Emma's Secret: A Novel

of pie all night. She studied the other desserts in the case, but nothing else called out to her.
    “However, your handsome husband did call me earlier and warned me you’d be in, so I set aside a full pie for you to take home. He wanted me to remind you to share.” She winked at Megan before handing the two plates to the customer, who waited patiently.
    Megan smiled. It figured that Peter would guess they’d come here after the movie. She glanced around the crowded shop and waved at several people she recognized. When it was Megan’s turn to order her cappuccino, she tried to get Laurie’s attention to find out what she wanted, but she seemed to be too engrossed in whatever she was looking at on her phone.
    “Two mocha lattes, please. One with soy milk and no whip. Jan has a pie set aside for me, but”—she leaned over to peruse the treats again—“two almond biscotti. Please,” she added to the teenager at the till.
    After paying, Megan made her way over to sit beside Laurie. She must have surprised her because it took a bit for Laurie torealize she’d sat down, and when she did, she quickly turned off her phone and threw it in her purse.
    “Something you want to tell me?” she teased at her friend’s furtive demeanor.
    A red flush crept its way up Laurie’s face as she looked away. Megan gasped in surprise.
    “No way. You’re not holding out on me, not now. How long did you think you could keep it a secret?” The way Laurie’s eyes widened, Megan knew she’d hit it dead on. Laurie was finally involved with someone.
    “What’s his name?” Megan turned her chair slightly so that she could face her best friend.
    Laurie shrugged, trying to hide her embarrassment. “It’s probably nothing, which is why I haven’t said anything yet.”
    Megan narrowed her eyes. “Not buying it.” She reached out and gently touched Laurie’s hand. It shocked her to feel her friend’s body tremble. “Laurie, are you okay?”
    She witnessed the struggle on Laurie’s face, and realized that this must be harder on her than she thought.
    “It’s been over four years; it’s okay, you know. He would want you to move on and be happy,” she whispered.
    Laurie shook her head. “I know. I tell myself that all the time. But it’s hard. Kris was the love of my life. But…”
    Megan leaned back as Jan set their coffees on the counter. Megan smiled at her in thanks. She wished Jan would walk away, but she didn’t know how to say it without hurting her feelings.
    “It’s good to see you finally in the land of the living, honey.” Jan leaned her hip against the counter. “You have no idea how much people have missed you.”
    Megan snorted. “I’ve always been living. I just prefer to do it quietly right now. The last thing Emma needs is to be in the spotlight. She didn’t handle it well when she first came home.”
    “This town just needs to learn to mind its own business,” Jan grumbled.
    “That’s the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it?” Laurie muttered as she dropped her gaze to her coffee mug.
    “Really? You’re going to go there?” Jan’s eyebrow rose.
    When Laurie’s face burned bright red, Megan crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “Someone want to tell me what’s going on?”
    “Nothing,” Laurie mumbled.
    Jan snickered. “I can’t believe you haven’t told her yet.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
    Megan kept silent. Something was going on, and she had a feeling it had to do with whatever Laurie had been doing on her phone earlier. The question was why was she the last to know? With Laurie’s gaze burning holes into the counter, Megan reached for her latte and took a sip, waiting for the delicious warmth to flow into her. Jan made the best mocha latte around.
    “Hey.” Laurie glanced around the shop. “Where’s Shelly Belle?”
    “It’s too busy in here, so she’s sleeping in the back office. Now stop trying to change the subject.”
    The flow of voices surrounded them as they waited for Laurie to respond. Laurie bowed her head before finally raising her tear-filled eyes. The look on her face, the uncertainty and doubt, had Megan reaching across and enfolding her best friend in a hug.
    “Oh, for Pete’s sake,” said Jan. Megan pulled away. “It’s not the end of the world, and no one is dying. Our girlfriend here”—Jan cocked her head toward Laurie before lowering her voice—“was caught in a heated embrace last night with—”
    “Just