Noah left before dawn, kissing me gently on the lips, whispering that he wanted to see Marcus before he went to work. I spent a blissful half hour dozing, Pepper by my side, before getting up to take her for a walk. There was no evidence of our dolphin rescue; the tide had erased any tracks, and the birds were nearly deafening. I felt as happy as I’d ever felt in my life.

Grateful . . . a word made sappy by a million tacky wooden signs, yet a feeling that was so powerful. I felt as if sunbeams were shining from my skin. My dad was getting better. Noah loved me. We’d saved a baby dolphin! I had a dog! I’d painted a sunset yesterday, and the coffee was on.

I took in a few deep breaths of the salt-kissed air, the sun warm on my face. Noticed that Noah had moved the branch that had fallen behind the car. Of course he had.

God, I loved him. Alexander was barely a memory, though the other two women were my Facebook friends now, and we’d all shared our Alexander Breakup stories. I’d always known he was a pale shadow compared with Noah. I just hadn’t wanted to dwell on it, feeling that good enough was about all I could expect.

Noah was amazing. He was so kind and decent and trustworthy and good in bed that he was a unicorn among men. I said a prayer of thanks that we were getting this second chance. If yesterday had shown me anything other than the fact that I loved baby dolphins, it was that I loved Noah more.

The coffee was extra delicious this morning. I took my mug and laptop onto the porch, sat on the step and let Pepper frolic on the lawn. Checked my e-mails.

Then I jolted upright so fast, my coffee sloshed.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Re: your painting at Harriet White/Darcy Cummings house

Dear Ms. Frost,

I was recently at a housewarming party hosted by Harriet and Darcy in Brooklyn. They showed me your incredible painting, knowing I have a special interest in emerging artists. I was able to obtain your e-mail from their interior decorator.

I would be very interested in talking with you about showing in my SoHo gallery this coming fall and perhaps, if you’d be so kind, having the chance to see your portfolio. Is there any possibility you are available to meet? I am desperately hoping you don’t have exclusive contracts elsewhere.

The very best to you,

Hasan

Hasan Sadik SoHo

29 Walker Street, New York, NY 10013

I reread the e-mail four times.

I’d been to that gallery. It was one of those galleries. The “I can make your career in one show” galleries. Aneni had had a show there, during which time a curator for the Guggenheim had bought one of her paintings. The Guggenheim!