A CALIFORNIA ROSE
Chapter Ten
Despite Cal’s warnings, Rose became closer to
Jack in the months that followed. He possessed a quiet understanding that Cal
lacked, and Rose felt that she could talk to him about anything. More than
that, she enjoyed his company. He made her laugh.
Before long, they were exchanging e-mail
daily, and talking on the phone often. Rose visited his home in Masline, and
met Tommy, Fabrizio, and Helga. Rose was pleased to discover that Helga knew
Trudy and Sophie, and soon the four friends formed a social group, often
including the guys in their activities.
Rose knew that she had found a friend in
Jack, but was careful to keep her distance. Knowing, as she did, how Cal would
react if he thought that they were anything more than friends, she made sure
that they never got too close. Even so, she found herself wishing that they
could be more than friends, and she suspected that Jack felt the same way.
Nevertheless, he didn’t try to interfere in her relationship with Cal, except
for an occasional comment about how unhappy Rose seemed with her fiancé.