Page 187 of Key West Homecoming

“You didn’t say anything.”

“You were busy being part of it.” Jake looked around the room. “I thought it was time I came in here for something besides takeout. Looks like I picked a good night.”

Emma looked around too.

Connie was back at the register. Leah and Tess were arguing about something near the sink. Lloyd sat exactly where he always did. Joey had moved on to a quieter song.

A month ago, Emma had walked into Margarita Max’s as a stranger.

Tonight, Jake was right.

She had been part of it.

“It was lovely,” she said. “But I’m tired. Marisol’s probably wondering what happened to me. My lights are usually off by ten.”

“I’ll drive you back.”

They left a little after eleven.

Outside, the air had softened but not cooled much. Jasmine scented the sidewalk from somewhere nearby.

They had walked half a block when Emma noticed Jake was quieter than usual.

“What are you thinking about?”

He looked at her.

“An email.”

“That sounds serious.”

“It is.”

They kept walking.

“I’ve been writing it in my head for days. I finally put it on my phone this afternoon.” Jake rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m going to send it tonight before I lose my nerve. I wanted to tell you that so I can’t put it off until morning and pretend I forgot.”

Emma stopped.

“Who is it to?”

“Nancy.”

Emma knew immediately.

Nora’s mother.

Jake had told her enough about Nancy for Emma to understand what the woman meant to him. She had remained part of his life after Nora died, even when nearly everything else from that life became too painful for him to hold on to.

“I’d like you to read it first,” Jake said.

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

Emma nodded. “Of course.”

They found a bench not far from Max’s beneath a streetlight.