Hannah smiled at Norman and then she turned to smile at Mike. On past occasions she’d resented the fact that she was always seated between them. She’d even made cracks about being the filling in a Mike and Norman sandwich. Today she didn’t mind at all. She’d upset their equilibrium by going out with Ross and it was time to reassure them. Ross was like an exotic dessert, a diversion to tingle the taste buds and make her savor her own life with a more discerning palate. He was like a baked Alaska flambéed with fine brandy, flashy and exciting, but not something you’d serve with an ordinary supper of meat and potatoes. Mike and Norman were more like

cookies. Cookies were something you could have every day without ever tiring of them.

The smile on Hannah’s face grew wider. If she had to choose their cookie types, Norman would be an Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookie, one of her very favorites. You couldn’t go wrong with an Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookie. It was perfect for any occasion and at any time of day.

Mike was different, and Hannah gave it some thought. She finally decided that he’d be a Black-and-White Cookie, perfectly shaped and gorgeous to look at. It was sweet on the outside, and darker and more intense once you got past the powdered sugar.

“Hannah?” Andrea raised her from her mental dessert game. “Come up to the buffet with me. I want you to show me which bar cookies you brought.”

Hannah made her excuses and got up to join Andrea at the dessert table. She pointed out the Ooey Gooey Chewy Cookie Bars she’d made in honor of the fact that Dean’s killer was behind bars, but Andrea simply nodded.

“I knew which ones they were,” she said. “I just wanted an excuse to talk to you alone.”

Hannah took a deep breath and prepared for bad news. Andrea and Bill had been smiling throughout the brunch, but that could have been for their mother’s benefit. “What is it?”

“Ronni Ward got engaged and she’s getting married next month!”

“That’s great news! When did this happen?”

“Last week in Miami. Remember when Lisa was trying to make me feel better and she said that maybe Ronni would meet another fitness instructor and they’d do exercises together?”

“I remember.”

“Well, that’s exactly what happened. Ronni met a personal trainer from The Cities and they’re going to open a studio together. Isn’t that just wonderful?”

“It certainly is.” Hannah swiveled around as someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was Michelle and she looked a bit dazed. “What’s wrong, Michelle? You look as if a strong wind could blow you over.”

“That’s because it could blow me over. Lonnie just told me that he entered me in the Miss Winnetka Beauty Contest.”