Page 125 of Forty, Flirty & Fall Inn

"It's been three weeks!"

"And you've tried contacting him?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because..."I trail off, realizing I don't have a good answer."Because I'm scared?"

"Of?"

"Of him confirming it's really over.Of hearing that cold professional voice again.Of finding out the check was his way of buying me out of his life."

Buttercup bleats and licks my face, which is either comfort or salt-seeking.Either way, I'll take it.

"You know what?"Lululemon woman stands, pulling me up with her."You're going to wash your face, save your inn, and then figure out how to win him back."

"It's not that simple?—"

"Is the inn saved?"

I think about the check in my drawer."Yes."

"Then that's one problem solved.Now you just need to solve the other one."

"By doing what?He won't even take my calls.Probably."

"Have you tried calling?"

"...No."

"Then start there."She hands me a business card."I'm Dr.Patricia Chen.I specialize in relationship counseling.Call if you need to talk."

"Chen?"I stare at the card."Are you related to Amanda Chen?"

"My daughter.Small world."She smiles."She mentioned Luke Sterling once.Said he was brilliant but emotionally constipated.Her words."

"That's...accurate."

"She also said he was worth the effort.Good men usually are."

The group disperses after extracting promises that I'll "fight for love" and "stop being an idiot" and "at least wash your hair, honey, it's looking rough."

Melody has to physically carry Buttercup to the trailer.The goat mewls the entire way, looking at me like I'm betraying her.

"I can't keep you," I tell her."I can't even keep a human.How am I supposed to take care of a goat?"

She responds with the saddest bleat in goat history.

"Don't look at me like that.You have a good home with Melody."

Another pathetic bleat.

"Stop it."

Bleat.

"Fine!I'll think about it!"