“What’s wrong?” Alex shifted his position. “We’ll have the whole place to ourselves and you won’t have to worry about your roommates. I paid for the first week and, if we need longer, I’ll cover another week.”

Jorden shook her head. “Don’t pay attention to me—my mind’s wandering. Of course I’m happy. It’ll be great to have our own place. Give me fifteen minutes. I need to pack.” Jorden brushed her hand over his shoulder.

“Don’t be long,” Alex said with a wink.

Twenty minutes later Jorden was stepping into the familiar red Mustang. “I’ve missed this car, I’ve missed you—I’m so happy you’re back.” But she knew she would have been happier if they had married last year—then Matt wouldn’t be an issue. Jorden stretched out her legs and slid her hand over the dashboard. “I’m glad you didn’t sell it.”

“I toyed with the idea, but this car has too many great memories.” Alex squeezed Jorden’s hand.

Soon they reached Buena Vista Apartments. Jorden’s heart beat faster as they turned into the complex. She hadn’t written Alex she was back on birth control pills. She stretched the truth at the doctor’s office and said she was married. After an exam the doctor had given her a prescription for a year’s supply. Jorden looked around. The apartment complex was large with four separate buildings. “Which one are we in?”

“The fourth one—10D.” Jorden remembered Nora and her mother were in building B, specifically 12B. She was thankful they weren’t in the same building. Alex drove around each building until he reached D.

“How’d you know about these apartments?” Jorden asked.

“Tom. He ended up moving here after I left last spring. Our apartment was too expensive for him. This is where I stayed when your mother came last April.”

“I had assumed you were back at your other apartment. What happened to Tom?”

“He’s back in New York. I actually saw him at the airport on my way to Albany. It was quite a coincidence. He looked gaunt, but he was his same old self. Enough about Tom. Let’s get our things and check out our new place.”

They spent the next several hours getting reacquainted. Exhausted, they eventually fell into a light sleep. Jorden’s eyes fluttered open an hour later. She looked around the small bedroom with one large empty dresser. They still hadn’t unpacked. Easing out of bed, she was careful not to disturb Alex. First, she showered, before exploring the apartment and ending up in the tiny kitchen.

Alex surprised Jorden by closing his arms around her waist. “Are you thinking about cooking us something?”

“Oh! You startled me.”

“I have a suggestion. Let’s go to Amore’s. Maybe we can surprise Antonio.”