“Good. Don’t be jealous, but I bought one for Mrs. G, too.”

“That slut.”

He grinned, kissed her again. “I need to run over and give it to her, then get going or I’m going to be late.”

“Del,” she said before he got to the door. He’d bought her a kitchen gadget, one both practical and fun. All that was in her for him wanted to say it, just tell him. I love you. Only three words, she thought, all just one syllable. But she couldn’t.

“Have a good time at the game.”

“Planning on it. Talk to you later.”

Sighing a little, she sat down to wait for the cream to cool, and played with her present.

GIRL NIGHT WAS A FAVORITE EVENT. IT OFTEN INVOLVED DINNER and DVDs, popcorn, gossip, and always just the ease and comfort of friends in a tradition that went back to childhood. The addition of Emma’s possible wedding dress was, well, the icing on the cake. Anticipating an indulgent evening, Laurel ended the workday by setting her kitchen to rights as Emma came in.

“I thought I might catch you here.”

“Just finishing up,” Laurel told her.

“I have a request for cupcakes, two dozen. Two weeks,” Emma added quickly. “So at least the client didn’t squeeze it too close. It’s my cousin. Coworker’s office baby shower. The only directive was cute.”

“Boy or girl?”

“Surprise, so not gender specific. Really whatever you want.”

“Okay. Put it on the board.”

“I appreciate it.” Emma added the order and date to Laurel’s task board. “What’s this?” She tapped the electronic list maker.

“Del gave me a present.”

“Oh, that’s so nice. What did he give you?”

“That. It’s so cool. Watch this.” She walked over, pushed Record. “Unsalted butter. I programmed that in. See, there it is. I push this, and it’s on the list.”

Emma just stared. “This is a present?”

“Yes. I know to your way of thinking a present from a guy isn’t a present unless it’s shiny. But I can hot glue some sequins on it if it makes you feel better.”

“It doesn’t have to be shiny. It can also smell good. Well, it’s thoughtful, and you like it, so it’s a nice gift. What’s the occasion?”

“No occasion.”

“Oh, just a gimme? That definitely bumps up the ranking.”

“It’s going to fall on your scoreboard when I tell you he got Mrs. G one, too.”

“Well, jeez!” Firm on this, Emma fisted her hands on her hips. “I’m sorry, it falls to the token category. A present has to be a one-on-one under these circumstances. It’s a thoughtful token. This, my friend, is a present.” She lifted her arm to dangle the bracelet Jack had given her. “The earrings Carter gave Mac forValentine’s Day? That’s a present. I fear Del requires some training.”