See Jane Die by Erica Spindler Page B

closer, then of Jane’s screams.
    Jane’s screams every night after.
    She pushed her plate away, hunger gone.
    â€œThat’s why she told me about the baby,” he continued. “She’s been through a lot. You both have.”
    She swallowed hard. “I’m sorry she’s…I’m sorry.”
    He searched her expression. “Why won’t you talk about that day?”
    â€œThere’s nothing to talk about. Jane was the one who was hurt. Not me.”
    â€œReally? You weren’t hurt?”
    â€œYou can stop shrinking me now.”
    â€œCan’t turn it off, babe. Sorry.”
    He looked anything but and she scowled at him.
    â€œYou witnessed the accident. As the older sister, you thought yourself responsible for your sister’s welfare. You were the one she cut school to be with, the one who dared her to swim. Pretty heavy load for a seventeen-year-old.”
    â€œIf you’re suggesting I’m suffering some sort of posttraumatic stress disorder, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
    â€œThe past is a powerful weapon.”
    â€œAnd I’m using it against myself. Is that what you’re saying?”
    â€œCould be.”
    â€œLike I said, wrong tree, Dave.”
    â€œYou’re certain of that?”
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    He selected an onion ring. “So, let’s talk about it. No harm in that. In fact, it’s healthy.”
    Her lips twisted. “Dr. Never-Say-Die Dave.”
    â€œIsn’t that why you called me?”
    â€œI’m a pain in the ass, aren’t I?” This time it was she who held out a hand. “I called you because you’re my oldest friend. Thank you for being here for me.”
    He took her hand. “I always will be. I—”
    His cell phone interrupted his reply. He checked the display for the number. “Damn, it’s the hospital. I have to take this.”
    She nodded and stood. “I’ll visit the rest room. Be right back.”
    She ran into Mac in the hallway outside the rest rooms. She greeted him, then ducked into the ladies’ room. When she emerged a couple of minutes later, he was gone.
    She returned to the table to find Dave shrugging into his coat.
    â€œWhat’s up?”
    â€œI’m sorry, Stacy. I have to go. I’ve got a patient on suicide watch at Green Oaks. She not doing well. Rain check?”
    She worked to hide her disappointment. “Anytime.”
    He hugged her. “Don’t be mad at Jane,” he said. “She needs our love and support, now as much as ever.”
    Jane. Always Jane .
    As if he knew her thoughts, he smiled reassuringly. “What you’re feeling is normal. It’s how you act on—or react to—that envy that will determine appropriateness or inappropriateness.”
    She watched him walk away, wishing not for the first time that they had clicked romantically. Why hadn’t she ever felt anything but friendship for him? He was everything a woman could want in a man: handsome, smart, successful, kind. And steady. Dave Nash had always had both feet planted firmly on the ground.
    Perhaps she had never looked at him that way because she’d always known he’d been attracted to Jane—even when she’d looked like the Bride of Frankenstein.
    â€œHey, again.”
    She looked up. Mac stood beside her table, beer mug in his hand.
    â€œWant some company?”
    She lifted a shoulder and motioned the chair across from hers. “Suit yourself.”
    He sat, took a sip of his beer. “Boyfriend?”
    â€œFriend. Old friend.”
    â€œYou going to eat that?” He motioned to the untouched half of her sandwich.
    â€œIt’s all yours.” She pushed the plate toward him. He ate it down in three bites. “Having money troubles, Mac?”
    He grinned. “Can’t stand to see food go to waste. Plus, I never actually get full. My mother used to despair at the