answer it the best you can. I need to know everything.”
Monica came back in the room and sat in a chair across from the couch. “What’ve you got there, Ian?”
He held the papers against his chest. “This is Aubrey’s questionnaire to figure out why she’s been unlucky in love. I’m supposed to dissect our relationship.”
Aubrey looked at her shoes and blushed.
“So, why did you leave her, Ian? She’s cute.”
Aubrey popped up from the couch. “I’m going to leave you two alone. Ian, just mail that to me as soon as you can. I know you’re busy with the new baby and all. And the wife. And the nookie.”
“Don’t let him fool you, Aubrey. There’s not too much of that these days,” Monica said through clenched teeth.
“Well, I’m sure he’s a great father. You’re lucky. I always considered Ian the one that got away.” Aubrey darted toward the door and could swear she heard Monica stifling a laugh.
“You didn’t even eat lunch!” Ian called after her.
But she wouldn’t be able to eat their favorite meal. Her stomach was too upset for that. That stupid saying about time healing wounds? It wasn’t true. There should be another saying about seeing your ex and his new family and having it sear a hole in your heart, cavernous and cold enough to store all the extra Lean Cuisines you buy when they’re on sale. She was a bargain shopper by heart, and old habits die hard, even when you find out you’re worth millions.
***
After grabbing a burger and fries at the drive through, Aubrey sat in the parking lot to regroup. The day was still young, her hair still look good, and five men remained on her list. When The Rolling Stones came on the radio, she belted out the words to Start Me Up and put her confidence back where it belonged, even though her heart was still out of place after seeing Ian and his new life.
Tilting the rear-view mirror, she freshened up her lipstick. Who should she call next? She narrowed her eyes. Who would put Ian out of her mind? “Dane Coleman,” she said to herself in a breathy voice, then smacking her lips. The hottest guy she’d ever dated. After checking her notes, she dialed the construction company he was working for and crossed her fingers.
Her pitch dropped down to her receptionist voice. “Is Dane Coleman in?” she asked the receptionist.
“He’s out at the jobsite, can I take a message?”
Aubrey summoned her urgent, important voice. “Um, yes. This is his veterinary office calling. We really, really need to speak with him about his dog’s procedure.” Schools and vets—Aubrey always patched them through, no questions asked.
“His dog? He’s got a cat.”
“Oh, yes. Silly me. I thought it was one of those little yippy dogs that look like a cat. How can I get in touch with him? It is quite important.”
“Oh, of course. Let me give you his cell number. Hopefully, he’ll answer”
Aubrey wrote down the number. “Say, is he working on that the project I’ve seen over on Newbury Street?”
“No, the one on Fairfield Street.”
“Ah, yes. Thanks.” Aubrey hung up, and decided to go right to the source and visit Dane at work before her makeup started getting cakey.
After pulling her hair back the way Dane liked it—then letting it down because screw him, he did dump her after all—Aubrey made her way to the site.
She parked across the street from the construction site and spotted a worker leaving the port-a-potty. “Hi, there. Do you know where Dane Coleman is?”
The man took his time looking her up and down and offered his hand. “I’m Dane Coleman. How can I do you? I mean, what can I do for you?”
“You’re not Dane. I used to date him. Can you tell me where he is?”
“That lucky S.O.B. He doesn’t deserve women like you.” The man shrugged and grinned. “Can’t blame me for trying.” He pointed to a trailer by the parking lot. “Should be in there.”
“Thanks!” she shouted over the beeping of a truck in reverse. She walked over to the trailer and took a deep breath before she knocked.
The door swung open and Dane’s eyes widened. Then he blinked. “Aubrey?”
She waved at him. “Hi, Dane. Can I come in for a minute?”
He scrunched his eyebrows then shrugged. “Uh, sure. Just for a minute, I’m expecting the electrical crew soon.”
She followed him into the tiny mobile office. “How have you been?”
“Good. Real good. And you?” He walked back behind his desk.
“Great!