the previous visit, Kelly rolled up the drawings but left them on the counter. She picked up her tea and followed Andrea to the little built-in dinette in the corner of the kitchen. Once they’d settled onto a bench, they took a sip of their tea in silence. Kelly waited for Andrea to say something else, but when she didn’t, Kelly broke the stillness.

  “What do you have to go back home to? Or do you need to be back there for your job?”

  Andrea raised her eyes to look at Kelly. Those gorgeous brown eyes, with their long eyelashes made Kelly take a deep breath. She tried to mask it by looking down at her tea for a second.

  “I don’t have a regular job to go back to, no. I was with a very wealthy woman who didn’t want me to work at a regular job of any kind because it interfered with her travel and party plans. I was working at an art gallery before we met, but cut back my hours because she insisted. I thought it was fun in the beginning, not working full-time. To tell you the truth, though, working part-time got old fast for me.”

  Andrea pushed her already sweating glass around in its little puddle. Kelly watched her and waited. After nearly a minute of silence, Andrea took a deep breath and looked up at Kelly.

  “I finally opened a gallery of my own in SoHo and started spending more time there. But again, I tried to please Jo by working only a few days each week and just had the gallery open part-time. I was in love and believed it would all work out. It didn’t. Short story, she found someone more fun than I am who was willing to be arm candy—a kept playmate. Oh, and the new one is in her twenties instead of nearly forty. I keep thinking she’ll tire of her, but so far, she hasn’t. Stupid tale, but true.”

  Kelly wanted to reach over and touch Andrea’s hand, but didn’t. “It’s not stupid at all. You loved her. You probably would’ve done anything she asked.” Kelly shook her head slowly. “I have a friend who let herself become something she wasn’t because she was in love. It didn’t last either. You have to be yourself.”

  “I know that now. The trouble is, I’m not sure who I am any more or what I want to do. I’m not broke or anything. I have the gallery and I can make it on my own.” She took a deep breath. “On the other hand, I can’t sit around and do nothing about this situation.”

  “No, you can’t do that, but right now you’re still hurting. Sometimes you need time to let yourself heal. The right thing will come to you in its own good time.” Kelly stared at her tea, and pushed her glass around for a few seconds in its own little puddle. She looked back up at Andrea. “Look, if you need a friend, I’m here. If you want to get out of the house for a few hours and do something, I’m here. No strings, simply one friend with another.” She reached into her pocket and took out a case with her business cards in it. She handed one of the cards to Andrea. “Here’s my cell number. Don’t hesitate to call me if you just want to talk, okay?”

  “Thanks, Kelly. I’m sorry if I was a little cold to you earlier. I thought I didn’t want to be around anyone but Aunt Elise. It wasn’t personal, please believe me.” Andrea looked at the business card, and back at Kelly. “You seem like a very nice person and I’d like to be friends. I appreciate it.”

  Kelly shook her head and let out a little laugh. “So, do you think Elise threw us together today hoping this might happen?”

  “I wouldn’t put it past her.” Andrea grinned a tiny grin. “She’s such a wonderful woman and I’m proud to call her my aunt, but she’s more like a mom to me.”

  “Well, now you also have a friend here. How’s that?” Kelly once again felt the urge to reach over and hold Andrea’s hand, but she pushed it down.

  “Thanks, I do appreciate that. Do you have another one of those cards?”

  “Sure.” Kelly reached into her pocket and into the case for another card as Andrea walked across the kitchen to a little desk in the corner, bringing back a pen. Andrea wrote something on the back of the card and handed it back to Kelly. Andrea had written a phone number on the back, along with her name.

  “It’s my cell. This friendship thing goes both ways. You can call me, too, if you’d like to have someone to go to dinner with or something.” She stopped suddenly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even ask you if you were in a relationship or something. I wouldn’t want to intrude…”

  Kelly laughed. “Nope, I’m not in a relationship or even dating anyone right now. You wouldn’t be intruding on anything, believe me. You can call me any time.”

  “Oh, good. Well, I guess I’d better let you get on with my aunt’s bookcases. Thanks for letting me bend your ear. Feel free to call me any time, too. I’ve pretty much been hanging around the house here and I’m sure my aunt would like to see me o
ut doing something or at least talking to someone else besides her.”

  Kelly got up and headed to the sink to rinse out her glass. “I do need to take one more set of measurements. I like to double check everything before I start cutting. Would it be okay to do it now?” She turned from the sink and began gathering her drawings.

  “No problem. I’ll show you in there and leave you alone to do your thing. I don’t want to bother you.”

  As they walked down the hall to the office, Kelly said, “Believe me, you’d be no bother at all. If you’ve got something else to do, it’s fine. It won’t take me long.”

  Andrea opened the doors to the office. “If it’s all right with you, I’ll stick around and watch.”

  They pulled the chairs farther away from the wall and Kelly showed her where they’d be after the bookcases were in. “This is what the room will look like, if you can imagine the wall full of shelves and cabinets. Still like it?”

  Andrea sat down at the desk, in working position. “I do like it and I’m sure Aunt Elise will, too. This room’s certainly large enough to carry that off.”

  “Good. Glad you agree.” Kelly stood back and looked at the space again. “I have an idea. The three bookcases in the middle should include doors on the bottom as I drew them. But what do you think about having the end sections with open shelves all the way to the bottom? There’s room.”

  “That sounds great to me, but I think we should ask her.”

  “Want to ask her when she gets home and have her call me? Or you can call me. Whichever. But I’d like to give her a choice. There’s an extra copy of the drawings in the truck that I can give you to show her. You can explain her options and she can decide. She’ll be back this afternoon, right?”

  “Yes, she will. I’ll make sure she sees this when she gets in and I’ll explain the open shelf option. If she has any questions, we can call you. How about that?”

  “You got it. I can go for the wood as soon as she’s happy with this. I know she said to let you decide, but…”