Dear Debbie,

I’m so sorry this has happened to you. Sometimes there are no words that can bring comfort in a situation like this. But I will say that over time, you’ll find a way to go on, even if that seems impossible right now. It’s important to change your routine, to meet new people who interest you and to make new friends. New hobbies and new activities, such as joining a gym or taking a dance class, can lead to new people. Some would say that forgiveness can help you find the path forward. That may or may not work for you, but I put it out there as a possibility you might want to explore. You won’t ever forget what happened, but perhaps if you can forgive them, you can set yourself free in the process. In the meantime, rely on the people who bring you joy and please let me know how you’re doing. I’ll be thinking of you and wishing you well.

Hugs,

Erin

She answered three more inquiries—one from a woman coping with the loss of her mother, another from a bride-to-be who’d changed her mind about getting married and was looking for a graceful way out, and a third from a young man who wanted a certain girl to notice him as more than a friend. Though she hadn’t personally experienced any of these situations, she’d known her fair share of grief and found that approaching her replies with empathy and compassion went a long way toward helping the people who wrote to her. That the column had been picked up for national syndication thanks to her hard work counted as her greatest professional accomplishment since she left law school.

Erin loved the work, the challenge of sinking her teeth into meaty dilemmas, and she appreciated the distraction of helping other people deal with their problems. By the time she crafted her fifth reply, she looked up to notice the sky getting darker. It was time to make her dip for tonight, along with an extra batch for Alex to eat with a spoon.

She checked her phone to see if Slim had texted, but there was nothing new. Thinking about Sydney and hoping for a positive outcome, she got busy in the kitchen while also continuing to ruminate over the idea of whether taking one flight with Slim would help her over the hurdle that was keeping her grounded.

Chapter 6

For Mac McCarthy Junior, the day after his parents’ anniversary party had been long and trying. He’d awoken far too early and was tired, cranky, hungover and sexually frustrated. Somehow, a night that was supposed to be kid-free thanks to Maddie’s parents had turned into two kids with fevers in bed between him and his wife. He’d been kicked in the head and the gut—twice each—and Hailey’s foot had just missed the family jewels.

Enough was enough.