Never Too Late by Julie Blair Read Free Book Online Page B

next office manager.”
    “Has the DA decided to press charges against her?”
    “I don’t know.” Jamie rubbed the back of her neck, trying to loosen the knots that hadn’t been there two months ago. “I’m scared, Penni. I thought I’d resolve this quickly, but it keeps getting to be a bigger mess. What if I lose the business? My father would be so disappointed in me.”
    “You don’t know this wasn’t happening under his nose, too. Like mother, like daughter.”
    “I doubt it,” Jamie said with a snort. “You knew him. He was the most diligent, hard-working, responsible person imaginable.”
    “Scoot forward,” Penni said, sliding behind Jamie and digging her fingers into Jamie’s shoulders. “Lot of weight on these shoulders.”
    Penni’s hands froze, and Jamie opened her eyes. Sheryl was bearing down on them. “Don’t make a scene. Please?”
    “Jamie? You didn’t tell me they were coming over.” Sheryl smiled, but her eyes were like daggers.
    “I didn’t—”
    “We must have called after you left to go shopping,” Penni said. “How are you, Sheryl? Nice outfit.” When Sheryl stormed off into the house, she said, “Oops. Did I offend the wicked witch?”
    “I asked you not to call her that. This is her home. And her pool,” Jamie tossed over her shoulder as she hurried after Sheryl.
    “Can’t you get along with her for an hour?”
    “She hates me. I don’t want her here. I’ve told you that.” Sheryl banged a glass on the kitchen counter.
    “She doesn’t hate you. She’s my best friend, and she used to be your—”
    “Not since we bought this house.” Sheryl popped the top on a Diet Coke and filled the glass. “What business was it of hers—”
    “Please try?” Jamie put her hands on Sheryl’s waist.
    “I’ll be in my office until they leave.” Sheryl’s voice was as cold as the ice in the glass.
    “You deserve better.” Penni’s voice was gentle, and she put her arm around Jamie’s shoulders.
    “Can’t you try to get along?”
    “I tried for years, but when she made you sell your childhood home because of some ridiculous idea that being a lesbian is hurting her career…I can’t forgive that.”
    Jamie jerked away. “It’s not that simple. The house was old and drafty—”
    “And a block from her school.” Penni’s jaw muscles tightened. “If she gets this next promotion, are you going to have to buy another house for some other reason?”
    “Relationships are about compromise.” Jamie crossed her arms.
    “And where is she compromising?”
    “I need to go talk to her.”
    “And we need to be going. Thanks for the swim.”
    Jamie headed for Sheryl’s office. The day hadn’t gone the way she’d planned, but she intended to salvage the evening.

Chapter Five

    Jamie let herself in the back door of the clinic. It was quiet as she turned on lights, started coffee, and checked her schedule for the day. She’d woken up restless and gone for a run, the first one in weeks. The only trace of Sheryl when she got back was the steamy bathroom, towels strewn across the vanity, and the new perfume Jamie tried to like. No note saying, “I love you” or “Have a great day.” It had been a while since she’d gotten one of those, and she missed them. So many ways they used to connect. She’d pick up flowers and a card on her way home. She felt bad about yesterday. Sheryl was right; she should have called to tell her Penni was there.
    She had an hour before her first patient and a stack of patient files to go through. Why couldn’t her week begin with great coffee and a hologram of Marjorie sitting across the desk answering questions about what she’d done and why? Instead, her father’s face stared at her from the picture on the corner of the desk. He was smiling that movie-star smile that added to his charm, but Jamie always thought of him as stern and serious. He always had an answer, a certainty about what to do and the right way to do it, whether it