Page 63 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

"Oh?"

"I owe you lunch."

I let out a quiet laugh.

"You don't owe me anything."

"I do."

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do."

Her voice was playfully firm, and for a moment, I almost forgot who she was.

"Yesterday wasn't exactly the warm welcome I wanted to give my newest neighbor."

"You didn't uproot your own flowers."

She chuckled.

"No, but I still feel like I should apologize."

"There's nothing to apologize for."

I leaned against the kitchen island.

"But what did you have in mind?"

"Lunch."

"Today?"

"If you're free."

I looked at the clock above the stove.

"I am."

"My house."

There was a short pause.

"I've already started cooking."

That didn’t surprise me. Camille always seemed happiest when she was looking after someone, or at least pretending to.

"I'd love to."

"Wonderful."

"Noon?"

"I'll be there."

"I'll see you then, Maci."

"See you soon."