“No, its something else, and nothing as simple as an argument. Im going to see what I can do.”
“Good luck.”Zoe went back in.
“Whats that noise, anyway?”
“Just one more complication. Bradleys over in Danas section with an electric floor sander. He wont let me use it. Yes, it was very nice of him to lend it to us,” she continued when Malory lifted her eyebrows. “But Im perfectly capable of sanding the floors. With him here, its that much harder to get Dana to open up.”
“Keep him busy, Ill deal with Dana.”
“I dont want to keep him busy. The last time I was alone with him for ten minutes, he put the moves on me.”
“Which moves?”
Zoeglanced over her shoulder toward the sound of the sander. “The night we were at his place, after everyone else left. I was having a simple conversation with him, then he kissed me.” “He kissed you? That perverted maniac! Get the rope.”
“Oh, ha, ha.”
“Okay, did you have to fight him off? Was it a scarring experience?”
“No, but…” She lowered her voice, though she could have shouted and not been overheard. “He really kissed me, and my head went wonky for a minute, so I kissed him back. Ive got entirely too much on my plate for fun and games right now. Besides, he makes me nervous.”
“Yeah, great-looking guys who take time out of their day to sand floors for me always make me nervous. Listen, Ive got to talk to Dana. When Ive taken care of her, Ill run over and, if necessary, save you from Brads nefarious clutches. Unless, of course, you dont think you can handle yourself.“
“Okay, that was low. Very low.”
“Just make sure he doesnt wander over while Im talking to Dana. Scoot.” She wavedZoe away, then headed in the opposite direction.
Her first thought was: Oh! Her walls were coming to life with that pale, delicate burnt gold shed chosen. It was right, just so right. Alreadysh & could see what a perfect backdrop it would make for art.
Her second thought was how set and blank Danas face was as she worked.
And that was wrong, just so wrong. “It looks wonderful.”
Obviously jolted out of long thoughts, Dana turned her head. “Yeah. You've got a knack for bull's-eyeing color. I figured this would look bland, even a little dingy. Instead it has this nice, quiet glow.”
“You dont. You dont have any glow at all today.” Dana shrugged, and continued to work. “Cant be Mary Sunshine all the time.”
“I saw Jordan this morning. He wasnt glowing either. In fact,” she continued as she walked to Dana, “he looked devastated.”
“Hell get over it.”
“Do you really think that, or do you need to think it because it gets you off the hook?”
“Im not on any hook.” She stared hard at the wall as she painted. Gold over white, gold over white. “I did what was right for me. Its none of your business, Malory.”
“Yes, it is. I love you. I love Flynn, and he loves you.”
“Were just one big, gooey family.”
“You can be angry with me if you want, if it helps. But you have to know Im on your side. Whatever happens, Im on your side.”
“Then you should understand why I broke things off and you should support my decision.”
“I would, if I thought it was what you really wanted.” Malory rubbed a hand over Danas back. “If it made you happy.”
“Im not looking for happy yet.” Her friends comforting stroke made her want to sit down on the floor and wail. “Ill settle for a little stretch of smooth road.”
“Tell me what happened between yesterday and today.”