Playing in Shadow Read online

  “The Goth thing.”

  “Well, Monica is Goth. Scarlet’s only drawn to the music and fashion so don’t expect her to be sporting fangs any time soon.”

  “She mentioned something about the music to me, and I hear it enough working with her every day.”

  “Well, this weekend, after Scarlet’s shifts they are holed up in the apartment while Monica gets her ready for a concert we’re all going to in a few weeks. You’ll have to come along to see what all the fuss is about.”

  As usual, Bryce didn’t comment on the invitation. “Do you dress like them?” She found the thought of Juliet in dark colors just didn’t sit right.

  “Oh God, no. I like the music well enough, but I’ll be sporting maternity wear so I’ll stand out like a flowery sore thumb. But Trent always dresses for the occasion to support the bands.”

  Bryce watched Juliet’s eyes soften as her thoughts turned inward.

  “She looks mighty fine in her long-tailed jacket and wine red shirt.” Juliet’s voice trailed off and her lips curved with a small, appreciative smile. She shook herself out of where her mind had obviously wandered. “Anyway”—she favored Bryce with a shy grin—“enough of those thoughts. I’ll be sure to remind you closer to the time so you can find something suitably black to wear to join us.”

  “I’ll be sure to check my calendar.” Bryce tried not to sound dismissive.

  “You know I’ll just keep bugging you until you give in and do anything I say just to shut me up.”

  Bryce didn’t doubt that for a second. “How does Trent cope with you?”

  “I won’t give away all my secrets, but I will tell you this. It took all my considerable charms to get that girl out of the gaming room and into my arms. But it was worth every minute. You need something like that to get you back on your feet and enjoying life again.”

  Bryce felt guilt press down on her shoulders, and she screwed her eyes up against the pain. For a moment, she was back in that nightmare, hanging from her seat belt, wishing for someone to save her and knowing she was all that remained alive in that car.

  “Hey, honey, where did you go just now?”

  Juliet’s voice was soft and her hand was warm against Bryce’s cool skin. She felt Juliet squeeze her arm and bring her back to the nursery.

  “I’m okay,” she said, hoping Juliet wouldn’t call her on it this time.

  “You will be. I know that.” Juliet patted her arm briskly. “Now that you’ve finished in here, tidy your mess up and get your ass downstairs. Trent’s making chili and you are not missing out on that treat.”

  Desperately trying to get her head back to the here and now, Bryce did as she was bid. “Can you eat chili?”

  “Who do you think asked for it?” Juliet gave her a mischievous smile. “And what this woman wants, she gets!” With that, Juliet left Bryce alone.

  *

  Scarlet stood unmoving on the small wooden block Monica utilized for her dressmaking. She dared not look down or cause any movement to the fabric that was currently being pinned up just above her ankles. Monica smoothed the fabric down and then looked up from where she was kneeling at Scarlet’s feet.

  “I think that’s done it,” she said as she got up and stood back to eye her creation. She frowned critically. “Do you think it needs more cleavage?”

  Scarlet looked down. “From my angle there’s plenty on show without me having my nipples saying hello too.”

  Monica nodded and slowly walked around her. “You’ve got an excellent figure for this. Have you ever thought of being a designer’s model?” She helped Scarlet down from her podium.

  “Can’t say it’s ever been high on my list of jobs I thought to try until you made me strip and try that first dress on.” Scarlet grinned at Monica’s unabashed face. “I’ve got enough on my plate with working for Dad and doing part-time at the studio. Standing here for you makes for a nice respite from that.”

  “You know your dad is going to expect you to eventually put down the paintbrush and move into the office to learn the ropes there.”

  Scarlet groaned. “I’m so not management material. I like to be hands-on with things. It’s more fun that way.”

  Monica began fussing over the fabric draped over Scarlet’s shoulder. “Which reminds me, how is Bryce?”

  Scarlet’s head snapped around. “Hey!” She glared at the innocent look Monica spared her before busying herself again with the dress. “There’s been no laying on of hands there.”

  “You have enough trouble keeping your eyes off her I’ve noticed.”

