Chapter 24

• Susan smoothed down her dress, taking a final look in the mirror. The short, sky-blue gown hugged her figure elegantly, giving her a polished look that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Tonight, she’d left her hair loose, letting soft waves fall over her shoulders, and had put a little more effort into her makeup. She wanted to feel like herself again—something she hadn't been able to do since getting involved with Leo.
• She shook her head, pushing those thoughts aside. Tonight was about Jeremy, the charming guy she’d met at the gym. He seemed nice, normal even, and she desperately needed that kind of stability in her life. As she got ready, she thought about how different Jeremy was from Leo. Where Leo was intense and unpredictable, Jeremy felt safe and grounded.
• With a final glance in the mirror, she grabbed her purse and stepped out, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in her stomach. The drive to the restaurant was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension, but she told herself it would be nice to have a normal evening, away from the chaos of her life. Tonight, she was determined to focus on someone who didn’t drag her into a world of trouble, someone safe—someone like Jeremy.