I open it, wrapped in a white robe that was folded like new next to the shower. “I hope you don’t mind.” I tug at the sash to the robe.

“That’s what it’s there for.” She tucks her long, blond hair behind her ears. It looks a lot healthier than mine.

“Jake made me bathe in the creek. I can’t tell you how amazing that shower felt.” I ease the towel off my head.

“Jake’s got a great personality. He’s such a jokester.”

“Jokester?” I glance at her reflection in the mirror as I work the comb through my hair with cautious strokes. “I’m not sure he’s joking.” Thinking back to last night in the creek, I mentally smile. That was fun, a kind of fun I hadn’t had in years. “Does he joke with you like that? Would he make you bathe in a creek?”

Addy rubs her lips together. “I had a different relationship with Jake years ago, and yes, it was playful.”

I pause the comb. “Different?”

“It was before I married my husband, Quinn. We broke up for awhile, and Jake, who worked for me at the time, was exactly what I needed at that point in my life. He made me feel young and carefree. We had so much fun together.”

She’s good with words, particularly saying everything and nothing at the same time. “So … you were in a relationship with Jake?”

“Yes, a casual one.”

I nod slowly, resuming my combing. “I just got out of a relationship. Anthony wanted to marry me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. What happened?”

“He lied to me. Said he didn’t like chocolate.”

Addy’s forehead wrinkles. “Did you find his chocolate stash?”

“No. Caught him eating chocolate mousse … in the kitchen … off the naked body of his cook.”

“Ohhh … that’s …”

I shrug. “Pretty much the story of my life.” Whether she wants to hear it or not, I back up the truck and dump my entire saga onto her. If my sister, Sydney, were here, she’d be my sounding board, therapist, and surgeon to put my life back together. By the time I finish doing my hair, makeup, and filing my nails, Addy has the whole story.

“I’m very sorry, Avery.”

I draw in a deep breath, feeling so much better for finding a sympathetic ear—the shower and well-lit mirror to do my makeup helped too. “Thank you for listening. It’s not the end of the world. I’m just in a rut.”

“Come on, let’s feed you. And don’t let Jake ruffle your feathers. He has his own issues, but I thought when he gave up fighting, he let those go. Apparently, you’ve unintentionally brought a few to the surface again.”

I follow her down the stairs. “Fighting?”