Maggie nibbled her scone and played with her Android phone. Serena flipped through apps on her iPhone. They had the upstairs level of the coffee shop to themselves. The relationship with Maggie made Serena feel like a teenager again, which was silly. She put down her phone and studied Jonny’s partner, who was her own age and whose love life had been a train wreck for as long as she’d known her. She didn’t think that Maggie had ever really been in love with Jonny. He was simply a crutch so she didn’t have to confront how bad she was at falling in love with anyone else.

‘Are you seeing anyone?’ Serena asked her, breaking the awkward silence.

‘Why do you care?’ Maggie replied, not putting down her phone.

‘I’m just curious.’

‘Well, you know me, Serena. A day without sex is like a day without sunshine.’

‘Funny.’

‘I’ve slept with most of the men in Duluth. I’m thinking of branching out to Cloquet.’

‘Fine. I’m sorry I asked.’

Maggie sighed and shoved her phone in her pocket. ‘All right, you win. I think my bitch switch is set to automatic these days. No, I’m not seeing anyone. And it’s not because of you-know-who. I’m taking a break from dating.’

‘Jonny thinks Troy Grange is interested in you,’ Serena said.

‘Yeah, Troy’s been dropping hints. He must be a masochist.’

‘He’s a nice guy.’

‘I know he is. I like his kids, too. He talked about the four of us driving down to the state fair this year.’

‘So?’ Serena asked.

‘So I told you. I’m taking a break. If I do anything, I’m going slow. Peck-on-the-cheek, knees-closed slow. For the time being, call me Sister Maggie.’

Serena had a hard time imagining Maggie as anyone’s idea of a nun.

‘What about you guys?’ Maggie asked, sipping her frappe. It was sensitive ground, her asking about the two of them. When Serena didn’t answer immediately, she added: ‘I mean, how is it with Cat living there? Instant family and all.’

‘It’s a struggle,’ Serena admitted. ‘I don’t think Jonny realized how difficult it was going to be. He had this idea that if we helped her, she’d turn herself around. It’s not that simple.’

‘No, it’s not,’ Maggie said.

‘I know you thought it was a mistake for us to take her in,’ Serena said.

‘Yeah, and I still do. Sorry.’

‘There are days when I agree with you,’ Serena acknowledged. ‘Even so, we love her, and she loves us. Unfortunately, that’s not always enough.’

Maggie said nothing more. They finished their drinks through another stretch of silence. Then Serena went on: ‘This case has brought back a lot of memories for Jonny. Memories of Cindy.’

‘I’ll bet.’

‘I don’t like competing with a ghost. Then again, I didn’t like competing with you, either.’