Page 111 of Girl in the Water

“Don’t worry about it. I can swing by after we do your hair.”

“Are you sure?”

“I wanted to pick up a few things anyway.” And Iris’s knees were giving her more and more trouble lately. She was beginning to find stairs challenging. Whenever she could, Daniela was more than happy to help.

“You’re a sweetheart.” Iris smacked a kiss. “Wait. I have to go. Barry is here. Have fun tonight. Find true love.”

“You too.”

Iris laughed. “Honestly? I’m just looking to get laid. Don’t tell Ian. But I’m not going to say no if Barry asks. You never know when it’s going to be the last time, at my age.”

“Not for a long while. You’re a beautiful, vivacious woman.”

“Damn right. And I want to go out with a bang.” She giggled like a teenager. “Pun intended.”

“I fully support the effort. But let me just say this ahead of time, I’m not going to want any details.”

“You and Ian could be twins. It’s scary.” Iris tried for a disgruntled grumble, then closed with “Have fun. I love you.”

“I love you too, Iris.”

She truly did. She felt as if she’d found another mother in the older woman. And Crystal was like the sister Daniela had never had.

Daniela had accused Ian of wanting his family back, but maybe she wanted the same thing, because somehow she’d managed to gather a small family around herself. And Bobby…

Maybe Bobby was another puzzle piece that would help her create that wholeness she craved.

She clicked off the phone and turned around slowly, doing one last mirror check. Her teal dress was fun and flirty, a light silk, flaring at the knees. Perfect for her date.

She’d learned to appreciate Bobby for never giving up, for always coming back, for wanting her without wavering. For knowing what he wanted and being brave enough to stick with it. She no longer wanted a man larger than life, the legendary hero, the completely unattainable.

She’d had a pretty good talk with her shrink about that. How she’d always felt guilty about her past, so maybe she thought she didn’t deserve true happiness and chose Ian, a man she subconsciously knew she could never have.

If she wanted a better future, she needed to learn to make better choices.

The intercom chimed. She pressed it and said, “I’m on my way down,” at the same time as Bobby said, “I’m here.”

Purse. Keys. Shoes.And then she was running down the stairs.

Crystal texted her:

Want to go out?

Daniela texted her back:

Going out with Bobby. Want to come?

Crystal wrote:

Too fabulous to be 3rdwheel. Will magnanimously

give him privacy to pop the question.

Daniela typed:

He’s not going to propose!

To which Crystal said: