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much self-respect for that.”
    Josie glanced at her reflection in the mirror, then looked away, not liking the woman looking back at her. “I never got the chance to find out, did I? Tony packed up. He left us. Despite the fact I begged him to stay.”
    Shelly stood up. “You are tough, Josie. I’m not sure what’s shaken you up lately, caused you to doubt yourself, but I hope you figure out the truth soon.”
    “What truth?”
    “That you’re one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met.”
    Josie swallowed hard against the lump in her throat, touched by her friend’s love and loyalty. “I’m not sure why I told you all that. Or I guess I should say I don’t know why I didn’t tell you before.”
    Shelly smiled. “No one likes to admit weakness. And I think it’s worse for you because you are so strong. You went against everything you believed in because you thought it was in Tommy’s best interest. You were willing to swallow your pride because of your love for your son. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. God, every child should be so lucky.”
    Josie hugged Shelly, trying not to cry. While her friend’s words had smoothed some rough edges, Josie still couldn’t dismiss the idea that she’d been wrong. Even so, she said, “Thank you.”
    Shelly pulled away first and pointed to the lipstick. “Does this look okay?”
    “It looks great. Ready to go?” Josie asked.
    Shelly nodded.
    Josie was grateful for Shelly’s company. She was able to hold the nervousness she’d felt when they left her house at bay. Without Shelly in the car, she would have turned around and returned home, hating herself for being a coward.
    “You still on for Thursday’s wine night? I think poor Zoey’s going to need a couple bottles all to herself.” Shelly said.
    Josie nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it.” They talked about Zoey’s recent, unexpected breast cancer diagnosis as they drove to the bar. Then they came up with a list of ways they could help their friend as she went through chemo. Shelly helped Josie finish composing a poem for her friend—one she hoped would make Zoey laugh. God knew the woman could use some humor these days. By the time they reached their destination, Josie was ready for a drink.
    “Blue Moon?” Shelly asked as Josie pulled into the parking lot and turned off the car. She was an idiot for coming back here, but she wanted to see Jake again. Wanted to convince herself that the first time was simply beginner’s luck and that he wasn’t as hot as she remembered. Maybe if she saw him one more time, she’d see it had been a fluke. She needed to stop fantasizing about him so she could move on to the next item on the list without comparing every future man to Jake.
    “Yeah. Seems like the perfect place to howl.” After unloading all her baggage about Tony, Josie simply didn’t have any energy left to fill Shelly in on the particulars of her first full-moon adventure.
    Shelly laughed. “I think you’re right.”
    Rather than head to the bar, Josie walked to a table in a corner near the dance floor. Now that she was here, she was nervous about running into Jake again. They’d gotten a late start, so the place was already packed. She prayed the crowd would hide her until she got her nerve up to look for him.
    A waitress came over and took their orders. Shelly asked for a margarita, while Josie opted for her usual bourbon and Diet Coke. They watched the people dancing, making funny observations about some of the outfits they saw. They were laughing so hard, Josie didn’t see Jake until he placed the drink in front of her.
    “Hello, stranger ,” he said, his joke not wasted on her.
    She gave him a flirty smile. “Hey, yourself. How did you know I was here? The bar is crazy tonight.”
    He pointed to her drink. “Bad habit I’ve picked up. Every time someone asks for this drink, I check to see if it’s you. Tonight I got lucky.”
    Shelly cleared her throat.
    “Oh, Jake, this is my friend,