Magnetic, page 3
Jenny waved a hand. “I didn’t commit it to memory. She changes them like she does her underwear. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if she didn’t have a different one by the time we leave.”
“Where is Ronnie, by the way? I haven’t seen or heard from her since I came back from Detroit.”
“You have to ask?” Jenny took the last burger off the grill. “She’s been in the FOW’s pants. She’ll probably be pale as a ghost when we do see her because she’s been locked away in her bedroom.” Jenny set the platter of patties on the table. “Have you seen the pleasure chest she has? I’ve never seen so many sex toys. Half of it scared me. She’s got a dildo—”
“Stop, I’m eating.” Molly shook her head. “I won’t be able to swallow when I think about what Ronnie says she does with that thing.”
Jenny stepped behind Molly and held her hands about a foot apart. “It’s that long.”
Layne held up a dill pickle.
“Oh, much, much wider than that,” Jenny said as she took a seat. “Something’s gonna fall out of—”
“Stop,” Molly said with a laugh. “Anyway, Ronnie’s been dating this girl for two weeks. That’s a record. She may be a keeper.”
Jenny shook her head. “Ha! I’ll bet you my lucky Atlanta Braves cap that she dumps this one before we even leave New Orleans.”
“They’re meeting us at the airport Monday morning,” Molly went on. “We haven’t met the FOW yet, either.”
“FOW?” Layne asked, looking confused.
“Flavor of the week,” Jenny said. “Come on, Layne, get in step. It’s a common phrase.”
“But it’s been two weeks,” Layne said with a smirk. “You’ll have to change the acronym to FOTW.”
*******
Monday morning came early for Layne. Bleary-eyed, she followed Molly and Jenny through the New Orleans airport craving coffee and looking forward to a nap on the plane. After they cleared security, she got that cup of coffee, but when they met up with Ronnie, Layne knew that a nap wasn’t coming. Ronnie greeted them all with a hug, and Layne stared slack-jawed over her shoulder at the woman she’d seen Ronnie holding hands with as they approached.
“Everyone, this is Stacy Mayeaux,” Ronnie announced with a beaming smile. She pointed to Jenny first. “This is Jenny Wilkins, and her love, Molly Prejean. And this sexy beast is Layne Stone.” Ronnie stepped out of the way for Layne and Stacy to shake hands. Layne was stock-still as she stood face-to-face with the woman whom she’d spent one incredibly hot night with.
“Layne, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Stacy said without a hint of a smile. “You remind me of someone I met recently named Chloe. By any chance, is that a relative?”
“No,” Layne said dryly. The feel of Stacy’s hand in hers brought back a sudden memory of how she’d clutched that same hand as a mind-bending orgasm ripped through her. Layne released it quickly and stepped back. Her voice was raspy when she said, “I must have a twin I don’t know about.”
“You must,” Stacy said flatly.
“So,” Ronnie began, eyeing the two oddly. “We’re finally all together again. Isn’t this great? Two weeks to spend in the country.”
Two weeks, dear God, Layne thought miserably as her stomach began to cramp. She felt punch drunk from the one-two slam she’d just gotten. She’d slept with Ronnie’s new girlfriend and the topper? Stacy Mayeaux was Alana’s cousin. Two weeks, and the hits just keep on coming.
“What the hell was that all about?” Jenny whispered into Layne’s ear as the plane taxied down the runway, straight to hell in Layne’s opinion.
Layne looked at the seat two rows up across the aisle and cleared her throat. “Remember the woman I told you I spent the night with in Detroit?”
Jenny narrowed her eyes and nodded.
Layne inhaled sharply and mumbled. “She’s Ronnie’s new girlfriend.”
Jenny looked at where Ronnie and Stacy were sitting, then back at Layne with a grin that slipped from her face when Layne didn’t crack a smile. “You have got to be fucking kidding me!”
“Jenny, lower your voice. There are kids on this plane.” Molly leaned forward and glared at both of them. “What is wrong with you two?”
Jenny covered her mouth with both hands as Layne sank lower in her seat. “Molly, you are not going to believe this.” Jenny began laughing hysterically.
Molly looked past her at Layne with a brow raised. “What the hell is going on?”
