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“They are,” Autumn said, laughing. “They were wondering why theyhadn’t laid eyes on you yet this afternoon. This morning was so long ago inbaby time.”

“It feels like an eternity has passed,” Hadley said, desperately.Per Autumn’s rules, she quickly washed her hands before handling the babies.“Are they talking yet? Have they said Auntie Hadley is our best friend? If not,we can keep working on it.”

“Shockingly, no. They did, however, master crying in tandem forforty-five minutes and then staring in amazement at the light show the mobileputs on. Will, in particular, makes eyes at it. He’s learning to flirt.”

“Because my William notices everything! It’s his gift. Hi,Care-Bear,” Hadley said, scooping tiny Carrie up from where she lay in her Rock’n Play. She was swaddled snugly and the cutest baby in all the world as sheblinked up at Hadley. Her hair was starting to show red highlights in theblond, maybe signaling that she would take after her mother’s red locks in theend.

“Have you noticed that Izzie seems quieter than usual lately?”Autumn asked, as Hadley made her goofiest of faces. Of their group of friends,Autumn was the consummate mother hen, eagerly observant and watching over theothers. “She nodded along at Breakfast Club this morning, but it was clear shewas distracted. Her head is somewhere. I just hope it’s somewhere good.”

Hadley was torn between putting Autumn’s fears to rest and holdingon to Isabel’s confidence. She trusted her gut and went with the latter. “Ithink she’s just tired, you know? They pull some crazy hours at the studio andshe probably needs a break.”

Autumn tapped her chin. “I don’t know. It feels like more.”

“I’m sure if it is, we’ll hear about it soon enough. You’re such asweetheart, though, always looking out for us.”

“Well, someone has to. Speaking of looking after people, my newhire quit yesterday. I have an interview this afternoon with their potentialreplacement.”

“Is this moonwalking-barista we’re talking about? Orsmells-way-too-much-like-mint girl?”

“Mint girl,” Autumn said. “She thinks coffee just isn’t in herblood, to which I scoffed and politely accepted her resignation, because whatkind of person is she anyway? A lunatic. That’s what kind. I mean, seriously,she should go find a mint farm somewhere and live out her days chewing gum andwearing coats.”

“I’m sure she would leap at that suggestion.” Hadley smiled atAutumn’s fiercely loyal stance when it came to coffee and its importance in thescheme of life. She would go toe-to-toe with anyone who argued differently.While she was still checking in daily on the happenings at the Cat’s Pajamas,she’d left Steve in charge so she could spend the twins’ first few weeks athome with them before slowly rotating herself back onto the schedule. She andKate had secured a nanny they liked very much, who would help watch the kiddoswhen both parents were at work. Luckily, with Autumn just next door, she couldpeek in on them and kiss their tiny cheeks whenever she wanted.

“So, what’s new with you?” Autumn asked.

“I have a date tonight,” Hadley said. “A real one. Not just onewith my television.”

“Get out of my apartment. You do? I miss the outside world. Whatdoes it look like? Who is your date? Will you go to a restaurant with a menuand not a drive-thru? What kind?” Autumn rested her chin in her hand and lookedup at Hadley, who’d swapped out Carrie for Will, like she held the keys to thekingdom.

“You know, I’m thinking we need to work on a night out for you andKate soon. You’ve been cooped up in here too long.”

“Are you serious?”

“Very.”

“You’re like a blond Mother Teresa,” Autumn said, nearly moved totears. Sleep deprivation tended to bring Autumn’s emotions to the surface,Hadley had learned, and then stirred them up like a big stew.

“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve heard that,” Hadley said, with aproud smile.

“Tell me about your date so I can live vicariously through you.Tell me. Tell me.”

“It’s with Spencer. Remember, we had the business meeting atPajamas a couple weeks back?”

Autumn reached for Carrie, who’d begun to whimper. “I knew it. Youwere so into her that day, like a little hummingbird to her nectar.”

Hadley felt the familiar tingle move through her. “Well, thehummingbird’s wings are still a-flapping.”

“This story just keeps giving. Don’t slow down.”

Hadley could oblige. “We went to a jazz club the other night, somaybe this is date two.”

“We’re counting it,” Autumn said vehemently. “Two it is.”

Hadley shook her head. “I’m the opposite of a pro at this, though,Autumn, and really feeling the learning curve. The last time I went on a datewas the woman from the online dating site who talked for hours about theinsects on her patio and the factions they’d formed. That I could handle. Thishas me all wobbly. We don’t even have a destination tonight.”

“Wobbly is a good sign, though. Embrace it. Oh! There’s a whiskeytasting at that cute little new age shop not far from here.”

“Really?” Hadley nodded a few times, considering the option.Imagining it playing out.