Rules of a Rebound

For my sister-friend, Nicole.

Prologue

The dream wedding…

Let’s see those smiles, ladies. The ginger-haired photographer snapped photos of Natalie Winters and her two best friends and bridesmaids, Alexa and Cori, standing in front of the stained glass window in the anteroom of the church.

Natalie, dressed in a long, form-fitting white satin gown and holding a cascade of white roses and pale pink peonies, flashed a bright smile. Alexa and Cori were at her side. She was marrying the man she loved. It was the perfect day.

That’s beautiful. The photographer motioned for them to get closer to one another. Now, I want the two of you to lean in as if you’re going to kiss the bride on the cheeks.

Hold that thought. Cori, a symphony of purple from her shoulder-length micro braids to her flowing lavender gown and matching stiletto pumps, hurriedly laid her small pink-and-white bouquet on a wood bench against the wall. Need to make a pit stop.

As Cori rushed past, Alexa’s light brown face held hints of exasperation and disbelief. Again? Can’t you wait until we’re finished?

I’ll be right back. Cori ran out the door.

Natalie mouthed sorry to the photographer, and he nodded in understanding.

Alexa shook her head, and her dark hair brushed the thin shoulder straps of her lavender dress. I told her not to drink that Big Gulp on the way here this morning. Too much caffeine makes her hyper. And she has the tiniest bladder on the planet.

Laughing, Natalie smoothed a loose black corkscrew curl that spiraled down from her updo and hung near her cheek. Don’t worry about Cori. We’ve got plenty of time before the ceremony starts.

You really must be on a wedding-day high. At times like this, you’re usually the one who’s ready to strangle her.

That’s not true. Natalie couldn’t hold back a chuckle as Alexa arched her brow. Okay, maybe it is, but no matter what happens today, I’m still getting married.

Genuine happiness added a sparkle to Alexa’s eyes. Yes, you are. Lucky girl. She hugged Natalie.

As Natalie squeezed back, she couldn’t stop her own blossoming smile. She was lucky to have met Dorian Hall.

Seven months ago, she’d literally run into him in the lobby of the hotel where she was staying while on business in Dallas. Their one romantic weekend together had quickly turned into a long-distance relationship once he’d started visiting her regularly in Virginia. During the weeks they were apart, their phone calls had lasted for hours as they’d shared their similar visions for the future with each other. Successful careers. Finding that special someone to enjoy life with. And someday having children that they’d give the world to without spoiling them rotten.

Four months ago, when Dorian had given her an adorable, tricolor beagle pup named Betsy with an engagement ring attached to her pink collar, she hadn’t hesitated in saying yes. It was obvious that they’d found their special someones…in each other.

Cori hurried back into the room. Whew! One word, y’all. Spanx. It’s squeezing the hell out of me.

Make that five words. Alexa said. Hold it until we’re done.

Okay, Mom.

Mom? No way could you be my child. You’re nothing but trouble.

But I’m cute. Cori playfully batted her lashes. You’d love having a mini-me around.

Alexa huffed a chuckle. Cute mini-you better come with a lifetime supply of wine.

Wine? Girl, please. Natalie laughed. You’d need valium just to survive mini-Cori’s toddler years.

Cori gave an eye roll and smiled. Whatever. Don’t give up your day jobs. You suck as comediennes.

As their teasing banter continued, the photographer snapped candid photos of them. He took a few more of Alexa and Cori arranging the train of Natalie’s dress and straightening her faux-diamond-crown veil.

She’d lost her parents eight years ago in an accident when she was sixteen, and her two crazy-as-hell, mother-sister best friends were the closest people she had to family. The span of their friendship might have been short, but their bond was solid, as if they’d known each other from birth through the past twenty-four years.

The photographer headed to the sanctuary in preparation of photographing the wedding.

A short time later, the familiar melodic strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D played by a string quartet drifted into the room.

That was their cue to line up in front of the sanctuary just down the hall.

A knock sounded, and the church’s wedding organizer, a platinum-haired woman with a cheery smile, popped her head through the door. It’s time, ladies.

Alexa dabbed tears of joy from her eyes. This is it. Why am I crying?

