Page 5 of Their Stormy Reunion

She sighed. “That about sums it up.”

“What an asshole.”

Maddie looked around the parking lot, then leaned in. “I’d ask about your dating life, but that’d be a snoozefest,” Maddie said as she rolled her eyes.

“That’s not true. I date a lot.” Even though there weren’t any cars around, I kept my voice quiet.

“Yeah. But have you gotten past second base with any of them?”

I shut the back of my SUV and turned to face my friend. “A couple.”

“Third?”

“One got to home plate two years ago,” I whispered.

“How come this is the first I’m hearing about it?” Maddie practically shouted.

“Be quiet!” I looked around again, but all the cars were parked closer to the store, so we were safe. “The reason I didn’t tell you was because it was miserable. Alka-Seltzer gave me more of a fizz than that guy.”

“Then why in the hell did you sleep with him?” Maddie’s voice was fierce.

“Because I wanted to make sure my lady parts were still in working order.”

“That’s what vibrators are for. How’d you get rid of him?”

“I tried for three months, but he kept calling. Luckily, he didn’t know where I lived. I was trying not to hurt his feelings, and then it turns out the rat-bastard was engaged the whole time.”

“Damn, Fallon, you definitely need a wingman, and I’m here for you,” Maddie patted my back.

“Juggling Mom and Dad and the work project I have going on is all I can handle. I’ll be lucky to duck out for coffee.”

“I’ll come rescue you. I’ve so missed you.” Maddie wrapped me in another one of her warm hugs. “I’m going to arrange something this weekend.”

I cringed. “I don’t want to go out.”

“No, this will be a girls night in. You’ll be covered in Avery girls.”

“Oh my God, that would be great!”

“I’ll even see if I can talk Chloe into showing up.”

“What are you talking about? Why wouldn’t she show up?”

“I’ll tell you when I tell you the time and place.”

“Okay.”

I watched as she sauntered over to her Jeep. I hadn’t noticed her cowboy boots until just now. In my designer heels, I was going to stick out like a sore thumb.

I shrugged and got into my SUV and headed home, passing truck after truck along the way.

Chapter Two

I made it three days. That was all I could hold out for before I found myself driving past the Vickers’ place. They lived in a small house that was built in the nineteen forties. It used to have the prettiest front yard on the street, bursting with vibrant colors from Isla Vickers prized dahlias, but now it was overgrown with weeds. Mrs. Vickers used to invite me over for lemonade when her arthritis was acting up, and I would help her out tending her garden. Most of the time I would just drop by unannounced. But I hadn’t been there in over two years.

I’m a fucking loser.

I saw Fallon’s fancy SUV backed in, underneath the carport. Sleek black and chrome Audi. Four years ago, Maddie had let it slip, on purpose I’m sure, at Maverick’s Bar and Grill how well Fallon was doing in Chicago. Back before everything had fallen apart, Fallon had done so well with her undergraduate focus in cybersecurity she’d had a lot of job offers. Before our wedding she was still trying to find one that would allow her to telecommute. Fallon must have taken something in Chicago, eventually starting her own consulting company.