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sipped my champagne and reran the whole lunch episode through my head. Two glasses of champagne later, and I was finally able to relax enough to enjoy the treat.
    I chuckled when I looked over at Jade. She’d fallen asleep with her feet in the water bath and was even snoring softly. I indicated for Monica to let her just rest for a while before she chose her nail color.
    Monica and I chatted while she did my nails. She loved catching up with my life and never failed to ask me the one question I was dreading.
    “So how’s your love life these days?” She winked at me. “Still seeing the sexy cop?”
    I’d shown her pictures of Harrison and me at a barbeque, and she’d drooled over how good-looking he was.
    I shrugged and took another sip of champagne. “That is a question I can’t really answer. The sex is off the charts hot and yeah, I’m still seeing him . . . but I honestly don’t have a clue where it will end up. Harrison is so damn unpredictable. Just when I think I understand him, he goes and makes me doubt everything.”
    “Oh, sweetheart, men usually say women are hard to understand, but let me tell you—I talk to a lot of women daily and the male species, while simple in many respects, are complicated as anything. They run hot and cold and everything in between. It’s as if they don’t know what to do with their feelings.”
    “You’re a wise woman, Monica,” I said, laughing out loud. Monica always managed to lift my spirits, regardless of how I felt when I walked into her salon.
    “That may be because I’m on husband number five. And I’m still none the wiser sometimes. Men confuse the crap out of me.”
    “Me too,” I said, as I held my glass for a refill.
    “That’s your third glass, Eva. Will Jade drive you home?”
    On hearing her name, Jade stirred. Moments later, her eyes popped open. “I’m sorry. I’m so damn tired all the time.” She sat upright and looked around the salon before leaning back into the chair again. “I haven’t been sleeping all that great and this chair is freaking magic.”
    Monica laughed. “Those chairs are the best investment I made in my business. I can’t tell you how many women have fallen asleep in them, especially when we get to the foot massage part, so don’t apologize at all. I take it as a compliment.”
    “That’s good to know. I was feeling a bit foolish.”
    Handing Jade a glass of orange juice, Monica said, “Choose a color from the swatches. We’ll have you feeling pretty in no time.”
    I loved how my old friend could make anyone feel at ease.
    “Thanks.” Jade pointed to a hot pink. “I like that color. It’s pretty and reminds me of happy times.”
    Poor, sweet Jade. I wanted to kill Harrison. And maybe I would.

Chapter 7 — Eva
    A full bottle of champagne later and I was buzzed and certainly in a better mood. I kissed Monica goodbye on both cheeks and promised to bring Jade back soon.
    As soon as we hit the sidewalk, Jade held out her hand.
    “Hand me the car keys, missy. I’m driving us to my place, and you can have dinner with Ryder and me. You can either sleep over or we’ll drive you home later.”
    Stupid tears built up behind my eyelids and made my vision blurry. Jade’s kindness hit me right in the heart.
    “Thank you. I’d love that.” I found the keys in my purse and handed them to Jade, grateful that I didn’t have to take a taxi home and spend the rest of the evening alone.
    Jade made a quick call to let Ryder know of our plans and from what I could make out, he seemed happy that I was coming over.
    Half an hour later, as Jade drove up the driveway, Ryder came out to greet us with a gigantic grin on his face.
    “Hey,” he said, as he came toward us.
    Jade and I both greeted him at the same time. He folded Jade into his arms and kissed her as if he hadn’t seen her for a month. When he pulled away, he searched her face with a concerned expression. “You okay, baby?”
    “Yeah, I’m fine. I had a lovely