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“First off, it was all on her. I mean…initially. She came to me.”

“Okay. And how’d it go?” Rachel leaned forward on the desk.

“It went well…great. That’s not the point of this conversation.”

“What is?”

“She left shortly after, which is understandable. She had to get back to Caleb in case he woke up. But this morning, she was a no-show. She never came out of her room. She just sent Caleb out, ready to go to school.”

“Wow. Well, she’s obviously struggling with what happened.”

“That much I know. What I don’t know is why?” He leaned back in his chair. “I mean, I get that it was a big step. I understand that. But why not talk about it? Why avoid me?”

“Did something happen yesterday that might have made her forget briefly that she wasn’t ready? Did you have a moment or something?”

“A moment? We had a good day. We had a good weekend. Caleb had a big breakthrough. He talked to both of us. Actually talked. We made Mickey Mouse pancakes and hung up a tire swing in the backyard. It was a good day, but not an earth-shattering, throw caution to the wind and go for it kind of day.”

“I guess she couldn’t help herself. It’s like you’re already a couple, without the sex. Until now, of course.”

“That doesn’t really help.”

Rachel smiled. “You need to give her some time. And if she’s not ready to go there again, then…well, you need to keep being the patient, wonderful friend that you are.”

“I don’t feel like a wonderful friend. I’m kind of pissed off.”

“That’s understandable.”

“I feel…used.”

“Poor Milo.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m sorry.”

“So wait and see? That’s your advice?”

“Yes.”

He picked up his fork again. “Okay, enough about me. How’s the relationship with Mr. Mediocre coming along? Did you break up with him?”

“I tried. I really did.”

“So, besides the bad sex and the fact that you have nothing in common with the man, what’s wrong with him?”

“It’s not just about the sex. You make me sound so shallow.” She cocked her head. “I’m not shallow.”

“I didn’t say you were.”

“He’s looking for something long-term. Like marriage and kids. That is miles away from what I want. At least for now.”

“Then you should end it. If you don’t want the same things…” He sighed. “You should’ve learned your lesson on that one.”

The big, empty house was almost too much to bear as Wilda spent the day unable to concentrate. Every room reminded her of Milo and the conversations they’d had about his plans for each room. She’d start a project, find her mind drifting back to last night, give up, then try again with a different project in another room. She finally gave up completely and sat on the back deck for an hour until it was time to pick up Caleb. Milo would be there, and she wouldn’t be able to avoid him.

Tom had been her high school sweetheart. He was the only man she’d ever been intimate with. Now she’d made a life-changing mistake and couldn’t figure out what to do about it. Milo would be hurt, or mad, or both. He had every right to be.

She left early, so she’d be there before the kids were released. She wanted to be ready to take Caleb and go while Milo was taking the kids to the bus. It was immature of her to keep avoiding him, but tonight she’d have to face him. Staying in her room all evening wasn’t acceptable. She needed to talk to him and tell him how she felt. If only she knew how that was.