Improvisation Read Free Page B

square tables, comforting with its right angles and even sides, and stared out the window while she stirred several packets of raw sugar into the strong coffee. The hawthorn trees were just starting to show rosy blooms. Spring. Just last week she had been thrilled by the millions of tiny signs of summer approaching. She had saved and planned and organized so the summer could be devoted to renovating and decorating her house. Now all she saw before her was a series of visits to the doctor, of tests and evaluations, of bad news.
    “Are you okay?” Chloe Porter stood close to her chair. Jan hadn’t even heard her approach.
    “I’m fine,” Jan said, not meaning it at all. She gestured at the seat across from her. “Join me?”
    Chloe sat down and toyed with the string of her tea bag. “How’s your dad doing?”
    “He’s fine,” Jan said, unable to stop before she repeated the vague and untrue adjective. Chloe had been friendly toward her since Jan had started teaching at Spokane Heights. She’d been slow to warm up to Chloe, reluctant to get too close, as she fought her ingrained tendency to see every relationship or home as transient. Maybe she had been right to keep their friendship superficial since she didn’t have any idea what changes the next year would bring.
    “Good,” Chloe said, her voice neutral. She dunked her tea bag several times. “You know, if you ever need…If there’s anything I can do to help…”
    “Thanks, but I’m…okay,” Jan said. She neatly folded the empty sugar packets and set them next to her coffee mug. Family problems were too personal to share. But Tina wasn’t a family problem. Asking for a favor to help get through the ordeal of meeting with her seemed acceptable. “Actually, I could use some help. A friend of a friend is coming to town, and I promised to take her out for drinks and show her around. I’d appreciate having some company so I don’t have to be alone with her.”
    “Of course I’ll go,” Chloe said with a smile. Jan felt a stab of guilt because she kept pushing Chloe’s friendship away, only letting her close now when she needed a favor. Jan had been focused on protecting herself. It hadn’t occurred to her that Chloe might be lonely, too. “So what’s wrong with her?”
    “Nothing at all,” Jan said, surprised by her immediate and unequivocal response. She forced her voice to stay casual. “I’ve only seen her playing violin with her string quartet. We haven’t met, and I just thought I’d be more comfortable if we made it more of a group outing.”
    “And not a date?” Chloe asked in a teasing tone. “You’re blushing, so I’m guessing she’s not bad looking.”
    Jan laughed. Her mind was preoccupied with worry, but her body still managed to betray her awareness of Tina’s good looks. She moved in her chair as if squirming away from the imagined feel of Tina’s hands stroking her arms and brushing through her hair. “She’s gorgeous, but definitely a playgirl. My friend Brooke has made it her mission to set us up, but I’m not looking for a casual fling right now. To be perfectly honest, I could use a safety net to keep me from falling for her because the landing would be way too painful.”
    “Ah, I see. The fair damsel wants someone to protect her from Don Juan. Say no more, I’ll be a strict chaperone. It’ll give me some good practice before this year’s prom. Although, if you really want someone to take her off your hands—so to speak—you might be better off asking Sasha.”
    An image of Tina and the history teacher together flashed through Jan’s mind. They’d complement each other well. Tina had the sleek and fast look of an expensive sports car while Sasha had all the right curves. Both out for a good time, and both gay. Jan decided not to look too closely at her decision to stick with straight Chloe.
    “The three of us will be fine. I just need you there as a buffer. I want to show her a little of the city, not