“I’m going as fast as I can,” she laughed and almost fell to the side.
Heath wrapped an arm around her to stop the momentum. Six yards, four yards. “We’re almost there.”
Three more surges and they’d crossed the line first. Both collapsed and fell into fits of laughter. “I don’t think it has ever been that close,” Heath said between deep breaths. “I need a beer.” He reached down to start untying their legs, brushing against her skin, causing a warm sensation to move up her body. It was like this anytime they touched, like electric currents moving from one end of her body to the other. He may not notice it but she sure did.
Annie reached down and shoved his hands away. “I’ll do it.” She had the ties loosened in a few seconds. “Guess I’ll go get a drink, too.”
Heath watched her walk away. The last two days had been good, just like every day since Annie and he had become friends. They’d laughed, talked, and gotten along just like always, as if there wasn’t something weighing on him.
For the first time, he had doubts about what he was doing. It had all seemed so clear. Now, he wasn’t sure. Annie had become so important to him, essential to his sanity. What if everything changed and she pushed him away? He understood that a man never knew what a woman would do. Did that include Annie? In a few short months she’d become a close friend, a confidante, as crucial as the air he breathed.
“Here you go,” Annie handed him a cold beer.
He took it and popped the top. “Thanks.” Heath watched her gulp down the diet soda she held, enjoying the sight of the joy he saw. She swallowed and smiled down at him.
“That was great. Thanks for asking me to partner up.”
“You can be my partner anytime, Annie.” The words had just come out. Now Heath wished he could take them back because he knew they weren’t true. He liked her much more than he’d ever intended, loved her as a friend, except at some point he knew things were bound to change—perhaps soon. Everything changed, especially relationships that had once been special.
“Okay, you two. It’s time for Dad to help the other men with the barbeque. Everything else is ready.” Cassie had driven home from ASU for the event. She ran up and reached a hand out to her father. “You need help up, old man?” she teased.
“I’ll show you old,” he said and pulled her down to him. Cassie giggled when Heath started to tickle her. “You need to show me some respect, young lady. Do you give?”
“Never!” Cassie yelled.
“Okay, then.” Heath tickled again and watched her erupt into more laughter.
“All right! I give!”
He let her go and rolled to his side before hoisting himself up. “Right decision,” he said and reached a hand to his daughter. “Come on you two, let’s get this food thing going.”
******
“You want anything more, Dad,” Cassie asked as she walked around with a platter of steak and burgers. “This is all that’s left. If you want it, better grab it now.”
“Nope, honey, I’m full. You’ll have to pawn it off on the others.” Heath lay back on the reclining chair positioned to watch all the happenings. He checked his watch. Five o’clock. It was time to get Annie home.
Heath walked around the expansive park, checking each group for Annie, then he heard her laugh. It was distinctive, the type you’d recognize out of a large crowd. He turned to see her speaking with Seth Garner and his date. Annie was a picture—long light blond hair, emerald green top over white capris, and white sandals. Seth said something and she laughed again, causing Seth’s date to smile.
Annie turned her smile toward Heath, and if possible, it brightened even more. The effect hit him in his gut causing him to stop mid-stride. He shoved his hands in his pants pockets and looked down at the ground. When he looked up Annie stood before him.
“You all right?” she asked, watching him with concern in her eyes.
Heath cleared his throat. “Uh, yeah, fine. I was just looking for you. Thought you might be ready to leave.”
“Oh, that’s right. I’d forgotten you’d picked me up. Just let me grab my sweater.” She dashed to where they’d left their things and was back within a minute. “Caroline boxed up all my stuff in her car. Okay if I come to the ranch tomorrow to grab my plates and silverware?”
“Sure, Annie, whatever you want.”
She said her goodbyes and met Heath at his truck a few minutes later. “If you have someplace to go, I can ask Cassie or Caroline to give me a ride.”
