The Bound Between Us

Chapter 516

Jason and Anastasia had really hit it off lately, and Monica couldn't help but notice. Jason was the classic tall, dark, and handsome type, with a sense of justice that made you feel safe just being around him. Monica, ever the matchmaker, couldn't resist the urge to play Cupid. Anastasia, fully aware of Monica's intentions, laughed. "Don't start playing matchmaker, Mon. Jason and I are just friends."

"All couples start off as friends," Monica said with a dramatic flair, looking around at the unsold items at Anastasia's garage sale. "Ana, think about it. Look at the guy! Those muscles, that strength in his arms-he's like a walking safety net!"

"Why don't you go for him if you like him so much? I could set you two up," Anastasia teased, half-seriously considering Monica's praises. "Seriously, Mon, he's way more reliable than your exes. You're not getting any younger, and here I am, already divorced, and you're still single."

"Whoa, pump the brakes!" Monica retorted with a playful nudge. "He's not my type-too stoic, like a block of wood. Remember when he used to wear those bright red boxers? I still crack up thinking about it."

"I wouldn't know," Anastasia replied, her face a mix of amusement and embarrassment. "You'll have to ask him yourself."

Monica knew Anastasia too well to let it go. "Oh come on, I can't just ask him about his underwear!"

unsold items and sighed, "Tough day for sales, huh? Missing your little

referring to Pattie, Anastasia's daughter, whose presence often seemed

she took her to the amusement park. Other kids go there all the time, or they go on little trips when school's

Pattie out," Monica suggested, then her curiosity piqued. "Speaking of family, I haven't

wouldn't

"What happened? You two had a

was all

all good last time I checked," Monica pushed, knowing there must be

hesitant pause, Anastasia admitted, "She confessed to having feelings

out a curse, shocked. "That's just low. Are all the men in the world extinct? How could she set her sights on Herman? You don't mess with your cousin's ex-what was she thinking?" Anastasia had been unable to accept that her cousin Gianna could be interested in Herman. If it were just simple affection, she might have understood. But Gianna

an agenda. Now, I can't tell which of her words were ever sincere-if any-or if it was

though, was Gianna's dangerous