Double update today.

When Patrick's first text arrived, she was fixing breakfast. She suspected he enjoyed something other than the burritos. She felt flush every time she thought of his mouth and how it made her feel. One minute she wanted to feel that way again, but the next she wanted to tell him she couldn't see him.

His second reminded her their date was a week away. She didn't know what she was most afraid of. When her phone buzzed after nine, she jumped. Expecting it to be Patrick, she considered not answering. It relieved her to see Kelsey's face on her phone screen.

As soon as she answered, Kelsey's cheery voice greeted her. "How are you? How are the girls?"

"We're fine. How's the city?"

"Busy, loud, exhilarating!"

Tessa used to feel that way, but relished her quiet existence. Kelsey had been their nanny. During Tessa's last six months in New York, Kelsey kept her going. Only Kelsey knew first hand her private suffering. She pushed everyone else away, but she needed Kelsey to care for Maya and newborn Chloe.

"I've been thinking about you. I miss the girls."

"Come for another visit."

"Maybe I will. Hey, Tessa, how are you doing?"

"I'm okay, really."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." She took a deep breath. "In fact, I've been sort of seeing someone."

"Really? What does sort of mean?"

She trusted Kelsey, and she had no one else to talk to. "We've had lunch together."

"Just lunch?"

"I've kissed him."

"Tessa! That's great! Do you like him?"

"I don't know. I enjoy kissing him, but then I remember David."

"Oh Tessa, David's gone and you need to think about yourself. You're not a nun, and if he's a red-blooded male, then he can inject some life into you."

"Kelsey, you are crazy! Why are you calling me on a Friday night?"

"Because it's early. I live in the city that never sleeps. I'm not crazy. You need to move forward and a horizontal dance is exactly what you need."

By the time she hung up, she was more confused than ever. She had one week, so she'd do what she was good at and sweep it away. She planned to enjoy vacation week with her girls.

Chloe woke early and bounced onto Tessa's bed. It was her best friend's birthday party.

"Abbie's six too!"

"Uh, huh. It's too early. The party is after lunch. It's not breakfast time yet."

After a failed attempt to settle Chloe down, Tessa reluctantly got out of bed. She started the day tired and felt disappointed when her devised plan failed. To avoid Megan's best friend, she arrived early with plans to drop Chloe and take Maya home.

Unfortunately, Abbie met them at the door. "Mommy has a place and a goodie bag for Maya too."

Megan said, "Tessa, I'm counting on you to help keep me sane. Seventeen teens, I can handle, but ten six-year-olds might do me in."

Tessa couldn't abandon Megan. She appreciated her friendship and her lack of prying. Maybe Kristi wasn't coming if Megan wanted Tessa to stay. Aside from worrying about Kristi, she was fixated on being a street away from Patrick. Was he home? Was he surfing?

Peter waved to her. "Come hide in the kitchen with me."

She smiled. "Who are we hiding from?"

"Megan when she's stressed."

Tessa said, "She wants me to help."

"Help cut these veggies."

They were talking and chopping when the doorbell rang. Four feet ran to the door, but Maya stood back.

Tessa's hands froze when a beautiful dark-haired teen stood in the doorway.

"Girls, let Gabby in the door. Thanks so much for helping. Before I forget, are you available on Friday night?"

"Yeah. Sure."

Tessa turned to Peter. "Do you have a big night planned?"

"The twins are going to be in Boston until late. We're going into Portland with two other couples. The girls want to check out the secret bar."

"What secret bar?"

"It's behind a bookcase or something. They found it on Yelp."

Tessa laughed. "If it's on Yelp, it can't be that secret."

He laughed. "True, but they have the entire night planned, including dinner at the bistro and trying the new dessert bar."

"Sounds like you'll be late."

He shrugged. "It'll be fun."

A few of the girls' little friends arrived. When Tessa reluctantly stepped out of the kitchen, Megan introduced her to Gabby as Ms. Simon.

"Just Tessa." As she spoke, she found it hard not to stare at the girl. Her dark hair and eye shape favored her mother, but her eyes were hazel. She had her father's mouth. Tessa shifted her feet, not wanting to think about how she knew his mouth.

She smiled when she saw the next guest. She and her girls were on a first name basis with the children's librarian. She had her daughter by the hand and her son in her arms.

"I can't stay. He needs a nap. Oh hi, Tessa."

Megan smiled. "Of course, you know Maddie." She turned back to Maddie. "Where's Jack?"

"In Massachusetts, college tours."

Megan nodded. "I can have Sophie walk Emma home."

"Thanks." Maddie smiled. "Can't wait for Friday night."

Tessa waved goodbye and turned to Peter. "College tours?" Tessa knew Maddie had married and had a baby. She didn't realize it had been so long or that she had two children.

"Her stepdaughter. Jack was a widower with a teen and Emma."

"And she lives on The Point?"

"All her life, like Megan and her best friend, Jen."

He pointed to a picture on the fridge of Megan with a blond woman smiling. She looked like the designer they hired for their nursery. No designer had touched her Maine house.

Gabby and Peter ran the games. Megan smiled at Tessa. "Gabby is a godsend."

"Where are your other kids?"

"Across the street. They only want cake."

The house wasn't that big, and it was too full to add more kids. Megan tasked her with writing the gifts as Abbie unwrapped them. She felt her phone vibrate. She glanced and saw a text.

Dr. P: are you at the party?

T: with your daughter

Dr. P: slip out. I'm alone.

T: can't

She put her phone away and wrote, Carly - Barbie doll.

Just as Peter was about to light the cake, the front door opened. The twins arrived with Kristi's kids and Patrick's son. She watched him stand by his sister, and Abbie immediately went to his side. It felt strange watching Patrick's children.

The door opened again and Kristi walked in. Tessa wanted to step back and hide in the kitchen. Kristi stopped and hugged Abbie before walking to the space next to Tessa.

"It's mayhem. Poor Megan. She'll need wine." Kristi reached into the bag she held and pulled out a bottle of red and placed it on the counter.

Tessa looked at her but couldn't find words.

"I recognize your two. There and there." She pointed and Tessa nodded. "And Emma. She's so lucky to have Maddie as her mother. Horrible tragedy. Poor Jack lost his wife and had a newborn."

Tessa looked at Kristi. Why was she telling her that? Tessa gave birth while grieving, but no one knew.

"You know I'm not heartless."

Tessa tripped over her tongue. "I never thought you were."

Kristi nodded with a faint smile and walked away. Tessa didn't know what had just happened.

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