“I’m trying to expand my reading taste. If you’re going to be working here, I’m guessing you can help me with that.”

“You heard about my job?”

“Yes. And I punched the air. Finally one of Joanna’s dreams has come true—she’s working in a bookstore. Now we just need to work on the other one.”

“The other one?” Joanna picked up a box of books that had been delivered that morning, and carried them to the back. She’d shelve them later, when the store was closed.

“They were good photos.” Mel flashed her a smile and waggled her eyebrows. “Anything you want to tell me?”

“Nothing at all. Why don’t you try this one?” Joanna pulled a book from the shelf nearest to her. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, talk about Nate. “It’s the first in a series.”

“Which means that if I enjoy it, I won’t have to make any reading decisions for the foreseeable future.” Mel flipped the book over and read the back. “Sounds good. I’m sold.” She handed over the book and her credit card. “I hear Jon appeared at the crucial moment. I’m sorry I missed the drama.”

“You know about Jon?”

“Ashley mentioned him when she and Eden had their movie night. Eden’s talked to me more since Ashley arrived on the scene than she has in the past two years.”

“I’m glad things are better between you.”

“So am I. I’m sure Ashley is part of the reason. I saw her and Jon just now, heads close together, holding hands under the table. Not that I know much about young love, but I’d say the signs were hopeful.” She slipped the book into her bag. “It’s Rosa’s birthday next week, did you know? We’re organizing a surprise birthday party for her at the Surf Café. One of those occasions where we all jump out from behind a door or something. Although half the town is likely to be there so how we’re all fitting behind a door I have no idea. It was Mary-Lou’s idea. I said to her, If Rosa has a heart attack, I’m holding you responsible. But I think she might like it.”

“I think so, too.”

“Will you come? You and Ashley? And Jon, of course. We want the whole community there. All her friends.”

She was Rosa’s friend. She was part of a community. They were going to celebrate a birthday. “Yes. Thank you. What can I bring?”

“A bigger door?” Mel laughed. “Just yourself. Fancy an early-morning swim tomorrow? Like we used to?”

Joanna looked at her old friend. “Yes, I really do.”