Renee sat in stunned silence, looking at her phone as if it had smacked her across the face.

Whoa.

She blinked, trying to focus, but the room felt blurred and unreal.

What the hell just happened?

Her daughter had never spoken to her that way; they used to joke they were like the Gilmore Girls. Now it felt like they were starring in a nineties Jerry Springer episode or something. Except, what Tansy had shouted had some truth to it, even if she did spit it out like a brat.

She hadn’t slept with anyone since Russell left. And she hadn’t slept with anyone before him either. The tall and lanky Russell Rhodes, with his green eyes and shaggy blond hair, had taken her virginity, and she’d married him thinking they’d be together forever.

Her almost-kiss yesterday was the most romantic action she’d received since she’d bought a battery-operated boyfriend off Amazon five years ago.

Good lord. She was practically a nun.

And what had she been thinking anyway, moving in for that kiss? Sure, she had a giant crush on the tall, dark, and handsome Dr. Dan, but he was first and foremost her boss. And she had forgotten how awkward it was to share your feelings. Did he really like her? After all, she was a woman who loved going to Target or watching HGTV.

Renee pushed herself from the bedroom floor and trudged downstairs in dazed, plodding steps.

Restless, she needed company—some light conversation and distraction.

Sadie, she thought, grabbing a jean jacket and heading next door.

No one answered though. She must be putting Lincoln down for his nap.

From there Renee grabbed her bike and headed down Seashell Lane and eventually turned onto Bree’s street, Starboard Court, head down, lost in thought.

Maybe she should join a dating website.

There were dating sites for just about every type of person, right? It would be like online shopping for the perfect man. She would request someone tall and tanned.

Eyes? Blue. Definitely dark blue like the ocean she loved so much.

He’d have to be sweet-tempered, giving, and passionate about doing good in the world.

Widowed, divorced, or never married. No preference there. But he’d need a healthy appetite and an adventurous palate. He wouldn’t be one for trendy fad diets. He’d have to love bread and pasta.

Dan.

She was describing freaking Dan Hanlon.

Frustrated, she propped her bike by Bree’s front steps and rapped on her sister’s antique door knocker with extra force.

“Whoa, tiger. Don’t break it.” Bree wrung a dish towel in her hands. Behind her, the house looked darker than usual, most of the blinds pulled shut.

“Can I come in?”

Bree hesitated but nodded after a too long pause, motioning her forward.