“And…” Roxie sucked in a deep breath and dropped her voice to a whisper. “He asked me to marry him.” At their gasps, she held up a hand. “But…” Heaving a sigh, she frowned. “But I’m not sure I love him enough to change my life all around. I love to be with him, he’s a wonderful man, and he says God has given us this gift of each other and I am beginning to think so too but…” Her head moved side to side slowly, as if of its own accord. “I like my life just the way it is.”

“Don’t turn your back on more happiness and God’s gifts, please?” Ginny implored. “We all need to use and appreciate every gift He has given us. Please pay attention. Too often, good gifts go away before we’re aware how good they are.”

MJ stared at Ginny. “You’re right, we overlook too much.”

“Preach it, sister.” Amalia leaned forward and patted Roxie’s hand. “You’ll know for sure. When the time is right.”

When their orders arrived, MJ offered the grace and they fell to, as always starting with the homemade rolls that came in the basket with butter.

Anne stopped by their table. “Everything okay?”

“Come on, Anne. Always better than okay or we wouldn’t come here all the time.” Roxie pointed to what was left of her roll. “You or Gary?”

“This time it was me. He was doing cookies. At least we have the super-duper mixer now with a dough hook that really works. With the other one, I’d finish the kneading but now we are using more dough so I broke down and invested in a new one.”

“Good for you. You know, the only complaint I’ve heard about your café is that the portions are so big.” MJ pointed to her salad. “See, it’s huge.”

“I know, but I don’t want anyone to go away hungry. Take after my mom, I guess.”

“She didn’t run a restaurant.”

“How about more Arnold Palmers?” At their nods, she motioned to her young waiter, who brought the pitcher over. As she left, she stopped by Roxie. “Anytime you can dispel the rumors, which by the way, are all excited for you.”

“Anne!”

“Just sayin’.” Her grin made them all chuckle.

Roxie rolled her eyes. She raised her refilled glass. “Happy Friday to all of us.”

As they left the café a bit later, Amalia turned to Roxie. “I just have one question.”

“What?”

“What are you waiting for?”

Roxie stared at her friend. “Good question.”

“Ginny was so right. Grab your moments, every moment you can, and be thankful. You never know what tomorrow will bring.” Amalia nodded with a smile that spoke of love and experience and sound advice.

Roxie hugged her. “Thank you. I will.”