I barely stumbled out of my bedroom and into the kitchen to make coffee when the banging started. Good grief, barely seven o’clock and the hounds were already loose. “Come in,” I greeted the over-curious, over-smiling women at my door.

“We just, umm, wanted to…” Riley mumbled while looking around my apartment—I assumed for a hot chef.

“Relax, ladies. He’s not here.” I sighed. For some reason, saying that made me depressed. It was nice having someone around yesterday, even if it was because my ex-husband acted badly. I dropped down on the couch, already wishing for a nap.

“But he was here yesterday, we saw,” Roza boomed. She stood while Riley sat beside me.

I sighed even louder and gave them the lowdown on the last twenty-four hours. At first, they were concerned for my safety, because of the attack and all. But after they heard how Jack stepped in, they changed their tune.

“That little fucking weasel,” Riley said and slammed her fists into the couch. “How dare he put his hands on you. I’d like to tear that little fucker limb from limb, and—” This was even starting to gross me out.

I cut her off. “It’s fine. Luckily, Jack was there, and everything worked out, I think.”

“Who did you speak to at the station?” Riley asked. She looked ready to kill. As if she would know anyone down there. Pfft.

“That man is a jerk!” Roza yelled so loud my ears rang. It broke my heart seeing these two women so angry all because of me. Well, technically, it was Gabe, but I’m the one who married the idiot.

“Jack beat him to a pulp. He won’t be stalking me anymore, trust me.” Even as I said it, my gut told me otherwise—my stomach seized and twisted, making me nauseous.

When my phone pinged, all eyes landed on the text from Jack. It wasn’t my first text from him, though. He sent me a goodnight text last night after he left, which was after our reading cuddle-fest on my couch. I’d never had more fun while I read. It was hard to keep my hands off him, but he was adamant we take it slow.

I tried a couple of times to start things up a bit, but both times he slowed it down and said we should get back to our books.

Around eleven o’clock, Jack yawned and said he had to get to bed. Something about a bunch of early meetings in the morning regarding his new restaurant. I allowed this excuse, but I was surprised how devastated I was that he had to go. So much so, my stomach did weird flips and twists when I walked him to the door to leave.

“Oh, let me get your food,” I offered, but Jack clutched my arm before I could take one step.

“Gorgeous, just leave it. Take the leftovers for lunch tomorrow,” he said, and my face—and heart—fell. I guess I wouldn’t be seeing him at lunch.

Lifting my chin up with his finger, he said, “My day is packed tomorrow. I called in some favors for all the time off I had today.” He looked into my eyes. “I’ll call you tomorrow night before you go to bed.”

Dammit, I wouldn’t see him tomorrow. At all.

“Okay, Jack. Thanks for today, for...well, everything.”

He pulled me close and kissed the top of my head. “You are making it incredibly difficult to leave,” he said with a smile in his voice. His hand went under my chin and his thumb stroked my lonely lips.

The physical and emotional ache he left in my body was astounding. I’d only met the man a couple of weeks ago and the effect he already had on me was crazy. And kind of scary.

“Holy crap, he misses you.” Riley ogled my phone with wide eyes. The woman showed restraint by not picking it up. I gave her credit for that.

Jack: Morning, gorgeous. Hope you’re not too tired today at work. Wish I could have stayed to make you breakfast. Maybe next time?

My lower lady parts clenched at his words while I pondered exactly what activities might come before he made me breakfast.

Jack: And if that asshole contacts you again, call me ASAP.

Me: I’m okay. I wish you’d stayed, too. Breakfast sounds nice.

Jack: Gotta run. Call me if something happens, right?

I took a deep breath and smiled. Having someone who cared for me like that made me all warm inside.

Me: Yeah, I will. Hope you have a good day. TTYL.

“This is good. Very, very good. A man who cooks is worth his weight in gold. Hold on to him.” Roza clapped her hands together and got ready to leave. “Tonight, you two, at my place and we make perogies.”

“But Roza, I—” Riley started, but wasn’t allowed to finish.

“Cancel. I don’t care. You both need to learn this. After work, you come over.” She pointed to Riley. “And prepare to get messy. No fancy schmancy clothes.” Off she shuffled and slammed the door. The silence left behind was deafening.

Riley stood up to leave, too. “Well, that settles that.” The curiosity almost killed me, but I decided not to ask what plans Riley had to cancel. If she wanted me to know, she’d tell me. “I guess we’re making perogies. What exactly are perogies, anyway?” she asked me, like I should know the answer.

“No clue, but it sounds messy.” I smiled at her as she strutted out the door.

To say the workday dragged would be an understatement. I missed Jack and trying to concentrate on work seemed like an impossible task. When lunchtime came around, my phone pinged.

Jack: Did you remember to bring lunch?

I grinned stupidly at my phone and typed my response.

Me: Of course, I did! Can’t wait to eat your leftovers, Jack. Thx again.

Jack: Good. Gotta run. Have a great day. Miss you.

How sweet was that? Jack texting to make sure I brought lunch. My smile couldn’t get any wider.

