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to bring up the subject of adoption, but Colleen was steadfast in her determination to carry a child to term. To deliver a little miracle that was tangible evidence of the love she and Jane shared.
    Rachel could hear her own biological clock ticking. The sound grew louder every day. Isabel hadn’t wanted kids. She said her life was complete without them. Rachel felt otherwise. One more thing upon which she and Isabel hadn’t been able to agree to disagree. Arguments over the issue had added more tension to their already strained relationship and may have contributed to its abrupt end.
    Was Rachel supposed to apologize for wanting to be a wife and mother? Not a chance. She just hoped she’d eventually be lucky enough to meet someone who shared her desires.
    Jane leveled her light blue eyes on Rachel. Her black hair was flecked with gray, lending her a distinguished air that her juvenile sense of humor often eradicated. Like a character in a gross-out comedy, she was endlessly amused by fart jokes. “Are you joining a gym because you want to or because you’re trying to land Griffin Sutton?”
    “I’m not trying to land anyone. I want to get back in shape for me. No one else.”
    “And the thought of making Griffin’s eyes bug out of her head doesn’t provide any extra motivation for you?”
    Rachel’s heart skipped a beat at the suggestion, but Griffin was out of her league. She was like the inspiration photo you took to the salon when you wanted your stylist to give you a new haircut—a fantasy desired but rarely achieved.
    “The only carrot on a stick I need is the thought of being able to climb four flights of stairs again without having to take a break at the halfway point.”
    “So that’s why you stopped coming to visit,” Colleen said with a wink.
    She and Jane lived in a fourth floor walk-up on the Lower East Side. Jane was an investment banker on Wall Street. The spate of scandals that had struck her profession had clouded her once rosy financial future, forcing her and Colleen to cut expenses. They sold their place on Park Avenue last year in favor of smaller, more affordable digs. Their new apartment was adorable, but the stairs leading to it were proving too taxing for Rachel’s over-stressed knees.
    Colleen looked up at Jane. “I’m stuck in a cab all day, but you could do it, babe.” She poked a finger in Jane’s midsection. “You’re always saying you want a six-pack. Here’s your chance.”
    “You said you loved my Buddha belly.”
    “I love every inch of you, sweetie.” Colleen gave Jane a placating kiss to soothe any hurt feelings. “Even though I spend all day driving around the city, I can run circles around you. If we’re ever lucky enough to have a baby, are you going to have the energy to chase after a two-year-old?”
    Colleen’s emerald eyes were so soft and nurturing Rachel was sure Colleen would make a wonderful mother. At the moment, those eyes were missing the positive energy Colleen was known for. Rachel wondered if the years of frustration had finally taken their toll. Jane picked up on it, too.
    “Not if ,” she gently corrected her, brushing a finger across the tip of Colleen’s button nose. “You mean when , don’t you? When we have a baby, I’m going to run rings around both of you.”
    “That’s a sight I can’t wait to see.”
    Jane bent to press a kiss to Colleen’s lips then turned to Rachel. “Looks like you’ve got yourself a workout partner.”
    “Sweet.”
    Rachel began to pull all the calorie-laden treats from her refrigerator.
    “Damn, you are serious,” Jane said when Rachel tossed two pints of mint chocolate chip ice cream and a box of Klondike bars into a trash bag.
    “From now on, it’s frozen yogurt, fresh fruit, and celery sticks.” Rachel reached for the frozen Snickers.
    “Give me one of those before you force me to go cold turkey.”
    Rachel underhanded her one of the decadent treats. Jane nearly took it down in one bite. Then