But it was the nature of dreams to be fleeting, to sometimes leave you wanting more, and often, leave you wondering what they meant and what your subconscious was trying to tell you. Either way, Lou soon realized she wasn’t going to find out more about this dream, no matter how much she wanted to return to it. It was time to let it go and get up.

It was Saturday morning and she had three classes to teach, of which two were back-to-back. Then, tonight, she had a party to attend. Truth be told, she was a little worried about Meredith being there. Everyone she’d gotten to know over the past few months would be there. It would be a celebration of one of Meredith’s friends. Surely she would be in no mood to create a scene. With that thought, Lou stretched, got out of bed, and started her day.

The first person Lou saw after Micky showed her in was Meredith. They caught each other’s glance and Lou thought it only polite to send her a quick smile. After all, the woman had never done anything truly bad to her; she’d just been a bit pushy, which Lou chose to see as flattery.

It was only after Meredith smiled back at her, and Lou could only decipher that smile as weirdly triumphant, that she noticed Meredith had not come to the party alone. She had a woman on her arm who was clearly more than a friend or colleague.

Good for her, Lou thought, and started mingling. Micky’s living room seemed filled to the brim already, all the couches and chairs were taken and a bunch of people stood around the dining table.

Lou never felt comfortable in situations like this so, after wishing Robin a happy birthday, she went to find Amber, who was chatting with Caitlin and Sheryl. She glanced around but didn’t see Mia. Was she now actively looking forward to when Mia Miller would arrive?

“Good news, Lou,” Sheryl said. “It looks like we’ll come to an agreement with Annie and Jane next week.”

“That’s great.” Lou knew this already, but didn’t want to spoil Sheryl’s glee. Two days ago, Annie had called her and asked Lou, one old friend to another, to vouch for Kristin and Sheryl’s character.

The only negative thing Lou had been able to think of was that they had hired Mia, although she had soon corrected her thought—and had certainly not voiced it to Annie, because it was Mia who had set the whole thing in motion.

Sheryl raised her glass. “To the second location of the Pink Bean.”

They all clinked their glasses together.

“Well, it’s not going to be there tomorrow, but it’s going to be wonderful once it is.” Sheryl peered at Lou. “That Jane is a feisty one. I like her.”