“No problem. Hop in.” Heath started the engine as soon as she’d shut her door.
It took just a few minutes to get from the park to her front door. The late afternoon sun was just touching the peaks of the western slopes. Clouds hung above hinting that there’d be a brilliant sunset. That’s one of the things Annie liked best—the striking deep red and yellow sunsets over the mountains. She never tired of the sight.
“Do you have a few minutes to come inside?” Annie asked.
“Sure. I could use some coffee for the trip.”
She unlocked the front door and stepped in, Heath right behind her. “Trip?”
“Yes, I, uh, need to drive to Phoenix tonight for another meeting tomorrow.”
“On Sunday?”
“Unfortunately, that’s when the retail marketing director is available.” It wasn’t a lie yet wasn’t the truth. The half-truth felt wrong.
Annie made him a cup of coffee and set it before him and grabbed one for herself, adding the milk and sweetener she favored.
He sipped slowly, watching her over the rim of his cup.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Annie walked around the counter, opened a cabinet, and pulled out a pie pan. “I have a surprise for you.” She pulled off the cover to reveal a berry pie, Heath’s favorite. “I think I may have gotten it right this time.” Annie tilted it up for him to see.
“That looks wonderful, Annie.”
“How big a slice?” She pulled open a drawer and picked up a serving knife.
“I’ve met someone,” Heath said in a low, soft voice.
“Oh, yeah, who?” She continued to busy herself pulling down plates.
“No, I mean I’ve met someone, Annie.”
As if struck by a dart, his meaning pierced her consciousness, and just that quick, her heart. She set down the plates and dropped her hands to her sides.
“You mean a woman?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s, uh, great, Heath. Really, wonderful.” She fought for breath as her chest constricted. He’d never spoken this way about anyone he’d dated. They were just dates. This was specific and, in her mind, brought finality to their idyllic friendship.
“She lives in Phoenix. I’m seeing her when I get to the city.” He set his coffee cup down and focused on Annie. She had said the right things, was smiling. Then why did something seem so wrong?
In an instant he realized what it was. Her bright smile was fixed, as if frozen in time. The light in her eyes had dimmed, like a chandelier whose brilliance darkened with the twist of a switch.
“It sounds like you’ve been seeing her for a while then.” It was a statement, not an accusation or a question. The impact of the situation hit her full force, and Annie realized, for the first time, that she’d fallen in love with this man—a man who would never return her feelings. The same man she’d sworn to herself would never mean more to her than that of a friend. She’d lied to herself long enough.
He watched her, already knowing he’d made a mistake bringing it up this way. “A few weeks. You’d like her, Annie. She is truly something. I’d like to introduce you when she has time to get away. Maybe next weekend.”
Meet her? She’d just realized she was in love with him and he was talking about introducing her to the woman who now meant a great deal to him.
She ignored his comment, forging ahead with the mental groundwork she’d set in place. “Of course. Whatever works for the two of you.” She pretended to check the time.
“Guess you’d better get going. The traffic will be miserable—you know what it’s like on the southbound freeway some days. I’ll just wrap this up, you can take it with you, because I’ll certainly never eat it.” She reached for the foil, tore a piece, and covered the pie. “There, perfect for traveling. I hope she likes berry. But…” she was rambling, making no sense. Why couldn’t he just leave?
“Annie…”
“Here you go.” She smiled her too bright, too fixed smile, handed him the pie then walked past him to the door and pulled it open. “Still plenty of light for at least part of the drive.” She stood with her hand on the knob, unable to move, waiting for him to pass by.
Heath looked at the pie, stared at it in his hands, wanting to put it back on the counter, and explain. If he could just tell her about Diana, Annie would understand. She was just surprised, that’s all. She hadn’t expected him to blurt this out. He’d caught her off guard. Heath took a long breath and raised his head. Annie stood at the door, waiting for him to leave.
