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They soon finished dinner, and Corin brought out the desserts Ezekiel and Prudence provided. Angela, Prudence, and Violette each helped themselves to half a slice of both the pumpkin cheesecake and pecan pie. Corin nursed a slice of pecan pie, and Ezekiel abstained from desert to instead entertain the table with other bass-baritone arias—much to Corin’s annoyance. The last course concluded, and Angela offered to brew coffee for everyone.

She’d just finished preparing the coffee and was pouring it into mugs when Violette joined her in the kitchen. “Do you need help carrying the cups or anything?”

“No, I have a tray.” Angela gestured to the serving plate. “But thanks.”

“Okay.” Violette looked out into the lounge area where Corin was showing Ezekiel and Prudence his record collection. Violette scratched her elbow—Angela recalled her doing the same thing the other night at the museum and guessed it was a nervous tick, similar to how Angela pinched her fingertips when she was fidgety.

“Are you having a good time?” Angela asked, pouring the last cup.

Violette nodded. “Um, can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.” Angela offered a cup to Violette.

“Thanks.” Violette held the cup in both hands and bit her lip. “Why did you invite me tonight?” She lowered her head. “Not that I’m unappreciative or anything, it’s just … you don’t really know me and … I don’t know. Sorry, this was a dumb question.”

“You were nice to me at the museum,” Angela answered. “Remember? When Stephen said all that nonsense outside the ladies’ room? Some women in your position would have blamed me for what happened—taken their boyfriend’s side.”

“I guess, but that would’ve been stupid.” Violette brushed some of her short hair behind her ear and fell silent for a moment. “I don’t feel bad about the breakup at all. How sad is that? Three years together, and I don’t miss him at all.”

“And that’s bad?” Angela set the tray of coffee on the peninsula counter where the others could get it, but she delayed calling them over to let Violette finish what she had to say.

“Sort of.” Violette sipped her coffee. “I don’t know. Steve was my first boyfriend, and I just wanted our relationship to be … special. Like what you and Edgar have.”

Angela was lifting her own cup to her lips and almost dropped it. “Sorry, what?”

Violette shrugged. “You and Edgar. Why are you staring at me like that?”

Angela gave a nervous laugh. “We’re not dating. Ezekiel and I are just friends.”

“Oh.” Violette looked between Angela and Ezekiel. “Sorry, I just assumed you … I mean, the way you two smile at each other, and … and it seemed like you were on a date at the museum. I don’t know. You just seem so happy and in sync together.”

Angela looked out to the lounge. Ezekiel was chuckling at something Prudence had said, and his twinkling eyes met hers. Her heart swelled with affection. “He’s a wonderful person, and I love spending time with him.” She turned back to Violette. “But no, we’re not in that kind of relationship, as much as I would love to be.”

“Is it because he’s older than you?”

By about four-hundred years, Angela thought. “That’s part of it. It’s complicated.”

Violette gave a slow nod, eyes wandering to the tray of coffee mugs. “We should get these to the others before they get cold.”

“Yeah.” Angela waved to the others and called out. “Coffee’s done.”

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