Touched, Alison swallowed hard. “I’d like that. But fair warning, I’m really new at this. I mean, I’ve been practicing, but apparently I’m the type of person who has to make a lot of mistakes before figuring her shit out.”

“Some of the best people I know make mistakes,” his mom said softly, smiling at her son. “And I’ve certainly also made my share. One of them with you, Alison. I’m glad you’re here. I hope you’ll stay.”

Alison took in the backyard and the house, with all the windows and doors open, letting in the warm summer air while letting out a lot of yummy food scents and love and laughter. “I’d love to.”

Ryan’s smile was slow, affectionate, and sexy. “What can I get you to drink? We have a bar set up on the patio. I could make your fave—a martini?”

When she nodded, he led her over there. “How about a dirty martini?”

“What makes a martini dirty?” she asked.

He gave her another smile and leaned in, putting his mouth to her ear. “Anything you and I do later, after your second or third one.”

Chapter 24

Step 24: No judgment.

The next morning, Emma was sitting in the middle of the salty yard. Given her mood, it was right where she belonged.

Phyllis, of all people, was sitting in the sweet yard, petting Hog.

Oh the irony.

Marco had needed a break to take a phone call, and Emma was holding Luna and Rex, the two sassy Chihuahuas, while reminiscing to herself about her recent failures. Her most recent being Simon, of course.

Actually, no. She refused to think of that as her failure alone. He’d hurt her with his single-minded expectations for her recovery and life. She understood where he was coming from given his role in her recovery, but it was her life, and if he couldn’t close off the physical therapist part of him to see the human side of her and her needs, then screw it.

But damn. She missed him. She missed his smile. Missed his laugh. Missed him in her bed—so much—but she missed him even more as a friend, the closest she had. The loss felt . . .

Catastrophic.

At this point, the intense anger had worn off, leaving her feeling a little bruised. And with some hindsight, Emma understood that Simon had only wanted the best for her, didn’t want to be the thing holding her back.

As if he could . . .

“Arf!” This was Rex.

“Arf, arf!” his sister, Luna, answered. They were fourteen years old and hugely resented any dog bigger than they were. Which was every dog, including Hog, who was currently standing on the other side of the picket fencing, torn between his loyalty to Emma and his self-preservation and utter fear of all things Chihuahua.

Emma lifted Rex and Luna up to nose level and stared them down. “Can you guys please tell Hog you won’t beat him up if he comes in? He really wants to come in.”

Hog whined in agreement.

Rex bared his full set of teeth. Actually, it wasn’t a full set. He’d lost a bunch in his older years, but he still sounded fierce.

Hog took a few steps back and sat with what sounded like a long-suffering sigh. Just then someone ran into the yard, dropped to her knees in front of Emma, and hugged her so hard they both toppled over.

“Alison?” she gasped in shock.

Alison just kept hugging her, even though they were both on the ground now.

Phyllis was watching, looking fascinated. “Maybe you two should date each other. Men aren’t worth a woman’s time anyway.”

“Can’t. Breathe.” Emma tapped on Alison’s arm. “Uncle!”

Alison pulled back and grinned. Grinned.

“I’m scared,” Emma said. “Are you . . . okay?”

“Better than okay.”

Emma eyed her suspiciously. “Are you . . . drunk?”

Alison laughed. “At nine in the morning?”

Emma sat up and studied her partner closely. “Are you under some sort of mind control or something? Quick, blink twice for yes if you need help.”

“Funny.” Alison sat up too. “Guess what happened last night?”

“You were possessed by aliens.”

“Oh my God, you’re no fun.” Alison stood up and ran a hand down the front of her to smooth out her wrinkles before holding out a hand to help Emma up. “I went to Ryan’s barbecue.”

“And . . . ? Given your glow, which I suppose could be from your ridiculously costly BB cream, but which I suspect is really from a bunch of orgasms since you’re still wearing yesterday’s clothes, it went well.”

“Actually, it was a complete disaster. His mom and sister said some crappy things about me. I mean, they were all true, but still . . .”

Emma’s smile faded. “I’m so sorry. But I’m confused. Why are you smiling? Oh my God, did you kill them? Do you need help burying the bodies?”

“Nope, I don’t need help.”

Emma paused. “Because . . . you already buried the bodies?”

“No!” Alison hooted with laughter, looking lighter and happier than Emma had ever seen her. “I stood up for myself. And Ryan stood up for me too. He told his family he loved me, that I was a part of his life, a big part. He told them to get on board and accept it, and they did!”

“Wow, that’s great. I’m so happy for you.”

“Right? It worked! All the reading, studying, and practicing with you worked! Ryan and I are really friends. And more.” She smiled again. “I can’t believe it.”

“Wait,” Emma said. “What?”

“I said it worked!”

“No, the other thing,” Emma said with what she thought was remarkable calm given the sudden dread in her gut. “Before that. You were practicing with me. What does that mean?” She carefully set Rex down and stared at Alison, never resenting her ridiculously gorgeous and perfect high heels more. “You being nice to me over the past few weeks . . . it was practice for you?”

“No.” Alison grimaced. “I mean, okay, yeah, a little bit. But you know why. We had history, bad history—”

“Oh my God.” Emma left the salty yard, but didn’t get one step past the gate before Hog was at her side, giving her a low whine as he pressed against her, love in his eyes. Phyllis had let him out and nodded at Emma with what looked like sympathy.