“Okay. Never mind,” Emma said.

  “No, Emma. Don’t do that.” Summer turned to face her now and placed her hand on Emma’s thigh. “I’m sorry. You just caught me off guard. I thought we were going to talk about what happened and put it behind us. I didn’t know you wanted us to go out.”

  “If you don’t like me like that, you don’t like me like that.” Emma’s lips went into a straight line. “I must seriously have a problem.”

  “What do you mean?” Summer asked.

  “I spent most of my adult life thinking about Hailey as the love of my life and then the one that got away. I finally moved on from that and met Eli. I fell in love with her and thought we’d be together. It turned out, she still wanted her ex-girlfriend, but couldn’t just break up with me. She had to cheat on me for months. I was too blind to notice it. Now, I’m into you, and you’re not into me.”

  “I never said that,” Summer replied.

  “Never said what?”

  “That I wasn’t into you,” Summer started. “I was into you that night, Emma. I wouldn’t have slept with you otherwise. We had a couple of great nights, I had fun, and that led to what happened. It wasn’t some drunken hook up for me.”

  “But you don’t want to go out?”

  “I don’t think we should, Emma. Are you honestly sure you’re even over Eli? It didn’t seem like that last night,” Summer said.

  “I am entirely over her,” Emma returned.

  “I’m not judging. You loved her, and she hurt you. I just don’t want to get involved with anyone if they’re still thinking about someone else.”

  “I’m not thinking about her, Summer.”

  Emma’s tone conveyed a different message. Summer wondered if Emma could tell.

  “I think you’re still working on it, and that’s fine, but I don’t think we should date. I like you. I think we should be friends. If at some point in the future things change, we can see about more then.”

  “Because you still think I’m hung up on my ex-girlfriend?”

  “I don’t think you’re hung up on her. I think you have to work through the pain, and that takes time.”

  “Yeah, I guess.” Emma turned and rested back against the couch.

  “I don’t want things to be awkward between us anymore, Emma. I think people are starting to pick up on the fact that things are weird. I don’t want that.”

  “Yeah, Hailey has been on my case for an explanation. She’s convinced I have a thing for you.”

  “Well, you did ask me out,” Summer said with a smile.

  Emma turned her head and smiled back.

  “I think we’ll be okay. Just give me some time. I’ll work through the whole Eli thing, and you and I will be fine,” Emma replied.

  “Okay.” Summer picked up her bowl. “Now, eat. It’s getting cold.”

  CHAPTER 4

  Lena met Hayden for dinner Sunday night. She hadn’t seen him in a while, but there was something that made her want to reach out and meet up.

  “Hey there.” He stood and pulled out Lena’s chair.

  “Hey, long time no see.” She sat.

  “I know. I’ve been busy. I seem to recall that you’ve been pretty busy too.”

  “Things have finally settled down now. I thought we should get together.”

  “And this wouldn’t have anything to do with the high-profile client you sent me this weekend?” He lifted an eyebrow.

  “Summer? Why would you think that?”

  “I wasn’t sure, but now I am. You have a crush on Summer Taft.” He pointed his finger at her.

  “I do not have a crush on Summer Taft. I met her Friday night. She needed a real estate agent. I suggested you.” She paused and glared at him playfully. “I’m starting to regret that referral.”

  “Hey, she’s a beautiful woman, and she’s smart. I could tell that during our meeting. You could definitely do worse.”

  “Sounds like you have a little crush on Summer Taft.” She gulped.

  “I could definitely do worse too, but she’s on your team, isn’t she?”

  “I hate when people say that. Like we’re all about to play a game of softball or something.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant that she’s gay, isn’t she?” Hayden asked.

  “I don’t think I should be commenting on anyone’s sexuality other than my own. Seems wrong, but are you interested?” Lena asked.

  She nodded in thanks as the waiter returned with their drinks. They ordered the same meal they always ordered when they came to their favorite restaurant. When the waiter walked away, she folded her hands on top of the table and waited for an answer.

  “I’m interested. She’s gorgeous. She seems nice too, but I’m dating someone. I don’t date clients anyway. It’s always messy.”

  “You’re dating someone?”

  “Yes, her name is Lauren. She’s a paralegal. It’s nothing serious, but we’ve been out a few times, and I like it so far.”

  “That’s great, Hayden. I’m glad.”

  “We’ll see. But if Summer wasn’t a client, I would maybe ask her out for a drink. Lauren and I aren’t exclusive yet.”

  Lena gulped her wine. She wasn’t sure why. She and Summer were friends and had decided to help one another find prospective partners. Summer was bi and would, therefore, date men. And Hayden was a great guy. He’d been a great agent for her when she was going through her divorce. She’d been happy to finally put that chapter of her life behind her. But she’d also never lived alone and had gone through a lot of change. He’d been a good shoulder to cry on and a sounding board. That led to their friendship continuing on past their working relationship. He had his own money because of his successful career in real estate, and he was intelligent and funny. Summer could do worse.

