my path?
“She’s a Six Sigma Black Belt for the Geoffries hotel chain.” Rach said this in what I could only interpret as an English accent.
My brows came together. “Black Belt? As in kung fu? How does martial arts help the hotel?”
It sure didn’t help my career search, since I’d never even taken karate.
She waved a hand dismissively. “It’s apparently an upper level management position, which creates methods for improving quality.”
Ellen picked up a slice of sourdough. “Henry and I stayed at the Geoffries when we honeymooned in Kauai. Not sure what they’d improve on though, because our stay was amazing.”
Rach turned to Ellen, wearing a dark look. “Maybe when Kate and Noah get back together, they can get you a sweet discount for your first anniversary?”
Ellen put a hand to her mouth. “That didn’t come out how I meant. You know I’m on your side, whatever it is.”
In response, Rach’s eyes welled.
I reached across the table, and put my hand over hers. “You said his ex is coming to Sac for work, but why is that making you feel threatened in your relationship?”
Her lower lip trembled. “Because she’s gorgeous? And she’s seen my boyfriend naked? Clearly, she’s realized what she lost and wants to get him back.”
Ellen’s mouth formed an O. “Don’t jump to conclusions, sweetie. Noah’s trustworthy.”
I was about to agree that Noah was faithful, but I’d thought the same thing about Jake. So, I closed my mouth and looked away.
Rach’s mouth thinned, and she turned to me. “What, Kristen? You think he’s hiding something? Should I talk to him about it? Tell him how insecure I feel?”
“Well . . .” My initial reaction was to suggest that exactly, opening up and talking to him about her concerns. But, then again, it’s not like my bonehead method of thinking had saved me from heartbreak. I scratched my temple, wondering what I’d do in her situation. “If I’d run a background check on Jake before dating him, I would’ve known his marital status up front.”
“Kristen!” Ellen’s chided. “She can’t go behind Noah’s back like that.”
“I’m not saying she should.” My forehead wrinkled, remembering how honest Jake had seemed. “Noah comes off as committed, but nothing would shock me anymore. For all we know, he’s been sexting his ex the last two months and now they’re hooking up to make it official.”
Rach made a mewing sound.
Ellen gasped. “Don’t listen to her, Rach. She’s jaded.”
I brought my hands to my chest. “No, I’m realistic. Rach needs to keep her eyes open, so she doesn’t get hurt like I did.”
Rach’s eyes bulged. “You think he’s cheating on me?”
I swallowed, wishing I could rule out the chance. “I just want you to be careful. Don’t overlook clues. In any case, it would be better to know sooner rather than later.”
She hugged herself. “This is even worse than I thought.”
The waiter brought the check, and I picked it up. I hated to see Rach upset, but it’s not like I’d be doing her any favors by sugarcoating the possibilities.
Ellen snatched the bill away. “I hope you’re happy with yourself.”
My eyes widened. “What? For trying to make sure my friend doesn’t get played?”
She blew out a breath. “You’re paranoid. Just because your ex was a jerk, doesn’t mean Noah is.”
“Doesn’t mean he isn’t,” I said, hating to point out the cold, hard fact.
I tried to put some cash in the tray, but Ellen brushed me off, setting down her credit card instead. “Save your money for therapy. You’ve totally lost it.”
No, I just didn’t want Rach to get blindsided the way I had.
****
That evening, I arrived at the two-story, brick building that housed the Sacramento History Museum, and spotted Ethan sitting out front on an ornately carved wooden bench. He looked like he belonged in a museum himself. One that would display a perfectly chiseled male statue, that is.
He wore
“She’s a Six Sigma Black Belt for the Geoffries hotel chain.” Rach said this in what I could only interpret as an English accent.
My brows came together. “Black Belt? As in kung fu? How does martial arts help the hotel?”
It sure didn’t help my career search, since I’d never even taken karate.
She waved a hand dismissively. “It’s apparently an upper level management position, which creates methods for improving quality.”
Ellen picked up a slice of sourdough. “Henry and I stayed at the Geoffries when we honeymooned in Kauai. Not sure what they’d improve on though, because our stay was amazing.”
Rach turned to Ellen, wearing a dark look. “Maybe when Kate and Noah get back together, they can get you a sweet discount for your first anniversary?”
Ellen put a hand to her mouth. “That didn’t come out how I meant. You know I’m on your side, whatever it is.”
In response, Rach’s eyes welled.
I reached across the table, and put my hand over hers. “You said his ex is coming to Sac for work, but why is that making you feel threatened in your relationship?”
Her lower lip trembled. “Because she’s gorgeous? And she’s seen my boyfriend naked? Clearly, she’s realized what she lost and wants to get him back.”
Ellen’s mouth formed an O. “Don’t jump to conclusions, sweetie. Noah’s trustworthy.”
I was about to agree that Noah was faithful, but I’d thought the same thing about Jake. So, I closed my mouth and looked away.
Rach’s mouth thinned, and she turned to me. “What, Kristen? You think he’s hiding something? Should I talk to him about it? Tell him how insecure I feel?”
“Well . . .” My initial reaction was to suggest that exactly, opening up and talking to him about her concerns. But, then again, it’s not like my bonehead method of thinking had saved me from heartbreak. I scratched my temple, wondering what I’d do in her situation. “If I’d run a background check on Jake before dating him, I would’ve known his marital status up front.”
“Kristen!” Ellen’s chided. “She can’t go behind Noah’s back like that.”
“I’m not saying she should.” My forehead wrinkled, remembering how honest Jake had seemed. “Noah comes off as committed, but nothing would shock me anymore. For all we know, he’s been sexting his ex the last two months and now they’re hooking up to make it official.”
Rach made a mewing sound.
Ellen gasped. “Don’t listen to her, Rach. She’s jaded.”
I brought my hands to my chest. “No, I’m realistic. Rach needs to keep her eyes open, so she doesn’t get hurt like I did.”
Rach’s eyes bulged. “You think he’s cheating on me?”
I swallowed, wishing I could rule out the chance. “I just want you to be careful. Don’t overlook clues. In any case, it would be better to know sooner rather than later.”
She hugged herself. “This is even worse than I thought.”
The waiter brought the check, and I picked it up. I hated to see Rach upset, but it’s not like I’d be doing her any favors by sugarcoating the possibilities.
Ellen snatched the bill away. “I hope you’re happy with yourself.”
My eyes widened. “What? For trying to make sure my friend doesn’t get played?”
She blew out a breath. “You’re paranoid. Just because your ex was a jerk, doesn’t mean Noah is.”
“Doesn’t mean he isn’t,” I said, hating to point out the cold, hard fact.
I tried to put some cash in the tray, but Ellen brushed me off, setting down her credit card instead. “Save your money for therapy. You’ve totally lost it.”
No, I just didn’t want Rach to get blindsided the way I had.
****
That evening, I arrived at the two-story, brick building that housed the Sacramento History Museum, and spotted Ethan sitting out front on an ornately carved wooden bench. He looked like he belonged in a museum himself. One that would display a perfectly chiseled male statue, that is.
He wore
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