April patted her on the back. “The O’Riley curse strikes again. Don’t beat yourself up. I thought he was a nice guy, too, but then my judgment ain’t worth crap. You’re just doing what all three of us have done. We’ve all tried the same old recipe, even though the outcome leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.”

Nessa jerked her head up and slapped the steering wheel with both hands. “Don’t tell Flynn. He’s doing so good right now, and he has to work with Jackson. He might think he has to defend my honor or something crazy like that.”

“I won’t say a word to him, I promise.” April leaned over the console and hugged her. “You really should talk to Jackson about this, though, in case there’s an explanation.”

Nessa wiped at her eyes. “She was so tall and so beautiful. If he could have her, then why would he even look at me?”

“Don’t do that to yourself,” April scolded. “He’ll call, or you two will meet at the falls, or maybe you’ll even sit in another ant bed. When that happens, just give him the chance to explain before you let that red-haired temper get ahead of you.”

Nessa started the engine and put the SUV in reverse, but then sat frozen in her seat as she watched Jackson and the woman in her rearview mirror. He opened the door of his truck for her, proving that they were together. Her chin quivered, but she was determined that she wouldn’t cry anymore. Evidently she was just a one-night stand to him.

Then that’s what he is to me, she thought, my first and last one-night stand. I’ll never make that mistake again. Forget the third-date rule that everyone these days talks about. I’m not sleeping with another guy until we’ve had a dozen dates.

“Living in the moment,” she muttered.

“What does that mean?” April asked.

“Jackson and I were talking about living in the moment as opposed to always looking ahead to the future,” she explained as she backed her vehicle out of the parking spot and headed toward the grocery store. “Last night I was in the moment, not thinking about what the consequences would be for the future. I wanted this to be more than just . . .” She couldn’t even say the words.

“I’ve tried that moment thing too many times to count, and it sure didn’t work for me, either. I’m going to enjoy the day, but I’m also not wasting my time on something that only lasts a day,” April said. “Third date? When did you have the first two? I thought your first date was when you went to the cemetery and had supper at Weezy’s.”