Prologue

GEORGIA SMILED in response to something her friend Toni said that she'd missed. The noise in the bar was interfering with her focus… among other things. "That's nice."

Toni set down her martini. "Okay, what's up?"

Georgia feigned nonchalance for the two women sitting across from her. "Nothing."

Becky and Toni exchanged glances, then Becky said, "Not nothing—something. You haven't been yourself lately, and not just tonight."

Georgia sighed and fingered the stem of her wineglass. "It's Ken… and me."

Both women looked alarmed. "What?" Toni demanded.

"Yeah, spill," Becky said, rolling her hand.

Now feeling self-conscious, Georgia gave a little laugh. "The thrill is gone."

Becky scoffed. "I'd believe that about any other couple, but not you and Ken. Even through three kids and sick parents, you two have always been hot for each other."

"Yeah," Toni said wistfully. "I knew when I married an obstetrician, there was a good chance he'd get tired of hoohaws after a while—including mine. But you and Ken have always been like newlyweds."

Georgia shook her head. "Not for a long while now. And we hardly ever talk. I thought when the boys went off to college, things would be different, but Cole's been gone since August, and nothing has changed." She bit back tears. "I'm worried we're headed for divorce."

Both women reached forward to clasp her hand.

"It can't be that bad," Toni said.

"You both have demanding jobs," Becky added. "Ken's Chief of Police now and things for us at the hospital have never been more crazy."

"You'll find your way back to each other," Toni said.

But Georgia didn't think so. She missed the way they used to be as a couple, but Ken seemed content to work, eat, and sleep.

"We're living separate lives," she murmured. "Now that the boys are gone, we don't seem to have anything in common."

"I'm sure that isn't true," Becky soothed. "How did the two of you meet?"

Georgia and Toni looked at each other and laughed.

"This must be good," Becky said.

"It's unbelievable," Toni said. "Mind-boggling when you think about it."

"Okay, now I have to know," Becky said, looking back and forth between them. "Who's going to tell me?"

Toni lifted her hands. "This has to come from Georgia."

Georgia squirmed under their intent gazes. Thinking about the way she and Ken had met sent a warm feeling flooding over her that had nothing to do with the wine. But for this she needed reinforcement. She signaled the waiter to refill her glass. Then she took a deep drink, smiled at her friends, and said, "It started with a phone call…"