Stardust Miracle by Edie Ramer Page B

to keep her smile on even though gnarled monster talons reached into her chest and squeezed her heart.
    She went through the motions of eating – taking a bite and chewing – and the squeezing eased. The talons disappeared and slunk into hiding. Hypervigilant. Ready to spring out another day.
    “I don’t have any natural talents.” She took another bite and this one she was able to enjoy. If she could only cook like this—
    “You do have a talent,” he said. “You make people feel comfortable.”
    She put down her fork. “That’s called being a people pleaser.”
    “It’s more than that. You have a talent for making people feel that you care. I’ve always felt that way around you.”
    She took a sip of wine before answering. “I always cared about you.”
    His mouth broke into another wide smile. As if she’d given him his greatest wish. 
    Her stomach clenched with a mix of dread and excitement.
    What had she started now?
    And what next?

 
    Chapter Thirteen
     
    They lingered at the table, long after the meal. Becky sipped an extra glass of wine, something she hadn’t done since her wedding night. Finally only two other tables were occupied and they left. On the way out, Derek took her hand and she curled her fingers around his. She felt lighter than usual. It was partly the wine, but mostly she just felt happy.
    “I’ll remember this,” he said.
    “Me, too.” She felt young tonight. On a date with a cute guy whose eyes shone every time he looked at her. Even on the street now, she could see the sappy expression on his face.
    As she smiled at him, he bent forward as if he were going to kiss her. On a public street. With lights shining from every window and four street lamps on this side of the street.
    Panic rose in her throat and chest, and she broke away from him. She hurried to his car parked in front of the laundromat two doors down.
    Once inside the car, the panic diminished. “Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean anything. It’s just that...” Just that she was stupidly embarrassed. She was even embarrassed to say she was embarrassed.
    This dating thing was hard.
    “Technically, you’re still married,” he said, the car starting. “I understand.”
    She thought he probably did. She leaned back and a lethargy swept over her. A happy lethargy. Her body relaxed. Feeling taken care of.
    She remained wrapped in the glow as they drove out of the city. Stars blanketed the night sky and twinkled down on them like a magical scene out of a Disney movie. Cold Play was on Derek’s car stereo and the waistband of her slacks was still comfortable.
    She felt like a different woman. She was a different woman. No longer the quiet, responsible one who never smoked weed, who never dirty danced in public, who’d only made love to one man.
    She still had never done any of that...but the last one might change sometime soon.
    It occurred to her that she had a lot to make up for. She’d lived a tame life, and right now she wanted to get a little wild.
    Too soon the headlights shone on the village sign that said there was a population of six hundred twenty-nine. Becky shivered. When they’d driven to Tomahawk tonight, she’d thought she was going to dinner with a friend. Odd to feel so different on the drive back home. As if she were in high school and wondering what was going to happen when they reached her house. As if she’d stepped into an alternate universe.
    In a couple minutes they were at Sarah’s house. The lights were out at the Webber’s across the street. Derek pulled his car into the driveway and parked at the side of the house. A row of trees blocked his car from anyone else’s view.
    No one could see them.
    The wind picked up, and it gusted down the street. Derek’s breaths were harsh and fast. With an edge to them. Her heart thumped and inside the car the tension level elevated. Her skin heated and prickled.
    If she stayed any longer, she would have to take her coat off.
    She would have