Page 22 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

"Looks like you'll fit in around here just fine."

Her confidence made me smile.

"I'll walk you home," Camille offered as the group slowly began to scatter.

Nia hugged me before climbing into her Range Rover.

"I'm serious about brunch this weekend."

"I'll be there."

"You don't even know where, but I'll text you," she laughed before pulling away.

Tasha called her boys over from Miss Evelyn's yard and apologized for the fifth time after one of them tried to sneak another lemon into his pockets.

"They're free, baby," Miss Evelyn chuckled. "He doesn't have to steal them."

"He likes the thrill," Tasha sighed.

Jade clipped a leash back onto her Goldendoodle.

"If you ever need a contract looked over or somebody to explain HOA bylaws in plain English, I'm your girl."

"I'll remember that."

"You won't."

"Not gone lie, I probably won't."

She smiled.

"But you'll have my number anyway."

In a few minutes, everyone went back to their homes, waving as they disappeared behind tidy hedges and front porches.

Camille and I walked the short way back to my house.

"I hope they didn't overwhelm you."

"They were exactly what I didn't know I needed."

"I remember feeling the same way."

"You weren't always here?" She smiled.

"No."

"How long have you lived in Lemon Grove Estates?"

"A while."

Her answer wasn’t rude, just vague. I figured she’d been here long enough for everyone to look up to her. She caught me admiring someone else’s landscaping.

"One thing you'll learn about this neighborhood..."

"What?"

"We celebrate everything."