“Oh, my God.” Jenny doubled over with laughter.
“Layne?” Molly leaned over Jenny. “What is it?”
“Stacy is the woman I slept with in Detroit,” Layne whispered.
Molly’s face went blank as her jaw sagged. “No,” she said and shook her head.
Layne nodded.
She put a hand on Layne’s shoulder. “Baby, I’m sorry, but…” Molly tried to keep a straight face before joining Jenny in laughter.
“Okay, funny, funny. Ha ha ha!” Layne spat out. “When we land, I’m going to the ticket counter and book a flight home.”
“This doesn’t happen in real life,” Jenny squeaked out. “Oh, my God, I’m hyperventilating.”
Layne leaned out and looked down the aisle, hoping to find an empty seat at the rear of the plane.
Molly grabbed her arm and tried unsuccessfully to keep a straight face. “We’re sorry,” she said as she wiped her eyes. “It’s just the shock of it all.”
“Yeah,” Layne said as she tried to sink even lower in her seat.
Molly slapped Jenny on the arm. “Get it together. We need to think.”
“There’s nothing to think about. When this plane lands, I’m running the opposite direction.”
“Layne, don’t do that. We want you with us. Ronnie and Stacy will probably be doing…their own thing.” Molly raised her hand and let it fall into her lap. “You know, we won’t see them much at all.”
Jenny sat up straight and wiped at her tear-streaked face. She leaned over Layne and looked at where Ronnie and Stacy were sitting. “I wonder if Stacy is telling Ronnie.”
Layne felt the muscles in her butt cheeks tighten. “This is going to cause nothing but tension and drama.”
Jenny shook her head. “Ronnie’s all laid up on Stacy’s shoulder. I think if Stacy had said anything, we’d know it.”
Layne pinched the bridge of her nose. “The one time I do something impulsive, it bites me in the ass. I cannot believe this is happening.”
“Don’t let it ruin your trip. It was a one-time thing, and Ronnie didn’t know her then. It’s not like you cheated or anything.” Molly waved her hand nonchalantly. “Look, our social circles are small. We’ve known people that dated the girlfriends of others. This isn’t that big of a deal. It’s not like you have feelings for Stacy. Just put it in the back of your mind. Stacy didn’t let on like she knew you, so she’s probably doing the same.”
“Chloe?” Jenny said with a chuckle. “You told her your name was Chloe?”
“I didn’t want it to get back to our clients that I’d slept with someone at a work function. I didn’t know who she knew,” Layne said between clenched teeth.
“Layne, please.” Molly reached over Jenny and clutched Layne’s arm. “Please, don’t leave us. I hate to sound selfish, but I was really looking forward to this trip, and you said you were, too. If you leave, we’re going to have to tell Ronnie why, and that’s just going to be…bad. Will you try to just put this behind you?”
Layne laid her head back against the seat. “It’s not so bad,” she began to chant. “I was someone else that night, and that woman no longer exists.”
“That’s right, keep telling yourself that, Chloe.” Jenny chuckled and sucked in a deep breath when Layne glared at her red-faced. “Molly’s right. We’ll barely see them. We’ll make sure of that.”
Layne nodded. “Fine.”
A few moments of silence passed, and Jenny looked at Layne. “Do you have regrets now?” She winced when Molly popped her on the leg.
“Shut the hell up,” Layne said as she fished her iPod from her carryon. Alana was the last person who used it. Alana Mayeaux, Stacy’s cousin. Layne knew she’d never live this down. She snatched the Braves cap off of Jenny’s head and put it on, pulling it down low over her eyes. “You lost the bet. The cap is mine, tool.”
*******
When they disembarked from the plane and waited at baggage claim, Layne kept her distance. She watched as Ronnie wiped an errant lock of dark hair from Stacy’s face as they stood together at the luggage carousel. Ronnie looked happy, enamored, so out of character, and Layne felt guilty, even though technically she’d done nothing wrong.
Stacy was as good-looking as she remembered. The muscles in her thighs flexed as she bent to retrieve one of Ronnie’s bags. Layne shook her head as she remembered what it felt like to straddle those toned legs, the way it felt to run her hands over Stacy’s taut abdomen. The memories of that night were forced to the forefront of her mind whenever she looked at Stacy. Layne looked away, internally cursing her rotten luck.
