The Playboy (Chandler Brothers 2)

“None for me. I’ve had enough,” Beth said.

“Same here.” Kendall rose and started gathering up the paper plates.

Charlotte picked up the soda cans and a water bottle. “You don’t need to do that.”

“Sure I do.” Since they wouldn’t let her pay, the least she could do was help clean.

Charlotte shrugged. “I suppose if you’re going to end up with Rick, then you’d better get used to cleaning.”

“I’m not—”

“You should see the messes Roman used to leave,” Charlotte said as she walked toward the back room with the garbage in her hand.

Kendall followed, tossing out the plates and plastic forks.

“Until you trained him better, right?” Beth laughed. “Is Rick at least marginally better at keeping a place clean, Kendall?”

Recalling his neat apartment, Kendall nodded. “Must be the disciplined cop in him.”

“Either that or he had Wanda in to clean.” Charlotte laughed. “I hooked him up with my housekeeper when he took over my lease.”

“And he needs it. Rick’s not exactly the neatest person around,” Beth said.

“And Beth would know. She and Rick have been friends for a long time.” Charlotte walked side by side with Kendall as they returned to where Beth was wiping down the small table where they’d eaten. “Right, Beth?” Charlotte asked.

“Right. Unlike those other ridiculous women who throw themselves at him, I know a good friend when I see one. Not long ago I was getting over a broken engagement and Rick gave me a shoulder to lean on.” Beth met Kendall’s gaze and held it, convincing Kendall of her sincerity.

With both her words and her actions, Beth epitomized what was good in Yorkshire Falls and she’d made Kendall feel like she was an honest friend, not someone out to provoke her jealousy. “Rick’s good at the shoulder bit. His initials should have been S.O.S.” Kendall laughed.

“There was a time that protective streak of his got him in trouble,” Beth said.

Charlotte shrugged. “Jillian was an idiot.”

“Right,” Beth said. “She never should have married Rick in the first place. No good could come of it. She knew Rick always had a thing for her and—Oops. Sorry, Kendall.” Beth blushed. “Sometimes I talk too much.”

Kendall shook her head, too fascinated by the information. “No, that’s okay. Insight into a man’s good.”

“But it wasn’t meant to make you feel bad or worry. Jillian’s so far in Rick’s past it isn’t funny.”

Kendall hoped so. Because just hearing that he’d had feelings for his ex-wife was like a sharp knife gutting at Kendall’s insides. But she didn’t intend to share that information with her female cohorts. “You really don’t need to convince me of anything. Rick and I have an arrangement—” As the words came out of her mouth, they felt bitter on her tongue.

Not just because she owed Rick and needed to uphold her end of their bargain but because she’d begun to feel proprietary about him despite her words to the contrary. Uh-oh.

Charlotte burst out laughing, startling her.

“What’s so funny?” Kendall asked.

“I’m not sure if it’s your expression or your insistence that there’s nothing serious between yourself and Rick. But whatever you say, okay. Let’s talk business.”

“Sounds good to me.” Relieved to be off the subject of Rick, Kendall pulled out a travel case she used to show her designs and opened it on the table. “This is my wire jewelry. In my experience it appeals to a variety of women. What’s your minimum age demographic?”

“Early twenties,” Beth said. “Some mothers bring their younger daughters in, but most take them to Target, Walmart or the mall in Albany.”

“Want to change that?” Kendall asked. “When I was in New York I didn’t have the connections to get my jewelry into the trendy boutiques but I was able to sell on campus at some of the colleges and the students loved the matched sets. Take a look.”

She pulled out a tray of thin choker necklaces made of glass beads imported from West Africa, along with matching dangling earrings. “These sold well.”

“They’re different,” Beth murmured, approval in her voice.

“What are these?” Charlotte pointed to a black silk string hanging out from beneath the drawer.

Kendall lifted the drawer. “This is something new I’m trying. Knotted silk string necklaces.”

“I adore them.” Charlotte studied the pieces in question. “And yes I think the kids will love them.” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, and I know the perfect place to debut them. There’s a sidewalk sale this weekend. I’ll check with Chase and see if he can alter the ad we took in The Gazette. Add information about Kendall’s jewelry. What’s your business’s name again?”

“Kendall’s Krafts.”

Charlotte grinned. “Love the alliteration. And I’m sure we can make this work for us both!”

Charlotte’s voice rose in anticipation, creating an excitement that even Kendall couldn’t quite squelch. “You should know, I can’t afford much but I’m more than willing to contribute to the cost of the ad.” Kendall couldn’t afford her offer but she considered it an investment in her future.