No Sunshine When She's Gone by Kate Angell Page A

houseboat; the walls seemed to close in on me. And standing on the upper deck made me nauseous.”
    Jill released her, easing back. “The apartment will be better,” she assured Carrie.
    Carrie studied her now, giving Jill one of her best-friend stares that got into Jill’s head and read her mind. “I saw the look on your face when we were on the upper deck,” she said. “You were excited.”
    Jill shook her head, was quick to deny it. “The Horizon was an option, but it’s not for us.”
    Carrie wouldn’t let her off the hook. “You wanted to live here.”
    “No, I did not.”
    Carrie frowned. “Don’t lie to me, Jillie Mac.”
    Jill fingered the hem of her Rogues T-shirt. “I’d never lie to you.”
    Carrie actually smiled. “Oh, yes you would, and you have many times,” she stated. “You’d say anything to make me feel better.”
    “The houseboat is already forgotten.”
    “Then why do you keep glancing over your shoulder?”
    “It’s a novelty.”
    “It would be a cool place to call home,” Carrie insisted. “Just because I can’t move in doesn’t mean you—”
    Jill held up her hand. “Don’t go there. We made a pact, agreeing to stick together. We’ll find the right place.”
    “Beach Walk is two blocks north,” Aidan put in. “Take a look at the apartment; see what you think. Then you can make your decision.”
    They proceeded along the sidewalk to where Aidan had parked his SUV. Jill couldn’t help sneaking one final peek at the houseboat. Her gaze lingered too long. She hadn’t meant to sigh.
    Carrie heard her. “Caught you,” she said.
    White lies came easy to Jill. “I was watching a seagull,” she made up.
    “The gray gull on the wooden piling that just dove for a fish?” asked Carrie.
    “That’s the one.”
    “There was no seagull.”
    Jill saw Aidan smile. The man was amused. “What’s so funny?” she wanted to know.
    “Carrie holds you accountable,” he said. “I like that.”
    “There are two sides to Jillie Mac,” Carrie revealed. “She can be so honest she’ll make you blink. Other times she’s known to fabricate and sugarcoat to protect her friends.”
    “Sugarcoat, huh?” Aidan raised his brow.
    “I can be sweet,” Jill informed him. She then opened the passenger-side door, offering the front seat to Carrie. “Hop in.” She would’ve liked to sit next to Aidan, but she didn’t want to seem obvious. She slid into the back, buckled up, then stretched out her legs in her skinny black jeans. She noticed her disc sandals had lost several more beads. She needed to locate the shoe repair shop.
    Six times Aidan glanced at her in the rearview mirror on their way to the residential complex. Jill kept count. She’d had her eye on him, too. His glimpses were quick, direct, and hot.
    Their gazes again met when he parked the Armada at Beach Walk. This time his stare was so sexually intense, he set her heart racing. She wiggled on the leather seat, and her fingers became all thumbs. She fumbled with her seat belt. It took her three tries to release the clasp.
    Jill eased from the SUV and admired their destination. Built by Aidan, the six stories of pink stucco rose amid a landscape of Queen Palms. White hibiscus bushes bordered each corner. Terraces trimmed each apartment.
    Keeping an open mind, she gave the complex a chance, even though her heart remained on the houseboat. She’d felt an immediate attachment to the Horizon. She’d been embraced by the indefinable sense of coming home. She shook off the feeling and concentrated on the residential building. It was massive and impressive.
    She trailed Aidan and Carrie to the front entrance. Automatic glass doors gave way to an expansive lobby. A security guard sat at a desk off to the right. The floor was laid out in rich burgundy, white, and cool blue tiles. A center coffee and pastry bar welcomed the residents.
    Carrie pointed to the display case. She flashed her metal smile. “There are bagels, Jill,