As they stepped outside to meet the van awaiting them, Layne continued to watch as Ronnie and Stacy walked side by side. They made a striking couple. Both were tall and well-toned, dressed similarly in running shorts and T-shirts. The two of them were dark-haired, but Ronnie’s was shorter and straight, and Layne had seen them both naked, though under different circumstances.
“How’re you?” Jenny asked as she moved alongside Layne.
“I’ve been better,” Layne said with a sigh. “I’m still thinking about a flight home.”
“This will be funny one day.” Jenny tried to keep a straight face. “Don’t let it ruin your vacation.”
Easier said than done, Layne thought to herself as everyone climbed into the van. Until that morning, Stacy had been a delightful fantasy that Layne had ruminated on when she felt lonely. Unknowingly, Stacy had kept her company many a night and eased the feeling of loss and insignificance when Layne remembered how Stacy had looked at her. In the light of morning, she pushed thoughts of that affair away, believing that she would never cross paths with her fantasy lover again.
Chapter 5
Stacy stared at the shoulder protruding from the front seat of the van. That was all she could see of the woman she now knew as Layne. She’d asked Alana about Chloe since she’d seen the Calloway pin on Chloe’s lapel that night, but Alana had claimed she didn’t know anyone by that name. And now, Stacy knew why—Chloe didn’t exist.
Stacy and Layne had not discussed anything further than that night, but Stacy had hoped she might see her again. She was thoroughly disappointed when she woke up in that hotel room alone, and even more so when the Calloway lead ran dry. After her move to New Orleans and meeting Ronnie, she’d listen to Ronnie speak often about her closest friends. Stacy had never dreamed that the woman she’d let get away without even a phone number was the Layne who Ronnie was so fond of. As Stacy stared at the shoulder she’d kissed, her hatred for irony deepened.
Irony was a cold-hearted bitch that reared her head at all the inopportune times, and this was certainly no exception. She liked Ronnie, but Chloe—or Layne rather—had made a mark on her. Before meeting Ronnie, Stacy had spent many a night mentally reliving each steamy kiss, each look, each stroke. Layne had unknowingly taken something from her that night, and Stacy wasn’t exactly sure what it was or even if she wanted it back. She had been left with more than memories—a sweet longing that she had come to accept would never be quenched, and as she looked at that shoulder, she knew for a fact that her fantasy of reconnecting someday would not come true in the way she dreamed.
“So how did you two meet?” Molly asked, softly glancing nervously at the front of the van.
She knows, Stacy thought to herself, and looked at the way Molly’s partner stared at her almost imploringly. They both know.
“We met in a bar,” Ronnie said with a laugh. “Stacy just moved to New Orleans from Detroit.”
“Detroit,” Molly repeated. “Are you from there originally? I’m not picking up on an accent.”
“No, I was born in Baton Rouge and lived there until I graduated from LSU.”
“She’s an artist,” Ronnie said proudly. “I haven’t seen any of her paintings yet, but her sketches are amazing.”
“Amateur artist,” Stacy asserted quickly.
Listening to the conversation, Layne closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the glass of the passenger window as she recalled the question Stacy had asked during their encounter.
“What colors do you see when you close your eyes?”
Layne had thought the question odd, but as Stacy kissed her way down Layne’s body, Layne closed her eyes and saw red.
“Red is the color of passion,” Stacy said before she ran her tongue over the top of Layne’s thigh.
“Layne, I understand you moved to a new place,” Ronnie said louder from the backseat.
“She did,” Molly answered when Layne pretended not to hear, “right down the street from us. The house is adorable.”
“I haven’t talked to her about Olivia,” Ronnie said softly. “Is she okay?”
“She’s fine,” Jenny said with a nod, her gaze meeting Stacy’s for a millisecond before looking away.
Ronnie turned to Stacy. “Olivia is Layne’s ex. I’m sure you gathered they broke up recently.”
Stacy nodded, wondering how recently. That would explain why Layne lied to her about her real name and why she left without so much as a goodbye. Someone was probably waiting for her at home. She turned and looked out the window, not wanting to hear anything else about Layne Stone.
