Free Avoiding Amy Jackson by N. A. Alcorn Page B

be more proud of her. She’s made a complete three-sixty from the drunken mess I found on my doorstep. Lizzy is finally doing what she wants. She’s taking classes to finish her teaching degree and making a new life for herself—one that includes being happy.
    “I know I’m in the process of a divorce, but I’m still feeling a little torn. Matt isn’t making this any easier on me. He’s not exactly in agreeance that divorce is our best option. He’s still hoping we work things out,” she responds in a small voice and bites down on her bottom lip, indecision radiating off of her in waves.
    “Just remember that you have to do what is best for you. Not what Matt wants. You need to do what Lizzy wants. Do what’s going to make you happy. And I gotta say, I think Ryder might be the guy to give you just that.”
    “I know I need to do what makes me happy,” she breathes out with a sigh. “Despite the fact that he’s really playing the guilt card, I’m certain that I’m doing what’s right. I’m doing what’s best for me. I just hate that Matt is making me feel like I’m gaining happiness at his heart’s expensive.”
    A few moments of silence descend upon us, and I give Lizzy some space while I finish getting ready for work. She continues to sit on the edge of the bathtub, and I can guarantee she’s silently mulling over everything in her head.
    “And the fact that you think Ryder could be the guy that makes me happy is absurd. Do I need to remind you that he’s twenty-four and my personal trainer?” Her question pulls my focus from applying my makeup back to her internal dilemma.
    “Well I’m twenty-nine and I would most definitely be banging that hot piece of ass if he was my personal trainer. Speaking of personal trainers, is Ryder accepting new clients?” I ask nonchalantly as I powder my nose.
    “No. No way. No fucking way! You are not going to schedule training sessions with Ryder!” And now I’ve got her throwing F-bombs at me. This is awesome and actually a little funny. Lizzy is visibly furious as her eyes shoot daggers into my back. I think the green-eyed monster just made her appearance.
    “But why does it matter? I mean, it’s not like you’re attracted to him or anything, so that pretty much makes him free game.” I turn around and face Lizzy, my back resting against the bathroom sink.
    Her face scrunches up in a scowl and she takes an irritated breath. “It just matters, okay? It matters.” She blinks her eyes a few times and looks up at the ceiling, as if she’s trying to find the right words. I guess I should let this conversation slide… for now .
    “Lizzy, it’s okay. Don’t get worked up. I was only kidding about going to Ryder, but I think you should strongly reconsider your feelings for him. You were getting pretty worked up just now, and I can’t ignore the fact that you even seemed a little jealous—”
    She immediately cuts in. “I was not! My divorce isn’t even final yet. Now is not the time for me to be hooking up with my personal trainer—”
    I put my hand up in resolution. “I’m not trying to get you worked up.”
    She gives me a pointed look.
    “Okay, maybe I was trying to get you a little worked up,” I concede as I smile impishly at her. “But I was only doing it because I think Ryder is a really sweet guy— a super-hot guy —and I just have this feeling that you two would be great together. Age is only a number, sweetheart. Yeah, your divorce isn’t final yet , but it will be eventually. So just think about it.”
    Lizzy huffs out a huge gust of air, strands of her long auburn hair blowing away from her face. She glowers at me in annoyance, and I don’t miss the teeny tiny spark in her eye. A spark that indicates she might be considering what I just said to her.
    “Just think on it. Anyways, I better head out of here or else I’ll be late for work. Thanks for keeping me company while I got ready.” I smile down at Lizzy and then move