Learning to Love Again by Kelli Heneghan, Nathan Squiers

maybe, just maybe, her mother had it all wrong.
    “Never trust a man.  He will steal your identity, make you settle down, start a family when you don’t want to.  Marriage is a death sentence, Nicole.  Don’t ever fall into that trap.”  Those were the lessons her mother drummed into her, the legacy she’d left her.
    But Jason had pushed past the walls she had built up.  He had never laughed at her inexperience.  The few times she had swallowed her fears about sex and allowed things to progress beyond just kissing, he had been gentle and encouraging, not taking any more from her than she'd been willing to give.  But she couldn’t let down that final wall.  Convinced at the time that Jason was not that into her, she’d held back, thinking he was just after getting laid.  It had never occurred to her that he may have talked to Mitch and had insight into her upbringing.
    But now she did know, she thought to herself, a soft smile on her lips, thinking of their walk.  Her stomach still had the butterfly feeling going on from that kiss.  Amazing how one simple decision to listen to her heart could change everything.
    And now, she and Jason were getting a second chance.  With any luck, this time she was going to get that 'happily ever after'- ending all those bedtime stories from childhood promised, she told herself as she snuggled down deeper under her covers.  She still had to face the fear she had of disappointing him if they did make it as far as having sex together.  God only knew what other hang ups of hers were going to rear back up.  She still needed to tell him that although she was no longer a virgin, she might as well be. They'd sworn to be honest with each other.  But that was one conversation she was not looking forward to having with him.  She was pretty sure she was going to die from embarrassment.  On the spot.  Immediately.  She groaned, pulled a pillow over her head and prayed for sleep.  Or suffocation.

 
    NERVOUS AND ANTSY, NICOLE CHECKED HER REFLECTION in the mirror as Carly reclined on the bed in her room.  Nicole smoothed her hand over her stomach again, praying to every god she could think of that she wouldn’t throw-up.  She was going to be alone with Jason.  On a date.  Swallowing hard, she met Carly's eyes in the mirror.
    “Are you sure…?”  Nicole was still self-conscious of the visible scars on her legs, even though she knew the dress covered them.  At least for therapy appointments, she could wear her baggy sweatpants to cover everything.  “Maybe I should change back into that other one?”  Her hand reached for the buttons on the bodice of her dress.
    “Don’t you dare!  You’ve already changed your mind ten times, and I’m telling you, that dress is perfect!" Carly pushed herself off the bed and came over to stand beside her, reaching up to tuck a stray strand of hair back into place.  "Jason is not going to be able to take his eyes off of you, not to mention his hands.  Trust me.  Have I ever steered you wrong before…about clothes, I mean?  Now quit acting like a teen on prom night,” she handed Nicole her purse and pushed her towards the bedroom door.  “And go out to the living room and wait for your man.  He will be here in a few minutes.”
    Nicole took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, attempting to settle the butterflies that were insisting on taking flight in her stomach.
    “Hey, you clean up nice!”  Mitch offered up as they entered the living room, joining him and Jack.  “So where’s Jason taking you?”
    “He said something about a new steakhouse.” Nicole sat down on the sofa, but within seconds was up and pacing.
    “You trying to work up an appetite or something?" Jack chuckled, watching her.
    “What?” Nicole turned around and looked at him.
    “That endless pacing you’re doing,” Mitch indicated with a wave of his hand.  “Sit down and relax for a few minutes.  Do you need a drink?”
    “No,