“Zoey over here thinks we’re still dating,” Kevinannounced.
My neck flushed, and I scanned the area looking for the nearestescape.
Joe half laugh, halfsnorted.
Kaley fell back in laughter, her head smacking the vinyl therapy bed. “Us?”
I looked between them, trying to understand what was sofunny.
After what seemed like several minutes, Kaley hopped up, snagged my arm, and turned me to face Joe. “Hi, hon. I wanted to formally introduce Zoey to you. Zoey, this is my husband, JoeDeland.”
“Husband?” I took his hand outstretched ingreeting.
“Yes, we’ve been married for what, six years now?” Joe said with a halfgrin.
Kaley slugged him in the shoulder. “Sixmonths.”
“Congratulations. I thought I recognized you from school. Football team, right?” Iasked.
“Can you believe she thought I was with Kevin?” Kaley rolled hereyes.
Joe shook his head before scooping Kaley onto his lap and spinning in a circle. “No way. Kevin never swept you off your feet like Ican.”
Kevin tossed the noodle at them both. “I’m out of here. I’ve got to go deliver this box.” He hoisted one up on his shoulder and fled the scene of the embarrassingconversation.
Seeing Kaley and Joe together, happy, enjoying life, warmed my heart. Someday I hoped Edward and I would have some more lighthearted moments like that. He’d been so stressed about his promotion that we hadn’t really connected lately. All the more reason for me to go on vacation with him. We’d be away from the school and be able to have some ustime.
“I better get back to work.” Kaley planted a kiss on his check and then wiggled free from his embrace. “Besides, now that Zoey knows Kevin is a free man, I’m going to go playmatchmaker.”
“No,” Iblurted.
She stopped midstep. “Why not? You’re back, he’s available, and you two are perfect for each other. Trust me, I know because I dated him, and I wasn’t right forhim.”
“I’m involved with someone else.” I turned my focus to the boxes and began taking out therapy equipment and placing it on thebed.
“Funny… The way you looked at him, I was sure you reciprocated hisinterest.”
“Reciprocated?”
“Um…yeah. Didn’t you know he had a thing for you in high school? You were one of the reasons we brokeup.”
