She took a careful sip, and winced. “Mmm…delicious. But very hot. I scorched my tongue.”

Maggie laughed. “It’s supposed to be hot.” Her eyes danced with amusement. “That’s why it’s called hot chocolate.”

Hannah’s pained expression smoothed into a gentle smile. It was so good to hear her friend laugh again, see the glow of happiness in Maggie’s face that had replaced the bitter hurt of betrayal of the previous summer.

“You really are in love this time,” Hannah said, taking another careful sip. “Aren’t you?”

“Yes…though I wouldn’t have believed it possible mere months ago…I really am in love.” Maggie heaved a contented sigh. Her eyes took on a dreamy look. “Mitch is so wonderful, so, so…”

“Everything Todd was not?” Hannah interjected, her normally husky voice lightened by expectation.

“Todd who?” Maggie asked with assumed innocence.

Hannah grinned, finally convinced her friend was back on track at last. “Oh, you know, Todd what’s-his-name, the jerk you were engaged to marry. The same jerk who eloped with his boss’s daughter.”

Maggie grimaced. “Oh, that jerk. Yes, Mitch is everything Todd was not.” Her lips formed a soft smile. “And a whole heck of a lot more.”

“Good.” Allowing herself to fully relax, Hannah settled more comfortably into the corner of the alcove. Smiling, she studied her friend’s radiant face. “You really are genuinely in love this time,” she murmured in tones of wonder. “Aren’t you?”

Maggie laughed. “Didn’t I just answer that question moments ago? Yes, Hannah, I am deeply, genuinely, madly, desperately, deliriously…

“Okay, okay,” Hannah broke in, holding up her hands and laughing. “I believe you.”

“About time.” Maggie laughed with her. “More hot chocolate? A cookie?”

“No, thank you.” Hannah shook her head. “I still have some chocolate-” she grimaced “-and I’ve already had too many cookies. They’re delicious.”