By Virtue Fall (The Shakespeare Sisters 4)

Sighing, Juliet met her sister’s gaze. She knew better than to try to hide things from Cesca. ‘Something happened between us the other day. But it’s not going to happen again.’

‘What?’ Cesca was all wide eyes and open mouth. ‘You can’t just leave it at that. What happened?’

‘I kissed him.’

A smug smile crossed Cesca’s lips. ‘I knew it. I knew as soon as I looked at the two of you that you weren’t just friends. When he was staring at you it felt like the room warmed up ten degrees. So what was it like, was it a good kiss?’

The memory of his warm lips pressing against hers sent a shiver down her spine. ‘Yeah, it was good.’ That was the understatement of the year.

‘So why are you frowning?’

‘Because it wouldn’t work.’

‘Why not?’ Cesca asked.

‘We’re too different. He’s all laid back and sunshine. Nothing fazes him. Plus he’s moving to New York next June. There’s no future in it.’

‘Why’s he moving?’ Cesca asked, her interest piqued.

‘He’s got some kind of contract there, I think. From what I can tell he’s not interested in staying around here.’

‘What about Charlie’s mom? Where’s she? Are they divorced?’

‘They were never really together. She’s on tour with her band at the moment. But from what I can gather she’s as laid back as Ryan. The two of them were only casual, I think. Maybe friends with benefits.’

‘Those are some hot benefits. I can see why she’d go for that.’

Juliet felt her face warm up. ‘Well, yeah, but I don’t think she gets them any more.’

‘That’s because he’s saving them for you.’

‘Stop it.’ She laughed, and Cesca joined in. ‘Seriously, the last thing I need is a friend with benefits.’

‘Bullshit, more than anybody I know, you need to get laid.’

‘You can hardly talk, you’re the one who swore off guys for six years.’

‘Ah yeah.’ Cesca grinned. ‘But I’m making up for lost time now. And so should you. Look, whatever’s going on between you and Mr Hot Stuff next door, you should just enjoy the moment. He doesn’t have to be your star-crossed lover or even your next boyfriend. Just do what feels right. Don’t overthink it.’

They’d reached the end of the woods. Turning back, they retraced their steps beside the brook, as the earth squelched beneath their feet. ‘You mean have an affair?’ Juliet clarified.

‘No, because you’re not married any more.’ Cesca sounded exasperated. ‘Just have a fling. This guy isn’t going to be around forever, and let’s face it, you aren’t ready to settle down with anybody until everything’s done and dusted with Thomas. But I can’t think of anybody I know who would benefit more from a bit of fun than you.’

Juliet couldn’t help but stare at her little sister. Though she’d known her all her life, this was a side to Cesca she hadn’t seen before. Gone was the wallowing, the loneliness, the settling for a life that wasn’t fulfilling her. Instead she seemed vibrant and alive.

‘You’ve changed,’ Juliet said. ‘Not in a bad way, though. I mean you’ve grown, you’ve got this confidence, this strength.’

Cesca nodded. ‘I feel strong. And the reason I do is because I left the past behind. I stopped letting my past regrets shape my present. It’s so freeing I can’t even explain it.’ She grabbed Juliet’s hand, sandwiching it between her own. ‘And I want that for you, too. You’re only young, after all. Most women your age are still playing the field, settling into their careers and enjoying life. It’s as though you’ve tried to squeeze everything into the last seven years, and not been able to enjoy any of it. So if this gorgeous guy who lives next door is offering you a bit of fun, why shouldn’t you take it?’

Juliet thought about her sister’s words as they made their way back to the house. They walked in companionable silence, their feet crunching over the freshly fallen leaves. The fall colours had arrived, turning the trees burnished orange and blood red, and now the leaves were slowly making their way to the ground. The first year she’d lived in Maryland they’d waited for the colours with bated breath, rushing out to the National Park along with the rest of the state as soon as the leaves had started to turn. Back then, her stomach had been swollen, her heart had been full, and she’d thought she’d married the man she would spend the rest of her life with.

What a difference a few years made. This year, for the first time, she hadn’t been to the park at all. She’d been too busy making bouquets and floral decorations. A pang tweaked at her heart as she realised how much she had already missed this year, being so deep in the misery of losing her marriage. It was as though her pain was a gauze curtain in front of her eyes, obscuring life until she was isolated from it.

Maybe it was time to lift up the veil.

They’d reached the part of the woods that fell at the boundary line of the houses. She looked over at the tree house behind Ryan’s yard. Her heart stuttered when she saw the man himself, leaning back to survey the structure. It looked almost complete. The windows were fixed in, the roof was nailed on, with a waterproof sealant applied. All he had left to do was put up the ladder – and after that it would be good to go.

But it wasn’t the wooden house that drew her interest. It was the man himself, clad in jeans that skimmed his thigh muscles, and a T-shirt whose cotton seemed to kiss his pectorals. She was ogling him, even though she knew she shouldn’t.