I considered Lou’s question for a moment. “Well, Lou, from what you’ve said in the past, not sure if you two actually need any help in that department.”
“Never turn down a bit of assistance, my dear. Life lessons.”
Emma shook her head.
I decided to go with it. “But I think there’s some research on lime scents to help increase libido, or some woody scents.”
“Woody!” Lou cackled.
“Good grief, my middle school boys are more mature than you, Lou,” Maggie said.
But I had to laugh. Lou was a trip. And the woman embraced life to the fullest, you had to give her that. “Woody as in sandalwood or patchouli, Lou. Just let me know if you’d like me to get some for you the next time I go to the store.”
“I just might do that,” Lou said with a wicked grin. “Now, let’s get down to business. You know why we’re here.”
I looked at Emma and Maggie who watched me expectantly, then looked back to Lou. Clearly, I was in the dark here. “I’m sorry. I thought you all were just coming in to visit. Did we plan something and I forgot?” I was going to be really frustrated with myself if that was the case. Organization wasn’t natural for me, but as a single mom and a business owner, I felt like I’d been getting there. Had I forgotten something?
Emma looked at Lou. “Good gracious, Louisa Williams. Be nice.” Looking back at me, she continued, “Apologies on behalf of this one.” She jerked a thumb at Lou. “She just gets excited when she thinks she’s going to hear something juicy.”
“Juicy?”
Emma nodded. “Lou had coffee with my mom this morning. Mom shared that Jake had Addie with him for dinner last night. She also shared that you guys arranged that when Jake had the two of you stay at his house overnight a few days back. So…”
Ahh, got it. Lou enjoyed being in the know, so she wanted the details. I finished for Emma. “So you all are here for the down-and-dirty information on one Jake Spencer and me?”
Lou clapped almost gleefully. “See, I knew there would be good dirt. Down and dirty, yes. We’re here for this.”
Wow. I wasn’t even sure what to say about that. “Um, well, do we want to start with some tea?”
“Hell no,” Lou said. “Start spilling.”
Maggie pulled up a stool to prop herself on as she placed her hand below her belly. “Forgive her. She was on the front lines of Emma’s relationship with Max and, to some extent, mine with Sully. She feels good when she’s in the mix. But”—she raised a brow at Lou—“just so you know, she’s no vault. The entire town will be hearing from her—either in person or on the town’s social media pages shortly after we leave here.”
Lou had the sense to look indignant. “I’m right here, Maggie. And watch yourself. I still have the video of you and Cole Sullivan making out at the auction this summer that I haven’t shared in our social media group. I’m not afraid to use it.” Lou looked offended.
Maggie gestured to her belly. “Not sure anyone is going to care, Lou. Clearly, we’ve done more than is in that video. And we’re married now, so I think it has lost its punch.”
Emma pulled the conversation back on track. “Anyway, Ivy, I’m speaking for Maggie and myself in that we would love to know more. Jake’s brother interrupted our dinner last night, and you didn’t get a chance to fill us in. While it was interesting to hear stories about Jake as a kid, that really did nothing to share where the two of you were at.”
I nodded. Drew had shared silly stories of Jake growing up, having his voice crack well into high school, his poor coordination in sports in his first few years of his teens, and his lack of skills with the ladies. I had a feeling that many of his stories had been exaggerated for humor and embarrassment factor, but it still did the job of painting the image of a somewhat-insecure gawky teen that Jake could have been. I couldn’t imagine that the self-assured, somewhat cocky man I knew now had ever been different, but who knows?
At any rate, I didn’t feel like delving into everything I was feeling about Jake, even with my friends. “Jake was a huge help to me yesterday and is planning to be all week. Addie had a great time, and I’m beyond grateful.”
Maggie eyed me suspiciously. “And that’s it?”
I nodded. “What else would there be?”
“Some tonsil hockey, some horizontal mambo. I mean, have youseenthat boy?” Lou seemed incredulous.
I could feel my cheeks heating. Damn. Deny, deny, deny. “Nope. Jake is just a friend, or as friendly as he and I can be. He and Addie have somehow hit it off, so I think he just likes to hang out with her. He says she reminds him of his nieces.” I tried my best to look nonchalant.
Emma was studying me, which was a bit odd, but then her smile widened. “Oh, lady. Something happened last night, yes? This is good.”
Oh Goddess. Well, I mean, it was all innocent. Nothing really happened, as much as I wanted it to. I’d go with that story. “No, nothing much. Jake was just a good friend and listened to me, which was unexpected, I suppose.”
“And…,” Maggie prompted, “because good friends listening don’t make your cheeks light on fire.”
I desperately looked for new customers on the street—I’d run out and welcome them in at this point—but of course nada. “Are you sure I can’t get you all some tea?”
