Page 36 of The Moment You Know

“I know. But I won’t be seeing him again, which means you don’t need to hear about him.”

“Paige …”

“Jules …”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Paige was resolute; Hale was now attached to one of the most terrible moments in time for her and she knew from experience associations like that were really hard to get rid of. They could be neutralized, but not forgotten.

Jules didn’t push it any further, but her disappointment was obvious as she put Paige’s phone back in her pocket. “Poor Hale. I think I understand why you cut him loose, but still. It sucks balls.”

“It does suck balls. I liked him.”

“Look, I know last night was above-average bad as far as dates go, but it could’ve been worse, you know.”

“How could it have been worse?”

“Well, people die from falling and hitting their heads all the time, so—”

“All the time? You mean like on soap operas?”

Jules hid a smile. “Fine. Maybe not all the time. But you could’ve split your head open and needed stitches—and they probably would’ve had to shave part of your head.”

“Huh. I hadn’t thought of that.”

“I know. That’s what I’m here for, to do the heavy mental lifting. So quit wallowing and focus on your good fortune—”

“Wallowing seems a bit harsh.”

“—and promise me that you’re going to get right back in the saddle.”

“Well, not right back in the saddle, because I’m not going on another date until I quit feeling like Muhammad Ali’s sparring partner. But I’ll get back in the saddle as soon as I can. And hope like hell the next date is better.”

“It will be.”

“You’re probably right, since ending up in the hospital sets the bar pretty low.”

“Speaking of which … are you going to press charges against Ashley?” Jules asked.

“No.”

“I think you should.”

“Hale said the same thing. But I’m not going to.”

“Paige—”

“Hear me out, all right? I just want to turn my back on all this. I don’t want any further contact with that bitch and pressing charges will make that impossible.” Paige took a deep breath and slowly released it. “And it’s not like I would get any sort of ‘justice’ anyway, given that the real crime is Ashley having David’s son and calling him by my son’s name every day of her life. Pressing assault charges won’t change that. Plus, I kind of … started it.”

There was much Jules wanted to say, but bit back any further argument as she took in her friend’s tired face and shadowed eyes. “Okay.”

“Okay? That’s it?”

“That’s it. But I’m not going to lie. I wish you’d charge her ass. I really, really do, because even if you did start it, what she did wasn’t justified. But it’s your decision, and I’ll respect it.”

“Thank you.”

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