Carrie had set the bar high last year, but Angi was both balancing it and adding her own twist to things. She wasn’t sure why something as inconsequential as a few weeks of festive holiday fun meant so much, but they did.

With a deep, cleansing breath to rid herself of her melancholy, she headed across the street and toward the bakery. Mary Ellen always gave cookie samples, as well as chai tea latte shots during the holidays, and Angi figured the little liquid pick-me-up couldn’t hurt.

She’d only made it a few steps before she was wrapped in a warm hug from behind.

“This is amazing,” Emma said, resting her chin on Angi’s shoulder as she turned both of them so that they were facing the lit street, bustling with shoppers and small crowds of friends. “You are amazing.”

“Carrie did most of the work to set it up,” Angi answered automatically. It’s the line she’d been using all week whenever someone tried to compliment her. It didn’t feel right to take credit that shouldn’t belong to her.

Emma only hugged her harder. “This is me. I know better than anyone how many last-minute details there are to make an event like this look so effortless.”

“It does look good.” Angi sighed. “Maybe there’s one area of my life that isn’t falling to pieces.”

“We can find someone to help with the inn over the holidays,” Emma offered without hesitation. “Not as good as you, but—”

“No.” Angi turned to face her friend. It didn’t matter if she had to mainline caffeine for the next several weeks. She wasn’t giving up. “It’s fine. I’m fine.”

“Fine isn’t good enough,” Emma said softly.

“It is for now, and tonight I’m amazing. Let’s get some sugar.”

“A quick stop at In Bloom first?” Emma asked. “I want to pick up a few sprigs of mistletoe for the inn. We have some honeymooners coming in this weekend, and I thought it would be a fun touch for them.”

“Sure,” Angi agreed, her gaze snagging on a group of kids she recognized from Andrew’s school as they headed toward the flower shop. Her son wasn’t among the group, but she saw the boy he’d fought earlier that week. The kid still had bruising under his eyes, a fact that made Angi wince. No doubt Johnny’s mom was regaling her friends with tales of the fatherless Guilardi boy who needed someone to rein him in.

“Still better than fine?” Emma asked with a sidelong glance.

Angi shook off thoughts of bullies and town gossips. Tonight was about a successful event. “Amazing,” she confirmed.

“Just like In Bloom.” Emma flashed a grin as they approached the shop, which was adorned with snow-flecked garland and bright red ornaments. “It looks like how my grandma used to decorate.” Her smile widened. “My grandma on my dad’s side anyway. My mom’s family always had professional people to take care of the holidays, but my Grammy did it all herself, just like this.”