“Sure,” Jill said, her voice slightly strained at the edges. “It’s on the kitchen counter. See if it’s the right kind.”
“Thanks.” She walked by, her perky ass half exposed by the panties. A moment later, she retraced her route. The door to the bedroom closed. The pipes whooshed as the shower started.
Isabelle forced her lids to blink before her eyeballs fell out and rolled across the floor. “Oh. My. God.”
“Shut up,” Jill said.
“Please tell me she’s over eighteen.”
“She’s twenty-two.”
Isabelle turned her gaze on Jill. She closed her jaw, but it fell open again. “Oh. My. God.”
“Stop saying that.” The tips of her ears turned red.
“That’s why you weren’t answering your phone? That girl is young enough to be your daughter!”
Jill shrugged and crossed her arms. “I was about to give in and call Marguerite. I needed to distract myself.”
“So you called 1-800-HOT-COED?”
“Stop embarrassing me! There are...apps. Ways to meet people with the same...interests. You should try it yourself.”
Isabelle clapped a hand over her mouth to stop a laugh.
Jill glared at her.
“I’m sorry! You know I understand! I just didn’t know you dated hot young things, that’s all.”
Jill stalked past her, heading for the kitchen, but Isabelle followed. “I don’t, all right? I just needed
to do something crazy.”
“Good. I’m glad.” She put her hands up in defense when Jill shot her another glare. “I’m serious. I know how much you’ve missed Marguerite.”
Jill’s eyes filled with tears. “I know it’s stupid,” she rasped.
“It’s not!” Isabelle rushed forward and squeezed Jill tight. “It’s not stupid.”
“It is! Breaking up hasn’t even made anything different. She’s still not here, just like always. We’re still not talking. I still haven’t seen her for eight months. But I’m so much more lonely, knowing I can’t reach out. I can’t even let myself want her.”
Isabelle squeezed her tighter. “I know.”
“I’ve been so mad at her for so long, but there was always the possibility.”
“There still is. You’re just taking a break.”
“No, we’re not. Not if I have any self-esteem left. It’s over. I have to let her go. And I just wanted to find a way to forget.”
Her voice had calmed a little, so Isabelle leaned back to look at Jill. She used her own sleeve to swipe at the tears on Jill’s face. “So did it work?”
Jill shrugged. “For a couple of hours. Yes.” The silence of the shower turning off surrounded them.
They both looked toward the bedroom before turning slowly back to each other. “And maybe for a couple more hours?” Isabelle asked.
Jill shrugged again, but her mouth relaxed into a half smile. “Maybe.”
“Good. I mean it. I’m really sorry I barged in on you.”