Page 36 of Old Flames

Vicky swatted her away like a giant bug. “Shut up!”

“What exactly are your grandmother’s views on marriage?” Jules asked.

Vicky shared that her grandmother had cautioned her never to marry for love or lust. No matter how handsome a young man was, no matter how skilled in bed, he’d eventually grow old and the attraction would fade. “Marry for intelligence, integrity, ingenuity, and access.”

Maria might know a thing or two about marrying well, but what did she know about the emotionally bankrupt men of today?

“Far from me to contradict your esteemed grandmother,” Jules said. “But if you like Matty as much as you say, if you feel something real, I don’t think you can afford to throw it away.” As for marriage, the workaround was glaringly obvious. “Have you considered not getting married? It’s the twenty-first century. Maria may have needed a man to get ahead in life or to get a line of credit, but you don’t. Thanks in large part to her.”

Vicky hugged her. “You’re better and cheaper than a therapist.”

The moment was ruined by the combined stares of the green-eyed cat, the black cat, and another gray one bundled in a remote corner of the garden. All three eyed Jules. “You’re a cat lady,” she whispered into Vicky’s hair. “Do they have a sixth sense?”

“Next you’ll ask if they really have nine lives.”

“Seriously,” Jules said. “They’d know if someone was in contact with a ghost or spirit. They’d sense it somehow. Wouldn’t they?”

“You mean the ghost that blew out the candle in the museum cellar?” Vicky asked. “I think we’re good. That was a flameless candle with remote control. Elvira got us!”

“These cats creep me out,” she admitted.

“There’s nothing to be creeped out about. I’ll show you.” Vicky led her to the ash-gray cat curled up in the corner, which at closer inspection was a beauty. “Go on,” she said, as if speaking to a timid child. “Say hi.”

The cat fixed Jules in a steely blue gaze. He didn’t hiss like the other one, which she took as an encouraging sign. She crouched down to pet him, but with a swift bat of a fat paw, he let her know it would be a cold day in the Florida Keys before he’d let her touch him.

Vicky let out a cry. “Are you okay?”

Jules rubbed her hand. “It stings, but it’s fine.”

“That’s enough exposure therapy. Let’s leave this feisty one alone.”

“They’re all feisty!”

“Don’t exaggerate,” Vicky said. “How about you tell me what’s going on with you. So much for a girls’ trip! We hardly ever get a chance to talk.”

“Nothing’s going on.”

Vicky wasn’t satisfied with that answer, but what could Jules say? I’ll tell you what’s going on. My mother appeared in the garden last night. Crazy, right?

This morning, Jules had woken up frustrated. She recalled the moment Ruby had appeared. How many nights had she prayed for one more day with her mother? To see her again, young, old, or however unrecognizable, was a gift. She may never get this opportunity again. Something good had to come of it. Her mother had been so worried about her future on her deathbed. The least Jules could have done was ease her mind, let her know she was doing well, share all the wonderful things that she’d missed out on. Jules could have told her that she loved her, and not one day went by that she wasn’t missed. The encounter was a blessing, a cosmic gift, a chance to heal old wounds. Instead, she’d squandered the opportunity, focusing on handsome Leo in his stupid tower. She was at a crossroads and would do better to focus on the signs the universe was sending her way. She could fall for the guy anytime.

But why did it feel like the damn cats knew something she didn’t?

“And Leo?” Vicky asked.

“What about him?” Jules snapped.

“You really like him. I can tell.”

“I like him fine, but—”

“Don’t do that,” Vicky said.

“I’m not doing anything!” Jules protested.

“You’re allowed to feel your feelings,” Vicky said, a touch exasperated. “You don’t have to downplay everything. If you like him, go ahead and like him.”

Jules was feeling something now: annoyance. How could Vicky possibly understand? She came from a toxic but otherwise large and loving family. She expressed her feelings freely. Jules, however, no longer had access to her full range of emotions, not since her mother died.