Page 69 of The Perfect Secret
“Ah, that explains it.”
“Explains what?”
“Something in your expression whenever I get personal.”
“Probably.”
Marc turned away. When he turned back, he looked at her. “Whoever he was, he was a fool.”
Except, he wasn’t.
“How’s your new job?” Aviva asked Hannah when they met for brunch that weekend. The blue-and-white restaurant, decorated with cows, was known for its amazing pancakes, and both women ordered them as soon as they were seated. Now, with coffee poured, they waited for their food to arrive.
“I like it.” Hannah described the office, Barbara, and her co-workers.
“I love Stan! You’ll have to introduce me to him. Any other interesting men in the office? Straight ones?”
Hannah fidgeted at Aviva’s pointed look. “Not really.”
“Which isn’t a definitive no, so tell me!”
Hannah rolled her eyes and told her about Marc and their drinks. “It was weird and awkward. Especially because I tried to keep things work-related and he didn’t.”
“Well, give him a chance. He might be someone you want to get to know better when you’re ready to date again.”
“I don’t think I should date a co-worker. Look what happened before.”
“Oh come on. That was Jim being an asshole. No one can believe he did that to you. Barbara sounds different.”
“Still, it wouldn’t be wise for me not to learn from previous mistakes.”
“So you think Dan was a mistake?”
Hannah circled the rim of her coffee cup with her finger. “I miss him.” She looked across the table at Aviva, who grabbed her hand and squeezed. “You should have seen me at the dinner table on Thanksgiving, trying to figure out a way to express gratitude, when I don’t feel it.”
“I know, sweetie. But he’s got obvious issues and you don’t need someone like him in your life.”
“But it doesn’t mean I don’t miss him. I miss Tess. I was supposed to go to her art show, but I can’t now. And I wish I could.”
“I know but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself with Marc, or someone else, even, if he makes you happy. I’m not saying you should. With all the unwanted matchmaking my roommates did for me, the last thing I’d do is force my best friend into a relationship.”
Hannah smiled.
“But I will say keep your mind open. You never know what might happen when you least expect it.”
Their pancakes arrived and the two women changed the subject as they ate. When they’d finished, they hugged outside on the sidewalk.
“I miss having you around every day,” Hannah said.
“Me too. Let’s get together again soon. Okay?”
As Hannah headed home, she tried not to let melancholy wash over her. Between losing Dan and no longer working with Aviva, she was lonely.
Chapter Twenty
Dan’s luck evaporated.
He swept the puzzle pieces to the floor. Multi-colored, multi-faceted pieces scattered across the Berber carpet like confetti. He swore under his breath. This was not working. No matter how many pieces he added to the picture, no matter how he focused on each piece, thoughts of Hannah invaded his mind. His throat went dry.