Five o’clock couldn’t come fast enough.

Vivienne came in a little later and plopped down on the chair in front of my desk without saying a word. I looked up at her and tried to decipher her mood. I finally gave up and smacked my open hands on the desk.

“What’s up?” I asked, wading in with caution.

“What’s up is that I just had a meeting with Jack. Jack, who was whistling in his office before I walked in. Jack, who was smiling like a stupid teenager in love while texting on his phone before our meeting. Jack, who could not stop smiling even when we were discussing difficult, un-smiley subjects. That’s what’s up.” She laid it out, crossing her legs in her smart tan skirt with matching jacket. But the real showstoppers were her glossy, strappy heels.

“Really?” I said in such a high pitch only dogs could hear it.

She smirked at me. “He’s smitten, sweetie. You landed yourself a good one.” My heart skipped, and I flushed. “But honey, you need to tell me what happened with your ex. Dean filled me in yesterday, but I want to hear it from you now.” Shit.

There was no way out, so with the help of a few tissues and some deep breathing, I spilled.

Oh well, I stood and warmed up my leftovers. Time to eat, or so I thought. Right after Vivienne left, I received a text from my sister.

Charlie: Forget something? No problem. I called Mom this morning.

Oh, that little redheaded troublemaker.

Me: You did NOT!

Charlie: Oh, didn’t I?

Shit. I called her immediately.

“Charlie!” I yelled into the phone before she had time to say a word. Out of frustration, the lead tip on the pencil I held broke on my paper. Gah. All I heard on the other end was a cackle of laughter. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“You sneaky little wench. How are you feeling?” I sank back into my chair, trying to get my heart to start beating again.

“Gross as usual, and my students are assholes. Well, one student. He brought in his parents to complain to me about his grades. I nearly vomited on all of them because they kept me hostage in my office for so long. Jerks. Can you believe that shit? Dude’s at a university, not an elementary school. God, grow the fuck up already.”

Sounded like Charlie was getting it from all angles and none of it was good. Poor girl.

“That’s so stupid. What kind of wiener gets his parents to complain to his prof? How embarrassing.”

“So there’s a Jack now. We need to meet him,” she said, clearly waiting for an invite.

Trying my best to stifle a groan, I rolled my eyes and addressed my current conundrum. Deep breath.

“Charlie, we just met like days ago. It’s all still new. I don’t want to scare him off yet by saying, ‘Hey, new boyfriend, come meet my parents. FYI, my mom and sister are already planning our wedding. What colors do you like for bridesmaid dresses, and what kind of cake do you want?’” I attempted to get my point across.

She giggled into the phone, and it made me laugh. “Don’t be stupid. Men don’t care about the color of any dresses. They do like cake, though.” Letting out a dramatic sigh, I slouched over and put my head in my hand.

“You get my point, right? Can you give us some time to just be us for a while? It’s been years since I’ve been courted. It’s kind of nice,” I said into the phone and realized how true it was and how nice it felt to have someone in my life like Jack.

“Uh, that dick never ‘courted’ you, Harper. Let’s just get that clear. Hypnotized you and kidnapped your brain and good sense, yes. Courted, no,” she said. “I’ll give you some time, but you have proven yourself unable to make these kinds of choices on your own. I’m older now. I’m sticking my nose in this time.”

She spoke the truth. I’d already screwed up years of my life. I was well acquainted with that fact.

“I know, I know.” I nodded my head in agreement, not that she could see. “I get that, okay? I lived it. He’s so far from another Gabe, it’s ridiculous.”

“Yeah? How?” she said with a note of curiosity that made me laugh.

“Well, he’s about a foot taller than Gabe. Oh, and he’s not a complete asshole. He reads, he cooks for me, and he’s so gorgeous to look at your eyes will burn. I’ve got no clue why he’s interested in me, but I’m riding this train until he dumps me off,” I relayed to her, making sure I included all of the best parts.

“First of all, you are so gorgeous my eyes burn, and you’re all those other things, too. Minus the cooking part.” Charlie snorted into the phone. I deserved that, but still.

“Gee, Charlie, thanks a bunch. I feel so much better now.”

“Look, you’re a hot, smart, funny, lovable woman. It’s about time someone who’s not a tiny douchebag appreciates that.”

“Jack kind of said something like that, but he added, ‘legs that go on for days.’” I chuckled and blushed remembering.

“He did not say that. Harper, he’s really into you,” she said and, man, I hoped that was true.

“I have to finish eating and get some things done around here. We’re busy, and my attention was kind of divided this morning,” I said, more than hinting it was time to go.

“Yeah, daydreaming about Mr. Wonderful takes up a lot of your time now, I bet,” she teased, but she was dead right. “Call me tonight and you can tell me more.”

“Uh, no go. Roza is kidnapping...oh, I mean teaching Riley and me how to make perogies. I’m sure we’ll be gone all evening. It sounds messy and time-consuming.”

“Sounds dangerous, Harper.” She laughed so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear. “Make sure there’s a fire extinguisher available if you’re in the kitchen, okay?” She cackled again. Jerk.