“It was nice to meet you, Cynthia,” Jason said. “I hope I’ll get to see you again.”
“I hope so too,” Cynthia said.
She walked him to the door. On the porch he hesitated, his hand on the railing. “Are you okay?”
“In shock.”
“I can imagine. Who is David?”
“Her fiancé.”
“Wow, okay.”
“I’ll tell you about it later.”
“I’m a phone call away. Let me know if you need anything. I can be back in a flash. Or meet you wherever. Whatever you need, I’m here.”
“I know,” Mauve said. For now.
He kissed her quickly and headed down the stairs and across the frosty driveway to his car.
She stood in the doorway and watched him drive away. She didn’t realize she had her hand pressed against her sternum until she heard her mother’s voice behind her.
“You’re dating Jason Hayes?”
Mauve closed the door behind her and turned to face her mother. “It’s just a … a fling. A blip. He leaves at the end of the month to film a movie.”
“And you’re not going with him?”
“He asked me to. But I said no. I can’t give up my life to chase a man. Not again.”
“Is that what you’re afraid of?”
“How could I not be? He’s a famous, very handsome actor. I’m a speech therapist in a small town. Those two things don’t go together.”
“Why not?”
“You know why.”
“Are you in love?”
“We are,” Mauve said. “For now.”
“Interesting.”
Mauve ignored that and left for the kitchen, returning with their tea. She switched on the fireplace and they settled on the couch.
“This really is a nice home you’ve made for yourself, honey. I’m proud of you. It wasn’t easy, I’m sure, to start over.”
“I’ve had Reese.” She shrugged. “But yeah, it was hard.”
“How did you meet Jason?”
Mauve told her the story about how they’d met last Christmas and hit it off. “His twin is now married to Reese.”
“How fun.” Cynthia’s eyes glittered with mischief. “Very romantic. Two brothers married to two best friends.”
“But we’re not going to get married.”
