As soon as the words left her mouth, Joanna wanted to retract them. They were harsh. They were loud, and they were wrong. “I’m sorry, Evelyn,” she said, raising her eyes. “That was totally uncalled for and terribly rude of me.”

“Apology accepted,” Evelyn said softly.

“And I’m not looking for a job,” Joanna said, returning her attention to the newspaper.

Evelyn’s curiosity got the best of her. Leaning forward, she squinted to read the upside-down classifieds. “Um...are those the personal ads?”

Since opening the paper, Joanna had yet to read a word. She had turned page after page because that’s what you’re supposed to do when you’re looking through a newspaper, but the articles and sales ads had gone unnoticed. The only thing on Joanna’s mind was Addison...and Luce.

Joanna glanced at the ads in front of her and shrugged. “As a matter of fact, they are. Why?”

“Joanna—”

“Relax, Evelyn. I’m not in the market for a friend with benefits,” Joanna said, folding the newspaper in half. “Besides, these things creep me out.”

“Then what are you looking for?”

Joanna leaned back and slowly exhaled. “I don’t know, but I just can’t...” Her words faded away as an image of Luce Gainsford began to invade her mind, and before the portrait was complete, Joanna’s jaw had set. “Why does she get to have a life, and I don’t?”

“What do you mean?”

“How come Addison gets to do whatever and whoever she likes, and I’m stuck here living like a cloistered nun?”

Noah’s and Evelyn’s heads both snapped back in unison.

“What did you just say?” Evelyn said.

“I know about Luce,” Joanna said, casting a quick look in Noah’s direction. “And by both of your reactions, it appears you do, too.”

“How did you—”

“It doesn’t matter, but if she can have a fu...a friend with benefits, why can’t I?”

“Is that what you want?”

“No!” Joanna said, raising her voice. “But I feel like I’m atrophying. The bloody rain won’t stop. I’ve read every book we own three sodding times, and believe it or not, there’s only so much shopping I can do. Look, everyone here has been great, but you have something to do, and you have lives outside this house. I have nothing but this house, and I’m lonely.”

A pained look crossed Evelyn’s face. “I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s okay,” Joanna said, offering Evelyn a soft grin. “I’ll figure something out.”