Second Look (A New Beginning Book 3) by Connie Stephany

interesting. You’ve both grown up quite a bit.”
    She nodded and shrugged, her eyes filling.
    Mandi smiled. “And it’s about damn time.”
    Jennifer laughed through her tears. Leave it to Mandi to lighten the mood. “When did you get so wise?”
    “I’m getting old,” she said with a grin. “Okay, depressing conversation is over! What do you think of the caramel rolls?”
    “They’re amazing. Where did you get them?”
    Jennifer shoved more of the pastry into her mouth and closed her eyes, enjoying the sweet roll with her coffee. They were sheer perfection on a Sunday morning.
    Mandi hesitated before answering, which made Jennifer suspicious. “Uh, Dessert First.”
    “Should that sound familiar to me? Because it doesn’t.” Jennifer’s eyebrows furrowed.
    “Uh, well. Not really. It’s Abby’s bakery.” Mandi’s said quietly when she answered her.
    Jennifer looked confused, and then finally it dawned on her. “Adam’s Abby?”
    “Well, she’s not Adam’s Abby anymore, but yes, that Abby.”
    Suddenly the caramel roll tasted more like sawdust and became like a lead weight in her stomach. “Oh. I see.”
    “She’s really nice, Jennifer.” Mandi’s voice took on a defensive tone. “I’m still pretty close to her, even after everything that happened. She was going to be my sister-in-law. And let’s not forget she did absolutely nothing wrong.”
    “Yes, of course, Mandi. It just surprised me.”
    It shouldn’t have bothered Jennifer that the delicious caramel rolls were from Abby’s store or that Mandi was still her friend, but for some reason, it did. After all, she was the woman Adam left her for. Twice.
    As if reading her thoughts, Mandi said, “It’s history. Let’s just say Abby ended up with the right guy, and it wasn’t my brother. I’ve always held out hope that you and Adam would get back together.”
    The corners of Mandi’s lips turned up in a small smile while Jennifer’s smile faded.
    “I don’t think that’ll ever happen.”
    Mandi tilted her head. “You never know.”
    Jennifer rolled her eyes and sighed.
    “So, how’s it going with your online boyfriend? Any news? Are you ever going to meet him?”
    “Oh, smooth one, Jennifer,” Mandi said and rolled her eyes, but she took the hint and answered. “Luke and I email a couple times per week but we haven’t spoken on the phone yet or made plans to get together. He lives in southern Minnesota, so for now we’re just talking. He mentioned he’s been looking for a new job, and wants to move further up north, but who knows. It may be months or even longer before that happens.”
    “What does he do?”
    “Mechanical engineer. He said there are jobs out there, but he’s looking for one around here.” Mandi sighed at this bit of information.
    It was too bad he didn’t just live here now. “Oh, well, I hope Luke finds a job here soon so you two can meet and see if he’s as great in person as he is online.”
    Mandi grinned. “That’d be nice, wouldn’t it?”
    Amber spoke up from the living room, where the credits from the movie Rapunzel were rolling and said, “Is it time to go to the waterpark now, mommy?”
    “You bet, peanut butter! Go get your swimsuit on and we’ll get going!” Jennifer replied, excited for Amber to get to try out Bunker Beach.
    Mandi suggested earlier in the week they take her there because it had a great kiddie play area, a wave pool, water slides and a lazy river.
    Mandi and Jennifer finished their coffee and breakfast and then started gathering up the beach bags, sunscreen and towels. They were meeting Cassandra at the pool.
    Jennifer couldn’t wait to spend the day in the sun having fun with her three favorite girls.
    *****
    “So, Cassandra, Noah dating anyone these days?” Jennifer asked as she leaned back in her sun lounger chair.
    Jennifer hadn’t seen Noah since she got back to Minnesota, other than a glimpse at the funeral. He was ruggedly handsome and always had a 5