Page 21 of The Summer House

“Slow. Really slow. I think they’re hoping to entice me into staying here, but that’s not going to happen.”

Mandy nodded sympathetically. “How are you doing?”

It was more than a casual question. It hadn’t been all that long since Cassie had walked in on her fiancé and roommate doing the wild thing. What was it about men and other women?

“Okay. Some days are easier than others. I’m working hard, which helps me forget. Maybe it will all crash in on me when I’m at the beach and don’t have as many distractions.”

“Maybe you’ll find out that you didn’t care about him as much as you thought.”

“I can only hope.” Cassie sighed. “Okay, enough about my pathetic life. What’s going on there?”

Mandy didn’t know what to say. How to explain the past few hours of her life.

“Oh, Mandy, it’s not Eva, is it? Has something happened?”

“No. She’s fine. At least she was a couple of days ago. I talked with Daisy, her foster mother, and she’s enjoying the summer.”

“Then what?”

“I’m stupid.”

“That’s not how I think of you, but okay.”

Despite everything, Mandy smiled. “You weren’t supposed to agree.”

“But how could I help myself?” She chuckled. “Never mind. Why do you think you’re stupid?”

“I had lunch with Rick.”

The pause on Cassie’s end was oddly satisfying, Mandy thought.

“Rick?” Cassie said, sounding stunned. “Your ex-husband Rick?”

“Uh-huh. He lives in Santa Barbara now, and when Jo found out I was coming up here, she suggested we get together.”

“How was it?”

Mandy found herself blinking away unexpected tears. “I don’t know. At first it was great, but then everything sort of fell apart. I don’t know what Jo was thinking. It’s been eight years. Why would she want us to see each other? I guess she thought we had unfinished business or something, but as far as I’m concerned, it should have stayed unfinished.”

No way was she going to mention that they’d made love.

“You sound angry,” Cassie said.

“I am, which is crazy. I don’t exactly know why, but I have a strong desire to start throwing things.”

“Feel free to toss the couch. For the past three years I’ve been telling my folks we need to replace it.”

Despite everything, Mandy smiled. “I’m not sure I could. It looks big.”

“Suit yourself.” Cassie cleared her throat. “Here’s the thing. And you’re not going to like it.”

“I already don’t.”

Cassie laughed. “Listen first, complain later. Okay?”

“Sure.”

“There’s too much energy there, Mandy. Whatever happened between you and Rick should have been over a long time ago. The fact that he can push your buttons means that you’re still connected in some way. Jo was right. You did need to see Rick so you could figure that out.”

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