“Completely,” Emma said sympathetically. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah… I actually think so.” Nadine sighed as her anger seemed to dissipate.
“You seem to be handling it all rather well.”
Nadine managed a weak smile. “You think?”
Emma nodded.
“Honestly, I’m just over it. I’m over him second-guessing every choice I try to make.”
Emma huffed loudly. “Sounds like Knightley.”
Nadine paused. “It does?”
“Totally. We were having a lovely time at the museum the other day, when he decided to start this huge fight and then he stormed out!”
Nadine sat up taller and scrunched up her nose. “Well, that’s a little dramatic.”
“Right?” See, Nadine understood. This was the reaction Emma needed: shocked indignation. And she knew her friend would provide it.
“And he hasn’t talked to you since?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
“Wow.” Nadine grabbed another chocolate. “What were you two even fighting about anyway?”
Oh.
“Well…” Emma darted her eyes around the room, trying desperately to find the words that left her innocence infallible and also ambiguous. “He was implying that I insert myself into other people’s lives and create more problems than I solve. Which I donot.”
Nadine’s eyes went wide. “Totally not!”
Emma nodded firmly. Nadine’s reassurance was all she needed. “Thank you.”
“I mean, look at everything you’ve done for me!”
Emma worked to maintain an impassive expression, even though her voice went up an octave. “Right.”
“You helped me get the best job ever. Everyone at the salon is amazing, and Mateo has been so patient teaching me the whole inventory system. He wasn’t even mad when I accidentally ordered a hundred extra bottles of semi-permanent toner.”
Emma blinked. “Really?”
Nadine nodded, then her eyes lit up again. “Andyou’re the one who helped me realize that I needed to break up with Marty.”
Oh God. This was veering too close to the truth.
“I never would have done it if it weren’t for you,” Nadine barreled on. “And you’re helping me with my thesis topic too!”
Yes, school! That was safe.
“Right! Your thesis topic. That’s the perfect way to get your mind off all of this,” Emma said, her voice loud and a bit overzealous. “Do you have your laptop with you?”
Nadine nodded.
“Great. But I think we need a change of scenery. You know, to help us focus.” Emma smiled. “Grab your bag—I know the perfect spot.”
They arrived at Vicarage Coffee ten minutes later, finding it almost empty except for an elderly couple perusing the menu at the counter. Zane stood on the other side and smiled as Emma and Nadine entered, nodding to Emma’s usual table near the window.
