Page 56 of Spindrift

“NormallyI’d say no.” Cafes rarely offered espresso con panna without prompting. Hernonna had made it like that when she went to visit her in Italy, and it seemedfitting to drink it here in memory of her grandmother and her father.

“Butyou’ve got that paint taste to get rid of.”

“Exactly.”

“Whipfor the pup?”

“Asa vet, I can’t really condone that.”

“You’venever given her whipped cream?”

Emilialooked down at her dog, who gazed adoringly back up at her.What the hell,she thought. “A small cup. And don’t tell anyone.”

“Mylips are sealed,” said Stormy, and she shot whipped cream into a sample cupwith a flourish.

Emilialaughed in delight as Nell’s pupils dilated so widely they nearly swallowed heririses. The greyhound’s narrow snout shoved its way into the cup with the kindof joy only experienced by dogs and small children.

“How’syour boat?”

Emiliawaited for the sound of the coffee grinder to fade before responding. “Haven’thad a chance to find out. And there’s a hole in my skiff.” Morgan had promisedto help her mend it, she remembered. Maybe she could use that as an excuse totalk to her about mending other things—or rather, avoiding breakage alltogether.

“Skiffsare the little rowboats, right?”

“Skiff,dinghy, rowboat . . . I’ve never been sure if there was a difference betweenthem or not. My dad used the words interchangeably.”

“Eitherway, they scare the hell out of me.” Stormy slid the espresso across thecounter. “Especially ones with holes.”

Emiliaretreated to her corner and drank the espresso while she contemplated her lunchoptions. Nell eyed the whipped cream on top hopefully.Sandwich, panini, salad,muffin. . . all she could think about was Morgan.

ER:Can I take you up on that boat repair?

Shehit send. No point putting things off.

Herbagel was nearly gone by the time Morgan replied.

MD:You free tonight?

ER:I could be.

MD:Good. Then I’ll text you when I’m off.

Emilialaid her hand over her phone and felt the bagel solidifying in her stomach.Maybe that hadn’t been such a good idea after all.

Itvibrated again.

MD:Afternoon appointment just canceled. You free now?

Shechecked her reflection in the café bathroom mirror, using the break as anexcuse to put off responding for another minute. Paint spattered her hair. TheT-shirt she wore had belonged to her father, and the pants had seen too muchbleach in their lifetime to hold much claim on the color black.

Good. If she didn’t feel sexy, maybeshe’d manage to keep her cool.

ER:Yeah. I’m in town.

MD:Meet me at the dock in 20.

“No,”she said to Nell, who was sniffing the toilet with curiosity. The word summedup most of her own feelings, too.No to all of this. No to Morgan, no togood sense, no to inhibition. She splashed water on her flushed face, gatheredher dog, and made her way down to the dock.

Morganarrived in the clinic truck without Stevie. The ensuing blend of relief anddread dried her mouth.

---