“I have never enjoyed a dinner more.”

She smiled, because she knew he wasn’t talking about the food. “I was supposed to remove the dessert from the fridge thirty minutes before we ate it.”

“Go and do it now,” he said, “because I have a good idea of how we can spend the next thirty minutes.”

22

Mel

Mel served pancakes to the couple at the front of the deck. Her head ached. Ashley had spent the night on the spare bed in Eden’s room and the two girls had giggled and talked all night.

Mel had grumbled to Greg, who had reminded her that she and Joanna had done the same. So she’d stopped grumbling because it was true that they had, and also true that it had been an important part of their lives and their friendship. That intimate exchange of thoughts, those confidences shared in the darkness. It was all part of figuring out life, wasn’t it? And one of the best parts of friendship.

And if the price was Mel’s headache, then it was probably worth paying.

The day before she’d loaned Eden her car again, and the two girls had driven up the coast to Carmel. They’d returned with overstuffed bags and smiling faces so Mel assumed the trip had been a success.

Now they were seated at a table in the shade, heads together, still talking as if they had too much to say and no time to say it.

Nate appeared with a tray loaded with coffee.

She watched as he served a group of women with a smile and a few friendly words, and then followed him back into the café.

“I’m not going to ask you how your evening was because I know you won’t tell me. But judging from the fact you were late to work, and you’re never late to work, and the fact that you’ve been smiling constantly, even when that woman complained that her pain au chocolat was dark chocolate not milk, I’m guessing you had a good evening.”

“I had a good evening.” He grabbed two plates and started making up shrimp salad. “And thanks for stepping in this morning.”

“Of course. I was awake, anyway.”

“You?” He glanced at her. “You’re never awake early.”

“I am when I don’t go to sleep, which is what happened last night. Eden and Ashley were ‘whispering’ half the night. I’m still figuring out whether a muffled giggle actually penetrates the walls more effectively than a normal one.”

Nate smiled. “They seemed to be enjoying themselves when I saw them a moment ago.”

“Pancakes do that to a person.” She watched her brother assemble the perfect salad. “You’re happy. And I’m pleased.”

“So I’m forgiven?”