Jack met Bernie for breakfast that Wednesday morning as usual. Bernie took one look at him when he sat down next to her and immediately asked him what was wrong.

“Is it that obvious?” he asked glumly. Kelsi handed him a hot mug of coffee and told them what Bob’s daily special was, a kitchen sink omelet.

“It’s whatever he feels like throwing in. Little of this, little of that. Of course it’s delicious.”

Once they put their order in and Kelsi disappeared into the kitchen, Bernie turned to him and spoke softly. Jaclyn and Simon were sitting down at the other end of the counter and she knew Jack wouldn’t want them to overhear. His sister knew him well and he appreciated that.

“Melissa broke things off. I moved back home on Sunday.”

“Oh! I didn’t expect that. I’d hoped that it might actually work for the two of you now that Cooper is out of the picture.”

“I did, too. We kissed for the first time Saturday night,” he confessed. “And I mean a real kiss, not a peck like the day we married.”

“Oh, no chemistry then? That’s too bad.”

Jack laughed. “Hardly. I thought our chemistry was off the charts and I think Melissa liked it, too. She wasn’t in any hurry for it to stop.”

Bernie looked confused. “So, what then?”

“I think it just freaked her out. Too much too soon, with Cooper finally out of the picture. I don’t know. She said something about my history and me being able to go date other people now. I think she maybe thought she was holding me back or something.”

“Well, did you tell her how you feel?”

“I tried. I don’t think she was ready to hear it, to be honest. She said she wanted to take a break and just be alone.”

“Well, maybe that’s what she needs then, some time to miss you,” Bernie said wisely.

“Do you think she might?”

Bernie looked at him as if was stupid. “Are you serious? Do you miss her?”

Jack sighed. “So much. More than I thought I would. I have this beautiful house now, but it feels so empty. Just me and Roger.”

Bernie smiled at him as Kelsi set down their food. “Maybe the time apart will be good for you, too. You can give her time to miss you also. If it’s meant to be it will work out.”

“That doesn’t sound very reassuring.”

“Keep busy, Jack. Live your life. Come to trivia with us tomorrow. Don’t just stay home and mope. Maybe you’ll see her there.”

Jack brightened. “That’s true. She usually goes, right?”

“She does.”

* * *

Bernie and Lily stopped by the bookstore that Thursday to see if Melissa wanted to walk to trivia with them.

“I think I’m going to skip it tonight,” Melissa said.

“Oh, really? Why?” Lily asked. Bernie looked disappointed.

“My sister is coming in tomorrow for a visit and I want to get her room ready for her, do some grocery shopping. Plus, I’m exhausted. I’m looking forward to an early night.

“Oh, okay then. Will your sister be here next week? Bring her to trivia with us. That would be fun.”

Melissa smiled. “She might like that. She’s heard me talk about it often enough. Good luck tonight.”

She watched them go and felt a pang of disappointment that she wasn’t going to join them. The real reason she wasn’t going was that she worried that Jack might be there and she just wasn’t ready to see him yet. It was too soon and too raw still. She was missing him something fierce since he left. The house felt so empty without him and Roger there. Thank goodness for Misty. The little cat seemed to sense that she was sad and stuck close by when she was home. She even allowed her to pick her up now, though she didn’t want to be hugged for long. After a minute or two, she wiggled to get down. Melissa was grateful for her company, though. It just wasn’t the same.

But her sister would be here soon enough. She was picking her up at the airport and then they were going to spend the weekend in Riston. They’d fly to Seattle Sunday night for two days. She didn’t want to leave Misty for too long or the shop. Anna and Katherine said they’d take good care of it while she was out and she was only missing two full days.

* * *

She had a wonderful visit with Melanie. She loved Riston and it was fun to play tourist in her own town and then to do it again in Seattle. They weren’t able to get into the Herb Farm on such short notice, but they found plenty of excellent places to eat, and Melanie loved the bed and breakfast and the Dungeness crab quiche.

Misty was thrilled to see them when they returned and Melanie nicknamed her Velcro kitty because she was unusually clingy with Melissa after being gone for a few days.

“She missed you!” Melanie said as they relaxed in the living room and sipped a glass of the cabernet from Columbia Crest that Melissa had liked so much. She bought a case of it to bring home.

“Do you want to go to trivia with everyone tomorrow night? Bernie suggested that I bring you so you can meet them all.”

“Sure, that sounds fun. Will Jack be there? I’d love to meet him, too.”

“I don’t know. He might be.”

“You sound like you miss him.”

Melissa sighed. “I do.”

“I bet he’s missing you, too. Have you heard from him?”

“No, not a word.” Melissa was a little surprised and admittedly disappointed.

“Well, you did tell him to get out,” Melanie said reasonably. “He’s just doing as you asked, giving you some space.”

“I suppose. I didn’t expect to miss him this much.”

“You should probably talk to him, and see if he’s missing you, too.”

“What if he’s not?” The thought terrified Melissa. What if he was off dating up a storm and not thinking of her at all?

“Well, if he’s not, better to know now, right?”

“Right.”