Forbidden Heat

“I would think you’d be happy about me going out with one of your best friends. Isn’t that better than me going out with someone you don’t know anything about?”

Dishes clanked together as she dropped them into the water-filled sink with a little too much exuberance.

“He told you he’s going out with someone.”

“Sure, but he didn’t seem too confident about it.”

More dishes clanked.

“Look, Trey, I’ve been interested in Jake for a long time. He’s a great guy—you’ve said that yourself. He’s intelligent and interesting and sensitive . . . and on top of that, he’s exceptionally good-looking. What more could a girl want?”

What more indeed.

Cutlery clinked on the countertop.

“Suzie, I understand your point, but . . . you just don’t understand the whole situation.”

“Then enlighten me.”

There was a long pause.

“The situation with Jake and this woman is . . . a bit confusing . . . but I know he really cares about her.”

Danielle sucked in a breath at the raw emotions welling up in her. If Trey really believed that, then . . . what did he think of this whole situation?

“Confusing how? I don’t understand.”

“I can’t tell you how. It’s . . . personal stuff, but . . . Look, Suzie, the woman Jake is dating is . . . a friend of mine. If he throws her over for you . . . I don’t want to see her hurt.”

Silence hung in the air. Danielle stared at her book, but couldn’t concentrate on the words. Trey was being protective of her, and that touched her heart.

“You really like this woman?” Suzie asked.

“Yes.”

“More than me?”

Trey chuckled. “You know I don’t like anyone more than you, Suzie-Q.”

Suzie laughed, and from the muffled sound, Danielle bet they were hugging right about now.

“Okay, Trey. I’ll back off. But if he breaks up with this woman, I want you to phone me right away . . . and set us up!”

“I’ll call you, but you set up your own dates!”

“Deal!”

The next day, Danielle, Trey, and Suzie spent the hot sunny afternoon lying around the pool, with an occasional dip in the water to cool off, then enjoyed barbecued burgers and salad for dinner. Danielle enjoyed chatting with Suzie and Trey about the latest TV shows, movies, books, and current events. Suzie showed a great interest in how people felt about things. Their likes and dislikes. Their hopes and dreams. Not that Danielle revealed much about herself, but Suzie’s intense interest made her feel like the woman actually cared. It made her feel even more intensely how she’d love to have a sister.

Finally, once the sun set and the mosquitoes started biting, they gathered up their dishes and moved into the house. After they’d done the dishes, Trey went out back to put the pool cover on to keep the heat in overnight. Danielle and Suzie settled on the couch with a glass of wine.

“Danielle, I hope you don’t mind my asking, but how did you wind up in the foster care system?”

Danielle’s stomach clenched but she just shrugged. “My mother gave me up.”

Suzie sipped her wine. “Have you ever wondered what she was like?”

“No. I know exactly what she was like.” She kept her voice even, despite the turmoil thoughts of her mother elicited.