Was she? “I’m…figuring that out myself.”

“Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.”

That seemed to be his theme. Time to focus on him. “And how was your day?”

“My day…well, as it happens, I have good news and bad news.”

“Again? That seems to be your daily report. I do not like bad news, not anyone’s bad news.” Her throat began closing, her voice quiet. Even ten years later, the words instilled fear.

“Jenny, shh…not to worry. It’s professional, not personal.”

Didn’t matter. Her adrenaline surged anyway. Bad news meant all her senses on alert. “Okay, I’m ready.”

“I heard from my agent friend today. I’d sent him a novel a month ago.”

“A novel? You mean a regular story—a book—and not a play?”

“Yeah.”

“He didn’t like it? That’s so hard to believe. You come up with such powerful ideas…powerful work.”

“Oh, he loved the storyline.”

“But…?”

“Said it should have been a play. Seventy percent of the book was dialogue. And the other thirty, he said, sounded like I was bossing everyone around. Sitting, standing, shoving.”

Jen started to laugh, then giggle. “Huh! Guess that big playwriting residency didn’t make much of an impression on you. The first time you’re on your own, you choose to write a novel! A novel that’s really a play. Too funny, Doug, weird and funny. I guess you are who you are.”

He sighed dramatically. “I think you’re right. But it was worth the effort just to hear you laugh. Love that laugh.”

Too personal. “So what are you going to do with that story now?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to take my friend’s advice and rewrite it. Writing is rewriting most of the time anyway.”

“With your other jobs, it sounds like you’ll be busy twenty-four seven. Maybe that’s best — for both of us.” She couldn’t deny the feelings he’d reawakened in her, but she wasn’t ready. Time and space suited her. “I’ll say goodnight now.”

She disconnected.

Not a second later she heard a ding. A text from the failed novelist. “Sorry to spoil your plan, Jenny. On my To-Do list, you are Number One.”

#

“Didn’t Lisa tell you?” asked Mike over the phone.

“I guess not.”

“Luis is picking up the boys at the airport tomorrow and bringing them home.

You’re off the hook for once.”

Mike’s driver was like part of the family, but not usually around too much in the off-season. “Then I’ll meet you at the house,” said Jen. “I want to see my brothers.”

“That’s up to you. But you’re screwing up a Friday night...uh…with your friends.”

“What?”

“Go out. Have fun.”

Since when…? “What’s this all about? I’m with my friends often enough. You’re talking to good old Jenny here. And you do not sound like good old Mike.”

“Big-brother Mike is talking now. You need to have more fun. And the Brennan-Delaney clan is not going to screw it up for you this time around.”

She sucked back both her tears and laughter. Her thoughts swirled. This time around? Could they know the real reason she stayed five years ago? She’d made a strong effort hide her pain and confusion. Even Lisa hadn’t asked too many questions—just accepted that Doug needed to be in New York. And maybe, with all that was happening between her and Mike at the time, she preferred Jen at home, too.

“But you’re all my family!” Jen protested. “Nothing’s more important. You’re doing Lisa’s dirty work, aren’t you? She’s behind this ridiculous conversation.”

“If it’s dirty work, then we’re both involved—Lisa and I.”

“I-I don’t understand, but I’m not going to make a fuss now. You guys still have a full house to handle, including an itty-bitty baby and a three-year-old.” She

thought about the twins, and Emily’s concert on Saturday, plus Lisa and Mike’s careers. Lisa’s legal practice needed her hands-on involvement. It was a lot. “If it will make you both happier to think I’m…socializing, then fine. But this conversation is not over.”

“Agreed. And one more thing, Jen. Bring Doug to visit us whenever you want.”

Doug. Now she clearly understood the motivation behind this discussion. First up, though, she needed to change the mood. “You and Lisa can take off your hair shirts,” she said. “The past is all on me.”

##

On Friday evening, Jen made her way to the lobby of her office building to meet her friends and spotted Doug among them. She didn’t recall inviting him, but wasn’t too surprised. He’d felt welcomed the week before and “people-person”

Doug probably assumed he was now part of the group.

A wide smile lit up his face when she approached, and she felt herself smile back, her doubts beginning to dissolve as she was drawn to his warmth. He hurried toward her and wasted no time planting a kiss on her mouth—as though he had the right.

“Slow down, cowboy. You’re way ahead of me.”

“I always was…always circled back to let you catch up.”

Was that true? “Tortoise and the hare?” she joked. She’d think about the implications later.

“Didn’t matter,” he replied, “since we were heading in the same direction.” He paused, his brown eyes darkening, turning solemn. “It seems I’ve circled back again.”

“Your choice,” she whispered, avoiding his gaze.

“Hey, Jennifer!” She glanced up to see Alexis and Liz waving.

“A lucky save,” said Doug, smiling at the newcomers. “Where’s the rest of the crew?”