He stepped to the door and bent to place a quick kiss on her cheek. “I’ll call you when I get back in a few days. We can meet for lunch.”
“Sure, whatever you want.” Annie knew she’d find an excuse to not see him. She needed to be upfront with him. “Look, Heath. I’d love to meet your special woman, and I am happy for you, honestly. But I’m sure she wouldn’t be thrilled knowing you have a female buddy. Women are funny that way. It’d be best if you concentrated on her for a while. There will be plenty of time for me to meet her. Besides, I need to get back to all the things I’ve put off.”
He stared at her. “Such as?”
“Well, I have several book projects, publicity and marketing, cover design work…” Her voice trailed off and faded completely.
“Annie, just let me tell you about her.” Heath started to walk back in, but Annie put a hand to his chest, then removed it as if it was a flaming torch that would burn her if she lingered too long.
“Not tonight. I’m sure she’s an amazing woman. You can explain everything to me some other time when you don’t have a long drive ahead of you.”
He felt his throat work but couldn’t find any words he knew would change her mind or let him demolish the wall she’d built between them within a matter of minutes. A friendship he cherished was crumbling before his eyes. “All right. But I’ll see you Saturday night at Caroline’s for dinner. You do remember she’s having a dinner party and you’re my date?”
“It would be best if you asked Diana to come up from Phoenix. Seems like the perfect time to introduce her to your family. Unless they’ve already met her.” Annie stopped to wonder if she was the last one to learn about Diana. “Besides, I meant to tell you and Caroline, I have other plans that night.” She had no doubt he knew the lie the moment it crossed her lips. It didn’t matter. Her days of being his buddy were in the past. He’d moved on and now it was up to her to do the same.
“If that’s what you want.”
“Yes, it is.”
He reached for her wanting to pull her into his arms. She backed away.
“Drive carefully. Wouldn’t want you to slam on the breaks and splatter the pie all over your leather seats.” She tried to make it a joke without success.
“Well, goodnight, then. I’ll talk with you soon.” He turned toward his car and heard the door close and the click of a lock sliding into place. He felt as if she’d closed him out of her house and her life in the span of a few wrenching heartbeats.
~~~~~
Chapter Seven
He drove without the radio, clutching the steering wheel, and peering into oncoming headlights that almost blinded him. The traffic was as bad as Annie had projected, maybe worse. He knew his disposition was.
Heath played over their conversation so many times that he couldn’t think any longer. Every word was burned into his mind, and still it made no sense. She said she was happy for him. Thrilled that he’d found someone. Yet the way she’d pushed him to leave, wouldn’t let him tell about Diana told a different story.
Was she right that Diana wouldn’t understand his bond with Annie? How she’d been the one to listen to his long ramblings after finishing a bottle of Jameson, not one night, but several? She’d listened, made coffee, helped him to bed, and then curled up in one of the guest rooms, ready to help him with his raging hangover the next morning.
Would any woman understand the depth of the friendship Annie and he shared?
They’d talked of his failed marriage, his inability to love his wife, and his fear that he’d never be able to feel the things that came naturally to most men. She understood his need to date younger women who would never be a real part of his life. Not like Annie, who was more real to him than any woman he’d known—until now.
He thought he had a chance with Diana. He didn’t love her, hadn’t connected with her like Annie, but he felt in time he could. Diana was bright, exciting, passionate about her work, and one of the most beautiful women he’d ever known. The sex was nothing short of amazing even if it lacked the depth of feeling he so desperately wanted to find.
Maybe Annie was right that his friendship with her would interfere with his desire to build a relationship with Diana. Perhaps she was right to back away and he was wrong to expect Diana to simply accept his deep friendship with another woman.
Heath pounded the steering wheel then gripped it tighter. He’d figure something out. Their friendship was as important to Annie as it was to him—it was a fact he’d stake his life on. He’d just have to find a way to keep his friendship with her intact while he built a relationship with Diana.
