“Oh, come on, Mark wasn’t that bad!” Taylor’s giggly protests stand out in the lunchtime crammed pub, making quite a few heads turn in our direction.

She’s become my closest friend ever since I moved to this town, besides working with me at the local Journal, where she puts her hopelessly romantic soul at the service of the poetry corner. Happily married with our boss and mum of two adorable blonde boys, she lives for her family. I can cope well with all that saccharine and, in all honesty, at times I look at her happiness with a pale shade of green envy. But it’s her notion that every woman has her same desires, combined with her passion for playing matchmaker, that vexes me, especially when I end up being her favorite target. With a failed marriage behind and a restive...

Please subscribe to keep reading.