Because it’s exciting. Cori happy danced in place. She reached over and squeezed Natalie’s hand. Are you ready?

I feel like I was born ready for this. Excitement waved through Natalie. She was marrying the man of her dreams.

Chapter One

Three years later…

This is a nightmare, and I just want it to end. Natalie paced in front of the wooden desk of her divorce attorney, Carly Hammond. We both agreed that the terms of the joint-asset division were fair months ago. Like the prenup stated, we’re leaving with what we brought into the marriage and dividing the joint assets between us. Why won’t Dorian just sign the damn papers?

I know it’s frustrating. The middle-aged attorney, impeccably dressed in a dove-gray business suit, gave her an understanding nod. It’s just a delay. He’s been out of town. His lawyer said that Dorian wants to go over everything again in person. Try to keep an eye on the bigger picture. You had a clear prenup. You don’t have children, so there’s no child support or visitation rights involved. It’s all pretty straightforward. Once he agrees, you’ll sign the divorce papers and then you’re free.

Freedom. It couldn’t come soon enough. Natalie unbuttoned the blazer of her navy pantsuit and breathed. She’d endured the slowest clock in hell ticking away the hours and minutes of their six-month legal separation. Now she just wanted things to end. Quickly. It was hard to believe that she’d practically run down the aisle on her wedding day, thrilled to say I do to Dorian and their expected happily-ever-after.

Their married life had been bumpy from the start. Instead of staying in Texas until he found a job in Virginia, like they’d agreed upon, he’d announced on their honeymoon that he’d resigned from his position as a human resources manager at a financial firm and was joining her right away in Alexandria. He’d also decided to stay home, penning the next bestselling thriller novel instead of finding another job in human resources.

Despite her disappointment in him for not consulting her before making changes to their plans as a married couple, she’d supported them financially, along with his dream of becoming the next Lee Child. But multiple manuscript rejections took a toll on his self-esteem, and his resentment grew over her success.

"You don’t give a damn about me or our marriage. I gave up everything and moved here because of you, and all you care about is your career."

But that wasn’t true. She’d made time to read every manuscript he’d written and helped him reach out to agents and publishers. She’d even suggested counseling, to try and save their marriage, but he’d refused. As far as her job at Crawford Advertising, she’d been promoted last year, making her the youngest account director in the Alexandria office. That meant working long hours to continuously prove herself, and he’d said he understood.

Seven months ago, she’d discovered intimate photos and texts from another woman listed as Phoenix on his phone. She should have followed her instincts sooner about his supposed research trips to Arizona.

Normally, she would have talked things through with Alexa and Cori, but at the time she’d suspected his affair, her friends were ecstatic in their relationships. She didn’t want to take away from their happiness. Without her friends around, Betsy, her faithful fur baby, had been there to keep her sane. Her pet’s welcoming barks and sloppy doggy kisses gave her something good to come home to every night.

But as fate would have it, five months ago, Alexa’s fiancé, Dickhead Brad, had left her at the altar for another woman, and shortly after that, Cori’s relationship with her longtime live-in boyfriend had hit the rocks. Now they spent their Friday nights together, consoling each other over wine, takeout food, and too much Ben & Jerry’s.

Natalie? Carly’s voice yanked her fully into the present. Did you hear what I said? She held up the receiver of her desk phone. Dorian’s lawyer just called. My admin assistant has him on hold.

So, he’s calling to give us an answer?

Could be.

The possibility weakened Natalie’s knees. She sank into the black chair in front of Carly’s desk.

Hello, Jonas. Carly said into the phone. Thanks for calling me back so quickly. Of course. Yes. Yes…

Carly was smiling. That was a good sign. Right?

Oh…I see. Carly scribbled on a pad lying on her desk.

I see? What did that mean, and why did Carly look puzzled? Natalie willed her optimism not to fade. Like Carly said, once this detail was out of the way, she would be one giant step closer to celebrating her divorce. And she knew exactly when and where—next month at the Breakup Bash. It was a private event helping women get over one man and move onto a better one and was being held at Club Escapade, one of the popular dance clubs in the D.C. area. She was taking Cori and Alexa with her to the party.

All right, I’ll tell her. We’ll get back to you. Carly hung up.

