Abby grinned as Sharon waved at her across the courtyard. She hurried over to their table, pausing to give Sharon a quick hug before sitting down.

“Did you have a good break?”

“I only had a few days off. Remember, I worked between the holidays. But you look good,” Sharon mused.

“Thanks.”

“So, spill it. Did you sleep with Holly?”

“God, no.” She opened up her sandwich. “You were right. We never did go together. We’re nothing alike and she was quite the bitch at times. That doesn’t mean she didn’t want to sleep with me. I’m not even the least bit interested.” She looked up shyly. “And then there was Nic, you know.”

“Oh my god! You’re blushing. You went through with it?”

“God, it was so fabulous. And I really liked her. She was perfect. No one ever suspected that she wasn’t my real girlfriend. In fact, my mother fell in love with her.”

“That’s good, then. Are you going to like, date now?”

“Date? Me and Nic?” She shook her head. “Nic doesn’t date. She…she has some personal issues and stuff,” she said evasively. “Old family drama that she’s carried with her. So no, we won’t see each other again. She’s not interested in that.” Saying it out loud made it seem true, even though all day yesterday she’d tried to find a reason to call Nic, a reason to see her.

“That’s too bad. So now you’ve got to break up with her?”

“Yeah. I’ll probably wait a few months before I tell my mother. It’ll break her heart. I think she had us getting married.” She rolled her eyes. “Speaking of weddings, yes, they really did ask me to be the freakin’ maid of honor.”

“Are you going to do it?”

“I don’t want to, no. My mother will pressure me to do it. And Aaron was completely sincere when he asked.” She bit into her sandwich. “I just don’t know why they want me. There’s so much animosity between us already.”

“Maybe they think this could be the bridge to get you back.”

She motioned to Sharon’s salad. “Are you back on your diet?”

“Of course. I had a protein shake for breakfast. Salad for lunch.”

“And you’ll be ravenous by dinner.” She sighed. “I have a date.”

“Tonight?”

“No. Friday. You know my friends Beth and Jenna?”

“Right.”

“Jenna met someone. A doctor. They’re having us over for dinner Friday night.”

“A doctor? Ooh la la,” Sharon teased.

Abby put her elbows on the table. “I’m a little nervous. You know I haven’t been on a real date in ages.”

“Not since Holly, I believe.”