Category:

Luke was definitely good-looking and he seemed nice. But engaged! She wondered why Daphne hadn't told her. It was probably Caroline's fault. Since Daphne moved to Boston a few months ago, they had barely seen each other. Caroline kept promising to come to Boston to see Daphne's new apartment, but she never had. And when Daphne suggested she come to New York, Caroline had put her off. She was so weighed down by her own grief over their mother's death, she couldn't take on Daphne's as well. Now she wished she had made the trip to Boston, or had Daphne visit her. Even though she was five years older than Daphne, they had always confided in each other, and she hated that she didn't know about this important person in her life.

"So, tell me how you met," Caroline said when they settled on the sofa.

Luke took Daphne's hand, and she curled her fingers around his. "It was about two months ago, I came down here for the weekend," Daphne began. "I was walking Truffles in the woods, and he got free from his collar. Luke brought him back for me."

"He wouldn't have gone far," Luke volunteered. "I've never seen a dog so attached to his owner."

Daphne had always been wonderful with dogs. The few times they had a dog when they were growing up, it always became Daphne's. Anne was busy at work, and Caroline didn't have the patience to walk the dog early in the morning. The dog slept curled up on Daphne's bed, and Daphne tossed a ball with him for hours. "We talked for a while, then I invited Luke to come over for dinner," Daphne continued. "I was cooking paella and I always make too much. It's nicer to have someone to share it with."

Caroline never invited men to dinner at her apartment. It was one of her rules. Never let a guy see where you live. The most important rule was never to date a guy for more than a month. It was the only way to not get her heart broken, and make sure she always took care of herself.

She and Jack had lasted three weeks. One night, it started raining when they met for dinner after work. She lived close by, so she broke her own rule and invited him to her apartment for pizza instead. If she hadn't, he wouldn't have been able to spend the week after she broke up with him pacing up and down in front of her building.

"Daphne is a wonderful cook." Luke beamed. "I told her if she ever quits the PR firm, she should be the chef at my restaurant."

"Luke opened a restaurant in Hudson," Daphne piped up. "It's on Warren Street in one of those old clapboard houses. There's even an apartment above, where he lives."

"But your job is in Boston," Caroline said to Daphne. "Where will you live?"

"We'll figure it out." Daphne waved her hand. "I can work remotely, or we can spend part of our time in Boston. The important thing is that we love each other and want to be together."

Anne had been one of those fiercely committed New Yorkers and Caroline was the same. It was one thing to be able to escape to the cabin during the summer and on holidays, but she couldn't imagine living anywhere besides Manhattan.

Daphne cut into her thoughts. "Just think—if Truffles had behaved himself, it never would have happened."

Luke placed his arm around Daphne. "I'm going to spend my life making you happy."

Caroline glanced at the diamond ring again. It really was beautiful. Simple and classic and elegant. "When did that happen, and why didn't you tell me?"

"It was about two weeks ago. I tried to call you," Daphne said. "Your phone was always off. Then I thought it would be better to surprise you." She gave a little laugh. "It worked. You should have seen your face when you saw the ring."

After Jack started stalking her, Caroline got in the habit of turning off her phone. A new wave of guilt washed over her. She should have been there for Daphne. But she had been so consumed with work and the grief over Anne's death, it had been easier to keep to herself.

"You've only known each other a few weeks," Caroline said. "Was there any reason to..."

"I'm not pregnant," Daphne assured her. She leaned against the cushions and sighed. "There was no reason to wait. We both knew we wanted to be together forever."