“You are quite welcome, and as soon as you write another one, I’ll be ready to read that one, too.”

“Actually, I’ve already started outlining it but still need to think it through a little more.”

“Well, whenever you finish, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“I called my mom when I was driving here, and she sounded prouder than I’ve ever heard her. And JT was ecstatic.”

“I can only imagine. And what about your dad? Because I know he’s been wanting this for you for a very long time.”

“I was going to call him, but I decided I would wait and tell him in person later today.”

“Gosh. I should go over there with you, just so I can see the look on his face. I’m sure it will be priceless because I don’t think I’ve ever met any man who cherishes his daughter the way Dad Curtis cherishes you.”

“I know.”

“Which reminds me,” Melanie said, after eating some of her cream of mushroom soup. “Why were you so upset with him?”

Alicia sighed and relaxed farther into her chair. She wanted to tell Melanie everything, but she just didn’t think she could do it. She would tell her parts of it, though. “I never told you this, but my dad was never happy about my marrying JT.”

Melanie looked at her but didn’t seem shocked.

“What?” Alicia said.

“Nothing really, but when we were at the rehearsal dinner and at the wedding, it was pretty obvious that your father wasn’t very happy. I mean, he didn’t seem angry or sad, but he also didn’t seem excited or like he approved of JT.”

“Well, if you picked up on that, I’m sure other people did as well.”

“Why doesn’t he like him?”

“I think it’s mainly because he loved Phillip and can’t see having any other man as his son-in-law,” she said, knowing this wasn’t even close to being true.

“That’s too bad.”

“It really is. Because I love both my father and my husband. But if my father keeps refusing to accept him, then I won’t be seeing my father very much anymore.”

“Maybe you should talk to him.”

“I have, but the last time we spoke, all we did was argue.”

“Maybe all your dad needs is some time. Maybe once he sees how in love you and JT are with each other and how well JT treats you, he’ll eventually be okay with everything.”

“Maybe.”

“It’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

Alicia wished she could be sure of that, but she wasn’t. Not when her father kept insisting that JT was no earthly good and was only going to hurt her in the long run. Not if he ever found out about the supposed murder investigation JT had been involved in regarding the death of his first wife.

But Alicia wouldn’t breathe a word of that to Melanie. Instead, she would pretend that life with JT couldn’t have been better.

“Well, regardless of what my father thinks, I really couldn’t have asked for a better husband, Mel. He showers me with gifts, and he never complains about anything I do. And best of all, JT is faithful to me. He loves and honors me, and that’s all I expect.”

“You’re really blessed to have him.”

“I know, and I’m very thankful. I mean, I was blessed to have Phillip as well and I loved him, but with JT, I get to love him and live in peace. I never have to yell and scream with him or hear him criticizing my spending habits the way Phillip did.”

“But do you ever think about him?” Melanie asked right when the waitress walked over to them.

“Can I take this?” the twentysomething, exceptionally tall young woman asked Alicia.

“Yes, please.”

“And yours?” she said to Melanie.

“Yes.”

“Is there anything else I can get either of you?”

“No, I think we’re fine,” Melanie said.

“Yes, we’re good,” Alicia added.

“Your entrées should be ready shortly,” the woman said, and strutted away.

“So, back to my question,” Melanie continued. “Do you?”

“Sometimes. But why do you ask?”

“I just wondered because I know you were so in love with him, and he certainly still…”

“He still what?”

“Nothing.”

“Mel?”

“Really, it’s nothing.”

“Come on, Mel. Phillip still what?”

“He still loves you, Alicia, but I’m so sorry for letting that slip. You know I love Phillip like a brother and always will, but I would never try to undermine the love you and JT have together. I respect your marriage, and you know I’m very happy for you.”

“Did he actually tell you that?”

“Sort of.”

“Meaning?”

“He did.”

“When?”

“He was here in town the day after you got married. He delivered the morning message at your dad’s church.”

“Really? My dad never told me that.”

“Well, he was here, and then afterward, he and Brad and I went to dinner.”

“So, how is he?”

“He’s fine.”

“And his mom?”

“She’s fine, too.”

“I think about her from time to time because she was always so wonderful to me.”

“She’s definitely a great lady.”

“So, how did you guys get on the subject of Phillip and how he feels about me?”

“Well, it wasn’t like it was planned. We were talking and out of nowhere, Phillip asked me how the wedding was and I told him it was nice.”

“Then what?”

“He said he was happy for you and that he hoped JT loved you as much as he still did.”

Alicia’s heart sank. After all this time, she still felt bad about the way things had turned out between her and Phillip. It was one thing for them to end their marriage because of how terribly they’d gotten along, but it was another for her to have had an outside affair and run up his credit cards without his knowing it. Now, on top of that, Melanie was telling her the man still loved her.

The waitress set down their entrées, both of which consisted of stuffed flounder, potatoes, and sautéed vegetables, and then she walked away.

Alicia sliced some of her fish with her fork. “Sometimes I feel just awful when I think about the way I hurt Phillip. He had his faults but what I did to him was the worst.”

“We all make mistakes,” Melanie said, chewing some of her spinach. “And the good news is, he doesn’t hate you for it.”

“Still, I just wish he could find someone like I have, fall in love, and be happy.”

“I’m sure he will, but it’s only been a year since you guys separated, and I don’t think he’s interested in finding anyone else just yet.”

“Well, I wish he would, because he really is a good man, and he would make some woman a great husband.”

“I never should have brought this up, and I’m really sorry.”

“It’s not a problem at all. Plus, best friends are supposed to tell each other everything, right?”

Melanie smiled. “I guess. But your life is with JT now, and that’s all that should matter.”

“I’m sure Brad couldn’t care less one way or the other,” Alicia said, referring to Melanie’s boyfriend, but Melanie didn’t say anything. “He still hates me, doesn’t he?”

“He doesn’t hate you. He just doesn’t like what happened between you and Levi. I mean, he and Phillip have been extremely close since childhood, and it killed him to see Phillip in so much pain.”

“I guess. But maybe one day, he’ll be able to forgive me.”

“I’m sure he will.”

“So, are you guys thinking more about marriage?”

“We talk about it a lot more than we used to.”

“Well, you’ve been dating for two years, so what’s the holdup?”

“We just want to be sure.”

“Sure of what?”

“Sure that we want to settle down and be with one person for the rest of our lives. We love each other but forever is a very long time.”

“So, are you saying you’re okay with waiting just as much as Brad is?”

“Yeah, I’m fine with it. We enjoy our time together. We’re loyal to each other. We’re completely happy with our relationship.”

“Well, as long as you’re both okay with it.”

“We are.”

Alicia and Melanie chatted awhile longer about Melanie’s parents, the master’s degree in nursing she was very close to completing, and how she was considering going back to school full-time to be an anesthesiologist. Alicia had no desire to go back to school, especially for multiple years, but she could definitely see Melanie doing it. She would do fine and she had no debt, so she would be okay financially, too. Alicia also realized that maybe Melanie’s desire to become a doctor was the reason she wasn’t pushing the idea of getting married.