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Matthew drove his rental car while I navigated from the maps app on my phone. He waited until we were seated and had both ordered a beer before he asked about Jim.

“So that’s Jim,” he said. “He’s kind of protective.”

“I’ve never seen him act like that,” I defended. “I’m sure it didn’t help that you riled him up with the husband bit.”

My best friend smiled smugly. “That always works. But I will say I was impressed that he wasn’t threatened by us going out without him.”

“Well, it’s not like we’re dating.”

“Just feeling each other up on horseback rides?”

I felt my face heat. “Rude!”

Matthew winked. “How much longer does he have until he transfers back to his regular job?”

“Three weeks.” It felt like a lifetime.

Matthew studied my face. “You have feelings for him. I knew you had a crush, but your face says it’s something more.”

I looked around to make sure no one I knew was around, which was ridiculous because I didn’t know a lot of people and we were twenty minutes away from home.

“I think I’m falling in love with him,” I confessed. “Or maybe I already did.”

“Wow, that’s big.” He looked pleased with himself. “Although I’d suspected as much, with how much you talk about him.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, I just don’t know what I’m going to do about it.”

We paused to order food, then Matthew picked up the conversation right where we left off.

“Remember when I met Marlene and I was all like, I love her, but I don’t know if I can be what she needs, or if I’m ready for something serious again?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“You told me then that I was an idiot not to lock her down while I could,” he reminded me. “You pointed out that I was different with her than I was with you, and that true passion didn’t come around every day. You told me that if I had a second chance at love, I needed to grab it. Remember?”

I nodded. “That does sound vaguely familiar.”

“Great, then I’ll throw your advice back at you.”

I opened my mouth to respond, and he held up his hand and gave me a stern look.

“Your work excuse will be non-existent soon, and we both know your concern about the age difference is just another way to protect yourself and keep him at a distance. You’re a beautiful, loving woman who deserves to be happy, and Jim clearly has it bad for you. Either accept what this guy is offering you or let him go before he gets hurt.”

Jim

Ispent the entire evening brooding about Jordan going out with her ex-husband. It was weird the way she’d never mentioned that she’d been married. By now I thought we’d shared our life stories, but maybe not.

I’d never felt jealousy in my life, but tonight it was burning in my gut like acid. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to see her. I headed over to her apartment just before ten, hoping that she was home. Alone.

A light was shining through the drapes at the front of the apartment, which I took as a good sign. I rang the bell, then leaned against the door jam, trying to look casual. Jordan looked through the peephole, then opened the door wearing a tank top and baggy sleep shorts. Her red hair was in a messy bun on top of her head.

“This is how you open the door?” I asked. “Wearing that outfit?”

She crossed her arms underneath her breasts, which made her nipples press against the fabric. “Excuse me?”

I sighed.

“I mean, can I come in for a few minutes?” I looked over her shoulder. “If you’re alone, I mean.”