So?

They’ve decided to throw us a curveball. Carly tossed her pen on the desk. Dorian claims he deserves one more thing.

The hints of irritation and compassion that slipped past Carly’s usual reserve filled Natalie with dread. What does he want now?

Chapter Two

Alexa raised a mojito in a toast. Love sucks.

Natalie sat next to her at the square, white-linen-covered table. She lifted a glass of chardonnay. Add her shitty divorce to that equation, and she more than agreed. I’ll cosign on that.

Cori glumly sucked down a frozen drink. Me, too.

Whoops of laughter drew their attention to the women at the table beside them. More smiling women danced to a Bruno Mars-Beyoncé remix in front of the DJ booth next to a gold-curtained stage.

Strobe lights shining across the room momentarily flashed over Alexa’s purple mini-dress and Cori’s bright yellow one, along with her short, coiled blue hair.

Natalie brushed stray glitter from the front of her maroon top with thin shoulder straps and the lap of her skinny jeans. They might have been dressed for a party, but the mood at their table didn’t come close to the upbeat atmosphere of the Breakup Bash held in the semi-darkened private events room at Club Escapade. But no matter how miserable she, Alexa, and Cori felt, getting tipsy on cocktails, eating cake, and watching the Hot Body Hunks male revue show perform later that night was a step up from their usual Friday night routine.

Maybe coming here wasn’t such a good idea. Alexa slumped in the black padded chair. This is one of the last places that I hung out as a delusional bride-to-be.

Natalie swallowed a protest with her next sip of wine. She’d bet Cori that Alexa would embrace the Bash motto of looking ahead to a better man. Boy, had she been wrong. But arguing about it wouldn’t help Alexa see that attending the Breakup Bash was exactly where they belonged if they really wanted to get over their past relationships.

So far, Alexa was coping with Brad leaving her by relocating to Seattle, aka getting the hell out of town, while Cori still grappled with breaking up with her boyfriend. And as for her… What Dorian had done in the midst of finalizing their divorce had almost hurt more than him cheating on her. He’d not only betrayed her once, but twice, with his claim that Betsy was solely his and wasn’t a gift. In the end, she’d had to settle for joint ownership of her beloved dog.

No. Cori plunked down her glass. This party is just what we need. Maybe some Hasta La Vista cocktails will put us into the mood. Or maybe champagne. Her gaze narrowed as if she was deep in thought. Ooh, that sounds even better. I’ll get some. Having made up her mind for all of them, she grabbed her blue clutch from the table and sprang from the seat, headed for one of the corner bars.

Natalie shoved thoughts of Dorian from her mind. Cori was right. She needed to focus on enjoying the party…but maybe not as much as Cori planned to. Good thing we took a Lyft and didn’t count on her being our designated driver. She’s really celebrating tonight.

Tell me about it. Alexa shook her head. She’s supposed to help me pack tomorrow. Too many Hasta La Vistas, and I’ll have to count her out.

Staying distracted is her way of handling things. At least she’s not depressed anymore. We all needed this.

Natalie chose a cracker from a small plate of hors d’oeuvres on the table. As long as Cori wasn’t doing anything dangerous, she’d back her choices. But she couldn’t get behind Alexa’s impending relocation to the west coast. More than ever, Alexa needed her friends and family by her side.

Are you sure about this moving thing? Natalie asked. Seattle is a big step.

I’m embracing new horizons.

New horizons are about running toward what you do want, not running away from what you don’t. You’ve never talked about leaving before.

I’m not running… Alexa listed what she insisted were the advantages.

A flashy title? A bigger paycheck? They sounded more like excuses to avoid the obvious. Alexa and Brad both worked at their fathers’ company, NorthStar Transportation Solutions. Once he returned, the watercooler gossip that Alexa had endured after the failed wedding would ramp up again.

Natalie slid the plate away. And you won’t have to deal with Brad and his hippy-dippy side piece when they show up six weeks from now.

That’s an added bonus.

The bonus should have been Alexa kicking Brad in the balls with her pointiest Manolos every time he had the nerve to walk into her office. But Alexa was the type who avoided awkward moments, so it made sense that she’d want to