Tart by Lauren Dane

man and all.
    Grinning, she managed to get the drawer open to look, all without messing up her nails.
    It was good, this thing with Gideon. The sex had been . . . well, stunningly good. But more than that, he made her laugh. He was the kind of man who cared about important things, who took care of those who needed it.
    They shared history. Which was . . . well, she knew plenty of people she’d gone to school with and had been lifelong residents of Bainbridge along with her. But this was unique. Even back then he’d been exotic. He’d come for a month or a week or two and was gone.
    That shared history meant something to her. And to him too, she believed. They shared a comfort level she rarely had with others.
    Gillian would want details, Jules knew. Jules had tried to talk with her last night, but Miles had been home and they had a movie marathon going. She’d stayed for something suitably horrifying and had slept with her damned lights on, which was often part and parcel of family movie night with Gillian and her men.
    She had some juicy post-date gossip and it was about time. She hummed as she got dressed. Things were really looking up.
    •   •   •
    Jules let herself in the back door of Tart and her phone started buzzing in her bag so she fished it out. “Hello?”
    “Do you still have my copy of Tigana ?”
    She smiled at the sound of Cal’s voice. “I don’t think so. I gave it back. I’m not home right now, but if you can’t find it, let yourself in and check my shelves.”
    “It can wait. I’m sure it’s around here somewhere.”
    She rolled her eyes. He had a beautiful home with a beautiful view and he was the messiest person she knew. Clothes everywhere, books all over the place. Thank goodness he’d gotten a housekeeper the year before.
    “Did you get a sudden yearning to read fantasy? Do you want me to come over and look for it?”
    “You would totally do that for me.”
    She cocked her head, though he couldn’t see it. “Of course I would. Just like you’d come over to my house to fix my leaky faucet.” Which he had done only the month before.
    “I take it you’re going to Delicious tonight? Save me a seat. I have to run over to Seattle to grab some paperwork so I might be late.”
    She frowned. “Will do. Gideon will be here tonight. I know he wants to see you.”
    “What about you?”
    “What about me what? Will I be there?”
    Mary poked her head out into the hall and narrowed her gaze when she caught sight of Jules. “Uh-oh, your sister discovered me. Protect me.”
    He laughed. “You’re on your own for that. I have to run; I’ll see you later.”
    It wasn’t until he hung up that she remembered he never answered her question.
    •   •   •
    He hung up and paced a little.
    She’d brought up Gideon.
    Brought him up in a friendly way, but it was unmistakable that she’d been in contact with him and that they’d discussed Cal.
    He really did have to run over to Seattle to pick up some papers. He may as well get it done. He had to push it to make the ferry in time, but he’d done it enough that he had the pattern down.
    Regardless of any business between him and Jules, his sister was having her first night at the new space and he needed to be there to support her.
    He pulled his shoes on and grabbed his work bag. The rest of his house was a mess, but his office was always spotless, so at the very least he always knew where his car keys, work bag and anything else work related and important was.
    He got in his car and the first thing he noted was Jules’s hair thingy on his stick shift. It made him smile to see it. They’d taken a drive up to Vancouver together in the fall. Mary had come as well. They’d all stayed in a fabulous little boutique hotel and had shopped and eaten too much and had a great time.
    Her smile. It hardened his entire body just thinking about it. Juliet had the most beautiful smile. Open. Big, perfect white teeth. There was