Second Chance Read Free Page A

black skirt and jacket gave it a classic but trendy feel.  The skirt was short enough to show off her shapely legs, but not so short as to make it inappropriate for business.  The form-fitting jacket hung just below her waist and was tailored to fit her perfectly.  A tan silk blouse underneath gave the outfit an air of class, and some funky jewelry added an artsy touch.  Perfect.
    Rummaging in the bottom of her closet for shoes, she emerged with a pair of black medium-heel pumps. Trying them on to make sure they still fit, she made her way over to the bathroom.  Standing in front of the vanity mirror, she swiped on a little mascara and lip gloss.  A final pass of the brush through her silky ash-blonde hair and she was ready to go.
    Grabbing her resume, Holly squelched a case of nerves.  It had taken her a good three hours to come up with something appealing, given her lack of job-related experience, but the end result was pretty darn good.
    Holly gave herself one last glance in the mirror before she headed out to her car.  Pulling in a deep breath, she tried to imbibe herself with an air of confidence.  Despite the fact this was her first job interview in almost fifteen years, she felt incredibly positive about it. 
    Holly locked the house and slid in to the driver’s seat of her car.  She turned the key in the ignition, backed out, and pointed the car towards the Cooley Art Gallery.
     
    ***
     
    Two and a half hours later, Holly left the art gallery with a smile on her face and a skip in her step.  Her interview had gone off without a hitch and she had a really good feeling she might get the job.  She had hit it off with the owner, Cal Cooley, right away as well, and the other staff members were warm and welcoming.  She felt at home among the various sculptures and paintings.  This would be a place she would love to come to work at every day.
    She felt excitement bubbling up inside of her, the kind of excitement one needs to share with someone else.  Should I call Rose ... or Nick?  Maybe both .
    As she rummaged for her phone, her stomach let out a large gurgle, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since breakfast.  She remembered her favorite little cafe was just a block down the street and decided to grab a bite before making any calls.  She turned down the sidewalk and headed towards the cafe.
    “Hello Holly.”
    The sound of her name startled her.  She turned, feeling a gasp tear from her throat. Standing on the sidewalk behind her was Stan.
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    “What are you doing here?” Holly felt her brows furrow together. How had Stan gotten back here with no money, and why would he come?
    “I came to talk things out, Holly. We can’t just throw away fifteen years like this.” On the surface, Stan seemed apologetic, but Holly saw the same expectant gleam in his eye she had seen back at the hotel, and it made her furious.
    “I don’t think so, Stan. After what you did to me I have no intention of ever going back to you.  We’re over.”  Fighting to keep calm, Holly turned and took a step away from him.
    Stan grabbed her arm and spun her back around to face him.  “It’s because of that new boyfriend you have, isn’t it?” Holly could see jealous anger clouding Stan’s face.  Had he always been this way?
    “Boyfriend?” Holly jerked her arm out of his grasp. “Oh, you mean Nick?  He’s not my boyfriend, he’s a private investigator I had to hire to find you , after you took off with another woman and all our money.”
    Struggling to control her anger, Holly saw Stan’s eyes narrow and a menacing look spread across his face.
    “That money was mine,” he spat.  “I earned it.  You never worked a day during our marriage.” 
    Holly might have been afraid of Stan, except she remembered that he was the kind of bully that talked mean but who ran away when push came to shove, a trait she had overlooked when she fell in love with him. 
    “I wanted to work, but instead