Page 7 of Valentine's in Bayberry

She stopped her train of thought. She didn’t want to think about him now. Every time she thought of him, it torpedoed her mood. She didn’t know why she thought they’d be able to overcome their problems and resurrect their friendship. Lots of people grow up as friends but eventually go their separate ways. This was not any different.

After she locked the front door of the shop, she glanced at the vacant storefront next door. Was it her imagination or wasthere a faint glow of light coming from the cracks in the plywood covering the front of the store?

She didn’t have time to give it a closer look, because her friends were dragging her away. Besides, what did it matter that he was there late? Whatever he did was none of her business.

When they arrived at Romano’s Ristorante, they got a table toward the back. Her friends were in great moods. The chatter was on high speed and non-stop.

Abby lightly elbowed her. “Hey, what’s the matter with you? I thought you’d be over the moon excited after your grand opening.”

Carrie affixed a smile to her face. “I am.” She didn’t want to mention what was really on her mind, so she said, “I think I’m just exhausted. It was a lot of work, and today we were incredibly busy.”

“But that’s what you want? Right?” Sadie asked.

“Of course. I just hope we get some business tomorrow. I can’t help but wonder if people just stopped by out of curiosity. Now that they’ve seen the place, they won’t be back.”

Kate’s mouth gaped. It took a moment for her to gather herself. “You can’t be serious.” When Carrie shrugged, Kate said, “But didn’t those people buy your chocolates?” When Carrie nodded, Kate continued. “Then you have nothing to worry about. They are addictive.”

Carrie smiled at her friend. “Thank you for the kind words, but you’re just saying that because we are friends.”

“No, I’m not. And I’ll prove it.” Kate reached into her purse and pulled out one of the brown and pink boxes that Carrie had specially ordered for the shop. When she placed it on the table and lifted the lid, it was empty.

Carrie’s gaze went from the empty box to the pout on her friend’s face. “You ate them all?”

Kate nodded. “I totally blew my diet, and it was so worth it.”

Carrie’s smile grew. “You really liked them that much?”

“Of course,” Kate said.

“Me too.” Abby withdrew a little box from her purse. It was empty too.

When Sadie withdrew her box from her purse, there was one chocolate in it. She quickly popped it into her mouth and let out a moan as she devoured it. “So good.”

“On second thought,” Kate said. “Maybe this chocolate shop isn’t such a good idea after all.”

“Why would you say that?” Sadie asked.

“Because soon none of my clothes are going to fit.” Kate’s voice took on a teasing tone.

“Aw... But see then you have the perfect excuse to buy a new wardrobe,” Abby said.

Kate smiled and nodded. “I like the way you think. There’s nothing better than shopping for a new wardrobe.”

Carrie continued to smile as she looked at the three of them. She may have lost her friendship with Jackson, but at least her friendship with Kate, Abby, and Sadie had endured the test of time.

“What would I do without the three of you?” She didn’t even want to imagine it. “Thank you all. You’re the best.”

Later, as they ate their pasta dinners, the conversation turned to a bit of gossip around town. In Bayberry, gossip was a daily occurrence. And sometimes it was almost a competition to see who could unearth the news before anyone else.

“Guess what I heard today.” Abby didn’t wait for any of them to answer. “Florence Wright ran off to get married.”

“Wait.” Kate looked confused. “I thought my aunt said Florence was off on another of those bus tours she likes to take.”

“Now that you mention it,” Abby said. “I heard Florence was in London visiting Jackson. But obviously that’s not right if he’s here in town.”

When everyone looked at Sadie, she said, “What are you all looking at me for? I haven’t heard any of the gossip.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be on top of this stuff?” Abby asked. “After all, your dad owns theBayberry Gazette.”

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