A Girl's Guide to Moving On Read Free

said, sounding as sad and miserable as I was.
    “Thanks. I’ve got to go.”
    “Nichole…Nichole…”
    I didn’t want to hear anything more that he had to say, so I ended the call. With tears blurring my eyes, I tossed my phone back inside my expensive Michael Kors purse. A purse I’d purchased because Jake insisted I deserved beautiful things. Now I understood he’d wanted me to have it because he’d felt guilty. As best I could figure, I’d bought the purse shortly after he learned Chrissy was pregnant with his child.
    Wiping the moisture from my cheek, I put the car in reverse, stepped on the accelerator, and immediately backed into a ditch.

I don’t know how long I sat in my car with my forehead resting against the steering wheel. I was embarrassed and shaken, and it wasn’t only from the accident. My marriage was over. I thought I was ready, more than ready. The reality of it hit me full force; a deep sense of loss and unreality swamped my senses.
    “Nichole, are you all right?”
    A disembodied voice came at me. When I lifted my head I found Alicia, the hairstylist, standing alongside my upended car. When I didn’t answer right away she knocked against the driver’s-side window.
    “Nichole. Nichole.”
    I lifted my head and nodded. “I am such an idiot.”
    “Are you hurt?”
    I assured her I wasn’t.
    “You’re going to need a tow truck to pull you out of here.”
    I figured as much.
    “Do you have Triple A?”
    I shook my head. It was an added expense I couldn’t afford.
    “Do you want me to call someone for you?”
    “Please.” Still I remained in the car, praying I hadn’t done any further damage to my vehicle.
    Alicia hesitated. “Are you sure you’re all right? You didn’t hit your head or anything, did you?”
    “No, no, I’m fine.” I wasn’t. I wasn’t anywhere close to okay, but that wasn’t due to the fact my car was head up in a ditch.
    Alicia hesitated and then left me. Breathless, she returned a few minutes later. I remained seated in the car, clenching the steering wheel. She opened the driver’s-side door. “Potter Towing will be here within thirty minutes.”
    I nodded. “Thanks.”
    “You need help getting out?” She studied me as if unconvinced I hadn’t suffered a head injury.
    I sniffled, ran my hand beneath my nose, and shook my head. “I’m not hurt, just a little shook up.”
    “Listen, I’d wait with you, but I’m giving Mrs. Fountaine a perm and I don’t want to leave the solution on too long. Denise has gone for the day, so I’m all alone.”
    “Don’t worry; go take care of Mrs. Fountaine. I’ll be okay.” I wanted to blame Jake for this but I was the one who hadn’t looked where I was going.
    Just as Alicia promised, a tow truck pulled into the parking lot about twenty-five minutes later. By then I had climbed out, had collected my purse, and was pacing anxiously, waiting. I’d called Leanne and told her what happened.
    “You’re sure you’re okay?” Leanne asked, and I could hear the concern in her voice.
    “No, no, I’m perfectly all right. I just wanted you to know I’ll be later than usual. Look, I need to go, the tow truck just pulled up.”
    “Don’t worry about Owen. He’s doing great. Take your time.”
    I disconnected just as a hulk of a man jumped out of the tow truck. He had on greasy overalls and a sleeveless shirt. Both arms revealed bulging muscles and full-sleeve tattoos. His eyes were a piercing shade of blue as his gaze skidded past me to my car.
    “How’d that happen?” he asked, studying the position of the car.
    “I wasn’t drinking, if that is what you think.”
    He shook his head and grinned. “You mean to say you did that sober?”
    For the first time since I’d ended the conversation with Jake, I smiled. “I guess it does look like I was on something.”
    His smile was friendly, lighting up his eyes.
    I wrapped my arms around my waist. “How much is this going to set me back?” I asked.
    He