Debra grinned down at her screen.
Don’t try. Just…be who you are.
Three dots appeared immediately.
I can’t wait to see you tonight.
Debra’s chest fluttered at that. She exhaled a slow breath and set her phone down on the counter again, choosing not to continue this. She would see Billie this evening. They could sayand do whatever they wanted then. But right now, Billie had a business to run, and Debra had thoughts to gather.
Just as she reached for her lukewarm coffee on the table, the doorbell rang. Debra froze, startled by the sound, then frowned. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Not Billie, not the postman…nobody. The bell rang again, this time for longer. It seemed whoever it was knew she was home, knew she’d heard it, and didn’t care for being ignored.
Debra rolled her eyes. That could only be one person. She crossed the room and swung the door open. Maeve stood there holding a paper bag in one hand, while wearing the exact same expression she’d worn for the last twenty-five years whenever she’d decided she was about to meddle.
“Don’t,” Debra warned. “I swear. Just…don’t.”
Maeve pressed a hand to her chest and feigned innocence. “Don’t what?”
“Whatever it is you’re about to say, don’t say it.”
Maeve looked her up and down slowly. She was wearing comfortable leggings and an old jumper, and Debra was aware that she looked domestic in a way she hadn’t been for a long time. Clearly, Maeve noticed, because her mouth twitched.
“I was nearby,” Maeve said as she cleared her throat and lifted the bag. “And I brought pastries.”
Debra narrowed her eyes. “Youneverbring pastries.”
“Exactly. This is how you know I’m here for a serious conversation. I haven’t heard from you since you called and told me you were thinking about inviting Billie over. I’m worried you’re in your head again.”
Debra stared at her, then stepped aside with a sigh. “Come in.”
Maeve walked in and immediately paused in the middle of the hallway. She didn’t need to look far to see the mood Debra was in. It was there, radiating off her like a neon sign.
Maeve turned slowly. “Oh, my God!”
Debra closed the door and faced her best friend. “What?”
“That face!”
Debra frowned. “What face?”
“That face,” Maeve repeated, her voice rising with elation. “Debra, you look?—”
“If you say ‘glowing’, I’m going to throw you out.”
Maeve grinned. “You look like you’ve been thoroughly?—”
“Maeve!”
Maeve held up a hand. “Alright. Fine. I won’t say anything else.”
Oh, I’m sure you will…
Debra followed her into the living room, watching as Maeve took in her space. The throw blanket half-folded on the arm of the couch and Debra’s cup on the counter, the…overall calmness of the day.
Maeve sank down into the couch with a dramatic sigh. “Right, tell me everything.”
Debra paused, a little stunned by how quickly emotion had just welled in her throat. Because this wasn’t a casual update, and it wasn’t gossip. This was,somehow, her life tipping into something new. Something she hadn’t expected to want so soon after her divorce. In her mind, wanting something so achingly beautiful had always been the quickest route to disappointment.
“Deb?”
