Page 26 of Since the Day We Wished

“Is thatreallyit? Come on, you can tell me.”

Emma took a bite of her pancake, shaking her head. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to tell you.”

“Are you telling me you don’t know what everyone’s saying?”

“No, I don’t.” Emma scrunched her forehead.

“The word around town is that you’re seeing Hadley Cove’s most eligible bachelor. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me first!”

Emma's fork danced around her plate, picking up another piece of pancake. Before responding, she enjoyed another mouthful, savoring its warmth and syrupy goodness. “I’m not following.”

“Tall, dark, and handsome. A butt that looks great in jeans...new in town? I’m quoting your old neighbor,” Lisa said, wiping her face with a napkin. “She told me you went over to his house.”

Emma paused as a faint blush crept up her cheeks when she realized who Lisa was referring to. “Yeah, I went to Luke’s to pick up Riley.”

“Well, apparently everyone in town is talking about the date y’all had at Phil’s.”

Emma rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. “Date? It was just lunch. And everyone in town? Really?”

“Mm-hmm.” A devilish grin spread across Lisa’s face as she rose to pour the coffee. “So, I’m gonna ask you again, why didn’t you tell me first?”

Emma turned back to her pancakes, shaking her head and chuckling. The Hadley Cove grapevine was nothing short of astounding. The speed and scale at which misinformation could be circulated was mind-boggling.

“Are you denying it?” Lisa teased. “Because I’ll know you’re lying. I can always tell.”

“There’s nothing to tell.” Emma set down her utensils and made eye contact with Lisa. “And no, I’m not lying. Do you really think I’d keep something like that from you?”

“Maybe. But only to make me suffer,” Lisa pouted, with a playful frown.

Although Lisa’s antics amused Emma, she wanted to clarify the situation. “I went over to his house and picked up Riley. He asked me a few things about the house, and I left. Then I happened to see him the next day on the beach, and we had lunch together...As friends. That’s all that happened.”

“So, you think you’ll run into him again anytime soon?”

Emma raised her shoulders in a slight shrug. “Probably. Easy to do that here. But just because we may bump into each other occasionally doesn’t mean I’m seeing him. We just met.”

“He’ll at least be a good rebound. I can see it now,”Lisa said, with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. “Yall would have the cutest couple’s name: ‘Lemma.’ I’m Team Lemma already.”

Emma's gaze shifted to the old photograph on the wall, taken at the town fair last year. It reminded her of simpler times. “I’m happy on my own. I have Riley and my business, and that’s all I need right now.” Her voice seemed to carry the weight of her past and the strength of her present. “I’m not looking for anything serious after what Chad did to me.”

Lisa recoiled at the mention of Chad’s name. “I get it. But someone like him shouldn’t prevent you from finding love again with someone special. You’re amazing, funny, smart. And not to mention, but you’re drop dead gorgeous too. I hate that loser ever made you think otherwise. Anyone in their right mind would be more than lucky to be with you.”

Memories of broken promises surged through Emma. The hurt, the deceit—she closed her eyes briefly and folded her arms. “It’s not as easy as that—”

“For sure. I get it. We all know I’ve had my fair share of disaster relationships.” Lisa leaned forward. “Chad was terrible to you, and you didn’t deserve that. I just don’t want you missing out on something real, whether that’s with Luke or someone else. That’s all.”

A silent understanding passed between them as Emma recognized the sincerity and love behind her friend’s words. But as much as she understood where Lisa was coming from, she wanted to change the subject to lighter conversation.

Looking down at her half-eaten pancakes, she slid the plate aside and reached for her coffee. “It looks like it’s going to be a nice one out there today.” She squinted into the sunlight gleaming through the window. “I should probably take Riley out soon. You can join us if you have time.”

“Yeah, let’s go! Want any more pancakes before we head out?”

“No more pancakes.” Emma patted her stomach. “I’m stuffed. But thank you.”

“Glad you enjoyed them. Things have been slow at my mom’s bed-and-breakfast, so I haven’t been needed over there. Kind of a relief to be honest. I finally had some time to myself to focus on launching my new products.”

Emma’s eyes lit up as she smiled at Lisa. “That’s right! How’s that going?”

“Well, you know those t-shirts I started off with, the ones with Hadley Cove Beach printed on them? Now I’m selling monogrammed mugs, tote bags, and hats too. I’ve even got a display at the surf shop. It’s going really well.”

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