“Plus,” Stella continues. “We all know why you took his commission. It was smart for your business. But you have to admit, it’s more than a job at this point. Like why were you at his house today?”

I wasn’t expecting that callout. “How did you know I was there?”

“We checked your location,” Ainsley says. “We were worried about you spending the day alone.”

“And I only know one place in that area of town that would’ve kept you there for hours on end,” Stella says. “Did you really need to hang curtains on Thanksgiving?”

I guess now is as good of a time as any to tell them the other breaking news in my life. “I went there because when I dropped Jayce off today, Josh informed me he and Vivian eloped last week. And I didn’t want to sit around all day alone, so I went to work.”

The table goes quiet until Simon’s bark breaks the silence. “He did fuckingwhat?”

I wave him off. “Yup. Eloped. And don’t ask for more details, because that’s all I have.”

“Holy shit,” Stella mutters. “That’s fucking huge.”

“It is,” Quinn says. “Which then brings us back to the original question—why did this major life thing happen and you went to him, and not to us?”

“I—” Shit…I never even thought of that. In my mind, everyone had things going on today. But in reality, that was just Simon and Stella. I could’ve called Quinn or Ainsley. But I didn’t. On the surface, I wanted to work and keep my hands busy. But in the back of my mind, did I want to see Logan?

“Listen, at the end of the day, and between the teasing, all we’re saying is if this man is different, it’s okay to change your mind,” Quinn says. “At the time of your divorce, you did what you thought was best for you and Jayce. And no one will ever tell you that it wasn’t the right decision, because it was the right decision for you.”

“But,” Stella chimes in. “If Logan’s different, if he brings out something in you that you didn’t think existed, or had been pushed down so far that you forgot about it, don’t run from it. Embrace it.”

“And don’t close yourself off,” Ainsley says. “Maybe he’s in front of you at this time because it’s the right time. But don’t be stubborn and think that you have to die on a hill that you built for survival. Remember that.”

Damn. When did I get such smart sisters?

Because they’re right. I did and said what I needed to do when I got divorced for my survival and sanity. I was about to be a solo parent, and I went into the only mode I knew—do it all yourself. No distractions. No messiness. Leave the party days behind and focus on the future.

Be in total control.

But they’re right; if it only took Logan a few looks, a few drinks, and a few “Loves” to break those walls, even if just a little, doesn’t that mean something?

Fuck, now I’m more confused than I was coming in here.

I look over to Simon, who is the only sibling who has yet to say anything. “Got anything to add, big brother?”

“I do,” he says, sitting up straight like he’s about to make a grand statement. “Is he anactualbillionaire? Like, what kind of cars is he driving? Does he have a plane? And he’s British? Is he James Bond? Or like a British Batman?”

Ladies and gentlemen…my family.

guide to love rule #85

Find things that help you relieve stress. If they also help ensure you don’t murder your ex, even better.

18

maeve

Bathrooms scrubbed?Check.

Sheets washed and bed remade? Check.

Baseboards wiped down: Check.

Garage swept and organized: Also check.

There’s not another space in my house I could possibly clean. It’s sparkling, and you can eat off the damn floors.