Was Rita talking from personal experience? “Do you mean to say it has happened to you?” Annie’s eyes grew wide.

“Of course it has. I dare you to find anyone, and I mean anyone, in a long-term relationship, who hasn’t had feelings for someone other than their partner at some point.” Rita made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “I love Reg dearly. We’ve been a great team for such a long time and I hope to grow really old alongside him, but having the occasional crush doesn’t say anything about my love, nor my respect for him. In fact, it has nothing to do with him.”

“Crikey.” Annie managed a chuckle for the first time since their conversation had started. “I take it you didn’t stray.”

“Only in my head, and really, what’s wrong with that? It’s about time we all started being a whole lot less-holier-than thou about our thoughts and fantasies, because that’s all they are. Thoughts are just thoughts. They’re not real. As long as you don’t act on the attraction and start going behind your spouse’s back, I don’t see anything wrong with any of it.” She huffed out some air. “I’m pretty sure Reg has had his fair share of fantasies starring other women over the years, and I don’t begrudge him any.”

Annie looked at her friend with different eyes. They’d met around the time Annie had wanted to change her life and had started the book shop. Lou was only a little girl back then.

“It’s going to be all right.” Rita patted Annie on the knee. “Now give me some gossip about my daughter’s new girlfriend. Just a little something I can lord over her when I need to.” Rita broke out into a chuckle.

“Mia gets along surprisingly well with Jane.”

“Do you like her?” Rita asked, her tone suddenly very inquisitive.

“I do. A lot. Mia is great. She’s perfect, really.”

“A bit too perfect, wouldn’t you say?”

Annie was taken aback. She had no intention of badmouthing Mia in front of her girlfriend’s mother.

“Trust me on this. I know for a fact she’s not perfect,” Rita said.

“None of us are.” Annie tried to read more information off of Rita’s face. “Do you have a problem with Mia and Lou dating?”

“Let’s just say I have my reasons for doubting her. But Lou has fallen for her big time and I’m certainly not one to stand in the way of my daughter’s happiness. Which doesn’t mean I’m not keeping a keen eye on Mia Miller. And if she ever hurts Lou, she’ll have me to deal with.”

“As far as I can tell, Mia adores Lou.”