Page 100 of The Singles Club

But I said one step at a time. No pressure. No expectations. Just see where we want to take this before she leaves. I have to be patient.

Vivian reached for her necklace again, but I instead entwined her fingers with mine. “We’ll tell them only if and when you’re ready.”

She softly kissed my lips and caressed the side of my face. “Thank you.”

Why did I have the feeling this woman was going to break my heart?

21

Mothers and Sons

Vivian

Crystal and Isabella’s surprise was better than I thought it would be: they brought the old crew back together. All seven of us, plus our newest recruit Becky. We reminisced about old times and the fun we had, including the night we were all kicked out of some bar in Southie because Tanya started dancing on the bar counter.

It was great to see all of them again, and the talk about spouses wasn’t overbearing or the main focus. Most were happy to have a night out.

“We should do this more often,” Isabella said. “Screw the Singles Club rules! We’ll have a Girls’ Night Club.”

Tanya sipped her beer. “You know I’m all for that. I really missed you guys.”

Heather, the first to leave the club and get married, held her hand in the air as if to object. “With the baby, I couldn’t do it every Friday, but maybe we can make Girls’ Night a once per month thing?”

“How about the last Friday of every month?” Crystal asked.

“Saturdays would be even better,” Jasmine added.

Isabella held her drink in the air. “Okay, whoever is for Girls’ Night the last Saturday of every month, raise your glasses.” Everyone followed and clinked their cocktails… except me. Since I’d be living in another country, I’d never be able to make it.

My heart felt heavy as I looked over all of them. It really hit me that in only a week, I’d be gone.

Crystal nudged my arm. “You okay?”

“Yes.” I sipped my wine. “I’m just going to miss you guys.”

Tears rimmed her eyes. “We’re going to miss you too.”

I swallowed down the ache. “I’ll come home sometimes, and you and Iz better come and visit me in Paris.”

“You know we will… and you make friends easily. You’ll meet people out there too.”

She was right, but I liked the ones I already had just fine.

Becky plopped down next to me. “So, I wanted to tell you the news.”

“What news?”

She beamed out a smile. “Eli and I are officially dating.”

“Really? That’s great! How did it happen?”

“I told him how I really felt.”

Not a strategy I would have advised, but apparently it worked for them.

“And what did he say?”

She set down her drink, her eyes drifting back to that moment. “Turns out, he’s felt the same way the whole time. He wasn’t even crushing on that girl, he made her up to see how I’d react, hoping I’d be jealous or something and maybe admit I felt more for him than just friendship.”