with her grungy stuffed cat, talking to it as if it were real. The image triggered memories of dreams—of her and Jed and their happily-ever-after—she’d long since let die.
She could not—would not—allow them to resurface.
Two heartbreaks in one lifetime were more than enough. Besides, by summer’s end, she’d be back in Chicago with its museums, restaurants and shopping malls.
Upon seeing Paige, he stood and sort of hovered there, as if uncertain where to land. He eventually chose the edge of the couch where her mom hadn’t piled laundry.
Paige took his place on the floor, largely to distance herself from him.
She grabbed some board books from her backpack and handed one over. Ava started flipping through the pages, repeating random words from memory.
That entertained the adults for a bit, but soon the conversation, which had already felt stilted, stalled.
Jed shifted. He scratched at the back of his neck, looked at her and then at Mom with his brow pinching in that way it always did when he was trying to come up with something to say but had reached a blank. But then he grabbed a cookie and shoved half of it into his mouth.
Paige was tempted to do the same, if only to distract herself from the much-too-handsome man sitting in her mother’s living room.
It was almost like old times.
But if her divorce had taught her anything, it was that she had no business dabbling in romance. The deeper one fell, the more it hurt when everything came undone. And based on the way her breath stalled every time his chocolate eyes latched on to hers, she was dangerously close to regressing back to her teenage years, when Jed’s crooked smile and laughing eyes had threatened to steal her reason. She’d responded to her ex-husband in much the same way and had allowed his sweet talk and promises of forever blind her to some major red flags.
Mrs. Tappen folded her hands in her lap. “Not sure I’m used to seeing you all grown-up, Paige. I still remember when you were a freckle-faced youngster who could never decide if you wanted to play the dainty little princess or go prancing through the mud.”
Paige offered a slight smile.
“Seems to me, she always had an instigator,” Mom said.
Mrs. Tappen eyed Jed. “Oh, there’s no doubt about that. ’Course, I don’t remember her putting up much of a fight when it was all laid out on the table.” She shook her head. “Still can’t believe those two went diving in that stinky old pond, looking for buried treasure of all things.”
Mom laughed. “Took three cycles in the washing machine to get that smell out those jeans of hers. I had to throw Paige’s brand-new sneakers away.”
Jed had thought that was the funniest thing—at least he’d had the sense to take his shoes off before diving into the muck. Back when they were best friends. Before things had turned romantic and then had ruined everything. She glanced his way to find him looking at her with an intensity that unnerved her.
Averting her gaze, she cleared her throat. “That was a long time ago. I’ve since given up my affinity for dirt.” She wasn’t up for any more treks down memory lane—of talking about the “good old days” when she had spent almost every free moment with Jed, the first man she’d ever truly, fully given her heart to.
Other than her daddy—the first man to leave her and break her heart.
Had every male relationship she’d developed ended in pain?
Mrs. Tappen smiled. “I see that. You’ve grown up right beautiful. And that child of yours is precious.” She faced Mom, and her expression sobered. “How you been feeling, Marilyn?”
Mom sighed. “My stress level is through the roof. Not only over my health, which is enough to knock any woman down, but work’s been busy, too.” She rubbed her temple. “Sure wish I could be more like Paige with nothing to worry about other than what to eat for lunch. I keep telling her to enjoy herself a bit, but she insists on following that silly planner of hers. She has everything scheduled to the half hour. Isn’t that right, honey?”
Her cheeks flamed. As soon as this conversation ended, she and Mom needed to establish some boundaries regarding what could and couldn’t be discussed in front of Paige’s ex-boyfriend.
“So, Paige...” Mrs. Tappen wrapped both hands around her coffee mug. “What have you been up to?”
Mom brushed cookie crumbs from her hands. “I told you she lost her job.”
“Mom!”
“What? It’s the truth. And you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. That boss of yours did you wrong, honey. Her and all those suits-and-ties in that big, fancy high-rise you worked in wouldn’t know a talented writer if she landed smack in their lap.”
“Ardell didn’t have a choice.”
“Budget cuts.” She scoffed. “Right.”
“Their loss—our gain.” Mrs. Tappen smiled and cast a veiled look toward Jed.
“No truer words, my friend.” Mom stretched her legs out in front of her and crossed her ankles. “I’ll for sure enjoy having her around. But I have a feeling she won’t be putting down roots here, not unless one of us can do some strong convincing.” Her face sobered, and with a deep breath, she fiddled with a button on her shirt. “As much as I’d love for her and little Ava to stay, her heart’s in Chicago.”
Paige watched Ava occupy herself with the buckles on her backpack. Could this conversation get any more uncomfortable?
“It’s such a shame they couldn’t find some way to keep you.” Mrs. Tappen pulled her long braid over her shoulder and tugged at the end, twisting it around her finger. “Your mama told me all about it. If you ask me, seems they could’ve at least moved you to another department.”
Paige shrugged. It wasn’t like they could’ve offered her an accounting position.
“I agree,” Mom said. “Staff reduction, my big toe.” She slapped her thigh.
“Mom, please.” Based on the heat radiating from Paige’s neck, she feared she was beginning to turn blotchy. Lovely. Now seemed like a great time to leave the room, but leaving wouldn’t end this incredibly embarrassing topic of conversation. It’d only prevent her from knowing what had been said.
“It’s true, and by no fault of your own, I might add.” She faced Mrs. Tappen. “Girl worked hard for that magazine. Barely had time to herself. Hasn’t dated in...what? Over a year.”
That was the last straw. She grabbed her wallet from her backpack and stood. “I hate to dash out like this...” All eyes shifted her way. “Can you watch Ava for a bit?”
“You’re leaving so soon?” Mrs. Tappen scooted to the edge of the couch cushion.
“I’ve got...” She’d never been a good liar, and had no intention of becoming one now. But neither did she plan to sit here, while her Mom openly discussed her failures. “To pick up a few things.” Which was true enough, if she wanted to feed her daughter something other than corn chips and peanut butter for supper. Maybe she’d buy a tub of ice cream for herself while she was at it. Chocolate fudge macadamia with brownie chunks. “I’ll see you later.”
“Wait, please.” Deep lines etched across Mrs. Tappen’s furrowed brow. “I—We’ve been wanting to speak to you regarding...” She looked from Paige to Jed, then back to Paige. “I...er... What I mean to say is...” She nudged Jed. “Did you have a question, dear?”
He blinked. “Question?” He cleared his throat and stood. “Right. I...um...” He stepped forward. “Can I call you? Maybe we could meet? For coffee? I’d like to talk with you about something.”
She studied Mrs. Tappen. “Are you feeling all right?”
She