She’d even gotten to the point she spent the night at Michael’s more often than not, and nobody, especially Sarah, was surprised when he proposed. He’d brought her to the Red Lobster again, more for the sake of reminiscing than because the food was the best in town. It wasn’t. But this was the place they'd had their first date. Nicole had sensed what was coming when he'd slipped down on one knee and offered her the ring. The whole restaurant had broken out with cheers, and she'd found herself giving him a "yes" even though Jordan yet lingered in the back of her mind and in her heart. Perhaps that should have been a warning, but she did know one thing: Michael was a good man who loved her. He would treat her right, and they could make a life together. Part of her knew it wasn’t the life she sought; it never would be, no matter how much she might want things to be different. After making love until almost dawn, she called her mother from Michael’s bedroom as she heard him in the shower getting ready for work. He hummed randomly as always, and Nicole found comfort in that. Her mother answered on the second ring. “Hello?”