  ◆◆◆

  Lena got home after her dinner with Hayden. She enjoyed hearing about his successes in business and in his personal life. She sat on her sofa and wondered about her recent successes or if she even had any. Certainly, she had professional successes. O’Shea’s was thriving, and that was at least in part due to the decisions she was making regarding strategic locations for new stores and the management teams that ran them. She had nothing outside of her job worth mentioning in a conversation with a friend, and that was a little scary to her.

  It reminded her of how trapped she used to feel in her marriage. She hadn’t worked back then, but she had volunteered with various charitable organizations as she’d watched her mother do growing up in Connecticut. Lena had attended Yale and had done well, but she’d gotten married instead of graduating. So she did what she knew – she volunteered. Outside of her volunteer work, she had a couple of clubs she’d joined by recommendation, but she didn’t really consider any of the women in the club true friends. She’d cooked, cleaned, and essentially acted as a 1950’s housewife, and she hated it. Her phone rang just as she was about to grab her computer and check some work emails. She picked it up to see that it was Summer Taft calling.

  “Hi,” she greeted and realized that her tone likely came off as nervous.

  “Hey, what are you up to tonight?” Summer asked.

  “I just got back from dinner with Hayden. Why?”

  “There’s a book signing at Moreland’s, not too far from my apartment. Any chance you’re a fan of Joan Parkston?”

  “I don’t know who that is,” Lena admitted while clenching her teeth.

  “Most people probably don’t know who she is, but she’s a brilliant computer programmer. She’s got a new book out about her first years in programming. I just got an e-vite to attend. Technically, I got it a couple of weeks ago, but I just noticed it an hour ago. I’ve met her once, and she was nice. I feel like I should be supportive. I was hoping you’d come with me. I know it’s last minute. You probably have plans.”

  “I don’t.”

  “Are you interested? I’m sure it will mostly be a bunch of nerds like me in attendance, but there are some hot nerds out there. We might be able to find one for you.” She laughed.

  “Oh, right.” Lena recalled their plan to help each other out in the dating department. “Sure. When should I meet you there?”

  “In like thirty minutes, if that’s not too soon.”

  “No, I’m still dressed from dinner.”

  “Do you want me to just swing by and get you? Or maybe not, just in case you meet someone,” Summer teased.

  “I’ll meet you there. It would be out of your way to come here.”

  “See you then.” Summer hung up.

  ◆◆◆

  Lena stood outside the bookstore and watched as several people headed inside. She wasn’t sure if she should meet Summer inside or out initially, so she’d already gone inside and checked, but Summer had yet to arrive. Lena had gone back outside the crowded store to wait instead. She had been correct in her assumption.

  “Lena, hey.”

  Summer’s car had pulled up behind where Lena was standing, and she climbed out.

  “Hi there.” Lena gave her a small wave and took the few steps in that direction.

  Summer was dressed somewhat casually, but she had on a black sleeveless turtleneck with a gray sweater over it and black boots that had her looking a little classier than just casual. Her hair was pulled back, and she had on hoop earrings.

  “Thanks for coming,” Summer told her when she stood in front of her.

  “Thanks for the invite.”

  “Invitations weren’t required. It’s more about letting me know it’s happening than an actual invitation, but I’m glad you could come. Wanna go inside?”

  “Sure.”

  She followed Summer inside the local bookstore. It had been in the city for over sixty years and had that kind of old comfy feel to it. It had two stories and a staircase in the middle. The crowd of people there for the signing was headed to the back, behind the stairs. Summer was ahead of her as they walked. Lena watched as people noticed Summer and did double takes. Some took out their phones and snapped pictures. Summer either didn’t notice or just didn’t care. Lena surmised that she was probably just used to it. As they approached the side of the stairs though, Lena looked down to see that Summer had reached her hand back to her to help guide her to their destination.

  Lena took it and allowed herself to be pulled because Summer gave off this kind of confidence Lena rarely saw. She sometimes had to have it herself at work, and that was especially true since her company was dominated by males in other VP positions, but she turned it off once she left the office because it was exhausting. Summer just seemed to possess it naturally, and Lena found it attractive. Actually, Lena found it sexy. Even the back of Summer’s long neck, as she walked, was sexy to Lena. Finally, they arrived at the open space, where there were some chairs for the audience to sit in, that were already full, and a table at the front of the room. Bookshelves lined the walls around the space and people, who hadn’t secured seats, were standing in front of them mainly staring down at their phones.

  “It’s interesting, isn’t it?” Summer half-whispered to Lena, as Lena stood beside her after Summer dropped her hand.

  “What?”

  “That we are in this room filled with books and everyone is just staring at their phones. Most of them are probably reading something.”

  “I would think someone in your line of work would like that.” Lena turned her head toward Summer. “Technology business and everything.”

  “I actually have a surprising book collection,” Summer revealed.

  “You do?” Lena wrinkled her eyebrows.

  “Eva’s approved of it, actually,” Summer shared of their friend Eva, the Doctor of Literature, who had a pretty large collection herself. “I have some first and second editions of the classics. Some older stuff too. I buy new stuff in places like this and sometimes in airports as I travel.” She paused and looked around. “I have e-books too, and some audio, but I prefer the paper.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Partly, I like the smell. Books have an amazing smell. It reminds me of my mom. I guess the other reason is that I had these built-in bookshelves in my house and needed to fill them with something,” Summer said that last part rapidly, making Lena wonder why she’d glossed over the mention of her mom. “Oh, here we go.” Summer pointed at a woman who had entered the space through an employee-only entrance and was waving Summer over.

