“That one was fun to write but took forever.” Seraphina smiled. “My son makes sure I eat when I’m deep in a book, but I can be a little obsessive.”
“Tell us, Vance,” Esme asked. “What’s it been like filming?”
“It’s been fine,” I said. “They only needed me for a small part. Lila’s the one doing all the hard work.”
“She designed all our homes,” Esme said. “You’re in excellent hands.”
“And Seraphina gave me a loan to start my business,” Lila added.
Seraphina blushed. “A very small one, which you’ve more than paid back.”
“How do you all know each other?” Mom asked.
“We met on the first day of kindergarten,” Delphine explained. “At the donut-and-coffee thing for mothers. We were all crying in much the same fashion.”
“An immediate bond was formed,” Seraphina said. “We’ve been best friends ever since. Our kids have basically grown up together.”
“Like cousins,” Lila said.
“And now they’re headed to high school,” Esme added. “We can’t believe it.”
“It all goes too fast,” Mama said.
“And you have a daughter?” Esme asked gently. “Mia mentioned she just came to live with you?”
I glanced at Lila. She gave me a small, encouraging nod.
“Yes. Margot. She’s ten. She … We’ve been apart for six years. Her mother kept her from me. But she’s back now.”
The women’s faces softened immediately.
“That must be so hard,” Esme said. “For both of you.”
“It is. But we’re figuring it out.”
“She’s beautiful,” Seraphina said. “I saw her with Mia earlier. Those eyes.”
“She looks just like her mother,” I said. “But hopefully with a better heart.”
Esme laughed. “Mia told us a little about the ex-wife. She sounds like a piece of work.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” I said.
“Lila’s been telling us all about it,” Esme said. “You’re all doing so well. Sorting through that kind of hurt isn’t easy for kids. Mine are still reeling from my ex-husband’s cruelty.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said. “Nothing’s worse than someone hurting your child.”
“Especially when it’s his or her parent,” Lila said.
We were all quiet for a moment, before Seraphina changed the subject.
“And you’re Dorian’s best friend, isn’t that right?” Seraphina asked, in a tone that gave me the distinct impression she already knew all about me. “I’ve been working with him to set up a signing for the fall. He’s such a gift to our community.”
“We go way back,” I said.
“Middle school,” Irene added. “They were the only two boys in the culinary arts class.”
“Oh, I love that,” Esme said.
