The Perfect Someday (A standalone novel ~ Book three in The Mathews Family) by Beverly Preston

together.”
    Both girls scoffed at the deplorable truth.
    Her a musement frayed, and her small smile turned to sobs. “But it hurts so badly, JC. I can’t get him out of my head. I feel like I can’t escape him. I can literally feel his hands on my skin or if I think of his grin, my chest physically aches. I can’t even drink the damn wine without having a meltdown. And believe me, I know how fucked up this all sounds. I’ve considered taking a course in psychology, just so I could figure out the crazy going on inside my head.”
    “ There’s no explanation for what you’re going through, Tracy. And you’re not crazy. You don’t need Psychology 101 to label your feelings. It’s called anguish and heartbreak. You’re kind of grieving. And just the fact that I’m explaining this to you, is scaring me a little.” JC stated half joking, half serious. “Maybe you should talk to Momma. Do you want me to go get her?”
    She shook her adamantly, wiping her face on the back of her sleeve. “No. Normal ly I can discuss anything with Mom, even sex, but I can’t imagine having this conversation with her. I feel better just saying it out loud and getting it off my chest.”
    “ I know what you need.”
    “Yeah. I need some sleep.”
    “No. No more sleep. We’re going out.” JC tossed back the covers, jumped out of bed and headed for Tracy’s closet.
    “ No way. I have no interest in going out.”
    “Too bad. Take your pick. Either I go get Momma or you can go out and have a fun-filled evening full of hot guys. Did I mention ski-patrol has a bonfire party every Wednesday night?”
    “I’m not you, JC. Going out won’t make me feel better.”
    JC emerged from the closet. Ignoring Tracy’s complaints, she dragged an inquisitive scan over her sister’s shape. “And tomorrow we are hitting the gym.”
    Color flushed her face. She wrinkled her nose. “Can you really tell I’ve gained ten pounds?” She ignored the gym for three months and cursed the scale, nearly breaking it when she tapped it too roughly trying to make the number change.
    “Only in your boobs. It’s so unfair,” she scoffed. “Like they need to be any bigger.” JC chucked a pair of skinny jeans and royal blue cable-knit sweater on the bed. “Get dressed. I’m taking you out!”
    Tracy shook her head.
    “Fine, then you’re taking me out. I’m totally depressed, in case you hadn’t noticed.” JC marched back into the closet returning with a pair of dark brown boots. “As a matter of fact, you’re so caught up in The Italian, and I hate to say it bluntly, but I’m going to, The Italian who never called! that you haven’t bothered to ask me, Hey lil’ sis! How’s your modeling going? Do you love it? Do you hate it?”
    “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ve been pathetically preoccupied drowning in dejection,” she acknowledged. “Do you love it?”
    “Yes, I do. And as a matter of fact I think I’ve actually found something I’m good at.”
    “You’re good at everything you do.”
    “Don’t try sucking up to me now,” she teased. “I think I’ve found a profession that I actually enjoy. You’ve always had dance and college, I never found anything that inspired me.”
    Tracy interrupted with a fake cough and a playful dig. “Hmm funny, I always thought hot boys motivated your class schedule.”
    Ignoring her sister, JC continued without blinking an eye, “I don’t know if I’m going to enjoy all the people in the industry.”
    Tracy raised an inquisitive brow.
    “I’ll tell you all about the drama queens while I find you a hot guy to kiss. I know of one or two that will help take your mind off The Italian.”
    “G ood luck.” Her lip curled repulsively. “He was such a good kisser. I mean like mind- blowing good. He was—”
    “Stop right there! No more of he was this or he was that. He is down the road kicking cans and it’s time to move on.”
    “I don’t know if I can.” Hesitation played in her