Is that what she was doing this week? Whitney couldn’t keep up with her ever-changing dieting fads.

“Well, I’m gonna have one.” Lauren reached out to grab the one on top. Her nails were painted the same dark color as Amelia’s.

Amelia eyed her friend momentarily, then shrugged and plopped down next to her. “I guess one won’t kill me.”

Impressive. Lauren had the power of persuasion.

“Do you smoke?” A cocked eyebrow, a lit cigarette burning between two fingers.

Nope. Never. It was a disgusting habit Whitney never planned to partake in.

Eyes drinking her in, watching her every move, urging her to say yes.

“Sure. Of course. Always.” Whitney took the cigarette and brought it to her lips.

Whitney ate her French toast while standing over the counter. She knew her presence at the table would put a damper on the lively conversation happening between the girls. It was the most animated she’d seen Amelia in over a month. They both ate their first piece of toast and then reached for another, passing the syrup between them. Becca usually stuck to one piece when she was over. It was nice to see Amelia actually eating.

Maybe Lauren was all right.

Once finished with her breakfast, Whitney ambled over to the coffeepot and poured herself a second cup of coffee, topping it off with a generous amount of creamer. The neighbor was in his kitchen again, wearing flannel pajamas and cooking something on his stove.

“Did you ask your mom yet?” Lauren asked in an overly loud whisper that was obviously meant to be overheard.

Keeping her back to the girls, she sipped her coffee and absently watched the guy across the way.

“Oh. Right.” Amelia swallowed loudly. “Mom, do I have a passport?”

“A passport?” Whitney peered over her shoulder.

“Yeah.” Amelia nodded.

Whitney set down her cup of coffee, thinking maybe she’d had enough for today. Her hands were slightly shaky, her nerves frayed. “Why do you need a passport?”

“I can’t get to Amsterdam without one.” Amelia laughed like Whitney was being daft.

About a year ago, Dan had gotten an offer to head up a project his construction company was starting overseas. Ever since her dad left, Amelia had been begging Whitney to let her visit him. Recently, Dan had called to say that he was taking a couple of weeks off this summer and that would probably be a good time for Amelia to come.

But Whitney wasn’t so sure it was a good idea.

Amelia had never traveled at all, let alone to another country. The mere idea of it made Whitney nervous.

“No, you don’t have a passport,” Whitney said.

“You better start the process now, then. They can take a while. If you wait, the baby might come first.” Lauren winked at Amelia over her plate of syrupy toast.