43

Four Months Later

Marian Gaenor shut her office door. She was bone tired and wished she hadn’t promised Bob, the man she’d been dating casually these past three weeks, that she’d go out with him tonight. Maybe she’d call and cancel.

She’d grab the subway home and curl up with a good book. But it was her thirty-first birthday. She should celebrate.

All the way home she debated canceling or going. Her phone was ringing when she got to her door. Rushing inside, she picked up the receiver just in time.

“Hi, girlfriend, have any pizza?”

“Chelsea. It’s great to hear your voice. I have wine but no pizza. Wish you were here.”

“I am. I’m at the airport. I’ll get the cabbie to stop for pizza and be there shortly. You don’t have other plans, do you? I should have checked, but I wanted to surprise you.”

“No. Come on. I can’t wait to see you.” As soon as Marian hung up, she called and cancelled her date. Ah, that felt good