“No, have another drink. This is good for you. It’s a tame introduction back into the singles’ world. That guy seems genuinely nice. You don’t have to go home with him. Just flirt with him a little. It’s good practice.”

“Practice for what?”

“Life. Your new reality.”

“If I just wanted a boyfriend, I’d pick Nick.”

“Then why don’t you?” Adele asked. “Why don’t you pick Nick?”

“I’m leaving.”

“Lina—”

“Sorry, I’m just too tired for this.”

An hour later, curled on the couch with a glass of wine and a book, Lina’s thoughts were still back at the bar as she pondered Adele’s words. Was that really supposed to be her new reality—meeting men from failed relationships with other women? There was no way she was cut out for the singles’ scene, and yet she couldn’t imagine spending the rest of her life alone. Why wasn’t she with Nick? He was handsome, successful, and he clearly wanted her. Sure, he was a bit too cerebral at times, but no one was perfect. The truth was she wasn’t over Phil. She couldn’t forgive him, but she couldn’t move past him.

She pulled a photo album from its place beneath the coffee table and, because she must have been a glutton for punishment, leaned back into the couch and began looking through old photographs of them. She hesitated when she reached a photo of them at the beach, his arm thrown over her shoulders, both of hers wrapped around his middle as they smiled at the camera.

It was senior week. Phil had just graduated, and they were staying at one of his friends’ beach houses for the week. “Put your clothes back on, baby,” Phil said as he watched Lina skip along the surf, the moonlight reflecting off her skin. “Anyone could come.” He was stretched out on a blanket where they’d just made love. “They can probably see you from the house.”

“I don’t care.” She twirled around as she spread her arms out wide. “I feel so free. Come swim with me.”

“It’s two o’clock in the morning.”

“Are you going to make me swim alone?” Lina splashed into the surf and dove under a small wave, swimming several yards before she felt his strong hands gripping her hips and pulling her back against his naked body.

“You’re crazy. You know that?” He wrapped his arms around her.

“For you.” She turned in his arms and snaked her own up around his neck. “Promise me you’ll always swim naked with me, even when we’re old and wrinkled.”

“I promise.”

“I can’t believe you’re going to leave me in three months.”

He shook his head. “I’ll never leave you. I’m just going to college so I’ll be able to have a career and take care of you forever.”