Haley scowled, looking down at her two-hundred-dollar yoga pants and equally pricey t-shirt, her chipped toenail polish. “Maybe.”
“And you’ve shed the role of society wife so smoothly, finding that feisty girl you used to be.”
“Ugh,” she groaned, leaning against the countertop. “It’s not tough to shed something that was neverme. Every damn dinner party, I’d be a wreck beforehand. Everything had to be perfect.
“It was so weird. Within days of informing Nate that we were over, right about when the sight of him naked with my ‘best friend’ in our bed was not so vivid in my memory, this flood of relief washed over me. I figured I would be broken, but I felt so…alive.” She gazed out the window, at the wildflowers spread over the unmowed yard that mingled amongst the blades of grass. A breeze kicked up, and the entire field swayed with it in a dexterous tango. “I can’t believe how fast I felt the buried Haley coming back to life, like she’d been screaming to get out all along. Nate was shocked; not used to me flipping attitude.”
“I’m so sorry you had to go through all that. Selfishly, I’m thrilled you’re back. When Grady called and let me know you were hurting and needed a friend when you got home, I did a little dance and cheered.” She chuckled, her eyes following Haley’s to the field outside, then shook her thought away. She looked over to the massive, gleaming stainless-steel fridge. “That’s a fancy thing.”
Haley pulled on the long handles, cool heavenly light casting over them. “Patricia’s version of a housewarming present. I could have gone without the LED lighting and ‘smart’ adjustments, but it was very thoughtful, and I am grateful. Apparently, a matching dishwasher, oven, and wine refrigerator are on the way.”
“Wow, that’s pretty generous. She must actually have missed you.”
“Or she’s buttering me up for something. Although she was disappointed that I am neither surgeon nor astronaut, and am no longer the society woman of her dreams, but I am at least a ‘designer’ with a respectable social media following that will make an adequate showpiece for her.”
“Ouch.”
Shrugging, a sharp pinch in her shoulder reminded her not to move so abruptly. She admitted, “That’s Patricia. But she seems to be behaving herself. Not that I wasn’t inundated with relationship and career advice on the drive up from San Francisco.”
Wincing, Trace sealed her eyes shut. “It’s amazing she didn’t damage you permanently.” She opened her eyes again and leaned on the counter next to Haley. “I can’t believe you’re finally back, and I’m leaving. I already like you as much today as I did fifteen years ago. After you left, I was so lonely.”
“Who did you hang out with in high school? I had to start all over again, but you should have at least had Pippa and Freya and some of the other girls from the old neighborhood?”
“It was tough, as I wasn’t close with anyone else in our year. And, then, well, I got a boyfriend and didn’t really want anyone else. Pippa and Lincoln finally got married.”
Checking her watch comically, Haley said, “Precisely as planned.”
“And Asher is engaged to her best friend, Sophie. They’re really cute together.”
“Damn, there goes my rebound plan.” She winked. “I’ve actually spoken to Sophie on the phone already. She’s my new accountant at Grady’s recommendation, and I have an appointment with her tomorrow.”
“Sophie’s awesome, so we’ll let her keep Asher. It’s a small pond around here, but you’ll find someone.”
“I don’t want to find someone, but I am on board with your safe rebound sex idea. I didn’t date much until Nate, and, sadly, have never been with anyone else. First semester at college and, as they say, that was that.”
“You must have loved him at some point.”
“I loved how he put me on a pedestal.” Ouch. That sounded so much worse than she’d imagined.
It was true though. She’d been the woman Patricia and Drake had made her to be, shaking fingers at her barefoot cartwheels in the grass in her homemade cutoffs, putting her in more and more lessons to make her stronger, better… poised, successful, elite. And that had so quickly morphed into unflappable, uppity, and obedient.
Shaking away the regret, Haley was determined to never let go of herself ever again. No matter what. “While we’re cruising through memory lane… You ever think about tracking down your high school sweetheart? See what he’s up to? Maybe find one of those second chance romances?”
Trace shrugged. “Been there, done that. I want to benoticed, to be swept away in bliss, and I don’t think he’s in a position to do much sweeping.”
“Well, maybe when you get back.” She completely understood that one. Nate hadn’tnoticedher in years. Not that she’d taken much notice of him, either. There were moments she feared she really wasn’t any good at sex, but even in the worst of times, she knew it was environmental. Depression or anxiety or just a shitty marriage, but she knew she was still a passionate person, somewhere deep down.
Then, wow, that bartender the other night. Yeah, she’dnoticedhim. And, maybe it was that she was getting downright desperate, but she felt like he’dnoticedher, too. Those eyes on her. She felt like sleeping beauty waking up from a century-long slumber. Or, at least, a hell of a sex slump. Would tonight be too soon to return for another bite?
“I should be getting back right around when your divorce is finalized. Maybe we can celebrate singlehood and you can tell me all about your summer romance.”
Chuckling, Haley nodded. “Fling, yes. Romance, no. Something light and fun. No more demanding men that will put their dick wherever they’d like and blame you for it, then buy you flowers and tell you how much you mean to them.”
Tossing her arms around Haley, Trace hugged her tight. “Make that a summer rebound. No strings, no expectations.”
Nodding, Haley smiled. “It’s a date.”
Trace laughed all the way out the door. She hopped in her car and waved as she drove away.
