Page 3 of Follow My Heart

Violet used the scoop to make the ice cream smoother before she handed it to me.

“Will I see you around?” I made a show of licking the ice cream, and Violet’s eyes heated then she blinked, and the moment was broken.

She waved a hand at the line that had only grown longer while we stood and talked. “As you can see, I’m busy.”

I flashed her a grin. “It’s a good thing my daughter loves ice cream.”

Before Violet could respond, I followed my words up with a wink, then took off to find Daphne and the girls. By the time I joined them, Izzy was done with hers, and Daphne was already wiping her hands with the napkins.

“Can we play on the playground?” Izzy asked, and Daphne said, “If Faith goes with you.”

“Come on,” Faith said, and the girls took off at a run.

I followed their movements, making sure they made it to the playground. I kept one eye on them while they played. I’d seen things in my job, things I’d never share with Daphne, but I worried about their safety.

When the girls were gone, Daphne gestured at Violet’s ice-cream stand. “What was that?”

I shifted on my feet. “Just catching up with an ex.”

Daphne’s eyes flashed. “An ex you dated as a kid.”

“We were married, Daphne. I think it counts.” I kept my voice serious, happy to keep up the charade that Violet and I had been serious, even though we were silly kids.

Daphne sighed. “I’m glad you’re feeling good enough to flirt. But does it have to be with my friend?”

“Shouldn’t you be happy that I’m attempting to move on?” I wasn’t even sure that’s what I was doing. I saw Violet, and my baser instincts took over.

Daphne sighed. “I just don’t want her to get hurt. She’s been through some things, and she deserves someone who’s not on the rebound.”

My heart twinged at the idea that I was damaged goods and not good enough for Violet. “I dated her long before you were friends with her.”

Daphne leaned in to hiss, “I don’t think dating in second grade counts.”

I shook my head. “It was harmless flirting. I’m not ready to start dating again.”

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to start over, but Violet’s looking for the fairy tale. She wants to get married and have kids. I don’t want her to get hurt.”

“Don’t date your friend. Got it.” I licked the apple-pie ice cream, the coolness refreshing on a hot day. But my gaze was on Violet. I hadn’t been interested in anyone since before I met Stacy.

I watched Violet interact with customers, her grin wide as she greeted each one. “I’m not in any shape to consider dating or marriage again.”

Daphne’s gaze was sympathetic. “You’ll get there eventually.”

“Faith’s my first priority. I have no intention of getting involved with anyone.” I probably had some baggage to go through before I was ready to date again.

Daphne nudged my shoulder with hers. “How are you holding up with everything?”

“I’m hanging in there.”

“Did you try and work things out with Stacy?”

I shoved my hands in my pockets, hating feeling like the failure I was. “I offered to go to counseling, but Stacy didn’t want to fix things.”

“There’s nothing you can do if she’s not interested in reconciling.”

“If I’m being honest with myself, our relationship was strained for a while. I thought distance would make things better. But it only highlighted how bad our relationship had gotten.” I let out a breath. “She discouraged me from visiting my family.”

“I’d never keep Cole from his family and vice versa. And look how we started out— The Calloways and Monroes didn’t get along.”

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