Page 94 of Key West Homecoming

“Accepted.”

Tess leaned closer to Leah. “So what are we going to do?”

“About Emma and Jake?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing.”

Tess frowned.

“We are not in the matchmaking business,” Leah said. “We own a bar. It took us enough failed ideas to finally find something we’re good at, and I’m not adding romantic interference to the business plan.”

“I wasn’t suggesting a business plan.”

“You were thinking one.”

“I was thinking maybe we could help.”

“They can figure it out themselves.”

Tess nodded, although not convincingly.

Leah reached over and straightened her sister’s collar, which didn’t need straightening, and went to check on a table.

Joey began playing something slow from the corner. Leah glanced at him and wondered how much he’d heard. Joey had always been better at listening than people gave him credit for.

The screen door banged at six-eleven.

Emma walked in, waved and passed the table by the window without stopping. Instead, she took an empty stool at the bar.

Tess looked at the clock. “Close enough.”

Emma smiled. “Close enough for what?”

“Nothing. You didn’t take your table.”

“I thought I’d sit here tonight.”

Tess put both hands on the bar. “Anything you want to tell us?”

Emma laughed. “Actually, yes. I took a leave of absence from my firm this morning. Two months, maybe longer.”

Tess clapped once. “Emma. That deserves a drink.”

Before Emma could answer, Leah set a glass in front of her and poured a small measure of tequila.

“On the house.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I’m a co-owner. I’m allowed.”

Emma picked up the glass. “Then thank you.”

Lloyd raised his beer from the other end of the bar. “Welcome to Key West.”

Connie came through from the kitchen carrying a stack of clean towels. “Did I hear that right? You’re staying?”