The landscape looked much like that of Louisiana, and the farther they traveled, the more wooded everything became with an interspersing of houses here and there. Stacy watched it all fly by, wondering what she should say to Ronnie. She’d missed her opportunity at the airport because she’d been floored when Ronnie pointed out her friends and Stacy’s gaze fell on a pair of startled blue eyes. And when Ronnie introduced Layne by her real name, Stacy’s shock turned to anger. She didn’t bother to examine why she felt that way because being pissed off trumped what she felt after her encounter with Layne, and she hoped it would last the entire trip.
“Was that a joke?” Jenny said loudly. “Hey, Patty, was that sign for real? Was that a bear crossing?”
The driver spoke up loud enough for everyone to hear. “Black bear and yes. We have quite a few around here.”
“Layne’s tiger and bears, oh, my,” Jenny said with a laugh.
“Layne’s tiger?” Stacy inquired, looking at Ronnie.
“It’s what her boss calls her. She’s the makes-things-happen kind of girl, and no one gets in her way,” Ronnie said with a note of pride.
Stacy nodded and looked back out the window as Ronnie draped an arm over her shoulders.
“You’ll be given a map of the grounds. The rules for your safety are on the back,” Patty continued. “Pay close attention to the one that says not to leave food outside your cabins and do not feed the animals.” She looked up into the rearview mirror. “If you feed them, they will come.”
Patty slowed and turned off the main highway onto a sandy road. Palm trees grew wild among the pines and oaks. Every so often, there’d be a break in the thick foliage, and Stacy caught glimpses of people on horseback. She noticed women fishing on the banks of a large pond. It looked like a lot of fun, and she hoped that she’d be able to enjoy it. Stacy grabbed a hold of the seat in front of her when the van came to an abrupt stop. She was the last to climb out and joined the others who stood in a circle. Layne glanced at her and quickly looked away, her expression blank.
“We’ll go ahead and put your luggage in your cabins.” Patty pointed to a trail. “Follow that up to the main house, you can’t miss it. Someone at the front desk will check you in. I hope you enjoy your stay.” She touched the brim of her cowboy hat.
Stacy brought up the rear when Ronnie sidled up to Layne and noted the pale skin of Layne’s legs. In Detroit, she’d noticed that Layne was fair-skinned, but in the stark light of day, those legs looked as though they’d never seen the sun. She clamped her lips tightly together as a flash of that same body naked filled her mind. It all seemed like a sexy dream that suddenly turned into an ugly nightmare.
“Welcome to Moss Ranch,” a woman greeted them brightly as they walked into the main house. “I’m Les McGill, my partner,” she waved a hand at another woman, “is Joy Kimball. You’ve managed to arrive right at lunch. Would you ladies like to eat before we check you in?”
“Uh, y’all go on ahead.” Layne stepped forward. “I’ll take care of this and join you.”
“Okay, great.” Jenny tried to usher everyone to the dining room that was just off the reception area.
“Go ahead, sweetie.” Ronnie kissed Stacy quickly on the mouth. “I’ll stay with Layne. We’ll be along in a minute.”
Layne walked over to the counter with Les, and Ronnie joined her. When Les turned to collect the paperwork and keys, Ronnie put an arm around Layne’s waist. “I’m sorry I haven’t called you since the thing with Olivia.”
Layne glanced at her and smiled. “I got the flowers you sent. I knew you were thinking of me.”
“It was time, Layne, you know that, right?”
“Well past due.” Layne turned when Les put the paperwork in front of her and put her credit card on the counter.
“You’re not paying for our cabin.” Ronnie pulled out her wallet and presented Les with her credit card. “Stacy paid for the flights, I pay for this. I’ll give you some money toward Molly and Jenny’s bill, too. Molly told me what you did.” Les took the cards, turned, and began punching keys on the computer.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ronnie asked. “You look a little down in the dumps.”
“This vacation wasn’t my idea,” Layne said, averting her gaze. “David decided that I was overworked and basically banned me from the office. I guess I’m kind of stressed about what I’m going to walk back into.” It wasn’t a total lie, but the truth wasn’t something Layne was willing to entertain.
