Page 212 of Holding On To Good

“We’re friends,” Willow said, the refrain so automatic, it was out of her mouth before she realized it was no longer true.

Her throat tightened and she had to take another sip of Hayden’s coffee—and she hated black coffee.

“Yes, I’m well aware of the sanctity of your friendship with Urban,” Miranda said and this time, Willow found nothing amusing or impressive about her sarcastic tone. “It is a bond that is above all others. Unshakable. Unbreakable. Even if it means breaking another person’s confidence.”

“He wasn’t spilling secrets or gossiping. You know Urban’s a better person than that. Which is just one of the reasons why I don’t want him to get hurt. Again.”

“In that case, you’ll be relieved to know he’s safe from me. It’s been pointed out to me that I didn’t want Urban back so much as that I wanted to go back. Back to before I married Matt.” She sighed, her expression a cross between embarrassment and longing. “Everything was so simple then. I had everything I ever wanted but it wasn’t enough. I took it all for granted and then I let it slip away.”

Miranda’s words had Willow’s scalp prickling with unease.

And the niggling, nagging sensation that she’d done the same thing.

Except she hadn’t wanted more. Hadn’t wanted someone else.

She hadn’t let Urban slip away.

She’d pushed him away.

Another truth to shove aside. To ignore.

But this one wasn’t going anywhere.

Neither, it seemed, was Miranda.

“So you decided to stay in Mount Laurel to what?” Willow asked. “Turn back time?”

“No. I’m done living in the past. It’s not about going back. It’s about moving forward.”

“Be that as it may, I don’t think you and I working together in any capacity is a good idea. Try Shirley at Zandy Realty.”

Miranda stepped forward. “I’ve looked at several houses with Shirley already. I need someone who can see past what’s there, to what can be. Who can turn the house I choose into the exact home I want. I’ve seen your work on your website. Have been to several homes you’ve renovated and I realized that, as much as it pains me to admit—and as surprising as it is that you’re so good at home décor given your horrible fashion sense—what I need, who I need, is you.”

“Me and my horrible fashion sense are flattered,” Willow said flatly. “But we’re also unable—and by unable, I mean unwilling—to help you.” She gave Miranda a finger wave. “Buh bye now.”

Miranda took another step forward and reached out to hold the door open. But it wasn’t Miranda’s hand that prevented Willow from once again shutting the door in her face.

It was what she said.

“Matt left me.”

Realizing there was no way Willow was going to walk away after that statement, Miranda slowly lowered her arm. Grabbed a hold of her purse strap like it was a lifeline. “He left me,” she repeated. “For a twenty-two-year-old nanny. Which would be horribly cliché except she wasn’t our nanny—despite Matt trying to get me to agree to hire one for years. She works for one of the starting pitchers and his wife. Worked for, I should say, as she’s happily ensconced in my home with my husband living my life in which the only job requirement is to be beautiful, amiable and screw like a bunny.”

Willow winced and opened the door a little more. “I’m sorry.”

Miranda gave a humorless laugh. “Please. I’m sure you think it’s exactly what I deserve. Payback for how I treated Urban. Penance for my many sins.”

“Maybe,” Willow agreed. “A little. But the sympathy still stands.”

“Wonderful,” Miranda deadpanned. “Willow Kincaid feels sorry for me. My humiliation is now complete.”

“It does feel unnatural, doesn’t it? Quick, say something condescending, snide or just plain bitchy—you know, just be yourself—before I give into the urge to be nice to you.”

“Nice enough to help me find a house?”

“Yeah, let’s not go that far.”

“I’ve never owned anything,” Miranda said. “I went from my father’s house to Matt’s. I’ve never held a job. Never made my own money. Everything I’ve had for the past twelve years—my vehicles and jewelry, the food I ate and the clothes I wore—were purchased for me.”

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