Never Too Late by Julie Blair Page B

difference?” Her question came out harsher than she intended.
    “Nice support.” Sheryl’s voice was clipped. She folded her arms across her stomach, and Jamie almost laughed at Sheryl’s attempt to look officious with no pants on. “After I get the promotion I won’t have to work so hard and we can do more things together. You’re the one who just got home.”
    Jamie stared at Sheryl’s feet, at the nail polish that was a different color than it had been last week. How often did she get pedicures?
    “We’re so close to getting—”
    “Everything we want. I know.” Fatigue engulfed Jamie. Was she overreacting? Maybe the knowledge that her business wasn’t as solid as she’d thought was making her look for problems in her relationship that weren’t there.
    “I’ll be home Sunday afternoon. Doing things separately lets us miss each other.” Sheryl kissed her cheek and took a sip from her glass.
    Jamie nodded. They’d had too many opportunities to miss each other lately, but it wasn’t all Sheryl’s fault. “We’ll do a concert another time.”
    “Come keep me company while I pack.”
    Jamie stepped away from Sheryl, away from the irritating perfume. “I’m going to barbecue.” She unwrapped the steaks. “Come join me if you want.”
    “You know I don’t like being out there at night. Too many bugs.”
    Jamie watched Sheryl walk away, resisting the urge to follow her. Don was right, and tonight she was going to take care of herself.

Chapter Eight

    Carla sat in the boarding area waiting to see if she’d get a seat on the eight o’clock flight to San Diego. Her carry-on was on the seat next to her, a buffer against the middle-aged man in jeans and cowboy boots who looked like he wanted to engage her in conversation. He better not ask her if she was all right. If she hadn’t let Jamie into her life in another airport she wouldn’t be sitting in this one, an emotional wreck because she’d seen a picture of Jamie’s partner. The tousled, sun-bleached blond hair, those piercing blue eyes, the smiles on their faces. Of course Jamie would have a partner. Some start to her new life. Right back where she’d been twenty years ago—wanting someone she couldn’t have.
    By the time she’d driven home she was crying one minute, then laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation the next. Thinking of Lissa was the only thing that calmed her. She’d changed into her favorite white blouse and new jeans, tossed some things in a bag, and scribbled a note to Mike: “Gone to visit the girls. Will call tomorrow.”
    Could she find love again? Not unless she looked for it. The thought shriveled her. Any doubts she’d harbored over the years that she’d fallen in love with Jamie in a single night had been put to rest this week. That part of romantic comedies was true. But the picture of Jamie and her partner squelched any fantasies Carla had to admit she’d been encouraging. She wouldn’t have a second chance. She checked her watch and tucked the book into her purse, too keyed up to read. When her name was called she practically sprinted to the counter. She let out her breath when the woman handed her a boarding pass.

    *
    Carla stood in front of the apartment door for several minutes, clutching the bag over one shoulder and her purse over the other. Now that she was here she felt embarrassed.
    “Mom! Oh, my gosh, what are you doing here? Nothing’s wrong—”
    “No.” Carla stroked Lissa’s cheek. She had her father’s thick, dark hair, loose from its customary ponytail. Her eyes were Carla’s. The smile was all Lissa’s. “I’m sorry. I should have called—”
    “Don’t be silly, Carla,” Steph said, stepping past Lissa and hugging her before pulling her through the door. “You don’t need a reservation.”
    Lissa stepped into her arms and Carla’s heart settled. This was her life. “You’ve lost weight. Are you two cooking? You can’t let soccer and school work interfere with