Page 162 of Key West Homecoming

“I hate when people do that.”

“Do what?”

“Say something I don’t want to hear because it happens to be true.”

“I’ve made a career out of it.”

Emma smiled despite herself.

Leah rested her elbows on the bar.

“You don’t need to ask the man for a five-year plan. You don’t need to decide where you’ll be living next Christmas. Tell him what’s true now.”

“And what exactly is true now?”

“You tell me.”

Emma thought about Jake making her lunch when she needed him. She remembered the lighthouse and his hand at her back. She thought about Mallory Square and how easy it had been to lean against him while the sun went down.

“I miss him when I’m not with him.”

Leah smiled.

“Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.”

The soup arrived, heavy on the basil. Emma took the first spoonful while Leah moved down the bar to help another customer.

A few minutes later, Lloyd spoke without turning his head.

“Leah’s right.”

Emma looked at him. “You were listening?”

“I listen. That’s most of what I do in here.”

“I’m beginning to understand that.”

Lloyd took a drink of beer.

“Be honest with Jake. That’s the whole of it.”

“Thank you, Lloyd.”

“That’s my opinion.”

“I thought you didn’t have opinions.”

“I’ve got particular ones.”

“That’s twice you’ve had a particular opinion in eight days.”

“I’m coming out of my shell.”

Emma laughed.