Passion Play

Tasha looked around the table as though seeking confirmation of what she’d heard. She turned back to Rose. “But what about Ben?”

“What about him?” Rose forced a smile, hoping to soften the challenge in her tone. She didn’t need Tasha to remind her that the problem of Benjamin still existed. However, now, Benjamin and his pregnant wife didn’t feel like a problem. When had that change occurred and what had caused it?

A lightbulb came on in her brain. Not what had caused it; who—Donovan. He’d made her feel important and desirable after Benjamin’s treatment had made her feel less than.

“Rose isn’t the only one who’s going to the reunion alone.” Claudia interrupted the exchange.

Tasha turned to Claudia. “Claud, I realize there’s going to be other single alumni there.”

“Including me.” Claudia took a drink of her iced tea. “I signed the divorce papers last week. Rose and I will both be flying solo.”

“Oh, Claudia, I’m so sorry.” Rose’s heart went out to the other woman.

“Me, too.” Maxine reached across the table and squeezed Claudia’s hand.

“Thank you.” Claudia inclined her head.

“Hold on, Claud.” Tasha raised her right hand, palm out. “You signed the papers last week? When did you file the papers?”

“Earlier in the summer.” Claudia shifted on her seat.

“And you’re only now telling us?” Tasha swept a hand to include Maxine and Rose.

Claudia met Tasha’s gaze. “Sometimes, I don’t want to gossip about my life. There are things that happen to me that I want to process on my own without other people giving me their opinions. Sometimes people give things more importance than is necessary.”

Rose blinked. “That’s what happened to me. I was so concerned about what other people would think about Ben and me seeing each other again at the reunion that I almost decided against going.”

“What changed your mind?” Maxine asked.

“Van did, of course.” Tasha snorted. “He’s fine. He makes Ben look like yesterday’s news.”

“That’s how I felt at first.” Rose remembered Lily’s words. “But then I realized that my reaction was giving Ben and other people too much power. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I don’t need a man to validate me.”

Why hadn’t I recognized sooner the truth in what Lily had said?

“Well, that’s convenient, especially since now you are going to the reunion alone.” Tasha studied her black polished nails.

Claudia gave Rose a searching look. “You’re sure you and Van have broken up? There’s no chance of your getting back together with him?”

“I’m sure.” It hurt to say the words. Adjusting to life without Donovan was a million times more painful than getting over Benjamin, even though she’d been with her ex-fiancé much longer.

Claudia leaned into the table. “Would you have a problem with my giving Donovan a call once my divorce is final?”

Rose blinked at Claudia. “Yes, I would.” Had the other woman lost her mind?

“Well, then why are you letting him go?” Claudia’s shrug was philosophical. “If you want him, hold on to him.”

Holding on to him wasn’t a healthy idea. Rose wanted Donovan, but she couldn’t see the charming player as her happily-ever-after.

* * *

Donovan looked up at the knock on his office door on Monday afternoon, the last day of August. He stood when he recognized Iris in the threshold. She was a vision in her gold dress. “You look like a bright summer day.”

“And you look like you need some cheering up.” Iris paused on the other side of his guest chairs. “What’s wrong?”

Donovan liked Iris a lot, but today it was hard to look at her. The resemblance between her and Rose was so strong. There were subtle differences in the sisters’ appearances—Rose’s features were more elegant while Iris was more exotic. But both women were tall and slender with shoulder-length dark brown hair. Iris’s hair was wavy while Rose’s style was bone straight. It would probably be a very long time before Donovan could look at Iris without thinking about Rose.

“Nothing’s wrong.” Donovan motioned toward his computer monitor. “I’m just trying to work out some sales proposals.”