Lina pulled her gaze from the pool. “Have you talked to him about…you know?”

“Sex?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Yes,” she sighed.

“I have. You’re really having a hard time with this, aren’t you?”

“He’s fourteen. That’s too young.”

“For sex, yes, I agree, but not to flirt.”

The sound of high-pitched screams and giggles floated up from the pool. “Their laughter sounds so forced,” Lina said. “I hope Katie and Megan don’t do that.”

He smiled. “You’re not going to be one of those mothers who thinks no one is good enough for their son, are you?”

“No one is good enough for my son.” She turned to go back inside.

“Hey.” He gripped her hand when she began to walk past him. “Where are you going?”

“To start dinner.” She tilted her head back as he pulled her into his arms. “You want to eat, don’t you?”

“I want my wife to kiss me.” He brushed his lips over hers. “One day when Logan throws you over for another woman, I’ll be here to pick up the pieces.”

“Ha. Ha,” Lina said.

“I love you.”

Two and a half weeks after her dinner with Nick, Lina was tending to one of her front-yard flower beds when she heard and then saw a familiar Porsche coming down her driveway. She came to her feet, her heart rate accelerating as images of their last moments together flashed through her mind. She considered pretending she didn’t see him, but as she watched Nick emerge from his car less than twenty-five yards away, she knew it wasn’t a viable option. He was looking right at her.

She pulled off her gardening gloves as she made her way across the grass, stealing a glance towards the garage, nervous Phil would appear at any moment. “Good morning.” She smiled at Brian, who was stepping back from the trunk with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.

“Hey, Mrs. Hunter.” Brian offered her a lopsided smile before jogging off towards the house.

“He looks so much like you,” Lina said, bringing her gaze to Nick.

“So I’ve heard.” His eyes were concealed behind sunglasses, and there was no discernible expression on his face. “Nice place.”

“Thank you.”

“I should go,” he said, but made no move to do so. Although she couldn’t see his eyes, Lina knew they were traveling over her.

She felt heat in her already-warm cheeks. She wasn’t wearing a speck of makeup. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. But her attire was more alluring. She was wearing short, cut-off jean shorts that were frayed and full of holes and a tight cotton tank top. “I wasn’t expecting visitors,” she said softly.

“You’re gorgeous. I need to leave.” He turned without another word. Moments later his car roared to life and he was disappearing down her drive.