Poor Kristen Shroeder had to rap on the front desk twice to get her attention following Declan’s appointment.

“I’m so embarrassed this happened again.” She sighed, signing the credit card receipt with one hand while holding her boy’s hand in the other. Her dirty blond hair looked like it hadn’t been washed in days, and there were smudges of mascara beneath her eyes. “I don’t know why this is a thing for him. It can’t feel good cramming plastic up there.”

“Stuff happens. My daughter once swallowed a button, and it scared me half to death.” There she went, interjecting Tansy anecdotes at the first chance. “Anyway. As much as we love seeing Mr. Declan, hopefully you won’t have to visit us again so soon.”

Kristen laughed and thanked her, zipping up their jackets. As Kristen and Declan exited the doctor’s office, Essie Park strolled in.

What is she doing here? Oh, no! The meeting!

They were supposed to meet for coffee yesterday morning, and Renee had just plain forgot, so caught up in her usual quiet routine. She was completely embarrassed. Though she had a bad habit of canceling plans, she always had the decency to call first.

“Essie! Hey,” Renee said, standing up to greet her. Essie was wearing that amazing trench coat she’d gotten while visiting her relatives in South Korea last winter, and her black hair was pulled into a sleek bun. “I am so sorry about yesterday! I got carried away baking and I completely forgot about our meeting. And, um, we’ve been so busy here today. I guess it slipped my mind to shoot you a text this morning.”

Essie did a dramatic once-over of the empty waiting room, the only movement being the pages of an old issue of O magazine fluttering in the breeze of a ceiling fan. Even the fish seemed quieter, more still than usual.

“Oh, hello Essie.” Dr. Dan slipped in behind Renee. She loved the way he stood beside her chair. It made her feel cared for, protected. He set today’s word-of-the-day tear-out on her desk. Moxie. “What brings you in?”

“Hello you,” Essie almost purred. “I’m trying to twist your receptionist’s arm to get her to join me for a lunch meeting.”

He glanced at his watch, a classic, analog model and not one of those trendy smart watches. “We aren’t expecting any patients for at least an hour. Why don’t you take a break now?”

Renee looked out the front doors. It was a gorgeous April day, the sort where there’s a blissful mix of a cool breeze and warm sunshine. And she would like to spend some time properly catching up with her friend, no matter what this “proposition” of hers might be.

“You know what? You’re right,” she said with a smile.

Essie clapped her hands together. “Let’s go to the Perfect Pair.”

Five minutes later they were walking into the Cove’s popular café. The Perfect Pair had once been a greenhouse and was one of the more magical spots in town. Ferns hung from the ceiling and bistro tables were nestled among green, leafy plants and colorful flowers.