"But you were very popular at Egret Pointe High," Rina said. "And you were the class president for four years running."

"No one else wanted the job." Emily laughed. "Katy and Joe were king and queen popular. I was the likable nerd. Oh, I went to pep rallies, and games, and even a couple of dances. But I never let a boy get too close. And then I did college in three years too. Wellesley, like my mother. No boys at Wellesley." She chuckled. "And then just before I graduated Aaron sold my first book to Stratford, and the rest is history. I was a writer. I had a career, and no time for men. Actually, when I see some of the girls I went to school with I don't think I've missed a whole lot."

"You can't miss what you don't know, sweetie," Rina said as she swung off the parkway onto the Egret Pointe exit. "Or maybe you do know?" she probed.

Emily laughed. "I'll take the Fifth," she said. "Besides it makes me more mysterious to guard my privacy. People wonder just what I am guarding. And I don't want you selling my story to the Star."

"As if," Rina answered her. "Want to eat supper with Sam and me?"

"Thanks, but I'll take a rain check," Emily said. "I always get so keyed up when I have to make these city trips, and today was a shocker. I've got to sit quietly with some wine, and think about what happened. And my new editor is coming up this weekend, but don't you dare tell a soul, Rina!"

"What's he coming for?" the older woman wanted to know.

"He wants to work with me, and help me to direct the new story into a sexier mode," Emily said.

"And just how is he going to do that?" Rina queried, waggling her newly plucked eyebrows suggestively.

"I don't know," Emily said. "Writing sexy is a whole new ball game for me."

"Where is he staying? The Inn or the Motel 6?" Rina asked.

"He's staying with me," Emily said.

"Aha!" Rina exclaimed, pulling to a stop before Emily's house.