Lina didn’t quite feel as young as twenty-five, but after having her hair freshly trimmed and highlighted, a facial, pedicure and manicure, a waxing and a full body massage, she did feel refreshed and more beautiful than she’d felt in a very long time. She was almost looking forward to the wedding.

“See, there’s nothing a little spending can’t solve,” Diane teased as they enjoyed glasses of Chardonnay and waited for their nail polish to dry.

“Oh, I could definitely get used to this. That massage was…” She paused at the sound of her cell phone. “I don’t recognize the number. Let me just make sure it isn’t about one of the kids. Hello?”

“Lina, it’s Nick Drayton.”

The room was suddenly too warm. “Oh, hi.” It had been five days since their lunch, and she’d thought of him more often than she should have, considering she was married.

“Is this a good time?”

“Um…” She hesitated as she looked at Diane, who was watching her curiously. “Yes, I’m just—yes.”

“Were you aware that our boys befriended each other at the tryout and have been communicating all week?” His voice sounded more professional than friendly, which she was thankful for, given the beating of her heart.

“I knew they met, but I had no idea they were talking.”

“My son is attending Gilman in the fall.”

“I know,” she said softly, knowing the significance of what he was saying. He could no longer be Katie’s doctor.

“We can talk about the repercussions of that later. I have a patient waiting. I called because Brian wants to invite Logan to my place at the beach for the weekend. We leave tomorrow and return Monday. I wanted to make sure it was okay with you before Brian extended the invitation.”

“I’m sure he’d like that.” She knew Phil wouldn’t, but she’d handle him.

“I should probably mention my girlfriend is coming. We’ll be sharing a bedroom. Hopefully that isn’t a problem for you. I know some parents are sensitive about these things.”

“That’s fine.” She felt a strange pang in her chest at the thought of him with another woman.

“Great. I’ll text about the logistics later, but I’d rather not drive out to your house until I have a chance to talk to Katie next week.”

“I understand.”

“I’m calling from my cell, so you have my number now. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Everything okay?” Diane asked as soon as Lina finished her call.

“Yes, it was Katie’s psychiatrist, but he was calling about Logan.” She gave her a quick version of the boys meeting at the tryout and then, because she’d had two glasses of wine and her tongue was loose, confessed to having lunch with him.

“I find it strange that this doctor would take a patient’s mother out for drinks.”