  Scarlet groaned expressively. “Well, can you honestly blame me? She’s very easy on the eye.”

  “She looks like she hasn’t slept in months.”

  “To be honest? I don’t think she has,” Scarlet admitted.

  “Well, she’s been through one hell of a trauma. And she hasn’t been out of the hospital very long. She’s been through a lot, and it’s blatant to see by those shadows under her eyes that she’s still suffering.”

  “I know all that. I see it more than anyone when she lets me. I just….I really want to help her if she’d let me.”

  “So”—Monica edged behind Scarlet’s back and began tugging at the dress’s neckline—“this undercurrent of flirting you’re doing and having lunches together isn’t just a pity mission then?”

  Scarlet swung around so fast Monica took a step backward. “No! She doesn’t need my pity. I just…I just…” Scarlet’s voice failed her. What do I want really from this woman who has burrowed her way so soon into my thoughts and into my heart when I least expected it? “I’m sorry, Monica. I didn’t mean to shout at you.”

  “Well, I have to say, that’s the most passion I’ve seen from you over another woman since I’ve known you. And don’t forget, I walked in on you trading tongues with the last woman you went out with. You looked bored to tears.”

  Scarlet felt her cheeks bloom with a blush. “She wasn’t exactly knight in shining armor material.”

  “And Bryce could be?”

  “Maybe, if I let her and she wanted to be. I like her a lot, Monica. Even though I know she’s broken at the moment. I can’t help myself. She draws something in me to her.”

  “Then you need to do something about that attraction if you want it to go further. You’re not usually shy in fighting for what you want, Scarlet. You’ve held your dad off this long so you could pursue your own career with a camera in your hand. Maybe it’s time you have it all. The career you truly want and a girlfriend who is knight in shining armor material.”

  “And you think Bryce might be that one? We have only just met.” But she’s already becoming important to me. I can’t shake that feeling she’s meant to be more.

  “Your eyes devour her every time you see her. It’s like she’s the sexiest thing on the face of the planet and you can’t wait to take a bite out of her. I’m just saying, if she’s special, then you should see if she fits into your life.”

  “What if I don’t know if this is the right time for that? I’m juggling so many balls in the air already and my dad has plans for me that I’m not sure I can fulfill. Or want to.” Scarlet hoped the whine in her voice wasn’t too noticeable.

  Monica bumped her shoulder. “What if it feels like it’s the right time?”

  Scarlet groaned aloud pitifully. “I’ve wanted to go visit my grandma all day just for the excuse to go next door and see how Bryce was doing. Isn’t that pathetic?” Scarlet sat down on the block with a thump, not caring about her dress.

  “No, it sounds like someone exploring that like could maybe become love. And that, my friend, is the greatest adventure anyone can partake in.”

  *

  When Bryce carried her tools down the stairs, she walked through the kitchen and her stomach rumbled at the rich smells coming from the stove. Juliet was at Trent’s side, watching her cook.

  “Fifteen minutes,” Juliet called over her shoulder at Bryce. “No dawdling.”

&nb
sp; “You’re very bossy for a pregnant lady,” Bryce muttered.

  Trent easily overheard her. “She was bossy before I got her in that way too.” She got a swat to her behind for her sass. Trent stole a quick kiss off Juliet in retaliation.

  Bryce carried her stuff to the garage where she left it for Scarlet to pick up. Then she joined everyone at the kitchen table. She was grateful for their banter negating her need to think beyond how much she wanted on her plate and instead listened to Kayleigh talk a mile a minute. It was noisy and energetic, but the boisterous family setting oddly calmed the lonely ache in Bryce’s chest. For a moment, she wished Scarlet was there, then everything would have been perfect.

  Chapter Eight

  Scarlet was eager to see Bryce the following Monday morning. She had switched rooms in the one house and was now facing the main road where she could see the bus stop. She wondered how long it would be before Bryce could drive again. Obviously, her injuries made it difficult to be behind the wheel, but Scarlet was a little puzzled as to how she could stretch and wield her plasterer’s palette but not sit and drive. She went back to preparing her paint for the day but was soon back at the window checking for Bryce’s arrival. She barely held back a whoop of excitement when she saw the bus finally draw up and Bryce step off.

