Heather stood and stretched, grateful there was finally a break in the steady flow of people to their booth. Livy grabbed a bottle of water. “Want one?” She held one up for her.
“Sure. Thanks.” She reached for the bottle, screwed off the top, and took a long swallow of the refreshing water. She’d forgotten how tiring it was working for the cafe. She needed to remember that before she volunteered again. And wear more sensible shoes. She looked down at her flip-flops, then at Livy with her sensible flats that had some support in them. “So… what do you think about my mom and Rob? Think there’s something going on there?”
“I’m not certain. Seems like there’s a spark. But I’m not sure Evelyn is ready for anything more than just friendship.”
“No, probably not. She’s still adjusting to single life.”
“She seems really happy these days though, doesn’t she?” Livy asked.
“She does.”
“Hi, Livy.” Charlene Healy waved as she walked up to the booth. “I hear your daughter took my Angela shopping.”
Livy set down her water bottle and went up to the counter. “She did.”
“I can’t thank her enough. I’ve been trying to get Angela to go shopping for… well, forever. She hides in those baggy clothes. But the things that Emily picked out are so cute. It was so kind of her to take the time to do that. Angela even had on a bit of makeup when she left the house today. And her haircut?So cute. Emily accomplished everything that I’ve never managed to make happen.”
“She and Blake headed out together to browse around the festival.” Heather came up beside Livy.
“Ah, yes. Your Blake. It’s her first date ever, and she was so excited.” Charlene’s eyes sparkled with pleasure. “I love seeing her this happy. What more could a mother ask for?”
What more could a mother ask for? Heather smiled back at Charlene, feeling like she was finally part of the secret mother society.
Livy looked over and grinned. “Great, feeling, huh?”
“Yes. Yes, it is.”
Emily wandered around the festival, looking for some friends to hang out with. She ran into Blake and Angela at the funnel cake booth.
“Have you tried these? They’re great.” Blake broke off a piece of the funnel cake he was sharing with Angela. “I’ve never had one before and Angela insisted I had to try it.”
“You’ve never had a funnel cake? You poor, deprived boy. They’re great, aren’t they?” She debated ordering one for herself, but she’d munched on a cinnamon roll at the booth while she worked, and she really had her heart set on a fish taco.
She frowned when she saw Jeanie approaching on the arm of Markus, the captain of the football team. Jeanie had dated him a few years ago and then announced to everyone that she dumped him. Guess she changed her mind.
“Angela, look at you,” Jeanie said, her voice laden with disbelief. “What happened to you?”
“Knock it off, Jeanie.” Blake stepped forward and cut her off.
She didn’t take the hint.
“I mean… well, she usually dresses so… drab… and out of fashion.”
“Jeanie, back off.” Emily stepped up with Blake.
“What? I’m just telling the truth. She wears baggy clothes and—”
“Seriously, Jeanie. Just go away. You’re being mean.” Emily was so over Jeanie.So over her.
She glanced back at Angela, who stood there with a shocked expression… that suddenly turned to anger as she stepped forward.
“You know, Jeanie. I really don’t care about your opinion.” Angela hurled the words at her.
You go, girl.
Jeanie’s mouth dropped open in shock. “I— Like I said, I was only saying the truth.”
“I can’t believe we were ever friends.” Angela’s eyes flashed in anger. “What happened to you?”
