Kirsten dinged a spoon on her glass. “All right, ladies—time to actually discuss the book.” I followed the other women to the center of the room, where two curved white sectionals floated over a bright African-style rug like commas.
“So what did you think ofIn Your Dreams?” Kirsten asked when we were all settled.
“I thought it was wonderful,” said Linda. “I just loved the characters and the way they interacted.”
“Yeah. They had such witty conversations!”
“I wish my husband were half as interesting as the hero,” said Marie.
“Fictional men are so much sexier than the real thing,” sighed Rose.
“What did the heroine think was essential in a relationship?” Kirsten said.
“I didn’t have to time to read the book, but personally, I’d say the most essential thing is someone who puts me first,” Clarabel declared.
“I want a man who understands the work-life balance,” Freret said.
“I’d be happy with a man who understands the golf-life balance,” sighed Aimee.
Everyone laughed. I remembered from the dinner conversation at the fete that Aimee’s husband was an avid golfer.
“Someone who meets his responsibilities,” said Linda.
Everyone nodded. “Someone who listens,” said Sarah.
“Someone who loves with his whole heart,” I chimed in.
“Ooh, that’s a good one,” Kirsten said.
Everyone nodded—except Jillian. She looked right at me. “If you feel that way, you shouldn’t date Matt.”
The room fell silent, except for a side conversation the grocer and strawberry farmer were having in the corner. Apparently I wasn’t the only one too stunned to speak.
Marie leaned forward, her forehead scrunched. “Wait—Hope’s dating Matt?”
“Notdatingdating,” I muttered weakly.
“They kissed. Mrs. Ivy saw them,” Lauren announced.
“The thing is, Matt will never love anyone the way he loved Christine.” Jillian’s face was earnest, her voice somber. “Any other woman will be always second best.”
“Oh, that’s really sad!” said Jen.
“Yeah, Jillian. And maybe that’s not the case,” Marie said.
“Oh, it’s the case, all right. Christine was his first love and she’ll always have part of his heart. Some women would be okay with it, but a woman who wants to be loved with a man’s whole heart... well, Matt just doesn’t have a whole heart to give.”
Once again, awkward silence enveloped the room.
“Bummer,” said Jen.
“I think the key is knowing what you’re getting into from the start,” said Linda, who’d just finished talking with the produce buyer and apparently had missed the fact that Jillian’s comments were aimed at me.
Kirsten sent me a sympathetic glance. “Well, let’s get back to the book. How would you summarize the theme?”
The conversation moved on, but my mind never moved much beyond Jillian’s remark.
After the book discussion, Kirsten brought out coffee and a decadent chocolate tart. “We have one more matter to discuss,” she announced. “Miss Addie is leaving next month, and I think it would be wonderful if the whole town gave her a surprise send-off party.”
