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Leighton grinned. “I think I agree with you without ever having giving it explicit consideration. But yes, a big, plentiful salad is always worth my time. If you add some crunch, a sunflower seed addition, I’m even happier.”

“Definitely throw in all the complementary ingredients you have. But nary a tomato in a small lifeless bowl? No thank you. I’ll take the fries and pay the metabolism gods later.”

“I’ve always appreciated your take on food.” They smiled at each other, and Jamie went against her own rules and allowed herself to enjoy it.

“What else is there to live for?”

Leighton set down her glass of water and seemed to work on swallowing the drink she’d taken. She reached for her napkin and laughed. “You say that with such bravado. Some people might argue thatpeopleare worth living for. The connections we make to one another. Romance. Excitement. Visiting the Eiffel Tower at sunset after a fantastic bottle of wine.”

“Are there big salads in France?” Jamie waved off her own comment. “Ignore me. I recently broke up with my girlfriend, so romance is the farthest thing from my mind.”

Leighton’s eyes went wide, signaling surprise. Finally, she nodded, absorbing. “I’m sorry.”

“I am. And I’m not.” Jamie shrugged. “Compatibility is apparently a real and vital thing. She’s good people, just not good for me.”

“And what’s good for you?” Leighton said the words with soft care, but they still put Jamie on alert. She much preferred the salad conversation to anything that might give Leighton a peek inside.

Jamie gestured to the window. “I think we’re forgetting ourselves. We’re supposed to be scouting the neighborhood.”

Leighton sat taller and turned. “Right. We veered. My fault.” She gave her head a shake, and Jamie stole a glimpse of the blond hair settling on her shoulders.

She swallowed and ordered her brain to readjust. “Lot of bikers. And beautiful people.”

“Actors scurrying from one audition to the next.”

Jamie smiled. “If we open up here, we might be able to consider ourselves in show business.”

“We can and will.”

“Check out the calves on that guy. Yep, definitely a dancer.”

“Jessica’s cousin is an actress.”

“That’s right!” Jamie said. “I forgot completely. Does Jessica know we’re, you know, in business together?”

“I gave her the drive-by version, but she wants details the next time we have drinks.”

“And where will that be? I sell wine, you know. And soon, you will, too.”

Leighton’s lips parted. “I never really considered that angle. All wine and coffee bars are now my new competition.” She set her fork down gently. “To answer your question, we usually go to Puzzles.”

At the mention of the spot, Jamie felt the slightest tingle up her spine. She remained still, not giving even a shoulder wiggle in response. “Oh. I haven’t been back there since…”

“Really?”

“Nope.”

Leighton nodded. “And I go all the more.” She sipped her icedwater. “A perfect example of how two people can have opposite reactions to the same kind of loss.”

“The neighborhood.” She gestured to the window. “Remember?”

“Right. But you were the one who asked.”

“Ignore me next time.” They moved back into the business lane and stayed there for the next hour. As always, they had an easy give-and-take. Neither came with a larger-than-life personality, and there was no wrestling for the floor. It was honestly refreshing. Jamie could admit that.

“So, are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Leighton asked as they stood from the table.

Jamie hugged herself, savoring the certainty of the moment at hand. “It all feels meant to be. I don’t know how to describe it other than that. The timing. The committee. What you bring. What I bring. The location.”