“You’re kinda very married,” I reminded her.

“I’m definitely very married,” she agreed with me. “That doesn’t mean I don’t get to go out. Junior knows I wouldn’t stray. He doesn’t care.” She turned to Josie. “You in?”

“I’m always in for something that would allow me to dress up,” Josie announced.

I was uncertain about this, therefore told them, “I’m not sure I’m ready.”

“Okay, then don’t be ready,” Alyssa gave in instantly. “First, we pimp your house. Then, we go on the prowl. You call it. We’re there. Lunch wore off about half a minute after they ate it so now I gotta get my brood home or they’re gonna start eating your couch and that’s the only thing you got left to sit on.”

I looked to her brood, which was expansive. Every one of them was crashed on my large sectional, looking cranky.

She corralled them out of the house and into her SUV while I said good-bye to them along with Amber, who took off with her two friends, both named Taylor (though one was a boy and one was a girl) as well as handing out hugs and giving and receiving thanks from the last moms who left.

This left me with Josie, both of us standing at the door.

“I delayed because I wanted to be certain you’re okay,” she explained her lollygagging.

“I’m good. I have a couch. I have a bed. And unless someone sold it, I have a bottle of wine,” I replied on a smile.

“No, Amelia, I dawdled because I wanted to be certain you’re okay.”

I pulled my lower lip between my teeth.

Josie’s eyes dropped to watch.

Then she said softly, “I see.”

I let my lip go and whispered, “I need to decorate.”

It made no sense, couldn’t make any sense to anyone but me.

Somehow, when Josie lifted her gaze to mine, I knew it made sense to her too.

“Then we shall be certain to get on that immediately.”

Why was that such a relief?

“I love it that you and Alyssa are helping,” I told her honestly. “I—”

“I love it you want us to help,” she cut me off and I felt more relief that she understood and I didn’t have to say it. “A very short time ago, I was new here too. And I had many who embraced me. I know how it feels. So I might love it more, seeing as you’re giving me the opportunity to return that to somebody.”

I couldn’t say we’d gotten to know each other very well in the time it took to pull this house sale off. There were certain things you shared just because you were communicating but nothing had been that deep.

I could say, although she was an unusual woman, I knew she was one I liked.

Now I could say I’d been right in doing that.

I took a chance, reached out a hand and grabbed hers.

I squeezed briefly and let it go. “I’ll call you. Set something up. We’ll get Alyssa and start Cliff Blue Project, Phase Two.”