“A simple no would have sufficed. Why does my simple question have you so worked up?”

They stared at each other for a moment before Zoey smiled. “Maybe for the same reason you got worked up about Gordy. Seems like both of us are in denial or...something. Do you like Gordy?”

“I’ve known him since high school.”

“Do you like him?”

Vickie stared at the counter. “Yes, I think I do. And do you like Mike?”

“Mike and I are best friends. You know that.”

“Hazel mentioned that he stops by your place quite a bit in the evenings.”

Zoey felt a chill. “Was she upset about it? It really is innocent—we talk while I work on repairs. That’s it.”

Until he almost kissed me...

“Relax,” Vickie said. “Hazel didn’t seem concerned. I was just surprised when she said he’s there a lot.” She tipped her head to the side. “How often is a lot?”

“I don’t know...a couple times a week.”

Vickie arched a manicured eyebrow. “He’s been coming over a couple times a week for years and nothing’s happened? Not once?”

“Neither of us would risk our friendship for some...fling. Sex changes everything.”

“I was thinking more like dating, but it’s interesting that you jumped right to mentioning sex.”

Zoey didn’t have an answer for that. Her thoughts about Mike were getting more interesting all the time.

Vickie studied her, and a slow smile grew on her face. “So you have thought about it?”

Not until recently...

“Have you thought about sex with Gordy?” Vickie’s mouth opened, but she didn’t answer. Zoey chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes. So we’ve both got sex on the brain.”

Vickie’s mouth twitched. “I still say I’m too old. But you’re not.”

Zoey shook her head adamantly. “Even if Mike wasn’t...well, my very best friend in the world, I wouldn’t get into a relationship with him or anyone else. This is Hazel’s year, not mine. She’s been through enough upheaval. And she’s told me more than once that she’s glad I’m not dating.”

She had to protect her daughter. Even if it meant resisting the delicious temptation of Mike McKinnon.

“HEY, DO YOU guys know anything about Karen and Edward Schiff? Up on the hill near Zoey’s place?”

Mike was sitting in a booth at The Spot with Luke Rutledge, Logan Taggart and Mark Hudson. He’d originally planned on meeting Mark for lunch, but when they spotted Logan and Luke coming in, they’d shared their booth. It was tourist season and the place was busy.

Luke made a face. “Aren’t they the ones who built that stupid cement house that looks more like a bunker than a home?”