Page 12 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

"It’s kind of scary how good at it she is."

Bernice pretended not to hear her.

"You just moved into one of the prettiest neighborhoods in Tennessee. Go enjoy it."

I looked over at Zaire. He grinned, and I let out an exaggerated sigh as I picked up my purse.

"If I come back and my favorite coffee mug is missing..."

"It won't."

"And what about my seasoning cabinet?"

"You’ll end up wondering why you never organized it like this before."

I pointed at Bernice.

"I don't know if I like how confident you are."

"I'll win you over."

I laughed.

"I'll be back in an hour."

"Take two," Zaire called from the pantry. I rolled my eyes.

"I've been married to you long enough to know that's code for four."

He was right.

I went upstairs to change, then headed out. The afternoon sun felt warm as soon as I stepped onto the sidewalk.

The air smelled of cut grass, blooming gardenias, and something sweet I couldn't identify until I looked up. Lemons. Dozens of them.

A golf cart passed by with two girls wearing matching bike helmets. They waved so enthusiastically that I laughed and waved back.

"You're the new neighbor!"

"I guess I am."

"Welcome!"

They sped off before I could say anything else. Their laughter echoed down the street as I kept walking.

The houses looked even prettier as I walked. There were modern brick estates, white farmhouses, and homes with black-framed windows. Someone had put fresh hydrangeas by their front door.

"I told my husband somebody finally bought that house."

I turned to see who was speaking.

A woman in a lavender athletic dress stood in her yard, trying to get two identical little boys to stop chasing each other with garden hoses.

"Boys!"

Neither one listened.

"I am talking to both of y'all!"