The Best of Friends by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online

for a couple of years. I can do more for the business in the office. I’m ready to take on the responsibility.”
    He sounded so serious and mature, she thought, telling herself to focus on what was good and would make her happy rather than on the fact that David and his father were annoyingly close. Blaine had ridiculous ideas about things that didn’t matter and a total disregard for one’s place in society. He was the most frustrating man. The last thing she wanted was his influencing David when her son had finally returned to the fold, so to speak.
    “I know several excellent real estate agents,” she said. “Have you picked an area? My schedule is fairly full, but I can move a few things around and go with you. No man should buy a house on his own.”
    “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine. I promise not to buy any building that used to house a circus. Now, if I could find a former bordello, that would be interesting.”
    “Oh, David.”
    She knew he said those things just to upset her, but he could be so maddening.
    “The luggage is upstairs,” Blaine said, walking into the living room. “David. You made it.”
    David stood and approached his father. The two men greeted each other with a backslapping hug.
    They were both tall—an inch over six feet—with thick hair and blue eyes. Blaine’s hair had gone gray, which actually looked just as handsome as the blond. Elizabeth knew her friends envied her perfect family. They thought she had it all. If only that were true.
    She took another sip of the scotch and waited as the greeting continued with a stupidly complicated series of hand gestures and slaps.
    “I poured you a drink,” Elizabeth told her husband.
    “Excellent.” Blaine grabbed it and sat on a second sofa with David. “You think you can handle living in one place all the time? You ready for real life?”
    “I’m ready to know where I am when I wake up in the morning.”
    “Good. Good. What did you bring me?”
    Elizabeth sighed. “You’re not going to talk business now, are you? It’s late, and we’re all exhausted.”
    David grinned. “I won’t say a word except I found another designer.”
    “As good as Rivalsa?” she asked. “Those designs are excellent.”
    “Close,” David said. “I’ll show you in the morning.”
    “You said Jayne was here when you arrived,” Elizabeth said, more to keep them from talking business than because she was interested.
    “Yes. It was a greeting full of pomp, but not so much on the circumstance.”
    “She’s a sensible girl. Smart.” Loyal, which Elizabeth valued more than intelligence. Jayne could always be counted on to do the right thing. She eyed her son. “If you won’t take me house hunting with you, then at least take Jayne.” Jayne would keep him from buying something horrid or inappropriate.
    “You’re buying a house?” Blaine asked. “Not something a man should do on his own.”
    “That’s what I said.”
    “Doesn’t Jayne have a life?” David asked.
    Elizabeth dismissed the idea with a flick of her fingers. “She has a job, but I’m sure she can rearrange her schedule. I’ll call her.” The best part of David’s taking Jayne along was that Elizabeth would know everything he was doing.
    “I can call her,” David said slowly. “You’ll be busy, getting settled.”
    So true. Running this house was a massive responsibility. There was also the matter of letting everyone know David was home.
    “I want to host a welcome-back party,” she said. “Nothing huge or formal. A brunch.”
    He shifted on the sofa. “Mother, that’s not really my thing.”
    “Yes, I know. It’s mine, which is why I’ll take care of it. Come on, David. Let us show you off to our friends. Blaine, don’t you want everyone to see how your son turned out?”
    Blaine smiled. “Of course. As long as there are a lot of pretty girls for him.”
    “What would a party be without pretty girls?” Elizabeth had been working on a list of