The makings of a life she hadn’t believed she could ever have. A life where she was happy. Where she let a puppy give her kisses. Where she reached for a man in the night as he slept simply because she wanted to feel the warmth of his skin. Where she awoke early, wanting to spend every free minute of her day with him.

Nanine’s laugh lines spread as she pursed her lips. “Your choices have never been simple—we share that, you and I—but you must begin to think of your future. A woman must when she has a dream so deeply rooted in her heart.”

The suitcase appeared in her mind, and she mentally shoved every writhing feeling inside. This time it wouldn’t close. How could it? Nanine was talking about her leaving. “I will, but it’s not only me now.”

“Then you must listen to your heart and follow its dictates.” She rose and beckoned Madison to do the same, wrapping her arms around her in a gentle embrace as Pierre flew to his perch. “Because your time at Nanine’s may be coming to an end.”

She laid her head on Nanine’s shoulder, but she couldn’t accept those words.

Kyle had gotten to her.

She wanted to believe there could be another way.