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“I wasn’t planning on sharing that information with him,” I confirm.

Bree shakes her head. “You always say honesty is the best policy. So if it doesn’t suit you, you’re not going to be honest?”

Damn her for using my own morals against me. She definitely knows how to hit home.

“If it doesn’t come up, I don’t need to bring it up. It was a lifetime ago.” I finish my wine and Maria leans over and fills my glass once more.

She winks at me. “Okay, okay enough. Let’s toast,” Maria suggests. Every dinner we share a toast. It’s tradition.

We each raise our glasses and Maria leads, “Here’s to you, here’s to me, if we disagree, fuck you, fuck me, we’re family!” We howl with laughter and take a sip. She always knows the right thing to say to get things back to normal. We discuss Maria’s newest show and the costumes involved. Kat is working on those. Then when Bree is nice and toasty from three glasses of wine, the three of us attack with talk about the fact that Bree is actually interested in Phillip.

I’m surprised by the information but excited. I can’t wait to match them up. She’d be a perfect stepmother for Anabelle and the little girl adores her. Phillip hasn’t been with anyone seriously since Angela. We all agree Phillip needs to get laid more than the four of us combined. It would definitely keep him from hounding me about Chase. I start devising a plan to get them in the same space. I decide to work with Maria on the finer details. If there ever was a schemer, it is her and she’s damn good at it.

After we clean up, all of the girls leave and Maria retires to her room. I look at the clock and realize it’s almost midnight. Shit! Chase asked me to call him. I head to my room, put on my pajamas and crawl into bed with my cellphone.

There’s a missed call from Chase and a text message waiting.

From: Chase Davis

To: Gillian Callahan

Haven’t heard from you. Call me, no matter the time.

The message he left doesn’t sound exactly chipper. I dial his number and he answers on the first ring. “Gillian,” he says in greeting but there’s a slight edge to his voice.

“Hi. I just got done with dinner and cleaning up.” He doesn’t say anything. “I’m sorry I couldn’t call you earlier.”

“I was worried.” He sounds different. Standoffish, but I can’t quite tell. This is our first real phone conversation.

“I’m sorry.” I wait and he sighs loudly into the phone. I pull on my hair and twirl the strands around my finger nervously.

“Were you with Phillip?” His tone is bored, monotone.

“What? No,” I respond, not sure why he’d think that. “Phillip dropped me off and left with Anabelle.”

“Where’s his wife?” The question surprises me and the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Is he seriously jealous of Phil?

“In San Francisco National Cemetery.” I say.

“He’s a widower? What happened?” I still don’t like his tone. It hints on accusing, and I’ve got nothing to say to him if that’s the case.

“Drunk driver hit her on her way home from work two years ago. She was killed instantly.” I swallow the lump in my throat, thinking of the beautiful blonde who was filled with life, taken away from all of us, especially Anabelle and Phillip, far too soon.

“I’m sorry.” Another long pause. He sighs deeply and shocks me with his next question. “You’re not in love with him?” His voice is a whisper and more telling than I expected from him.

I smile into the phone. “No Chase. But he is a part of my life. He’s my best friend, and his daughter is important to me.”

“I see.” That’s it. He sees? What does that even mean? God, he’s such an enigma. “When is your appointment to have your stitches removed?”

That was a peculiar transition from Phillip to my doctor’s appointment. “Friday morning.” I feel a tingle of anticipation. I pray he wants to see me this weekend.

“I’ll be there to pick you up at seven.”

“What? No, you don’t have to go to my doctor’s appointment. I’m not afraid,” I assure him.

“I didn’t say you were. I will pick you up Friday. Then after, do you have to go to work?” he asks.

“Yes,” He wants to take me to my doctor’s appointment. Butterflies start in my stomach and I lean back into my pillows and smile nervously.

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