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for lost time and maybe he should back off and give her some space to work out whatever it was she felt for her ex. He grabbed his backpack and headed out.
    When he arrived at his storefront office, Ali was already there.
    â€œHey, man. How was your day off with lady love?”
    Ron mumbled something incoherent.
    â€œThat good, huh?”
    Ron tossed his bag on the table, went to the coffeepot and poured himself a cup. He drank it black and hot.
    Ali looked at him with a frown. “What’s up? You all right?”
    Ron blew out a breath and sat down on the edge of the weather-beaten wood desk.
    Ron and Ali went way back as friends, having met each other in Atlanta years before. Ali was known as Melvin back then and, for some reason, he and Ron had connected. They’d protested together, marched together and bonded in a way Ron had not experienced before. When you got down to it, Ali was the only real male friend that Ron had and could trust.
    â€œIt’s Ellie.”
    â€œWhat about her? She isn’t sick, is she?”
    He shook his head. “No, nothing like that.”
    â€œSo, what is it?” Ali leaned against the wall and waited.
    Ron told him about finding the note and Ellie’s response.
    â€œMan, you gotta remember, she was married to the man for twenty-five years. No matter what kinda mess he might have put her through, that’s a lot of time and they have kids together.”
    â€œI know all of that—” he tapped his temple with his finger “—in my head.”
    â€œHey, from what I can see, Ellie really digs you, man. And I know you care about her or you wouldn’t have asked her to marry you. And that’s something I never thought would happen.” He laughed lightly. “Let her work it out. It’ll be all right. I can’t see her going back to him, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
    Ron looked up at Ali. “It has happened, you know.”
    â€œYeah, on TV.” He chuckled again. “You need to relax. Your problem my good brother is that you ain’t really been in love before. It will truly mess with your natural mind.”
    â€œWhat if he wants her back?”
    â€œHe probably does. What man wouldn’t? But that’s not your issue. You stay on your game and, however it plays out, that’s what’s gonna happen. Simple as that.” He moved toward the coffeepot. “When are you gonna get that woman a ring, anyway? Asking her is just a place holder.”
    Ron snickered. “Yeah. Well, I’m working on it. I want it to be something special, ya know?”
    â€œDon’t wait too long.” He glanced toward the door. “Looks like we got company, the suit-and-tie kind.”

Chapter 4
    S he’d debated enough. The longer she put it off, the longer she wouldn’t be able to concentrate. She went downstairs to the office for some privacy and closed the door behind her. For a few minutes, she stared at the phone then finally gave in, picked it up and dialed Matt’s number.
    He answered on the second ring.
    â€œIt’s Ellie. You left me a message to call you.”
    â€œThank you,” he began.
    She came around the desk and sat down. “What did you want, Matthew?”
    â€œI know I have no right to ask you anything…”
    That’s an understatement, she thought.
    â€œBut, I—I need you.”
    â€œWhat! Look, I don’t have time for this—”
    â€œI’m sick, Ellie,” he said, cutting her off.
    She flinched. “Sick? What do you mean?”
    â€œI’m going in for a biopsy this morning.”
    Her heart started to race. “A biopsy for what?”
    He explained what the doctor’d told him, and she grew more alarmed by the moment. She knew his family history and what the risks were for him.
    â€œMatt…I don’t…I’m sorry.”
    â€œI don’t have anyone else, Ellie. The doc said I