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“I know I wouldn’t,” Jenna said, wiggling her brows in an obvious attempt to lighten the mood.

“Thanks for the pep talk, assuming that’s what this was, but I don’t need it. I’m fine. I’ve got this.” How many times have I said I’m fine recently? Does anyone believe me? Do I?

Kelsey and Jenna nodded, though they didn’t look convinced. They must have decided not to push anymore, though, and prepared to leave. After they’d gathered their purses and jackets, Stacy walked them to the door.

“We forgot to set up your hair appointment,” Jenna said after Kelsey had already gone.

“Send me some dates and times, and I’ll let you know.”

Jenna nodded, and then, in an uncharacteristic move, she pulled Stacy into a hug. Stacy was so flummoxed that it took a few seconds before she reciprocated.

“What was that for?” she asked after Jenna let go.

“Can’t I hug my sister?”

“We usually only do that at funerals.”

Jenna laughed. “Maybe we should start doing it more often.”

“You’re probably right.”

Jenna glanced at her funky watch, the kind with a band that wrapped around her wrist several times. “It’s past your bedtime. You better go in and get some sleep.”

“Very funny,” Stacy said while she stifled a yawn. It must be the wine.

“See you soon,” Jenna called as she jogged out to her car.

Stacy watched her get into her lime-green Kia and drive away. After she shut and locked the door, she leaned against it and sighed.

The conversation with Kelsey and Jenna had shaken her to the core, mostly because they’d been right. Cole’s betrayal had changed her. She’d become fearful about love, marriage, and relationships in general. She hadn’t truly opened herself up to another man since her divorce. At times, she’d questioned if she ever would again.

She’d convinced herself she’d been doing fine on her own. She enjoyed her own company and had plenty of friends and hobbies to keep her busy. Not to mention her job. Work was one aspect of her life that Cole hadn’t tainted. Her job had been the one thing she’d felt in control of and confident in through it all.

But then had come Nick…

Twenty-Three

Stacy was setting up her laptop in the training room when Nick sauntered in. Glancing at the wall clock, she said, “You’re early.”

“I wanted to say hi before the class begins.”

“Oh. Hi.”

The training room was located next to human resources, which made her a bit jumpy. She wouldn’t be surprised if Britney just happened to poke her head in while she and Nick were alone.

Lowering his voice, he said, “I missed you last night.”

“I had book club.”

“I know. How was it?”

“Good.” Minus the after-meeting.

“You can tell me more about it later.”

She nodded, the promise of later doing funny things to her stomach.

“What do you want to do tonight?”