The summer camp was bustling with activity. Kids of different ages moved up and down, getting their luggage and doing stuff, while Taylor stood alone in the corner, the handle of her luggage firmly gripped in her hands as she surveyed her surroundings. There was not a single familiar face there, although she was sure that her former best friend was somewhere in the camp. The sudden urge to cry and go meet someone in charge to tell them that she wanted to go back home came over her, but she resisted the urge. She was a big girl, after all, and she was going to make a lot of friends here. Raising her head, she joined the throng of milling kids and set about doing what she had to do.That first day, she didn’t make any friends, but at least some of the girls in her room talked with her. Two days later, she spied her former best friend with a group of some of their friends from school and some other new kids during lunch. Totally feeling alone and friendless, especially as the girl she us

At first, Becca thought that Dan didn’t hear her clearly, because he was still looking at her with the same vulnerable expression that had been on his face when she delivered her news. So she repeated herself in a shaky voice, looking at him to make sure he heard her this time around. “Huh?” He said at last after a minute had passed. The expression on his face now gave way to a very confused look. He smiled a little, as though he was not sure if she was toying with him or not, the look of confusion increasing when he saw how deadly serious she was.“Emma’s father is not dead. We’re just divorced. I told you he was dead because…” Becca began.“Emma’s father…”“Yes, my ex-husband.”“He’s not dead…” Dan asked.“No, he’s not. I only said that becau…”“The one that was supposed to have died in a ghastly motor accident?” Dan asked again. He wasn’t letting her finish her sentences, and the confused look had finally left his face. A look that Becca had never thought she would see Dan direct

I met Ryan six years after Peter and I started dating, while I was still working as a clerk in the company. At first, I did not even know who the hell he was because I first met him at the restaurant where I was working. I know, it sounds stupid because the man is filthy rich, and I work in his company, but that restaurant was the last place that I would have expected to find someone like him. It was a middle-class restaurant, not the type that rich people frequented at all. I still remember that night crystal clear.” Becca paused a little, her eyes taking on a dreamy look that told Dan all that he needed to know. She was clearly still in love with the man.“He was so handsome and well-built. I noticed him the second he walked in because it was kind of a dull night, so there weren’t many customers in the restaurant. He was dressed simply, and he was alone, so he looked every inch the average but insanely hot adult male. I was the one who waited on him. You probably don’t want to hear t

The days after Becca told Dan what had happened between her, Peter, and Ryan passed quickly, and before she knew it, it was time for Alex and Emma to return from Camp. It felt like ages since she had last seen her daughter, even though it was only just over two weeks. Right now she was waiting eagerly and somewhat anxiously for him to return with the children, and Sandra, who had stopped giving her the cold shoulder, was seated with her in Dan’s living room. Becca still hadn’t told her any of what she had told Dan, and she did not think he had told her either.“Listen, Becca. I’m sorry for the way things have been between us. It’s just that I feel so sorry for Dan, and I know you’re not in love with him, and…”“You don’t have to apologize, Sandra. You were being protective of your brother, and I totally understand. I’ll do the same if some girl was stringing Toby along endlessly. It’s cool, we’re cool.” Becca told her. They were silent for some time, the silence between them broken on

Preparations were underway for Emma’s seventh birthday and she was beside herself with excitement because all of her friends had been invited. She was a bit sad because her other ‘best friend’ Taylor was not going to be there, but that sadness was overshadowed by the excitement that she felt at the fact that she was going to have a party. Alex did not get what all the excitement was about and told her so, but Emma dismissed him with a flick of her finger, calling him a silly little boy who did not know any better. Dan and Becca found her excitement funny, especially knowing that it was going to quadruple the minute she found out that Taylor was coming, but Taylor’s dad wanted it to be a surprise, so they were keeping it from her.The party was to hold in a skating rink event room and everything had been prepared for it. Dan was communicating with Taylor’s father, whom Becca hadn’t spoken to yet, and neither did she see any need to talk to him over the phone. She would meet him at the