  Scarlet hurried from the room and down the stairs, almost colliding with Gregor who asked who had set her ass on fire. Scarlet skidded to a halt in the driveway and ran a hand through her hair making sure it was tidy. She smoothed down her shirt to make sure everything was presentable. Today she was going to be bold and daring. She’d spent the weekend letting her thoughts turn too much toward Bryce. She wanted to get to know her more and hoped Bryce might feel the same way about her. She barely held in her gasp on seeing the more than ever prominent shadows beneath Bryce’s pale blue eyes when she drew closer. Scarlet steeled herself to overlook them, knowing full well Bryce wouldn’t appreciate the intrusion.

  “Hey you. Juliet says you did a fantastic job on the nursery for me.”

  “It didn’t need much work. The walls are all primed now for you to paint gamboling Yoshis on. Whatever Yoshis are. Apparently, they make Trent happy, which makes Juliet happy, so the nursery is a go.” Bryce drew to a stop in front of Scarlet.

  “I’m guessing they showed you my sketch?”

  “Kayleigh showed it to me, once she’d wrestled it from Trent. I think there’s going to be some fighting over who that nursery actually belongs to.”

  “Kayleigh’s a character.”

  “She’s a strange blend. She’s got Juliet’s looks but, oddly enough, is very much like Trent. Except for her endless questions.” Bryce puffed out her cheeks noisily. “God, she can talk up a storm. She holds more questions than a Jeopardy host.”

  Laughing, Scarlet fell into step beside Bryce as they walked up the driveway. “She’s a bundle of teenage energy.”

  “She worships Trent, that’s pretty obvious.”

  “Trent’s pretty easy to fall for. She’s got that brooding handsomeness coupled with a fierce loyalty to her friends and loved ones that just draws people in.”

  Bryce shot her a look. “You’re still under her spell then.”

  “I’ve grown to love her more since I’ve gotten to know her from an adult point of view and not the mooning teen who just caught glimpses from Grandma’s window. But I’m not in love with her. I’ve moved on from my crush and love her as a friend. Besides, she’s Juliet’s and for a very sweet natured lady, Juliet is very territorial of her girl.”

  “It must be nice,” Bryce said quietly. The look on her face that followed showed she hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

  “What must?”

  Bryce shrugged at her. “To have someone to fight for you. To love you that much that they are yours and yours alone.”

  “Have you never had that with anyone?”

  “No.” Bryce shook her head emphatically. “I don’t know if I could cope with all that emotion.”

  Scarlet chuckled. “When the feelings are mutual I’m sure it makes the burden much easier.”

  “How about you? Have you ever had anyone you’ve felt that way about?”

  “Not yet,” she answered simply. She couldn’t help but let her eyes linger on Bryce’s face, memorizing every sharp angle to her cheekbones and the dimple in her cheek. “But I’m open to the possibility.” She dared to take the bull by the horns. “Would you like to go out with me tonight?”

  Bryce stopped in her tracks. “Me?”

  Scarlet laughed at her surprise. “Yes, you.”

  “What kind of going out are we talking about? You in need of more plastering?”

  “I’m asking you on a date, Bryce.” Bryce’s eyes widened. She appeared stunned. “I thought maybe dinner, a drink or two, some sparkling conversation.”

  “Why?” Bryce didn’t look at her.

  Scarlet was taken aback by the solemn query. The dull light in Bryce’s eyes was haunted by dark shadows, and Scarlet desperately wanted to banish them away. She caught Bryce raising a hand under her ever-present cap to run her finger over the scar that marred her forehead. Scarlet recognized the unconscious nervous gesture and her heart ached.

