Page 2 of Hearts Like Hers

Gia took a seat across from Autumn. “What hasyou sad? Birthdays are supposed to be fun.”

She glanced behind her to the counter to makesure Steve had the morning rush under control. Gemini, the new hire, had justclocked in, offering him some backup. If only she would refrain from askingeach and every customer what their zodiac sign was before taking their order.

Autumn turned to her friends. “Well, first,there’s the whole turning thirty-four thing I have happening today.”

That simply opened her up to a series ofrebukes from her friends, all on top of each other.

“That’s young,” Gia said.

“You’re a spring chicken, Autumn,” Hadleyreplied.

“And incredibly hot. I’ve always thought so.”They all turned to Isabel, who shrugged. “She fucking is. Have you seen herhair? All red and curly and gorgeous. I hate you for your show-off hair,” shesaid to Autumn with a glare, and sat back in her chair. “I’d also do youbecause of it. Boom. There. I just said it and I’m not taking it back.”

Autumn laughed and that helped. “No one quitelike you, Iz.” There wasn’t. Isabel Chase’s medium-length dark hair, fair skin,and dry wit complimented each other to perfection. She didn’t pull any punches.

“Thank God,” Isabel said. “Can you imaginethe shift in negative energy if there were two of us? The world can’t handlemore than one pessimistic woman with a heart of gold. No way.” Soon, Isabelwould head to work at Paramount Studios where she wrote for a new kick-ass TVshow titledDay Jobalongside her girlfriend, well-known producer Taylor Andrews. Hadley would getready to open Silhouette, a clothing boutique on Rodeo Drive, and Gia, aprofessional surfer, would hit the waves for her daily practice session.

“And besides turning thirty-four?” Hadleyasked, expertly moving them back on track. “What else has you so upset? BecauseI’m sensing there’s more.”

“I might as well just say it.” Autumnexhaled. “Olivia’s wedding invitation arrived.”

Her friends nodded and exchanged looks.Through some sort of silent telepathy, Gia seemed to have been nominated totake this one. She dipped her head and caught Autumn’s gaze from below. “We’rehere for you, you know that?” Autumn nodded. She did know. “But if it were me,I’d just toss that bad boy in the trash. Forget you ever saw it.”

“Agreed,” Isabel said, nodding. “I never knewOlivia, but her reputation is enough for me to know that you dodged a bulletwith that woman.”

Autumn smiled in gratitude, though her hearthung heavy. Her ex-girlfriend Olivia had been no walk in the park during theirlast few months as a couple. That recognition didn’t assuage the gut-wrenchingpain she experienced whenever she imagined Olivia, who had once beenherOlivia, settlingdown and embarking upon a life with someone new. They’d probably head out on aseries of tropical vacations. Jamaica maybe, or Cancun. And spoon. Autumn justknew they would spoon, something Olivia used to roll her eyes at.

“I think I have to open it,” she saidfinally.

Hadley nodded. “Rip it off like a Band-Aid. Iget that. Why don’t we sit here with you while you do?” She reached discreetlyfor one of the fresh-baked croissants Autumn had delivered to the shop eachmorning. AKA: Had’s kryptonite. “Oh, my dear goodness, these are so heavenly.”

“No one but you says ‘Oh, my dear goodness,’”Gia said, in mystification. “And then couples it with ‘heavenly.’”

Hadley was too far gone on the croissant tocare.

Next to Hadley, Isabel blew out the candleson the muffins. “Sorry. Couldn’t take it anymore. Muffins needed saving. MayI?” She held up a blueberry chocolate-chip and Autumn gestured to her toproceed.

“The invitation?” Gia prompted. “Where’s thething at?”

Autumn nodded and retrieved the envelope.With the invitation in front of her on the table, she looked up at her friendswith a wobbly sense of determination. “Yeah, okay. Let’s do this.” Inside theenvelope she found a black invitation wrapped in a large purple ribbon. Inperfect purple script, she read that the honor of her presence was requested atthe marriage ceremony of Olivia O’Dell and Betsy Rhoades. Betsy Rhoades: theopportunistic owner of the gym Olivia worked out at. Once Betsy startedtraining her, it was all Olivia ever talked about. It wasn’t long until theywere burning calories together in other ways. Autumn set the card on top of theenvelope. “I feel a little sick.”

“The hard part is out of the way,” Hadleysaid gently.

“Not if you actually go,” Gia said, pickingup the invitation. “It’s in Tahoe. A destination wedding.”

“There you go!” Isabel said, taking theinvite from Gia. “You have a total out. That’s what, like, seven hours from LosAngeles? You now have a pass to decline, and no one will even bat an eye.”

“No.” Autumn shook her head, a new form ofcourage surging in her chest as if necessary to combat the sadness. She tookthe invitation from Isabel and held it up in declaration. She wouldn’t run fromthis. She couldn’t. “I’ll be there. I need to be.” Three pairs of shocked eyeslooked her way. She raised a calming hand. “I’ll be fine. It’s probably theclosure I need. If it’s okay with you guys, though, I think I’m gonna cut out ofBreakfast Club a little early this morning. I think I need to work.”

“Of course,” Hadley said, but Autumn wasalready up and moving on shaky legs, knowing that tears were only moments away.

Damn birthdays and weddings and all occasionswith cake.

Just damn them.

* * *

“Oh, man. Is that Kate What’s-Her-Name? Ithink it is,” a male voice said, a few yards down the sidewalk on a sunny dayin Slumberton, Oregon. “The one from the news? Remember?”

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