Lyndsey Cole - Lily Bloom 03 - Roses are Dead by Lyndsey Cole Page B

upstairs in her apartment above the café, Ibis jumped off her dog bed and wagged her entire body, thrilled to see her favorite person. Kori patted Ibis on the head before picking up her phone.
    Then she read the text from Nora, Ready to go to the lake?
    They were both bringing their dogs to Thrush Lake for an easy afternoon since they were both all ready for the weekend. Kori wrote back, Pick us up? They would all easily fit into Nora’s pickup truck but Kori’s Subaru wouldn’t be quite big enough.
    Kori’s phone chirped again and she read, On our way.
    Kori knew she didn’t have to change since it was hot for June and she’d just get sweaty on their short hike. Instead, she picked up Ibis’ leash and headed to the front door, ready to leave the café behind for the afternoon. They only had to wait a few minutes before Nora rolled to a stop just outside the café.
    “It’s like you have a weekend off,” Nora said, smiling.
    Kori led Ibis around to the back of the truck where Milo and Otis were excitedly prancing on their toes, ready for Ibis to join them. With Ibis safely in the back with her dog friends, Kori climbed into the passenger seat and Nora headed north toward the lake.
    “Almost. It will be nice to work outside for a change,” Kori said, thinking how lucky Nora was to have been able to create her job outside. Red Clover Farm was one of Kori’s favorite places to be, and not only because her best friend owned it.
    “Nothing better than absorbing all that vitamin D while I work.” Nora chuckled. “You’re all ready for tomorrow morning then?”
    “Yup. I have the waffle maker, portable gas stove and two cast iron pans packed in my trunk already. The batters and pies are already made and I just have to bring everything over in the morning. Since I won’t be the only booth offering food, it’s a little more relaxing.”
    “I don’t know how you do it day after day after day. All the cooking for everyone in town,” Nora said as she drove. “I love being able to not talk to anyone. Except the days you come over—that’s a nice break from just talking to the dogs.” They both laughed.
    Kori understood Nora’s surprise but she wouldn’t change her job for anything. She loved the short interactions she had with all of her customers, catching up on anything that was happening in town, and especially cooking delicious food that she was proud of and that she could see made people happy. Even visitors from out of town flocked to the café, and Kori was sure that it had something to do with her, not just the food.
    “But anyway,” Nora continued, “what’s up with you and Mr. I’m-Head-Over-Heels-In-Love?”
    Kori smirked. “Oh please. Zach’s not in love with me.”
    “I don’t know why you keep denying that.”
    Nora parked her truck in one of the very few parking spots left near the lake—everyone was enjoying the beautiful afternoon on the lake—and they both grabbed their leashes for the dogs. They didn’t want to risk having a dog run up to greet a non-dog person.
    “I’m not denying anything that’s not there,” Kori said as she clipped the leash onto Ibis’ collar. Ibis jumped out of the back of the pickup and started sniffing every single blade of grass. “We’re having fun getting to know each other … in a new way.”
    “In a new way,” Nora mocked, swaying her hips and waving her hands near her head. Milo and Otis were clipped onto their leashes and jumped out of the back, following Ibis and sniffing and peeing on everything.
    “Well, we’ve known each other just about our whole lives. But not … like this. I mean, did you know that Zach never went to camp on Thrush Lake? I spent every summer here. I assumed every kid from Hermit Cove did. But he didn’t.”
    Nora ignored the part about camp. “What do you mean you’ve known each other but not like this? Is he spending nights at your place now?”
    “No. But we’ve had some late nights.” Kori blushed and