Ella nodded, even though it was the name she recognized more than the woman. Judi had been part of Roni’s clique, also a cheerleader, and because the two of them never had any classes together, she and Judi hadn’t been friendly.
“Hi, Judi,” she said.
“You want to join us?” Judi asked, pointing to an empty table near the front window.
“Judi and I have a standing coffee date here every Thursday morning,” Molly explained. “It would be great to catch up with you.”
“Sure. I’d like that.” Ella had come hoping for a distraction, and Molly, bless her, was providing it.
They chatted amicably in line as Molly shared that she was married with kids, while Judi had recently gotten divorced. Ella shared that she was still single and mentioned her job. Once they had their coffee and pastries, they sat down together.
“So you’re really an author?” Molly asked. “Not that I’m surprised. You always had your nose in a book back in school, and I swear you lived in the library.”
Ella nodded. “I suppose I did. And yes, I’m really a writer.”
“What a cool job,” Judi gushed, sighing. “Sounds a lot more exciting than being a real estate agent.”
Ella smiled. “I happen to think that would be a great job. I’d love getting a peek inside people’s homes.”
Judi obviously agreed because she launched into that topic, sharing some of the craziest things she’d seen in homes people were selling, then started listing ridiculous requests from some of her buyers.
Ella, fascinated and amused, said, “I swear I’m putting some of that in a book.”
“Do it,” Judi said. “It would be hilarious.”
“I’m going online as soon as I get home and buying one of your books,” Molly said. “Where do you think I should start?”
They spoke for a couple minutes about Ella’s books, but unlike Edith, Gretchen, and Theo, she could tell the women were asking to be nice rather than truly interested, so she didn’t linger on the subject for too long.
“So you’re only in town for a couple of weeks?” Judi asked.
“Yes. I’m staying with Edith Millholland. It’s been fun reconnecting with people and seeing the town again.”
“Oh, who have you run into so far?” Molly asked.
“I had dinner last night with Theo Storm and Gretchen Banks,” she said.
Molly and Judi exchanged a glance. “Gretchendefinitelyupset a bunch of women in town when she took Theo off the market,” Molly said.
“He was one of the most sought-after bachelors in Gracemont,” Judi added. “Along with those brothers of his. The genes in the Storm family should be cloned and replicated, because now, there are only five of them left and too many women still fishing.”
Molly laughed. “I’m not sure five is accurate, because Maverick doesn’t count as an available Storm.”
Ella frowned, since Molly had just confirmed what she’d suspected last night. “I saw him with Roni last night at Whiskey Abbey. Have they been dating long?” She kicked herself for asking the question, but no amount of self-preservation could mute her curiosity about the man she really shouldn’t be thinking about.
“Roni?” Molly shook her head. “They’re not dating, though not from a lack of trying on Roni’s part.”
“It might have taken her years, but she’s had her one-and-done now. Not that she won’t go down swinging,” Judi said,clearly delighted by the gossipy turn their conversation had taken.
“I don’t understandone-and-done,” Ella said, aware she was only prolonging the Maverick conversation when her goal had been to forget about the man.
“Maverick Storm is the king of first dates and one-night stands, and he doesn’t do repeats,” Judi explained. “He’ll cling to that bachelor status of his ’til the bitter end.”
Ella didn’t know how to respond to that. It didn’t sound like the Maverick she knew. Of course, she’d known him when he was seventeen, so that wasn’t saying much.
“He’s cut quite a swath through the single women in this town,” Molly added.
“And Henley Falls,” Judi laughed.
