‘‘Sure.’’ Julie cocked her head, her brown eyes full of humor. ‘‘Didn’t you ever ask a guy out? Come on, Grace, we’re at the dawn of the next millennium here. Most of them really like it when the woman takes the initiative. Anyway . . .’’ She shook back her long fall of straight-as-a-pin brown hair. ‘‘Jeff did—the sexy computer nerd? He got all flustered at first, but then he gave it to me, and when I called him I could tell he was happy about it. So we’re going out Saturday, but I have to break up with Don first.’’

‘‘Poor Don,’’ Grace murmured, and glanced over absently as Aubrey knocked over the block tower she’d been building, then applauded its destruction.

‘‘Oh, he’ll get over it.’’ Julie shrugged. ‘‘It’s not like he’s in love with me or anything. He’s just used to having a chick.’’

Grace had to smile. A few months earlier, Julie had been wild about Don, rushing over to tell Grace every detail of their dates. Or, Grace suspected, at least an edited version of their dates. ‘‘You told me Don was the one.’’

‘‘He was.’’ Julie laughed. ‘‘For a while. I’m not ready for the only one yet.’’

Grace went to the refrigerator to pour the three of them a drink. At Julie’s age—nineteen—she’d been pregnant, married, and worried about paying bills. She was only three years older than Julie, but it might as well have been three hundred. ‘‘You’re right to look around, to be sure.’’ She handed Julie a glass, held her gaze for a moment. ‘‘To be careful.’’

‘‘I’m careful, Grace,’’ Julie assured her, touched. ‘‘I’d like to be married one day. Especially if it means having a baby as beautiful as Aubrey. But I want to finish college, then see some of the world. Do . . . things,’’ she added, gesturing widely. ‘‘I don’t want to find myself tied down, changing diapers and working at some dead-end job because I let some guy talk me into . . .’’

She trailed off, suddenly and sincerely appalled at herself. Eyes huge and apologetic, she slid off the counter. ‘‘God, I’m sorry. I can be so thick sometimes. I didn’t mean that you—’’

‘‘It’s all right.’’ She gave Julie’s arm a quick squeeze. ‘‘That’s exactly what I did, exactly what I let happen to me. I’m glad you’re smarter.’’

‘‘I’m a moron,’’ Julie murmured, very close to tears. ‘‘I’m an insensitive clod. I’m hateful.’’

‘‘No, you’re not.’’ Grace gave a light laugh and picked up a pair of Aubrey’s rompers from the basket. ‘‘You didn’t hurt my feelings. I’d hate to think we weren’t friends enough for you to be able to say what you think.’’

‘‘You’re one of my best friends. And I’ve got a big mouth.’’