Free Foundation for Three by Vella Day Page A

the energy, she might even invite a few friends over. Then on Saturday, she’d go out with Thad. When she thought about what was coming up, she was really excited.
    Just as Zoey stretched out on the sofa and picked up the television remote, her cell rang. Her pulse raced. Was it Pete? Or Thad? She set down her wine and checked her phone. It was Courtney. When her younger sister called, it was usually because something bad had happened to her love life. They only lived five hours away, but there never seemed to be enough time in Courtney’s day for a visit.
    “Courtney? You okay?”
    “Zoey?” The worry in her sister’s voice tore at her.
    “What’s wrong, sweetie?”
    “I left Robbie.” The desperation and sadness in her sister’s tone broke Zoey’s heart.
    “Tell me what happened. I want to hear everything.” Zoey picked up her glass and sipped her drink while she listened to the series of events that led to the breakup.
    For over half an hour, she and Courtney discussed Robbie’s inappropriate behavior. Zoey agreed with her sister. No man should ever hit a woman.
    “I know it’s for the best,” Courtney said, “but it’s hard.”
    “I know, and I’m sorry, but things will look better tomorrow.”
    Courtney sniffled. “Maybe. Why do I keep attracting the same type of man—one who’s emotionally unavailable? I can’t seem to break the pattern.”
    Zoey was impressed that Courtney seemed to understand the complicated topic of unavailability. “We’ve talked about these types of toxic men before. Changing one’s mindset is never easy.”
    “Do you think you could give me some ways to tell if he’s the violent type from the get go?”
    Being needed helped revive Zoey. “I’d be happy to, sweetie.”
    She and Courtney discussed what things the next man might say, do, or demand from her that would be a red flag.
    “You rock, sis. I’ll certainly give those a try. But enough about me. What’s going on with you? You’ll never find happiness if you don’t give men a chance.”
    Zoey smiled. “I think that was some of the advice I gave you.” Courtney’s chuckle bolstered Zoey’s spirits.
    “You’re lucky.”
    “How so?” Zoey asked.
    “At least you’ll be able to spot the bad ones.”
    That lightened the mood. “Like I did with Rich and Dave?” Zoey had been so sure they were the two perfect men. Boy, had she been wrong.
    “We all need practice.”
    Zoey loved talking with her sister. The pounding in her head had disappeared. “I think you’ve been listening to me too much.” Zoey often preached that Courtney just had to keep looking, and she’d find Mr. Right.
    “So, what about you?” Courtney asked.
    Clearly, her sister wasn’t going to let up. “I met someone.”
    As was her intention, Courtney squealed. “You went out on a date?”
    “Not exactly a date.” She explained that Pete was the owner of the construction company she’d hired to do some renovations. “He’d been finishing up on the remodel when I came home early one day.” Given Courtney’s state of mind, Zoey wouldn’t mention the shooting, which was why she didn’t tell Courtney about the upcoming date with Thad. “Pete was cleaning the bathtub when I walked in.”
    “Ooh. He sounds yummy. But he does the labor himself?” Zoey inwardly chuckled at the snobbish tone. It wasn’t Courtney’s fault. It was how they’d been raised.
    “Only when he’s needed to fill in. That’s what good managers or owners do. He went to college, so back off, sister.” Zoey laughed.
    “Okay. Tell me more.”
    She mentioned Pete was from Rock Hard and had a business partner who’d left for a few years but had returned. “We just talked about, I don’t know, stuff. I like him. He’s nice.”
    “When is this hot date?”
    “Not sure, but I’ll let you know when he asks.” She still couldn’t tell if Pete was even interested. All he’d seen was a woman who’d broken down on him.
    “When he does ask you out,