Read Online Second Look (A New Beginning Book 3) by Connie Stephany - Free Book Online

do have a lot in common. So far, we’ve been emailing and texting. It’s only been a couple weeks.”
    She wanted nothing more than for her best friend to find someone, especially after everything that had happened to her when she was younger. She’d barely dated in years.
    “Well, we hope it works out, right Cassandra?”
    Cassandra sipped her drink and nodded her head.
    “I’m being cautiously optimistic, you guys, so chill.” Then Mandi leaned in, chuckled and said, “But when we do decide to meet, I’ll have you there hiding in the corner.”
    Jennifer and Cassandra both laughed and nodded their heads. She was glad Mandi was finally venturing out into the dating world again. It had been way too long.
    They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, sipping on their drinks and looking around the bar. It gave Jennifer time to think back to what happened to her best friend years ago.
    Mandi started dating Jake before Jennifer even knew her and they always claimed they’d get married right after college. When she got pregnant in her second year at the University of Minnesota, they decided to speed up the process and got married.
    For months they prepared for their baby, taking classes, reading books and stocking up on tiny diapers. Jake worked extra hours and catered to all of Mandi’s cravings.
    It was pretty cute to see how excited they both were about becoming parents.
    Mandi was seven and a half months pregnant when she realized something was wrong. An ultrasound confirmed their worst fear. What came after that was something Jennifer wouldn’t wish on her worse enemy.
    Jennifer could still remember the tiny casket. It was the saddest funeral she’d ever attended and it broke her heart to see her best friend suffering.
    Afterward, Mandi shut everyone out, including Jake. She knew her best friend was miserable, but none of them knew what to do to help her. They took turns staying with her and her mom took her to see a counselor. Eventually she started to improve.
    None of them saw it coming when Mandi filed for divorce a couple months later. Initially he refused, but nothing he did or said would change her mind. Shortly after he signed the papers, Jake transferred schools and moved out of state.
    Mandi hadn’t heard from Jake since.
    Her best friend never gave them a good explanation for divorcing him, but she and Cassandra both had a feeling there was more to it than her inability to cope with her loss. Mandi refused to discuss it and they both gave up trying to get her to talk.
    Jennifer raised her glass to her friend. “To you and Luke.”
    Mandi simply smiled and clinked her glass to Jennifer’s and then Cassandra’s before taking a big sip.
    Jennifer needed to think of something else, so she decided to pester Cassandra. “So, how’s Noah?”
    Cassandra smiled. “He’s great!”
    “Has he asked you on a date yet?”
    Cassandra rolled her eyes, “No, and you ask me that every time.”
    Jennifer grinned. “Well, one of these times you’re going to say yes.”
    Cassandra shook her head and rolled her eyes again. “Tell us more about your sexy doctor.”
    “There’s nothing to tell. He was hot and it was just a fling.”
    “There’s got to be more to it than that.”
    She shrugged.
    As if Mandi sensed she wasn’t going to spill, she changed the subject. “I know you may not want to hear this, but Adam was asking for your number.”
    Her stomach dropped and she paused before asking, “Did you give it to him?”
    Mandi shook her head. “Of course not. But eventually he’s going to find out you’re back home. You should just talk to him and get it over with.”
    Cassandra patted her hand. “I agree, sweetie.”
    “I know it’s not my business, but he’s also my brother. You were both hurt and both made mistakes. It wasn’t just him.” Mandi held her hand up when Jennifer opened her mouth to defend herself. “Just think about it. Maybe it’s time to talk to him so you can both move