“I shouldn’t. Training and all of that,” she says. “But you should have one…. And maybe I’ll have a sip of yours.”

I smile back at her. I’ve had a good feeling about Olivia since that first time we spoke on the phone, but now I really like her. Weirdly, it also feels like I’ve known her a very long time. Maybe that’s because she’s related to Lainey, but I doubt it, given the very different feeling I had in Ashley’s living room.

Our waiter is in no rush to take our order, which seems to be normal here. I don’t mind, though. In fact, I like the feeling that nobody ever seems to be in a hurry or bothered. When he finally makes his way to our table, Olivia orders the risotto alla pescatora, and I go with the spaghetti alla posillipo, ordering in Italian. I also choose a glass of red wine.

“Good job,” Olivia says, giving me a thumbs-up.

Our eyes lock, and we both smile as butterflies invade my stomach.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“Sorry. I’m just a little nervous. I’m not sure why…. I guess because I haven’t told Lainey you’re here.”

Olivia bites her lip and nods. “I figured…. What does she think you’re doing right now?”

“I told her I was going for a walk…and possibly meeting up with this guy we all met….”

Olivia raises her eyebrows and smiles. “Oh?”

“Nothing like that…. I mean, he’s very cute…but no.”

She nods, then says, “Too soon?”

“I don’t think it’s that. The idea of a rebound is appealing,” I say. “It just wasn’t there, I guess. That spark.”

“How are you feeling generally? About the breakup?” Olivia asks.

“I’m doing surprisingly okay. I think it might be a different story when I get back home,” I say, my heart sinking at the thought. “But for now, I’m holding my own.”

“Have you heard from your ex?”

I shake my head and say, “No. And nothing from my mother, either.”

“Good,” she says. “But be careful of the stealth attack. They often come when you least expect it.”

I nod, then say, “Yeah. I dread going back to it all. I really wish I could just move away for good.”

“Why can’t you?”

“I don’t know…. Where would I go?”

“Um…literally anywhere—” She gives me a big, warm smile that reminds me of Lainey.

“True,” I say. “But in a way, that makes the idea of moving even more overwhelming.”

“I get that,” she says. “And I know your roots are in Atlanta. But if the tree is dying—” She makes a quick slashing motion that gives me a sense of what she must be like on a tennis court. “Maybe it’s time to cut it down.”

I nod, my stomach fluttering again.

“So. Where can you see yourself living? New York City?”

I shake my head and say, “No. Not another big city.”

She nods. “What about the West Coast?”

“Too far.”

“Too far from what?”

I smile. “Good point.”

“Have you spent any time in California?”

“A little. I went to a wedding in Napa once.” I hesitate, then say, “And Tyson and I went to Lainey’s hometown, Encinitas. We stayed at her mother’s house at the beach.”

Olivia nods, then quickly looks down, rearranging the napkin on her lap.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I shouldn’t have mentioned Lainey’s mother.”

“That’s okay,” she says, looking back up at me. “It is what it is.”

I nod and sigh. “Yeah. I guess so.”

“Is her mom still in California?”

I feel my shoulders tense, as I shake my head. “No. She died a few years ago.”

“Oh, shit. I didn’t know,” she says. “Poor Lainey.”

“Yeah,” I say. “They were very close. It was terrible…. But I probably shouldn’t be talking to you about that. I feel like it’s not my place to go there with Lainey’s life—”

“I understand,” she says.

“I mean, we can talk about your father—and your relationship with him—”

“Yes. I totally get the difference,” she says, nodding. “And you’re right.”

I smile, feeling relieved.

Olivia sighs, looking deep in thought, then points to my wine. “May I?”

“Of course. Help yourself.”

She picks up my glass, then takes a sip. “Hmm. That’s really good,” she says, putting the glass back down in front of me. “I may need to make an exception to my training rule.”

I smile, then push the glass to the middle of the table. “We can share this one.”

Olivia takes another sip before she says, “I’ve been thinking about my father a lot lately. I guess that’s no surprise, is it?”