Page 24

“I know. And I'm so grateful to your dad for letting us stay here.” I stir the batter with more force than necessary. “I don't know what we would've done otherwise.”

“He’s always had a soft spot for you.”

I let out a nervous laugh. “Yeah, because I'm best friends with his beloved daughter.”

She smiles, saying nothing else about that. I’m glad she doesn't.

We focus on making the cookies, the conversation shifting to simple topics. Eli helps too, stealing cookie dough when he thinks we aren't looking.

An hour later, the kitchen smells like sugar, zest, and yumminess. Jen perches on a stool, licking frosting off her finger.

“How are things with Derek? Better now?” I ask through a mouthful of soft buttery lemon cookies.

Jen groans. “I don’t know. He’s still being the way the new Derek is. I don’t get it. I haven’t seen him in a week even though we live in the same city. Imagine that? He’s the busiest man in the world now, and I’m the jobless one who’s seeking his attention.”

“He isn’t around this weekend?”

“Out of the country on some vague business travel. I just don’t get it. He doesn’t talk to me anymore. He makes me feel like I'm doing too much of late.” She pours herself a cup of tea, her eyes turning sad.

“Like I’m always complaining of something he isn't doing right. Mind you, this is all because he keeps me at arm’s length. It’s like there’s a chasm between us now that I can’t get past. And I do want to get past it.”

I listen as she continues listing all the issues in her relationship, nodding at the right moments.

When she pauses for breath, I offer, “Maybe you two need to sit down and figure out what's important to both of you. Talk about what’s wrong and what you need from each other without it feeling like an accusation or a demand. Sometimes these little fights are about bigger things.”

Even as I say it, I feel like a fraud. What do I know about making relationships work? I haven’t given dating a chance since Eric’s father and I got divorced a year after he was born. Since then, it's been all work and motherhood, with no time for romance.

“That's... good advice,” Jen says, looking surprised.

“Don't sound so shocked.” I laugh. “Though I don't know why you're asking me. I haven't been in a relationship in years.”

“Maybe that’s why. You have perspective.” She points her cookie at me. “But it's ridiculous that you're single. You're gorgeous, smart, and make the best lemon cookies in the state.”

“You know why. I don’t have much time or interest in dating. Between Eric and the business…”

“Excuses, excuses.” Jen waves, feigning a yawn. “You say this every time.”

I roll my eyes with a smile. “Well, because it’s true?”

“Wren, be serious. Listen,” she leans closer and I know she’s about to try for the umpteenth time to interest me in some man. “I know this guy, real sweet, works in finance?—”

“Pass.”

“You didn't even let me finish.”

“Because I know you, Jen and you’ve tried this a billion times. How do you always know some guy anyway?”

“Welcome to Hollywood, duh.”

I laugh. “Please.”

“But Wren, you’re too stunning to be alone. I know a lot of guys that are interested in you.”

“They’re always interested until it's time to put effort in when it matters. Don’t share my contact with them.”

“Of course. But you have to find a man before I take matters into my hands.”

“You wouldn't dare.”