  “Where are we going?”

  “VIP spot.” Summer took Lena’s hand again and walked her around a few people in the direction of the woman.

  It was then that Lena noticed. The room was filled with women. There were a few men, but the space was probably filled with 90% women. She would have expected the opposite, considering the author’s field.

  “Hey, Alana.” Summer let go of Lena’s hand when she met the woman and gave her a quick hug.

  “I’m glad you could make it.” The woman Lena now knew was named Alana returned. “You didn’t reply until tonight.”

  “I missed the email. Sorry.” Summer pulled back. She motioned to Lena. “This is my friend, Lena. She’s my plus-one tonight.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Alana reached out her hand for Lena to shake.

  “You too,” Lena replied.

  “Alana is Joan’s manager,” Summer explained.

  “She’s back here.” Alana held the door opened for the two of them to walk through.

  “We’re going in the back?” Lena questioned, but followed the women all the same.

  “VIP,” Summer reminded with a wink.

  They made their way down a brightly lit hallway with one wall lined with a floor to ceiling bookshelf that Lena could guess had rows and rows of books that would soon line the shelves on the sales floor. The other wall had rows of carts with books that also needed to be shelved, it appeared. There was a room off to the right where she could see staffers unloading more books from boxes. Then, they arrived at a door on the left that Alana entered a four-digit code into and then opened the door. Lena followed Summer through the door again. Alana closed it behind them and then got in front of them.

  “Joan, Summer’s here.”

  “Summer!” Joan stood and embraced Summer with a warm hug and a smile.

  Lena had expected Joan Parkston to be older, maybe even slightly chubby and with acne all over her face. She wasn’t sure why she’d expected that, but that had been the image her mind brought forth earlier, when Summer mentioned her name and her genius with computers. This woman was none of those things. She was around Lena’s age and maybe a few years younger. She had blonde curly hair that landed below her shoulders and almond-shaped brown eyes. She was an inch or two taller than Summer, and thus Lena as well. She was also rail thin and had a pretty good sense of fashion because she had a black and white sundress on with a cardigan over it and ballet flats. She was, in short, beautiful.

  “How are you?” Summer asked her when they pulled away.

  “I’m good. Things are going well. The book is selling.” She turned to see Lena standing there. Her expression changed from a smiling happy one to a perplexed one. “And who’s your friend?” she asked and highlighted the word friend with her tone as if checking on their relationship.

  “This is Lena. Lena, this is Joan Parkston,” Summer introduced.

  “Nice to meet you.” Lena gave her a hand to shake, which Joan did.

  “You too. Thanks for coming.” Joan nodded and then returned her dark eyes to Summer. “I was worried you wouldn’t come. Alana said she hadn’t heard from you. I thought about calling you myself, but things have been busy with the tour. We’re usually only in one place long enough to host the signing, do a meet and greet, and fly off to the next place.”

  “I get a lot of invites to things. This one got lost in the shuffle. Sorry, I would have responded sooner if I would have caught it.” Summer stepped back beside Lena.

  “No harm.” Joan glanced at Lena again. “So, how do you two know each other?” she asked and motioned with her finger between the two of them.

  “Joan, we should head out there,” Alana said, and Lena turned to see she was standing behind them with someone she guessed was the manager of the store, based on the lanyard around her neck with her bookstore ID on it. “They’re getting restless.”

  “Oh, right.” Joan nodded at her and then glanced at Summer again. “I’m staying in Chicago for the night. Can we catch up after?”

  “Lena and I can’t stay long, unfortunately. We have plans tonight,” she lied, and Lena’s face must have shown her confusion, but she quickly pushed that expression away and nodded as Joan looked her way. “I just wanted to stop by and say hello and congratulations.”

  “And get an autographed copy?” Joan asked.

  “Of course,” Summer answered with a smile.

  Joan signed books for both of them and then hugged Summer again. Lena watched as her hand lingered on Summer’s forearm a little too long before she headed out into the store for her reading and signing. Lena and Summer were ushered out of the back offices and into the store where they left Alana to her work and headed instead toward the staircase.

  “We have plans tonight?” Lena checked as they headed up the stairs. Summer laughed and made her way past a foursome of women who were heading down the stairs. “And why are there so many women here?”

  Summer laughed again and waited for Lena at the top of the stairs.

  “The café’s up here. Do you want something?” Summer asked

  She pointed to a small café at the right back wall. Lena had never been to this bookstore, but she was starting to consider it a place she should visit more frequently. The café had a couple of tables and also warm looking oversized love seats and leather chairs where patrons could read and relax. To the left, there was a loft that allowed people to gather at the edge and look down at the open space where authors would read and sign. Currently, there was a solid row of customers standing there, leaning over, likely waiting for Joan to begin her reading.

  “Sure.”

  “And about the whole plans thing... Sorry about that,” Summer began. “I guess I should have warned you before, but I thought she’d be over it by now.”