I tried not to scoff, but I did anyway.
“Ruth, please. It’s not possible.
“Just saying.”
“I'm scared I don't know what he'd do if he finds out about the kids.”
Ruth stared at me for a beat too long, then sighed.
“Alec might have hurt you before, but people grow. Change. Maybe he has. Maybe he hasn’t. You’ll never know unless you stop hiding.”
I frowned. “What are you saying?”
“Mabel, you’re trying to protect your heart, I get that. But sometimes the walls we build to keep out pain also keep out love.”
“I'm not in love,” I muttered, sipping my drink.
Ruth smiled. “C’mon, girl! Is six years of celibacy a joke to you, who wouldn’t?” She nudged me playfully with her elbow. “ You’re not the only one whose room sounds like a barbershop at night.”
I gasped. “Ruth.”
She threw back her