******
Annie woke to a blinding headache. She rubbed her eyes, pushing in on her temples, seeking relief from the incessant pounding. It had been a mistake to drink the last of the scotch, then start on the bottle of Jameson she kept for Heath.
Heath.
She closed her eyes and let the pain settle in again. At least the alcohol had deadened it somewhat. Now it emerged fiercer than ever. Her rational mind told her that the ache would subside a little each day until it disappeared or at least became bearable.
It had been a mistake to let him into her life, let him be the friend she’d lost when Kit died. She should have stuck with her girlfriends, ignoring Heath, and his insistent invitations.
The thing was, they’d meshed so well, as if they’d know each other forever. They fell into long discussions and confided things they’d never told anyone else. When she thought about it, the whole friendship, so quick and seemingly so strong, was destined to burn out in time. The minute the right woman came along, their friendship would be a hindrance. Perhaps he didn’t understand it now, but Annie knew it for the truth it was. Women did not tolerate female best buddies. It just didn’t happen.
Annie heard her cell phone and reached a hand out to her nightstand. Nothing. She must have left it in her purse, which was still in the kitchen. She didn’t feel like rushing to pick it up and let it go to voice mail.
Annie walked to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and turned on the shower. Showers always helped. There was something about hot water rushing over her body that allowed her to shut out the world, if only for a brief period. Annie grabbed the body scrubber, squeezed on some wash, and ran it over her body. Lightly at first, then harder, then harder still. The hot water stung her skin where she’d scrubbed.
An image drifted across her mind as the hot water sluiced down her body. It was of Heath, his naked back to her. When he lifted his head and looked behind him, Annie saw someone beneath him. A stunning woman, naked, with her arms wrapped around his neck. Annie’s chest tightened and a hand came up to push at the pain. As she worked to control the hurt and rid herself of the image, an agonized sob escaped, then another until her body shook. She slid to the floor and sobbed until there was nothing left and the intense ache subsided.
Annie had no idea how long she’d sat under the water. She reached up and turned it off, wrapped to
wels around her long hair and body, stepped out of the shower then sat down on a small bench, leaning her back against the wall and closing her eyes.
It was Sunday, a day she dedicated to writing if she had no other plans. The best way to move on was to get back into her routine. Dress, make coffee, check emails, and write. It didn’t matter which unfinished story she worked on as long it was something that consumed her thoughts.
She sat for two hours, staring at the screen, occasionally tapping away on her keyboard as snippets of the story came to life. For that span of time she worked to clear her mind of Heath and his new romance. She began to feel somewhat better. Later, she’d workout, maybe grab a sandwich at the little shop she liked, check her mail box, then write some more.
It was a day to start over.
******
Heath checked his watch. Eleven-thirty on Monday. He’d spent Saturday night and Sunday with Diana. More uninterrupted time with her than any woman he’d known after his divorce, except Annie. Heath was bewildered. He’d spent most of the time thinking about Annie and their friendship than about the woman in his bed. It wasn’t what he’d expected.
He was taking Diana to lunch down the street from her office. The meeting that morning had gone well, now all that held up the deal was the drafting of a final agreement with the modifications that all approved. He’d sign the papers this afternoon then celebrate. Perhaps he’d take Diana to the fancy restaurant they both liked, the one he’d taken her to on their first date several weeks ago.
“Hi. You ready?” Diana stood before him, dressed in a stunning steel gray suit with a short skirt, peach colored blouse, and high heels. She was twelve years younger, thirty-one, with jet black hair that dropped to her shoulders, minimal makeup, and soft grey-green eyes.
“All ready. Where to?”
“Just down the street to Baker’s. It’s quiet, we can get a small table near the back.” She placed a slim hand in his. “I have no appointments until the meeting to sign the agreement this afternoon at five o’clock. We may have to find some way to fill our time.” Her suggestive smile wasn’t lost on Heath, so why didn’t it tempt him?