The boys carried most of the conversation over dinner, excitedly discussing the game and an upcoming school dance, but Nick was relaxed, and if he was bothered by the kiss, it wasn’t evident in his friendly demeanor.

“Mom?” Logan turned to Lina halfway through the drive home. “Were you and Dad kissing on the sideline? Brian said he saw you.”

Lina squeezed the steering wheel, continuing to concentrate on the road as she formulated a response “I kissed him goodbye before he left. Maybe he saw that.”

“Maybe,” he said, sounding unconvinced. “Are you—do you like him again?”

“I never stopped liking him. I just couldn’t get past what he did.”

“Do you think you might? Get past what he did?”

“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “What would you think if I did?”

He shrugged. “It would be okay. It was kind of better when he lived with us, and it was weird going away without you. A lot of women come up to him, and Katie said eventually he’ll like one and then he’ll get married again.”

“Was he with any of them? I mean did he spend time with them?” She tried to keep her voice detached.

“No, he just hung out with us.”

“Hello? Earth to Lina,” Adele said the following day as they stood in the foyer of a house about to go on the market. “Where are you today?”

“I don’t know. I’m just…” Lina sighed. “I’m not happy.” Ever since she’d voiced the words to Diane, it was as if she’d given herself permission to feel the truth behind them.

“Since when? I thought you enjoyed working.”

“No, I do. I’m not talking about the job. I’m talking about my life. I’m busy and I love what I’m doing, and I love the kids, but I can’t shake this underlying discontent I have.”

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that,” Adele said. “You should probably get back with him.” She picked up a vase. “Should this stay or go?”

“Wait—what?” Lina took the vase from Adele and set it back down. “Just like that? After months of wanting me to hate him, you want me to get back with him?”

“I never wanted you to hate him. You wanted to hate him, and I was supporting that decision, but it’s obvious you aren’t going to move on, so you may as well go back with him.”

“How long have you been feeling this way?”