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"That’s it I have hter, and from now on it’ll be just the two of us As soon as I find another job, I’et an apartment and move there and live on my own, free of my brothers and free ofhiood time to ask you out on a date, then, would it?"

Her head reared back in surprise and she srinned up at her "As ain her small office at the library when Sally Overland, a recent hire, knocked politely at her half-open door Grace wondered how she’d be able to concentrate on the endless stack of paperwork if she was constantly interrupted The one, and she’d hardly made a dent

"Come in," she called None of her other assistants would’ve waited for permission

Sally stuck her head in the door "There’s someone by the name of Olivia who’s here to see you She said she’s a friend"

Grace leaped to her feet, nearly upending her chair "Olivia’s here?"

Sally, as young and so in confidence, widened her eyes "Yes I hope I did the right thing I told her you were busy, but she said you wouldn’t mind"

"Of course I don’t mind"

Sally stepped aside and Olivia entered the office wearing her long black wool coat and a bright red knit cap

Grace walked around her desk and gave her closest friend a careful hug Olivia was pale, but then she had been forhere?" Grace demanded

"What do you ht back a library book and wanted to see if you’d had lunch yet"

"No Do you feel good enough to be out and about?"

"Yes I wouldn’t be here otherwise," Olivia stated with perfect logic "Where would you like to go?"

"You choose," Grace said She knew Olivia didn’t have much of an appetite and whatever appealed to her was fine with Grace

Olivia shrugged "Anyplace will do What sounds good is a cup of tea"

"That’s all?"

"Maybe some soup"

"Pot Belly Deli?"

"Great"

Olivia sether they headed toward the main library door Grace quickly told Sally where she’d be

Although the deli was less than three blocks away, Grace insisted on driving She didn’t want Olivia to risk catching a chill while her immune system was compromised because of the cancer treatet tired out from the walk

Just before Christmas, Olivia had been hospitalized with a massive infection A shiver of fear skittered down Grace’s spine at theher No, she wasn’t taking any chances

"You’re treating me as if I’m made of porcelain," Olivia complained, but not too strenuously, Grace noted

"Don’t waste your breath arguing"

"You alere bossy," Olivia said as she slid into the passenger seat

"Uh-huh" Grace wasn’t about to let her friend have the last word

Thankfully, she found a parking spot directly in front of the deli It was late enough that the noon crowd had left, so they had their pick of tables

As soon as they were seated, Grace s waitress "What’s your soup for today?"

"Creahteen, told her

"We’ll both have that," Grace said

"With tea," Olivia added "Earl Grey, please"

The girl made a notation on the pad and disappeared Once she was out of earshot, Olivia leaned forward "Moot the best broccoli soup recipe I think she had it here first and then went home and created her own version Myshow, don’t you think?"

Grace laughed "Can’t you picture it? Chef Charlotte uests" She removed her scarf and unfastened her coat, then folded it over the back of her chair "She’d be terrific And she can"She believes in cooking with quality ingredients--and love"

"I’ve only seen your ood time?"