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She smiled brightly. “Accidents happen. I was rushing out of my shop anyways, so we were both preoccupied.”
Emma turned her head to the side, noting The Oyster Bookstore sign. “Oh, you must be Pippa.”
Pippa nodded with a smile.
“Charli, my friend, told me about the new owner. I’m Emma, by the way.”
“Ah, yes. Well, I’ve been here a couple years now. But I know Charli. How’s their little one?”
“Growing like a weed.”
Pippa nodded. “Are you sure you’re good?”
Emma blinked. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be? You’re the one who got knocked on her ass.” Emma forced a laugh.
Pippa just stared at her a little longer.
The words bubbled up. She wanted to tell this woman everything. Why would she trust a perfect stranger? She couldn’t even tell her own friends what had really happened. But that was because they knew how she’d pined for Link her whole life. They’d pity her. Her friends had their own happy lives. She didn’t want to ruin that—even for a second. She’d hide just a little longer. “I’m fine.” The lie tasted bitter on her tongue.
“Well, if you ever need a listening ear, my door is always open.” Pippa pet her dog’s head and gave its ear a scratch.
Emma tucked her hair behind her ear. “Why would you offer that? You don’t even know me.” Or did she? Was she looking for a story?
Pippa shrugged. “We women have to stick together. God knows men won’t be there for us.” A long-buried hurt bled from her words.
Emma nodded. “Well, I, uh . . . appreciate it. I have somewhere to be, so . . . have a good day. And sorry again about running into you.”
Pippa waved her off. “No problem.”
Emma climbed on her bike and headed a couple streets over to the bar where all her friends were waiting. After parking, she slid her keys in her pocket and took a deep breath. Her mouth split into a big fake smile, and she locked her true feelings behind a wall of pretend. She could be happy for an hour. It would take everything in her, but she could do this one more time.
She pushed open the doors. A few heads turned her way.
“Hey, girl,” Remy said, squeezing her in a hug. “We need to catch up. I feel like we haven’t really talked in ages.”
“You came to the inn yesterday morning for breakfast,” Emma reminded her.
Remy waved her hand. “Yeah, but Atlas and the kids were there. You know, we need to have a girls’ night soon. How about tonight?”
“Sure,” she lied. But she didn’t have the energy to explain that this was it. That she’d be leaving Shattered Cove right after this and not turning back. At least, not for a while.
“Hey, Rock Star!” Jasmine teased, coming over to their growing circle.
“Hey, Boss Bitch.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes.
“I thought for sure when I got back from the trip Atlas would have put a ring on your finger,” Emma said, steering the conversation away into safer waters.
Jasmine’s affection-filled gaze flicked over to the man who’d stolen her heart and become a father for her daughter. “I’m not in a rush. Besides . . . we have some news.”
Remy’s mouth dropped open as she squealed in surprise. “I knew it! I totally called it. I told Mikel you were glowing and being extra bitchy.”
“Gee, thanks,” Jasmine deadpanned.
Wait. Was Jasmine . . .
“I’m gonna be an auntie again!” Remy shouted loud enough for the whole room to hear. Mikel and Atlas walked over to their group. Remy patted Mikel’s chest, beaming up at him. “I told you.”
