“It’s not that I think you should go on a date, but I know for a fact you both have unresolved issues.”

“And what would that issue be, Shayla? That he broke my fucking heart! There’s not much left to say.” Raising her glass in a cheers fashion, she pounded what remained of her Cosmo.

“Carrie Ann Lowell, you know how much I love you. I was the one sitting by your side and I know exactly how hurt you were.” Shayla squared her shoulders. Tears gathered at her lower lid, bringing a glossy shimmer to her eyes. “But as your best friend, I’m telling you…the two of you have unfinished business.”

She blinked repeatedly, stunned by Shayla’s raised voice.

“You’re both so stubborn—”

“I am not stubborn.” She made a face.

“You’re worse than he is!” Shayla’s eyes bulged in mock disagreement. “Honestly, Carrie Ann, you’re the most tenacious person I’ve ever met.”

She grimly conceded the point with a brief nod. Dabbing at the lingering wetness beneath her lashes, Carrie Ann extended her empty martini as a truce, giving it a wiggle. “I take it back. Can we please not talk about him anymore? I don’t need him ruining another one of my birthdays.”

Taking pity, Shayla raised to her feet and confiscated the glass. Her deep sigh confirmed the tabled subject. “You still up for going out or do you want to order in? Or are you upset with me now, too?”

“I never get mad at you. Let’s order in. Drink Cosmos. Have a girl’s night. Wanna sleep over like old times?”

“I’m sure Nanna and Pappa won’t mind. The boys will be asleep by the time I get home anyway.” Shayla’s voice trailed off as the mixing of the pink cure-all commenced.

Carrie Ann’s head listed to the side, numbly inspecting the gorgeous bouquet from the safety of the corner of the sofa. The sting of emotions pricked the corner of her eyes. Her fingers wobbled a little, stealing a single rose from the bunch. She massaged the tip of a dewy petal between her fingers, daring to bring it to her nose for a whiff. So many memories. So much hurt. So many unanswered questions. All held in the solitude of single red rose.

Chapter Three

‡

After an evening of Cosmos, girl talk, and a trip or two down memory lane, the morning greeted her with a fresh perspective. Carrie Ann likened Ryan Summer to her favorite dress from high school hanging in the back of her closet. The Boho chic peasant dress put a smile on her face every time she stumbled across it. It taunted her to slip the chiffon over her head, fasten a wide leather belt around the waist, and throw on her combat boots. The multi print had always been her most beloved dress and nothing she ever did could change that. Deep down, she knew she’d never wear that damn dress again, yet she held onto it thinking ‘maybe, just maybe, I’ll wear it again someday.’

Waiting for Sara to arrive at the Villa, she settled into one of a dozen outdoor chaises. Little waves fanned across the top of her coffee as Carrie Ann blew on the rich creamy goodness. Staring out at the ocean in a trance, she debated on whether to cancel going to the premier.

“Morning.” Sara greeted cheerfully, handing off a beautifully wrapped rectangular box. “I swung by the office to pick up my handy dandy measuring tape and this was lying on your desk.”

“Shit,” she grumbled, giving a jiggle to the box assuming it to be chocolates.

“Looks like Jason is working some extra sweetness.”

“I don’t think it’s from Jason.”

“Ooh! Who’s the mystery man?”

Momentarily shunning the card, Carrie Ann strummed her fingers along the box. “It’s probably from Ryan.”

“Ryan?” Sara tilted her head in a questioning manner, brown eyes wide with interest.

“Ryan Summer.”

“Oh my God! Are you kidding me? Open the card!” On the verge of drooling, Sara anxiously rubbed her hands together. Putting herself in a business-like check, she suggested calmly, “I mean, don’t you think you should open the card?”

Somehow Carrie Ann’s lower lip managed to slip between her teeth. A lethal concoction of anger, irritation and pain brewed deep within. To her own disbelief a pang of interest knocked a little lower within Fuck! Fuckity-fuck! She chewed on her lip for a full thirty seconds before opening the card.

Just a little snack for you to enjoy during your busy day

Glad the Villa worked out perfectly

Looking forward to seeing it decked out for the Auction

Jason

“Thank God.” A sigh of relief burned from her throat, handing the card off to Sara.

“Oh, man.” Sara’s shoulders slumped in utter disappointment. “I mean, you know, Jason’s cute and all, but…Ryan! Now he’s a total hottie. Do you actually know him?”

“We dated in college.”

Ignoring Sara’s squeals of enthusiasm and barrage of questions, she drifted off into her own thoughts. A numbing ache of disenchantment settled heavy in her chest. She thought for sure it would be from Summer. Worse yet, somewhere hidden in the dusty corners of her heart, Carrie Ann wanted them to be from him. But just the idea of that tiny admission infuriated her.

“Did you say you brought a measuring tape?”

Sara stopped mid-sentence. The off-limits subject duly noted with a nod of affirmation as she handed off the yellow tape.

The day went off with only a few minor hitches. Carrie Ann and Sara executed a minute by minute dry run of the event, creating a list, and then backtracking every task, so no detail would slip through the cracks.

Fatigue set in at the end of the day. Walking through the front door, she was greeted with a rich floral fragrance. Ignoring the gorgeous bouquet, Carrie Ann plopped her purse and box of chocolates beside the clear crystal vase.

Kicking out of her flats, she turned on some music, grabbed a glass of red wine, settled into her favorite overstuffed chair, and dug into her little brown bag of dinner-to-go. With each passing minute, the melody faded to background noise. Carrie Ann attempted to ignore the red roses staring her in the face. Hostility grew with each bite of lemongrass chicken. Half way through one of her favorite meals, she stood, slamming her fork and bowl on the kitchen counter.

Her nails clicked against the cold granite. She couldn’t decide who she was madder at, Summer or herself for allowing him to get under her skin. Fuck! Fuckity-fuck! Hormonal outburst kicked into full swing, pacing with punishing strides, stomping on the wood floor.

Reaching for the chocolates, she tore open the box, sinking her teeth into the caramel filled square of dark chocolate. Frustration loomed over her like a black cloud…a black cloud during a Summer downpour.

She needed an out.

Without so much as one rational thought, she grabbed her phone.

“Hello.”

“Hey,” she choked a bit, swallowing the sweet treat. “Sorry, I was just taking a bite of chocolate.”

“I was hoping you’d see them before the weekend.” A smile colored Jason’s voice. An unmistakable question hid within his statement.

“Luckily, Sara spotted them on my desk this morning and brought them with her to the Villa. They’re delicious. Thank you.” She kept her tone smooth, not overly coy, but just enough of an indication.

“It’s my pleasure. Have you had a chance to look at your schedule?” he paused. “Maybe go to dinner tomorrow night?”

Tommy would be upset if she backed out of the premier. However, the last thing she wanted to endure was the sight of a piece of arm candy attached to Summer’s side, while she watched from the sidelines—dateless—looking like a lonely idiot.

Desperate times lead to desperate measures.

“Actually, I have an extra ticket to a movie premier tomorrow night.” She stumbled through her words. “I need a friend to go with me. Are you interested?”