Internal Fixation - Tawdra Kandle Page 0,20

night. A girl has to keep her parts in working order, after all.”

“My parts are just fine, thanks,” I snapped back. “And they don’t need a man at the moment.” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I know you’re mostly teasing, Jenny, but I have a hard time as it is remembering why Noah and I don’t make sense. I don’t need any pressure to make me second-guess that.”

“Okay.” She looked as though she wanted to say something else, but instead, she pressed her lips firmly together. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but she was coming perilously close to making me think about things I didn’t dare consider right now.

“I love you, Jen. And I love that you’re worried about me. It’s good to have someone to care about my happiness and my love life or lack thereof. Just let me navigate this my way for now, okay? When—if—I feel like I’m ready to date again, I promise, you’ll be the first to know.”

4

Emma

I’d been a football fan since I was a little girl, watching the Philadelphia games with my dad in our living room or sometimes even going to the stadium, if Dad had time. When I was in junior high, one of my father’s patients was the wife of the team’s assistant coach. She recovered fully from her battle with breast cancer, and thereafter, we had a standing invitation to request tickets for any home game. It was pretty sweet.

But attending a game in Philadelphia, even as a guest of the assistant coach, was nothing like being at the Tampa stadium in the box that hosted the players’ families. I stood near the bar, holding my second glass of wine, a vague smile pasted on my face in case anyone happened to look my way. I didn’t know a soul here, and I felt awkward, self-conscious and utterly out of place.

Noah’s parents hadn’t arrived yet—he’d texted me this afternoon that their flight had been delayed, thanks to a snowstorm in Madison. Jenny had dropped me off at the stadium about an hour ago, after our amazing dinner at Nico’s restaurant. Thanks to the package of credentials that Noah had sent me in the middle of the week, I didn’t have any problems getting into the stadium through the entrance noted in the instructions, and a very helpful assistant had ushered me onto a private elevator that whisked us upstairs.

“You’re one of the early birds today, but don’t worry,” he’d told me cheerfully. “The first round of food should be out any minute, and the bar is open. Make yourself comfortable. Enjoy the game!”

I’d managed an answering grin. “Thanks for your help. Can I ask one quick question? How’s the wifi coverage up here? I’d like to watch the SportsDay pregame show.”

“The wifi is excellent, but if you go in here, we have a huge screen, and I can set the station to show SportsDay.” He pointed to a small hallway off the main space. “It may be showing on the game screens in the cocktail area, too, but in just a little while, this space will be full and loud. It’s quieter to watch it over here.”

He was right. I’d settled into a chair and watched with keen interest as the reporter for SportsDay asked Noah probing questions about how he was dealing with grief in the aftermath of his wife’s death.

They showed a montage of photos of the couple, with pictures dating back to their early years of high school and extending to their move to Florida. I was glad that the woman interviewing Noah made sure to mention Angela’s career as a blogger and influencer on social media. One of Angela’s sisters had taken over the role, and although she lacked some of the original sparkle and verve, she was doing her best to continue the message.

They spoke extensively about the foundation and what Noah hoped to accomplish in his wife’s memory. Overall, the entire piece was tasteful, thoughtful and well-done. I was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when she asked one last question.

“Noah, I realize it’s only been a year since Angela passed away, and I know you’re still mourning her loss and missing her every day.”

Noah nodded. “That’s true. I do. I’ll never stop loving Angela.”

“Oh.” The reporter blinked rapidly, as though he’d moved her to near-tears. “That’s so sweet. But I do have to point out that you’re a young man. Have you given