I asked her the next morning where the food had come from. She gave me the receipts. I paid her back, then gave her my debit card, telling her to shop for food and anything else she thought we might need. I grinned all the way to work, my cheek tingling from the goodbye kiss.

You couldn't have blown the smile off my face that day with a stick of dynamite. Gail got catty again. Apparently happiness offended her.

"See you little jailbait honey last night?"

"Yes, and this morning. She moved in last night. You should find someone, Gail, it'll make you a much nicer person."

Her look as...