Susan Mallery Page 0,44

over from her stress baking. “Probably. I’m happy to share, if you’d like. Brownies, or some cookies.”

“I might have to take you up on that.” She leaned back in her seat. “I used to be a great mom, back when I was married. There was more time. My ex isn’t a bad guy, but he’s busy with his new social life and sometimes Elijah isn’t as interesting to him as his hottie of the week.” She looked at Sunshine. “Are you married?”

“No. It would be difficult, given what I do.”

“You live in?”

Sunshine nodded.

Phoebe sighed. “A live-in nanny. That sounds like heaven. If I ever win the lotto, I’m so hiring a live-in nanny. And a masseuse. And a chef.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

The principal walked onto the stage and spoke into the microphone at the lectern. “Thank you so much for coming this afternoon. I’ll keep the meeting brief so you can all return to your busy lives.”

“Or lotto fantasies,” Phoebe whispered.

Sunshine held in a laugh. The other woman was really engaging. Pretty and funny with a kid Connor’s age. Maybe she and Declan could...

Sunshine hesitated, not sure exactly how to describe what they could be to each other. Declan had said he missed sex and Phoebe seemed nice. Not that it was her job to help him get laid, it was just...

Awkward, she told herself. She would keep her mouth shut and stay out of her boss’s personal life. Besides, for all his claim of it being too soon, she doubted Declan would be happy with a sex-only relationship. He’d admitted he was a more get-involved type. No doubt he would have the choice of anyone he wanted. He was a great guy—sexy and kind and sweet. Not that she was going there herself. She knew better. Sex with the boss would be a disaster. Great for the night, but really bad in the morning. Besides, she wanted something different. Something real and permanent and emotionally healthy.

Sunshine forced her attention back to the meeting and took a few notes for dates and times. She and Phoebe walked out together and promised to stay in touch. Sunshine had just made it to her car when she got a text. She glanced at the screen.

Thanks again for your help last week. The party was a big hit, as was the cake. I’ve asked twice and you’ve put me off, so this is my last attempt. Would you please join me for coffee?

She got into her car, but instead of starting the engine, she considered the invitation. On the surface Norris met her qualifications. He seemed stable, he had a job, he cared about his family and he was divorced, so not married. Why not go out with him? If nothing else, he would be practice. Her instinct was to always be that girl and it would take time to break the pattern.

She texted back a quick Coffee sounds great before pulling out of the parking lot and heading home. She had a date with a normal guy. It was a step in the right direction and therefore progress. So yay her.

Chapter Ten

Margot didn’t see Bianca all day Monday. Around nine-thirty in the morning she got a text from her client saying she was going to spend the day with Wesley. Margot had gotten up early to take a long run to help her think through what she wanted to talk about. Bianca bailing on her was a little disconcerting. She used the time to go check on her apartment, then spent the rest of the day revamping her action plan and, while Alec was helping a visiting scholar, had spent a glorious thirty minutes studying the incredible maps in his office.

Bianca had been on edge while waiting for Wesley and once he’d arrived, things had only gotten worse. The four drinks in less than an hour was a problem, as was the biting tone. For nearly two weeks Bianca had been engaged, funny and easy to work with. Sunday night it had all gone to hell. So why? Margot understood being nervous, but that should have faded fairly quickly. No one was there to judge her or try to make her uncomfortable. But something had happened and until Margot figured out what, she wasn’t going to make any progress.

Close to six o’clock, she got up and stretched. She was stiff from too much sitting, she thought. She wasn’t hungry enough to want dinner and reading a book was too much like