“And how do you propose I do that?”

“You need to get right back on the horse and start going out again. There’s no way we’re going to let you hole up here by yourself.”

“I don’t know, Syd. I’m not really in the mood to be out and about.”

“I know, honey, but I won’t let you go backward. Not after all the progress you’ve made. Why don’t you pack a bag and come spend a couple of days with us? We’ll keep you company and get you through this.”

“That’s very kind of you, but you and Luke have baby-making to do, and you don’t need me underfoot for that.”

“Oh, please,” Syd said with an inelegant snort. “He can wait a few more days.”

“The poor guy has waited long enough, and besides, I’m comfortable here. I promise I’ll call you every day, though, and I’ll be back out to play before too long.”

“All right, but I’m holding you to that.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Jenny got up to walk her friend to the stairs and gave her a hug. “Thanks for coming to check on me.”

“It’s his loss. You know that, right?”

“Of course I do. I’m awesome.”

“Yes, you are, and you’re going to find an awesome guy who deserves you.”

Jenny didn’t tell her that she’d already found that guy. Too bad he didn’t think he deserved to be happy.

***

Jenny discovered sleep was hard to come by when your heart is broken. She found herself sleeping for hours at a time in the middle of the day and lying awake in the middle of the night. Ten days had passed since she’d last seen Alex, and she was beginning to tire of her own company.

She’d kept her word to Sydney and called every day and was considering Syd’s invitation to a cookout the next night, which Jenny suspected had been thrown together as an excuse to lure her out of hiding. She’d probably go. She couldn’t hide out forever, and she wasn’t about to let a man ruin a life that had been more than satisfying before she met him.

The sun was beginning to rise in the east when she finally dozed into restless sleep that was ended a short time later by a roar outside her window. Jenny’s eyes flew open as she tried to figure out where the hell she was and what the hell was making so much noise.