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way…”
    “I
know,” Jessica said a bit sadly. She extended her hand to Jameson.
    “Oh
God, I’m sorry. Jameson Reid meet Jessica Stearns,” Candace made the formal
introduction.
    “Nice
to meet you,” Jameson said cordially.
    “I
hear congratulations are in order,” Jessica offered. Candace smiled a bit
uncomfortably. She had not seen her former lover in over two years, not even in
passing.
    Jameson
watched the exchange between Candace and Jessica with interest. She had heard
stories and opinions about the infamous Jessica Stearns from all of Candace’s
children, Dana, and even Pearl. Candace never spoke ill of Jessica in spite of
the scandal Jessica’s affair had caused. That was not Candace’s way. She had
moved on. Jessica had been part of her life, an important part. Jameson often
wondered about the woman who had share Candace’s life before her. She wondered
how anyone could be foolish enough to let Candace go.
    Jessica
was every bit as attractive and polished as Jameson would have expected. She
also noted the genuine affection in Jessica’s eyes as she looked at Candace.
Jameson had never given any thought to the likelihood that she would eventually
confront this part of Candace’s past. She’d met Candace’s ex-husband a handful
of times. That had been inevitable. They shared three children. To her
surprise, she had been relaxed in his presence. He and Candace had been apart
for many years. Their divorce was amicable. While Jameson was certain there was
no animosity between them, she also recognized there was also little emotion at
all. Jessica was different. Candace had loved her once. Jameson understood
that. Jessica had hurt Candace deeply. Jameson knew that as well. She smiled at Candace when Candace grasped her hand.
    “Yes,”
Candace said to Jessica. She smiled at Jameson and turned back to her former
lover. “Thank you.”
    Jessica
nodded. “I hear you might be spending less time here shortly ,” she said to Candace. Candace sighed. “You are going to
run; aren’t you?”
    “I’m
not sure yet,” Candace answered.
    Jessica
looked at her curiously then looked at Jameson and nodded. “How are the kids?”
she asked with genuine interest.
    “Good,”
Candace beamed. “How about you?”
    “The
same,” Jessica said. “Work, work and more work.”
    Candace
laughed lightly. “Comforting to know some things don’t ever change,” she
teased.
    Jessica
looked at Jameson. “And, some things do,” she said. “I’ve taken enough of your
time,” she said.
    Jameson
surprised herself with her words. “Why don’t you at least join us for a drink
while you wait for your table?” Candace looked at Jameson in disbelief.
    “I
would love to, but I have someone waiting for me,” Jessica said with a gesture
to the far corner of the restaurant where an attractive woman was watching
their table curiously.
    Candace
smiled. “How is Monica?”
    “She’s
Monica,” Jessica laughed. Jameson noted the mischievous glint that mingled with
remorse in Jessica’s eye. “It was good to see you, Candy. And, to meet you, Jameson,” she said sincerely. She leaned
in and placed a friendly kiss on Candace’s cheek. “I’m happy for you, Candy,”
she whispered. Candace nodded and watched Jessica make her way across the
restaurant.
    “You
okay?” Jameson asked.
    Candace
turned back to Jameson and smiled. “Sorry about that.”
    “Don’t
be,” Jameson said sincerely. “Are you sure you are all right? We can go if…”
    “I 'm all right, ” Candace promised. “It was a
little awkward, but in a way I’m glad it’s over.”
    “You
mean seeing Jessica again or her seeing you with me?”
    “Both,”
Candace replied honestly.
    “She
seems very nice,” Jameson said quietly.
    “She’s a good person, Jameson. She just isn’t
good for me.”
    Jameson
sipped her wine and let her gaze drift back across the room to where Jessica
was seated with her partner. This was not how she had planned the