“Not today, Norene. I’m meeting Dana and Natasha.” She searched the restaurant and spotted them in the middle of the room. “I see them.” She navigated through the tables, and responded to hellos as she passed. Serenity slid into the empty chair at her friends’ table. “Hey. Have you been here long?”

“No,” Natasha said. “But I went ahead and ordered you a shrimp Caesar salad because I know you’re on a time limit.”

“Thanks. It’s been a madhouse.”

Dana nodded. “School is about to start, and the garage has been crazy busy, too.”

“I’d think that would be at the start of summer, not the end, since that’s when people take vacations.” Serenity took a few sips of water.

“Oh, it’s hectic then, too.”

Serenity turned to Natasha. “What about the real estate business?”

“Every season is busy, but for different reasons. Winter and fall tend to be a little cheaper because not many people sell during those months. It’s the holidays, school has started, and parents don’t particularly want to uproot the children, so it’s probably a better time to buy for someone who’s strapped for cash. In the spring and summer, it may be more expensive, but with the better weather, houses tend to show better. And those folks who couldn’t sell in the winter are eager to get it done.”

Serenity had no idea of all that went into the real estate market.

“I do have some good news,” Natasha said excitedly.

“What?” Dana and Serenity said at the same time.

“A friend of mine asked me to be her interior designer. She said she’d be more than happy to provide referrals when I’m done.”

Serenity’s mouth fell open. “That’s great, girl.”

“It is,” Dana agreed. “You’ve been wanting to do this for a long time. I’m glad you’re finally getting a chance to put that degree to work.”

Natasha nodded. “You and me both. If it works out, I’ll think about doing it part-time.”

The server returned with their food. They all thanked the young man and started in on the meal.

“This is good,” Dana said, “but I really want more of those crab-stuffed shrimp wrapped in bacon. That’s the first time you’ve done an all-appetizer spread for our supper club meets. What made you decide on that?”

Serenity shrugged. “I just wanted to do something different. I’m thinking for the next one, a brunch menu for dinner—homemade waffles, bacon, smoked sausage, scrambled eggs, fruit, sautéed potatoes with peppers and onions, cinnamon rolls.”

Natasha groaned. She glanced down at her salad, then at Serenity. “There is just something wrong about you sitting here talking about all that good food while we’re having salads. I want all of that menu now.” She shot Serenity a glare as she shoved a forkful of chef salad in her mouth.