The Marriage Recipe by Michele Dunaway Page A

shrugged. “To your visit. To your presence being more than just a fast in and out. To getting rid of some stuck-on-himself fiancé who probably wouldn’t have let me be in his wedding. I’ll drink to all that.”
    â€œMe, too,” Rachel agreed as they clinked glasses. “And unfortunately, you’re correct. Marco pretty much insisted that the bridal party be from his side of the family. Looking back, I should have clued in then.”
    Rachel shifted and reclined farther back in the chair. “For a guy so focused on tradition, he had no problem with usurping my responsibilities and decisions. I stupidly insisted I pay for some things. Now I wish I hadn’t. My foolish pride cost me a fortune I didn’t have, and for naught.”
    â€œWhen you would call me and tell me about him, I knew he wasn’t right for you,” Heather announced between sips of wine. “But you seemed happy, and who was I to ruin that? No one likes to rain on anyone’s parade.”
    â€œHindsight’s twenty-twenty and I wish you had. Although I can understand why you didn’t. At the time I was too blinded to believe Marco was anything but romance-novel perfect. I guess I don’t have very good judgment in men, especially if I let Colin kiss me!”
    â€œYou cannot fault yourself for that. Chalk the experience up to curiosity. You know, like seeing if his lips made your toes curl when you were sober. In high school you’d both had champagne. So did they?”
    Rachel chewed on her lower lip. His kiss had made her ready to throw caution to the wind and lose herself in more ways than just kissing. She nodded.
    Heather’s body twitched and she shook herself. “Sorry. Being gross and picturing. Lucky you. Not that Keith doesn’t make me scream…well, you get the picture. No need to provide too much information. But girlfriend, a kiss like that is rare. I wasn’t as pristine and picky as you. I imbibed a little during college. Some of the sex I had was simply sloppy and not worth the energy. But when I met Keith, then I learned what making love meant. There’s never a time I don’t feel the entire connection—mental, physical and spiritual.”
    â€œIt was a kiss. One to put the past behind us. Surely that’s all it was. And no way am I planning on making love with Colin. What am I to do—abandon myself to a torrid affair until I leave? My life is in New York. Can you see me here in Morrisville, playing house?”
    â€œI play house every day. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Heather said flatly.
    Rachel frowned. Trust her to have sounded insensitive. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that…” Rachel apologized. She certainly didn’t mean to suggest that Heather had settled when she’d married the blue-collar line worker she’d met at the factory in Batesville. Heather had completed her MBA work online and had been on the fast corporate track when she’d fallen hard for Keith. With the arrival of Erin, she’d taken a leave of absence to stay home, walking away from a five-figure salary. She and Keith lived in a modest ranch house that they afforded using only his income.
    â€œI know you didn’t mean to sound bratty, so I’ll forgive you this time,” Heather said with a grin. “I’ve known you far too long to be insulted that easily. Besides, you know where all my skeletons are hidden.”
    Rachel smiled. “That I do. Although I won’t tell.” Warm-and-fuzzy sentiment had her adding, “You are the best.”
    â€œI know,” Heather said flippantly, sipping more wine. “Seriously, though. You’re just different. I’m content with my simple life. I don’t need fancy jewels and stuff like that. I’m happy staying home. I find it fulfilling. But not you. You’ve always wanted that pie in the sky. You’ve always been