  “I’m asking you out because I think you’re fascinating and gorgeous and are someone I want to get to know more about.” The startled look Bryce shot her at the mention of her looks gave Scarlet a reason to pause. Doesn’t she see that scar doesn’t change anything? It doesn’t alter the fact she’s still an attractive woman at all. She folded her arms across her chest and gave Bryce a playful scowl. “I’m not without interested suitors, you know. I have it on good authority that the minute I miraculously turn straight Gregor will be the first gentleman caller pounding on my door.” She was delighted to see a smile tug at Bryce’s lips.

  “His wife might have something to say about that.”

  “Well, she’s safe because it’s going to be a very long time before I hand in my lesbian card.” Emboldened by Bryce’s smile, Scarlet reached out to stroke her cheek. Bryce froze at her touch and Scarlet let her hand linger just a little more. “So, what do you say? Will you come out with me?” She trailed a finger down Bryce’s neck slowly, feeling the steady pulse that accelerated at her bold move.

  Bryce captured her hand and Scarlet thrilled to her touch. Bryce’s work-roughened fingers were warm against her own and their strength was obvious.

  “I’m not very comfortable out in public.”

  “Then I’ll pick somewhere quiet and intimate. I’d like to spend time with you outside of work. If it becomes too much for you we can always leave.” Scarlet squeezed Bryce’s hand. “What do you say? Please say yes.” Scarlet watched as Bryce wavered for the longest time then finally capitulated.

  “If that’s what you want.”

  Her low tone made Scarlet’s insides tremble. “So, can I pick you up at seven?”

  Bryce shook her head. “Tell me where you want to go and I’ll meet you there.”

  “Bryce, I can come and pick you up. It’s no bother.”

  Bryce hesitated, appearing to be at war with herself. Scarlet waited, eyeing her closely, watching the indecision darken her face. Finally, Bryce spoke.

  “I don’t ride in cars, Scarlet. I can’t yet. I just….can’t.”

  Startled by this revelation, Scarlet finally realized why her father had asked for her to drop Bryce’s tools over at Trent’s house. She had been visiting her grandma anyway and hadn’t initially thought anything of it. Her father obviously knew though and was sparing Bryce’s feelings. It certainly explained all the buses Bryce traveled to and from work on.

  “How about a taxi?” Scarlet asked.

  Bryce shook her head. “Still too enclosed.” She took a hasty step back and away from Scarlet. “Maybe you should just forget—”

  Scarlet reacted quickly and stayed Bryce’s hasty departure with a hand on her arm. “The Crimson Dragon on Broadway. I seem to recall there’s a bus stop right by it. You
’re not getting away from me that easily, Bryce Donovan. If I have to get the food hand delivered to your door and bring the chopsticks myself, I will do so.”

  “Why does this mean so much to you?” Bryce’s tone held more than a hint of exasperation.

  “Because you’re beginning to.”

  Scarlet had spoken without censure and watched as Bryce’s surprise was replaced by the first true smile Scarlet had seen from her. Oh my God, she’s beautiful. Through the lingering pallor and all too obvious pain left by Bryce’s accident, Scarlet could finally see beyond that and was seeing some of the real Bryce beneath. It took all her strength not to reach out and kiss her then and there.

  “Your eyes just changed color. What are you thinking?” Bryce asked as she stepped closer, all her attention fixed firmly on Scarlet’s face.

  “How much I want to kiss you,” Scarlet said, her voice breaking as she stared at Bryce’s mouth. The smile remained on Bryce’s lips.

  “You might want to save that for the date. Besides”—Bryce cocked her head toward the men who were starting to file into the buildings—“we don’t want to startle our work colleagues or break Gregor’s heart.”

  “They’d enjoy it.” Scarlet shrugged, only now noticing that others were milling around them, gathering up their equipment.

  “They probably would, but I’d rather they didn’t get their jollies from something as special as that first kiss between you and me. I’d rather that was something kept for us alone.”

  Scarlet swallowed back a moan at the way Bryce’s tone had lowered and made the air more intimate between them. She regretted that they were standing on the driveway in plain view of the work site. “Seven o’clock?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  *

  The Sullivan-Williams household was hosting a lively get-together that evening. Juliet sat beside Monica as they discussed some work-related issues that had cropped up, and Trent and Elton were seated opposite them with their own agenda.