Page 10 of The Rebound Plan

I don’t ask if that’s only because she’s driving, or if it’s related to the fact that her and Jenson are trying to get pregnant.

She reads my mind anyway. “My period arrived this morning. This is only because I’m being a responsible driver.”

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.” I squeeze her hand.

“Oh no, we were tryingnotto do it this month. Nine months from now would be right in the middle of…” She knocks on her easel. “Playoffs,” she mouths.

“Do you know how many babies show up between April and June every year? I swear, NHL players get all their sperm out of their system in the summer. But you’re smart. Another month, and you’ll pretty safely be past that and into a darling summer baby for next year.”

Giggling, she glances around. “It looks like there's a good crowd tonight.”

I nod. It’s quite a mix of people. While there are a couple of clusters of who I’d expect—women our age, out for girls’ nights—there are also a few older people, and a couple of college age kids who look like they might be on a date.

Immediately to my left, there is a good looking guy sitting on his own who looks uncertain, which makes him stand out.

“Welcome to Paint and Sip,” our instructor says, drawing our attention forward. “Tonight we’re painting a Harvest Sunset. When we finish, there will be a chance to mingle and chat as your paintings dry. If you have to leave before they are ready to travel, we’ll keep them safe for you and you can come back any time this week to pick them up.”

“That’s a bit of a logistical consideration for us,” Ani whispers. She makes a note on her phone.

It’s a pretty straightforward experience once we get into it. First we paint the background, and then we take a break so that can dry before we add the sunflowers to the foreground.

I order another glass of wine and examine the differences between my painting and Ani’s. Hers is even better than the finished example at the front of the room, no surprise given her training and talent. And mine…

“What do you do with the paintings if they aren’t good at the end?” That question comes from the solo guy next to me.

I laugh and look over at his painting. He’s clearly compared ours and decided we are in the same boat, and he’s not wrong. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

“I’m Jake,” he says, holding out his hand.

I put my wine glass down and shake it. “Shannon. And this is my friend Ani.”

“Nice to meet you both.”

Our break ends before we can talk any further. The next hour races by with a good amount of swearing under my breath, which Ani finds deeply entertaining.

At one point Jake gets so frustrated he gets up and paces away. Ani immediately leans over. “He keeps checking you out.”

“Because we’re both so bad at this.” I sigh. “Why is yours so pretty?”

“Not my first rodeo. Want to bet he offers to buy you a drink when we finish?”

“I’m wearing a wedding ring!”

She smirks. “Some men like married women.”

“They’re barking up the wrong tree with me.”

But just to make that clear, when Jake stalks back and takes a deep breath before sitting back down, I lean over slightly. “So what you’re saying is, I shouldn’t bring my husband here on our next date night?”

He laughs. “It would be more fun with someone else.”

“You have us now,” Ani says.

He glances at her canvas and his eyebrows shoot up.

“She’s a professional artist,” I explain.

“Do you want to finish mine?” he asks her. “I’ll get you ladies another round of drinks if you do.”

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