The Friends We Keep

“Girls can be soldiers,” Nicole said automatically. “Maybe not Lulu, but other girls.”


“Not ones that small,” he pointed out.

“There is that.”

“I’ll admit Lulu isn’t military grade.” Pam set the dog on the floor. Lulu immediately ran over to greet them. “But she has a big heart.”

Tyler sat down in the entryway and held out his arms. Lulu scrambled onto his lap, planted her tiny front paws on his chest and proceeded to kiss his entire face. Tyler laughed and hugged her.

Nicole let her date worry fade for a second as she appreciated the fact that Tyler was gentle and kind. Hormones and peer pressure would eventually toughen him up, she thought wistfully. But she really hoped those qualities survived the growing-up process.

“Thanks for looking after him tonight,” Nicole said.

“I love having him over and you know it. It’s good practice for when my grandson gets a little older, assuming Jennifer will ever relax enough to let me babysit him without her hovering all the time.” Pam studied her for a second. “I have the perfect necklace for that outfit. Come with me.”

Nicole followed Pam into the condo’s spacious bedroom. Sliding glass doors led to a balcony that faced the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Views didn’t get much better than this, she thought.

Pam crossed to a free-standing mirror and pulled on the small knob. The front of the mirror swung open to reveal a hidden jewelry cabinet. Necklaces hung from hooks and there were little shelves that held bracelets and earrings, along with spaces for rings. It was beautifully organized—no surprise, considering the jewelry’s owner. Pam eyed Nicole’s outfit again, then reached for a chunky silver necklace with red stones set in the shape of a daisy.

“Red coral,” Pam said, as she held out the necklace. “I have matching earrings, but I think that would be too much. Your silver hoops are simple and pretty.”

“Thank you.” Nicole took the necklace and put it around her neck, then fastened the clasp. “I’ll guard it with my life.”

“No need to get crazy. Just bring it back when you come get Tyler.” Pam smiled and lowered her voice. “So, you and Jairus have sex yet?”

Nicole felt herself flush. She glanced toward the half-open door, then shook her head. “It’s only our second date. It takes longer than that.”

“I don’t know,” Pam teased. “You young people today. I haven’t had a first date in over thirty years. So is sex the third date? Or the fourth?”

“You make me insane.” Nicole grinned. “I don’t know and it won’t be anytime soon, I promise.”

“Which is very different than saying never. You like him.”

The nerves returned, bringing with them that icky, unsettled feeling in her tummy. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“That means yes.”

Nicole touched the necklace. “Thank you for letting me borrow this and for looking after Tyler.”

“I’m very excited about our evening together. We’re having dinner at Gary’s Café, then coming back here for some Lulu time and movies. Just so you know, I’m letting him stay up as late as he wants.”

Nicole laughed. “You know he’ll be zonked on the sofa by nine.”

“I do, but we’ll still have fun. As will you, I’m guessing. Even without doing you-know-what.”

Nicole covered her ears. “Stop, I beg you.” She hugged her friend, then went back into the living room. Tyler was sitting on the floor by the couch, Lulu next to him as he read from one of the books Pam always had around.

“Bye, sweetie,” she called.

“Bye, Mom. I’ll see you later.”

“Yes, you will.”

She waved and let herself out. Tyler was growing up so fast. He wasn’t going to be her little boy much longer. She would miss that, but also looked forward to seeing what kind of man he grew into.

She took the stairs to the ground floor, then headed out onto the boardwalk. From Pam’s it was an easy walk to McGrath’s. She was going to leave her car in Pam’s visitor space rather than drive the short distance and fight for parking closer to the restaurant.

Fifteen minutes later, she spotted Jairus sitting on the short wall by the lifeguard station near the restaurant. He was looking in the opposite direction, which gave her a second to catch her breath.

He looked good. Tall and fit, with an ease about him. He was a man comfortable in his own skin. He wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Boat shoes with no socks and sunglasses.

He was an appealing man, she thought, not sure what to do with the information. She was pretty sure she liked him. Which left her confused. Pam’s teasing question about sex hadn’t helped her emotional equilibrium. What was he expecting from her? What did she want to offer?

He turned in her direction. She knew he’d spotted her because he went still for a second. Because of the sunglasses, she had no way of knowing what he was thinking.