“That’s just like a man,” Nessa fussed. “Just the bare bones, and no feeling. We want to know how you felt when she was standing out there.”

“Guys don’t talk about things like that,” Flynn protested.

April got a wine cooler from the fridge and sat down in her regular place at the table. “Yes, they do, but they just do it with other guys. Pretend we are guys and tell us how you felt.”

“This feels like one of those therapy sessions I’ve seen on television,” Flynn said, “and honey, in my wildest imagination, I can’t see either of you two as guys. But I’ll give it my best try just for y’all.”

Nessa brought a glass of sweet tea to the table and sat down on the other side. “Do your best, and then we’ll hear from April.”

“If this is group, then we should hear from you, too,” Flynn argued.

“I’m the therapist in this scenario,” Nessa said. “I might have something to say when you two get done, or I might not.”

“I felt panic when she drove up,” Flynn admitted, “and I felt like I’d done the right thing when she left.”

April could sure relate to that moment of panic, because she’d felt the same way when Kent and Callie greeted them in front of Walmart.

“My chest got tight, and I wanted to shake my fist at God. Why would He blast me with a test like that after less than a month? Then I felt sorry for her and tried to make her realize there was no future in that lifestyle.” Flynn looked miserable just talking about the whole ordeal.

Nessa patted him on the shoulder. “You can’t save the world, Flynn.”

“You’ll do good to save yourself.” April wondered what would happen if Callie ever did convince her dad to ask her out for ice cream or coffee. The little girl seemed to want her father to have a girlfriend, but Kent Wallace was a lawyer, for goodness’ sake. He had a graduate degree, and April had barely made it through high school. They were just too different to even go on a first date.

“I don’t think Tilly is close enough to God for Him to use her for a test,” Nessa giggled. “I reckon, if she was bringing the test to you, it was straight from the devil himself.”

Flynn nodded in agreement and stood up.

“We’re not done,” Nessa said. “Group sessions last an hour.”

“I’m not going anywhere except to the pantry. I saw y’all unload a package of oatmeal cookies. They won’t be as good as what you make, Nessa, but I need something to go with my milk. And besides, talking about this makes me hungry,” Flynn said.

“Does talking about it make you nervous, too? Surely you’ve sweet-talked lots of women,” April asked.