“And Rafe,” Nella said. “He is not happy with Miguel.”

The turmoil caused by Vera and Miguel was such that Kelly and Adam kept quiet. Kelly didn’t want to say anything for fear people would blame her for the breakup. Not Adam but her. The woman was always blamed. Like the man was an innocent victim.

Adam had a baser reason for keeping things quiet. “I want both of them to drown in guilt. I was worried about Vera being hurt in one of her protests, but she was in bed with someone else.”

“She’s still in danger,” Kelly said.

“No longer my problem.” Adam walked away. He was more angry than he’d admit.

They spent a second weekend in the apartment but Kelly didn’t have as much fun as the first time. “I don’t like sneaking and hiding,” she said. “Unless you’re ashamed of me. Is that it? I’m your interim girl? Something to occupy you until you find a replacement for Vera?”

Adam laughed at that. “Interim Girl? Sounds like a comic book character.” He began kissing her neck and Kelly forgot about whatever she’d been saying.

The next Friday morning everything came to a head in a very public way. Kelly had gone with her mother and Forey to deliver boxes of pies and muffins to Mr. Gresham. They’d entered by the back door.

Vera, who was working hard to avoid the sad-eyed looks from her mother, had stopped for coffee.

Miguel and Rafe entered minutes after Vera, and Adam and Robbie came in through the side door.

The restaurant was packed with people, all of whom knew each other. And they all thought Vera and Adam were still together.

It was the first time Adam had seen Miguel since the day in the underground room. The three of them looked at each other across the restaurant.

Kelly set down her box of apple muffins and moved closer to Adam. If he was going to hit Miguel, she wanted to be ready to stop him.

Vera looked defiant; Miguel seemed to be ashamed; Adam turned red with anger.

The people of Mason sensed that something was going on and they froze, food on the way to their mouths.

Adam turned to Kelly. “I think we need to end this.”

“Adam! No!” She grabbed his forearm.

But Adam didn’t go after Miguel. To Kelly’s shock, Adam swept her into his arms and kissed her. Miguel looked at Vera, and in the next second, they, too, were kissing.

There had to be a new word for the silence in the restaurant. If they’d been on the moon it couldn’t have been quieter. Outer space was a rock concert compared to the restaurant.

It was Mr. Gresham who broke it. “So now I’m running a kissing parlor?” he said loudly. “Nobody does any work?”