The Cost Of Love And Sanity by Jaye Cheríc Read Free Book Online

know? For all you know Nathan could see you as the one that got away. He did ask for your number.”
    â€œYes, he did but—“
    â€œSee? He wants to rekindle the relationship. Alex, this could change everything.” Izzy’s breathing quickened.
    â€œThis changes nothing. All I did was give him my number.”
    â€œAnd he took it. He wants something else and so do you. The man has a plan.”
    â€œLet’s drop it.” Alex didn’t know why she tried explaining this to Izzy. She’d have better luck talking to the ocean. No matter what Alex said Izzy continued to flow her own way and romanticize this whole scenario—the opposite of what she wanted. Although she would like for Nathan to call her, she also needed to keep her head on straight. No use making mountains out of ant beds.
    Surely, Nathan had changed. Besides growing older, he had new responsibilities but she had no way of knowing if a relationship between them would develop now. He hadn’t called her yet. So, she couldn’t see any solid proof that he wanted to rebuild their relationship. She preferred to focus on that reality.
    Alex faced Maya and Kelis as they ran up to her and Izzy.
    â€œMama, can we go get some ice cream?” Maya asked.
    â€œSure, Hon. Let’s go.” Izzy stood up and the two sisters began debating the kind of ice cream they would choose. Izzy turned back to Alex.
    â€œYou know what your problem is?” Izzy asked.
    Alex raised her eyebrow.
    â€œYou’re afraid to believe. You have to believe your life is goingto change. You have to believe this is going to be different. Even though I’ve had my share of man problems, I enter each new relationship with a clean slate, determined to believe the best will come from it. You have to do the same thing, Alex. If you don’t think anything good will come out of it,” Izzy shrugged, “nothing will.” She faced her daughters. “C’mon, girls. Race you to the car.”
    While Izzy ran lightly behind her daughters toward the car, Alex sat on the swing, pondering her words. Could it really be that simple? Had she asked for something she didn’t even believe she could have?

CHAPTER 8
    T hat night, Alex’s briefcase lay untouched against the gold wingback chair in her room. An unfinished proposal called out to her but she continued to lie motionless on her bed, staring at the TV. There weren’t even any papers or a laptop skewed across the covers. Hey, maybe I am breaking habits this year. Now all I have to do is find a man.
    Alex switched channels and landed on Quincy Marx Tonight. She adjusted her pillow, as the interviewer introduced his guest for the evening. Quincy turned toward actress Roxie Miller after the intro.
    Roxie appeared calm and serene. Cheerful, even. She wore a cream blouse with a scarf draped around her neck and blue jeans. Quincy jumped right into the interview, asking her specifics about her baby.
    â€œLet’s talk about your wonderful new baby. What’s her name?”
    â€œMarie,” Roxie said, smiling.
    â€œThat’s beautiful. How did you come up with it?”
    â€œIt was my grandmother’s name.”
    â€œYour grandmother’s name? All in the family, huh?”
    â€œYes.” She nodded.
    â€œHow long have you wanted a child?”
    Roxie crossed her legs. “For a while. Several years. My life didn’t always allow for it.”
    â€œHow is that?”
    â€œBooming career. A couple of years ago, I filmed two movies inone year. I was also making some guest appearances on Summer’s Lane. I barely had time to breath, let alone have a child. And then there was the issue of having no man.” She chuckled.
    â€œSo, why now?”
    â€œIt’s a better time all the way around.”
    â€œBut your career is still good and you’ve said there is no man.”
    â€œRight but I’ve learned how to make some adjustments