But the most immediate source of Roxie's anxiety was probably the phone calls she'd received from the kennel where her behaviorally challenged dog was being boarded. They'd informed her that Lilith was not socializing well with male dogs and male kennel workers. This was not a shocker.

Though Ginger had enjoyed the tasty seared tuna and the mixed green salad, she couldn't relax during dinner, either. Her mind kept wandering back to Luciothe expression on his face when she gave him her card, that sly grin that revealed his amusement at her lack of willpower. All she'd needed to do was say good-bye and walk away. But she'd left the door open for Lucio when she gave him her card.

Why? Why? Why had she done that? She didn't need a man in her life. She wouldn't have the time or energy to deal with a man even if she had one. Especially a man who stretched the truth!

Which reminded Ginger of the main reason for her unease. Her boys were staying with Larry for the weekend, which was nothing unusual. But her ex-husband's attention span was growing increasingly short, and Ginger wasn't sure she could trust him to keep an eye on the twins, or, more specifically, Jason. She knew Joshua could take care of himself and most of the West Coast. But Jason needed eagle-eyed adult supervision, something that had recently proven too much for Larry.

In the last few months, Jason had been picked up for curfew violation, destruction of public property, and underage drinkingall while in Larry's care. In each instance, Larry admitted he'd been preoccupied with a girl, which wasn't a sexist comment because he clearly preferred the company of females under twenty-one years of age. Maybe he always had.

Ginger dropped her head to her hand, her brain heavy with the truthif Larry continued to devolve like this, she'd have to go back to court to demand full custody. And that would require money, grief, and time she couldn't spare.

Are you all right? Bea tapped Ginger's other hand where it gripped the stem of her wine glass. Ginger jolted to attention.

Just tired, I guess.

It's been a whirlwind weekend, Roxanne said.

So much happiness, Mrs. Needleman said, a devilish smile on her lips. Now, which of you ladies do you suppose will be the next to marry?

Everyone's jaw dropped. The silence fell on them with a thud. The busy restaurant buzzed around them, but no one moved.

Then Bea snorted with laughter.

Ginger and Roxie stole a quick glance at each other. Would this be the moment Bea chose to come out of the closet? Would she finally admit that the reason she never dated was that she didn't find men attractive? Would everyone finally get the answer to the question no one had ever dared ask?

I noticed that Josie didn't throw her bouquet, Mrs. Needleman added helpfully.

She knew it would've hit the dirt, Roxie said.

Bea smiled big. Well, I think it's obvious, she said. Ginger's our next vision in white!

What? Once Ginger's eyeballs stopped throbbing, she gaped at her laughing friends. That's totally ridiculous and you know it.

Well, it sure as hell isn't going to be me, Roxie said, taking a sip of her pinot noir. I haven't had anything close to a date in months, and, besides, a wedding wouldn't exactly be good for business, now would it?

Bea chuckled. You'd have to change the name of your site to ‘i-vomit-on-almost-every-man.'

Roxanne thought that was funny.

Mrs. Needleman shook her head. Terrible. Just terrible, she muttered. Such a thing would have been unspeakable in my day.

Roxanne took umbrage at that. Really? Women didn't have man problems when you were young, I take it?

Mrs. Needleman's shoulders moved up and down while she chuckled. Of course we did! The old woman's chuckle faded into a sigh. Modern-day woman didn't discover the broken heart, my dears. As long as there have been men and women there's been drama, betrayal, ecstasy, hope, despair, and even, on occasion, love. But it's never been a cakewalk for any of us.

So what's so terrible about my Web site, then? Roxanne asked.

Mrs. Needleman didn't bother to hide her sadness, and her old eyes grew watery. The sheer amount of venom oozing out of everyone these daysit's destructive to the spirit of the world. She pointed an arthritic finger at Roxanne. You may think your business is tongue-in-cheek and harmless, but it's feeding the dragon, you see. If the world is to survive, we need women who are open to love, not hardened by bitter resentment.

Roxie laughed uncomfortably. Hey, well, bitter resentment happens to be a growth industry. My retail sales are up four hundred percent since June!

Bea snorted again.

Mrs. Needleman pushed her chair away from the dining table, piqued. Only love attracts love. Distrust only creates more distrust. It's a universal truth. She lowered her eyes and in a whisper added, I fear I'm running out of time.

Ginger was struck by the weight of Gloria's softly spoken words. It was almost as if the old lady thought the fate of humanity rested on her frail shoulders. Ginger reached across the table and touched the sleeve of Gloria's blouse.

We'll get you back to the ranch for the night. You must be very tired.

Oh, fiddle. Gloria waved her away. I'm just a lonely old bat who talks too much when she gets a captive audience. She stood up from her chair and grabbed her handbag. All right. It's settled, then.

What is? Bea asked.

Ginger will be our next bride. Mrs. Needleman announced this with a matter-of-fact nod of her tightly permed head. Now get me back to my room before I say something foolish.

The moon hung heavy and low in the sky. It peeked from behind the live oaks, spreading a pale blue glimmer over the gardens, the vineyards, and the bare skin of Ginger's legs. She pulled her wrap closer, shut her eyes, and melted into the Adirondack chair.

Tomorrow, she'd return to her real life. She'd pick up HeatherLynn from the kennel. Stop by the cleaner's. Get dinner ready for the boys. On Monday morning she'd go into a job that might not last the week, at a newspaper on its last legs. She'd call her lawyer about her custody concerns. She'd send out her resume. She'd talk to the school counselor about Jason's grades and arrange for Joshua's learner's permit test.

But until thenjust for the precious few moments that were left of this nightGinger would let herself enjoy the soft, perfumed air and the warmth of the zinfandel coursing through her veins. Yes, she'd made some really big mistakes in her life. But every step she'd ever taken, every decision she'd ever made, had led to her being here, at this moment, in this place. That meant everything was right with the world, just the way it was. Just for this moment.

She laughed quietly to herself. So this is the hard-won view from forty, she thought. This was the halfway mark of a woman's life, a life half lived and half yet to come. Exactly who was she at that moment? Where was the girl she'd once been? How long would it be before she found the best version of herself?

Ginger raised her wine glass and toasted the moon. She believed there was still time to become a confident woman. She could call a truce with her changing beauty, her lost dreams, her rearranged possibilities. There was still time to be happy. She took a long, deep sip of wine and wrestled with the idea of calling for another Botox appointment. She'd have to keep it a secret if she didBea, Roxie, and Josie would only tease her again when she didn't go through with it.

Maybe this time she'd find the strength to resist the temptation altogether. Maybe this time she'd truly believe that Larry running off with a college girl wasn't an indictment of her beautyit was an indictment of him.