“Hell if I know, cupcake. But that isn’t my question to answer. That’s on you. For right now, why don’t you try to figure out what it’s going to take to accept your sister’s help fixing up that house that hasn’t seen a fresh coat of paint in at least ten years. Seems like a good place to start. Because I think your issue is being indecisive. You would drive me out of my mind with that.”
“I don’t mean to be indecisive,” she said. “I just want to be sure.”
“Like I said, that would drive me crazy. I’m much too busy to wait around on someone like you, being sure.”
“Don’t you ever make a mistake?”
“Sure I do, but I’d rather redo a mistake than spend days on end waffling. Lord, I do hate waffling.”
“I think I’ve made that a habit...”
“We have a time management workshop. I suggest you fit it in your schedule because you have a special case. You are quick and efficient in this office, but I think when it comes to things to do for yourself, you just can’t make up your mind. And that’s going to rob you of the happiness you’ve earned.”
* * *
Adele took what Ross said to her to heart. The older woman was right. When Adele needed to do her job, serve the clients in the office who needed her help, she never hesitated. When it came to deciding what she wanted for herself, she felt confused and sluggish.
Inexplicably, she found herself parked in front of the house that had once belonged to her professor. Maybe it still did belong to him, but he was now divorced. She was just giving herself a memory check—that had been a terrible day. He’d sent her off with instructions to have an abortion, promised he was getting a divorce and then she’d seen him with his wife.
And now, as if history was repeating itself, she saw Hadley coming out of the house. He was wearing biking shorts and a fitted shirt, carrying his helmet. He walked around the side of the house and came back steering two bikes with his hands. In just a moment, a beautiful blonde woman came out of the house wearing biking attire, as well. She waved to the kids and a teenage babysitter, then claimed one of the bikes, put on her helmet and off they went.
Adele wasn’t positive, but that woman looked like his wife, the same one she had seen about eight years ago. He wasn’t divorced at all. Didn’t he know she would find out eventually? Had she given in to his advances, it would have been very soon. But why was he pursuing her so ardently? Why was he so contrite and apologetic about their affair and its damages? What was going through his head? Was he simply a predator, going after as many young college women as he could fit in his schedule? It made no sense!
For a moment she wanted to follow them, maybe pull up alongside and ask, “Do you know what your husband does for sport?” Would Mrs. Hutchinson appreciate the tip or was she happy with her denial?
And why do I care? Adele asked herself.
Because she wanted the real thing. She wanted it to sparkle, and when the sparkle ceased to glitter, she wanted it to be secure. She wanted to trust a man who was worthy of trust. At one time she had thought the classy, sophisticated professor had whatever that was, but it had been a sham. Maybe she was too young and inexperienced; maybe he was just that good. He was, in the end, the naked emperor.
She watched them ride away and thought she was very lucky that hadn’t gone according to her plans. It could have been a long and painful relationship.
Her only regret was losing her baby.
* * *
“I’d like to meet you for a drink,” Logan said over the phone to Justine. “Maybe that little pub called Sheep Herder’s in Half Moon Bay. I wouldn’t bother you, but I have to tell you something.”
“Are you breaking up with me?” she asked, half kidding. The other half had been thinking no one was