For the first time in months, I felt as though I could breathe.
But when we separated, Daniel raised a finger.
“One more thing.”
“Here it comes.”
“If you ever hurt her, I’ll break your nose.”
I nodded solemnly.
“That’s fair.”
“And if you ever make me sit through a conversation about your romantic life, I’ll break both of your arms.”
“That’s less fair.”
“Life is complicated.”
I laughed.
And for the first time since everything had fallen apart, it felt as though my best friend might still be my best friend But there was one person I still needed to speak to.
Karen.
And I had no idea whether she would welcome me back.
The Woman Behind the Red Door
The following Saturday, I stood outside Second Chapter for nearly ten minutes before I finally gathered the courage to enter.
The little bell above the door chimed.
The bookstore smelled of fresh coffee, old paper, and polished wood.
