Bed of Roses Page 0,23

arrived early for a scheduled afternoon staff meeting. She cut through Laurel's kitchen, where her friend was arranging a plate of cookies beside a small fruit and cheese platter.

"I'm out of Diet Coke," Emma announced and opened the fridge to take one. "I'm out of almost everything because I keep forgetting my car battery is dead as disco."

"Did you call the garage?"

"That, at least, I remembered to do about ten minutes ago. When I confessed - under expert interrogation by the guy - that I've owned the car for four years, have never taken it in for a tune-up, couldn't remember exactly the last time, if ever, I've had the oil changed or some computer chip check job thing and other car business I don't remember now, he said he'd have it picked up, taken in."

Pouting a little, she popped the top and drank straight from the can. "I sort of felt as if I'd been holding my car hostage and he's releasing it. He made me feel like even more of an idiot than Jack did. I want a cookie."

"Help yourself."

Emma picked one up.

"Now I'm going to be without a car until he decides to give it back. If he does, and I'm not entirely sure he intends to."

"You've been without a car for over a week because your battery's dead."

"True, but I had the illusion of a car because it was sitting there. I guess I need to take the van and go to the grocery store, and the zillion other places I've put off going. I'm actually afraid to, as it occurred to me I've had the van for a year more than the car. It may rebel next."

Laurel tossed some pretty pastel mints on the cookie tray. "I know it's a crazy idea, but maybe once you get your car back, you can have the garage service the van."

Emma nibbled at the cookie. "The car guy tossed that idea in the hat. I need consolation. How about dinner and movie night?"

"Don't you have a date?"

"I canceled. I'm not in the mood."

Laurel blew hair out of her eyes, the better to stare in shock. "You're not in the mood for a date?"

"I have to get an early start tomorrow. Six hand-tied bouquets, and the bride's makes seven. That's a good six, seven hours of work. I have Tink coming in for half a day, so it cuts it back, but there's all the rest to put together for the Friday night event. And I spent most of the morning processing the flowers."

"That's never stopped you before. Are you sure you're feeling all right? You've been just a shade off."

"No, I'm fine. I'm good. I'm just not . . . in the mood for men."

"That couldn't include me." Delaney Brown walked in, lifted Emma off her feet to give her a resounding kiss. "Mmm. Sugar cookie."

Emma laughed. "Get your own."

He plucked one from the tray, grinned at Laurel. "Consider it part of my fee."

Going from experience, Laurel got out a Ziploc bag and began to fill it with cookies. "Are you in on the meeting?"

"No. I just had some legal business to go over with Parks."

Since it was there and so was he, Del went to the coffeepot.

He and Parker shared the dark brown hair, the dark blue eyes. What Laurel would have called their refined features were just a little more roughly carved on him. In the smoke gray pin-striped suit, Italian shoes, and Hermes tie, he looked every bit the successful Connecticut lawyer. The scion of the Connecticut Browns.

With the food prep complete, Laurel untied her baker's apron and hung it on a peg.

Del leaned on the counter. "I hear you kicked some ass with the Folk wedding last weekend."

"Do you know them?" Emma asked.

"Her parents are clients. I haven't had the pleasure - though from what Jack says that may be overstating - of meeting the new Mrs. Harrigan."

"You will when they file for divorce," Laurel said.

"Always the optimist."

"She's a nightmare. She sent Parker a critique list this morning. E-mailed from Paris. From her honeymoon."

"You're kidding!" Stunned, Emma gaped at Laurel. "It was perfect. Everything was perfect."

"The champagne could've been colder, the wait service faster, the sky bluer, and the grass greener."

"Well, she's just a bitch. After I gave her ten more roses. Not one, but ten ." Emma shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Everyone who was there, and who was an actual human, knows it was perfect. She can't spoil it."

"That's my