Simone sucked in a breath and embraced the new sense of self-worth, which felt better than the acquisition of a new diamond bracelet or a custom made pair of Italian shoes. This was a feeling no one could pay for.

Her moment was interrupted by a tapping at the door.

"Come in, " she called as she stood from the chair and wiped at her eyes quickly hoping to hide the tears she 'd shed.

Regan opened the door slowly. "Am I bothering you? "

"Of course not. Please, come in. "

Regan moved around the door. In her hand she carried a mug. "I made you some tea. I thought you could use it to relax. "

"I appreciate it. Thank you, mon ami. " She took the mug from Regan and sat back down in the chair.

"Simone, I hope I 'm not overstepping my boundaries, but is everything alright with you?

"I beg your pardon. "

Regan sat down on the bed across the room and laid her hands in her lap. "Zach is worried about you. He says you 're not yourself. "

"He worries too much, that is all. "

"Perhaps. But you mean a great deal to him, and to me too. If there is anything wrong, we want to help. "

Simone thought of all the things she could tell Regan. She 'd always wanted a sister, and Regan was as close as she 'd come. But still, there was no way to tell her what had transpired in her life, after all, Regan was Curtis 's sister. Telling her what she 'd done could change her relationship with the woman forever. She 'd already been thrown out of her father 's life, she couldn 't risk Zach and his wife throwing her out too.

"Everything is fine. I have just been having a moment of clarity, before you walked in. " She tucked her feet under her and smiled at Regan. "I 've decided I want to find my own place to live and get a job. "

The reaction on Regan 's face should have made her angry, but she knew it was genuine. When an oil heiress tells you she wants to get a job most people would stare at her wide eyed with their mouths open, just as Regan was doing.

"I think that 's great. So you 'll be staying in Nashville longer than you 'd anticipated? "

"I want to. I think it is time. "

"Simone, I think that 's wonderful. " And from the compassion in Regan 's eyes she knew she was sincere. "Zach could surely "

Simone held up her hand to stop her. "I will not take a job or 1a home from him. "

"But, Simone "

"No. I will do this myself. I can do this. "

Regan stood and walked toward her. She bent down and gave her a warm hug. "I know you can. I believe you are the kind of woman who gets what she wants. "

Simone bit the inside of her cheek. She could only hope that was in fact the kind of woman she was.

Regan took a step back. "I 'll let you get some sleep. Perhaps we could go to lunch tomorrow and discuss your plans. I 'm a great assistant and I 'm dying to do something. Maybe I can help you work on your resume, or hunt down some places to live. "

"I think that sounds splendid. "

"Great. Good night. "

"Good night. " Regan turned to leave and Simone stood quickly. "Oh, and, Regan, " she waited for her to turn. "Congratulations on the new baby. I know Zach wants a house full of children. "

"I hope so. Coming from a big family I want Tyler to have that. "

Regan shut the door and Simone was alone again, but this time she didn 't feel alone. No, she had someone to take care of and she and Regan were going to make plans for her new life. She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Was she ready for a new life? She placed her hands on her stomach. Well, ready or not, it was coming.

Chapter Four

Curtis pulled the lettuce off his sandwich, reassembled the bread, and then pushed it aside. Cynthia sipped her Pepsi and shook her head. "You 're not going to eat? "

"Just not hungry. "

Cynthia picked up her sandwich and took a bite. "Have you met Sam yet? "

"Sam? "

"Male nurse. Six-four. Short blond hair. Dreamy blue eyes. "

Curtis let out a loud chuckle. "No, guess I 've missed him. "

"He 's working at the clinic with me on my days off at the hospital. And he 's taking me out to dinner tonight. "

Curtis pulled his sandwich back toward him and took a bite. He was more comfortable now that they were talking about her than had the conversation been about him and Simone. "Do I need to shake him down and make sure he 's worthy of taking you out? "

"You even talk to him I 'll shove you in your locker. "

And that was why he adored his friendship with Cynthia. He could take her to a ball game, or a fancy dinner. If they felt like it, they 'd tangle up the sheets. Or she could abuse him and tell him all about her sex life with other men. He realized he was lucky. Every man should have that very special woman in their lives. The ones who would do anything for you or with you, but didn 't come with strings attached.

"Oh, my gosh. Your sister is here. " Cynthia 's hand went up in a wave and Curtis turned his head to the door. "Oh, look. She 's with Simone. "

He felt the bread from his sandwich lodge in his throat. He reached for his drink and the women approached the table.

"Fancy meeting you here. " Regan reached past Curtis and gave Cynthia a casual hug and then gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Simone and I were just grabbing some lunch. "

"Oh, sit with us, " Cynthia was quick to add.

Suddenly Curtis 's appetite was completely gone. His sister pulled out a chair and Simone took the vacant one next to him. He lifted his eyes to see her, but she 'd kept hers diverted. All the better he thought.

"Simone, how are you? Is this heat enough for you? At least you 've come when it will start to cool off. " Cynthia asked a little too enthusiastically for him.

"It has been pleasant. "

Curtis picked up his drink again. Maybe he could just drown in the cup. But then the next best thing happened. The pager on his hip went off and he reached for it as quickly as he could. "Ah, they need me at the hospital. "

"I didn 't know you were on call. " Cynthia looked at him as he stood from the table.

"They called this morning and said Drake was out sick. I 'll catch you ladies later. " He picked up his sandwich and made sure he kissed Cynthia goodbye before he darted out the door. Thank goodness for someone 's tragedy.