“This pattern feels like a California garden,” Junie said, examining a plate.
“The sweetest part of the story is that my grandfather bought this set for her. ‘Roses for my Rose,’ he said. And she loved to tell people that Jacqueline Kennedy used the same pattern in the White House for casual dinners.” Jo smiled. “Maybe she did. Those who know said her mother-in-law Rose Kennedy used these dishes in her Palm Beach home in the 1960s.”
“Another Rose,” Junie said.
Jo smiled. “It was a popular name then. Still is.”
She had once imagined serving her family on those plates and telling her children the story. But she couldn’t depend on Blue anymore, she thought, chewing her lip.
“Let’s eat in your garden tonight,” Junie said, adding a pair of pink napkins to the utensils she held.
“Sure, it’s a nice evening.” Jo plated the enchiladas, ladled more green tomatillo sauce over them and finished with scoops of guacamole and salad. “There,” she said with a flourish. “Mamie Rose would approve.”
Jo carried the plates out to the small patio off the kitchen, where a vintage wrought-iron table and chairs sat, surrounded by jasmine and gardenias. The sweet floral aromas filled the evening air.
Junie followed with the sangria she’d brought. She filled their glasses, making sure there were slices of orange and lime in each.
“To the chef,” Junie said, raising her glass.
“To the best of friends.”
Jo took a long sip. The wine was cold and bright with citrus. This was what she’d needed. Not another late dinner waiting for Blue to finish his shift. A lovely evening, an ocean view, good food on beautiful plates, and her best friend across the table. Junie usually had dinner with Knox and Penny, so this was a treat to have her.
Besides, she and Junie had made these plans days ago. As they ate, Jo told Junie about Blue’s return.
“Are you seeing him soon?” Junie asked.
“Who knows? He said we needed to talk, but he hasn’t called. I’m not waiting. He knows where he can reach me.”
Junie’s expression softened. “You two have invested time in your relationship, and you’ve been good together. Do you think you’re being a little hard on him?”
“I’ve considered all that. We’ve had good times, but our lives aren’t aligning. This time is different. Something changed while he was in Chicago.”
“Like what?”
Jo pursed her lips. “I think his mother wants him back there.”
“Would he go?”
“Blue came here to escape all that happened and start fresh. He can’t do a lateral transfer back there, so I don’t know.”
Junie paused. “Do you love him?”
Jo ran a hand through her short curls. “Love isn’t always enough, and it feels one-sided now. He has plenty of words but little action or talk of a life together. Anyway, I have a business to run, and I have plans, like selling my Cuppa Jo’s brand in grocery stores.”
Jo let out a small sigh. Even as she said those words, her heart ached. Still, she would stick to her decision.
Junie nodded. “My grandmother says, ‘A woman with a plan is a force.’”
“I think so, too. You should’ve seen the diner when I bought it ten years ago. I was young and inexperienced, but I learned what people liked. Especially the summer people.”
The island’s high season was underway, and that meant those who had summer homes or rented ones for the season were arriving. Junie knew many of them now.
“Guess who I saw in town,” Junie said, sipping her wine. “My cousin Rocky. Well, my new cousin. The whole Bay family connection is still kind of wild to me. My mother discovered an entirely new family after she ran her DNA test. I guess that’s true for a lot of adoptees.”
Jo leaned forward. “Rocky Bay? I remember him from the diner, but it’s been a while. Isn’t he friends with Sailor?”
“He’s staying with him.”
