Eric raised an eyebrow. “Connections. They are important, yeah?”

“Absolutely.” My eyes drank him in hungrily.

He hesitated for a second and then said, “You have time for a coffee?”

Yes. Anything. “I can’t leave the truck.”

“Of course,” he said politely. “You must go.”

“And you have a plane to catch,” I said.

“Yes.”

The guard was back. “Ma’am . . . Your truck.”

I clutched the keys in my hand. Eric was leaving. And I hadn’t said half of what I needed to say. “I’m sorry,” I blurted.

“I am sorry, too. I lost my temper with you.”

“I overreacted. I shouldn’t have run away.”

His eyes crinkled in that appealing half smile, his gaze clear and a little sad. “Maybe you run to something, not away, yeah?”

“I think so. I hope so.”

He inclined his head. “Then I am happy you have found it.”

I could feel him leaving, withdrawing from me, and there were no words, I couldn’t find the words in time to make him stay. “I’ll be back,” I babbled. “Sometime. I mean, I have to clear out my apartment, right?”

“Ah. Yes. Maybe you will call me when you . . .” Another tiny hesitation. “Visit New York.”

Like a booty call. My heart sank. “Yes. Of course.”

He half turned away. Turned back. His arms wrapped around me, half lifting me off my feet. He hugged me hard, muttering something into my hair.

“Ma’am.” The security guard sounded pained.

Before I could react, before I could say anything, Eric released me and walked away without looking back.

“Ma’am, you can’t stay here. You have to move on.”

Stupid phrase. Move on. Moving on. I watched Eric’s broad back all the way into the terminal.

Are you sure you’re all right staying home with the twins?” Meg asked. She and John were leaving for a New Year’s Eve party at Belle Gardiner’s. My sister looked fantastic.

“Absolutely.” I waved them away. “You kids have fun.”

John smiled, one hand at the small of her back. “Thanks.”

“You, too,” Meg said.

And I did. Daisy and DJ were at their most adorable, popping in and out of a giant carton that doubled as a fort/cave/spaceship, snuggling with me on the couch to read Where the Wild Things Are before bed. We paraded like monsters up the stairs, all of us in our pajamas.

“Yum, yum, yum,” I growled as I tucked them in, nuzzling their sweet necks. “Must. Eat. Children.” And they squealed and hugged me with their chubby arms. DJ gave me his slow, wide smile and a kiss.

“I love you, Auntie Jo,” Daisy said.

My heart filled. “Love you, little monsters. So much.”

One day, I thought, turning out the lights.

But, God, I was exhausted. Lately I seemed to be tired all the time. There was a bottle of champagne chilling in the fridge, a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Salted Caramel Core in the freezer. I got the ice cream and a spoon and sat down with the dog to watch When Harry Met Sally almost to the bitter end, when Billy Crystal ran through the streets of New York to find Meg Ryan. Their eyes met, caught, and held across the crowded room as the party counted down around them. Not because he was lonely. Not because it was New Year’s Eve. But because he saw her. Because he loved her.