Tara wanted nothing more than to call in to work when she woke up the next morning, but she couldn’t. She had a meeting to go to and she knew she would need those days for closer to her birthday. She still had a few days.

Once she showered and dressed in her black slacks, red boatneck top, and her favorite pair of heels, Tara headed to work. At the office she pushed out of her car and froze. A chill ran up her neck and she knew someone was watching her. Her mind instantly went to him, but she knew it was impossible. He’d left and promised he’d never look back.

Tara shook off the feeling and walked through the small parking lot. When she reached the door she glanced back, hoping to catch whoever was there, but the lot was empty.

All day Tara struggled to let go of the sensations surrounding her. At one point she thought she smelled him. At another point she swore she saw him. Another time she swore she heard his voice.

She was losing it.

Tara claimed sick and begged to leave early once their last meeting was done. All she was good for was thinking about him anyway, and that wouldn’t do anyone any good. When Amanda agreed, Tara didn’t waste any time packing up her stuff for the night and bolting for the door.

Going home held no appeal. She knew she couldn’t be alone with her thoughts. They wouldn’t do her any good and she’d likely drive herself insane, not that it was a far trip. She headed for the one place she knew she could go without announcing herself ahead of time, without needing a reason.

“Tara! What are you doing here?” her best friend, and soon to be sister-in-law, Michelle asked.

“Sorry, Michelle, I didn’t know where else to go.” Michelle stepped back to let Tara in. Her eyes swept the familiar space, but something tickled the back of her mind. She sensed him. “Is anyone else here?”

Tara narrowed her eyes and shook her head, but didn’t say anything.

“I must be losing it. I swear, I keep thinking I see someone, or sense him or smell him.”

“Who?” Michelle asked innocently, appearing genuinely confused.

Tara rolled her eyes. “You know who, Chelley. My birthday is in a few days. It’s the same as every other year. For some reason I feel him more this year though. I thought I heard his voice at work today. I’ve been smelling him everywhere too. It feels like he’s been here.”

Michelle waved her hand dismissively and rolled her eyes. “I wish, hun. He left. You told him to.”

“I know. It was the second biggest mistake I’ve ever made. Second only to sleeping with him in the first place.”