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Chapters (58)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise for Abbi Waxman and her novels
  3. Berkley Titles by Abbi Waxman
  4. Dedication
  5. Epigraph
  6. Summer
  7. ONE
  8. TWO
  9. THREE
  10. FOUR
  11. FIVE
  12. SIX
  13. SEVEN
  14. EIGHT
  15. NINE
  16. TEN
  17. ELEVEN
  18. TWELVE
  19. THIRTEEN
  20. FOURTEEN
  21. FIFTEEN
  22. SIXTEEN
  23. SEVENTEEN
  24. EIGHTEEN
  25. NINETEEN
  26. TWENTY
  27. TWENTY-ONE
  28. TWENTY-TWO
  29. TWENTY-THREE
  30. TWENTY-FOUR
  31. TWENTY-FIVE
  32. TWENTY-SIX
  33. TWENTY-SEVEN
  34. TWENTY-EIGHT
  35. TWENTY-NINE
  36. THIRTY
  37. THIRTY-ONE
  38. THIRTY-TWO
  39. THIRTY-THREE
  40. THIRTY-FOUR
  41. THIRTY-FIVE
  42. THIRTY-SIX
  43. THIRTY-SEVEN
  44. Fall
  45. THIRTY-EIGHT
  46. THIRTY-NINE
  47. FORTY
  48. FORTY-ONE
  49. FORTY-TWO
  50. FORTY-THREE
  51. FORTY-FOUR
  52. FORTY-FIVE
  53. EPILOGUE
  54. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  55. Readers Guide
  56. Questions for Discussion
  57. About the Author
  58. What’s next onyour reading list?

He nodded, picked up a handful of fries, and started making fun of the Yankees’ starting pitcher.

It was heaven.

•   •   •

Back in the kitchen, Polly watched Laura leave and then turned to Anna and said, “A hundred bucks says Laura and Bob are hanging out.”

Anna made a face. “Why wouldn’t they hang out here?”

Polly shrugged. “Because they’re both irritatingly private? Who knows?” She sighed. “I’m starting to realize not everyone likes to live their life out loud like I do.” She frowned. “I’m not even sure if I do.”

Anna was confused and looked it. Polly smiled. “How’s your food?”

“Insanely delicious,” said Anna, reaching for a napkin to wipe her chin. She turned to Libby. “How much longer till we leave?”

Libby had his mouth full and held up both hands, fingers spread wide.

Asher said, “Leave for what?”

“Bridge tournament,” said Anna, chewing the last bite of her burger while attempting to cover her mouth and talk at the same time. “It’s the semifinals and I think we’ve got a pretty good chance.” She went over to the sink to wash her hands.

Libby nodded and finished up his chocolate shake. “Of runner-up, maybe. I think the Deadly Armenian Duo will be there.”

Anna turned off the faucet and frowned at him. “Crap.”

Asher laughed. “The Deadly Armenian Duo?”

Libby nodded earnestly. “Well, that’s what we call them. They’re a telepathic married couple from Glendale, the Markaryans. They never speak, they never smile, and they never, ever lose.” He looked at Anna. “Maybe one day we’ll be that good.”

Anna grinned. “What am I thinking now?”

Libby stared at her and closed his eyes. “Three of clubs.”

Anna shook her head.

“Four of spades.”

Anna shook her head again. “No, and we need to leave if we’re going to get there in time.”

Libby jumped to his feet and ran upstairs. Anna looked around for the shoes she’d kicked off earlier, and a jacket.

Polly looked at her. “I can guess what you were thinking,” she said.

Anna finished shrugging on her coat. “I doubt it,” she said.

“Why don’t you tell him?” Polly asked.

Anna looked surprised and opened her mouth to speak, but Libby reappeared, coated and ready to go.

“All good?” he asked, rubbing his hands together.

Anna nodded, still looking at Polly. “You don’t play bridge, do you?” she asked her.

“No,” said Polly.

“Good thing,” said Anna, walking out of the kitchen.

TWENTY-NINE

The next day was Monday, and Laura dropped by the bookstore on her way to the library. She found Nina and Liz reshelving earthquake-toppled books. Most of the shelved books were fine, held in place by their colleagues, but the displays on top of the bookshelves had been universally trashed. Liz was smoothing covers and reassuring the books they were still beautiful, and Nina was tutting over imperfect alphabetization.