Absolutely Not in Love (Sweater Weather, #7; Appies, #2)

by Jenny Proctor

Gracie follows my gaze, motioning the woman forward. “This is my best friend, Summer. She wanted to meet you,” she says pointedly. “Oh. Okay, cool,” I say, though the look on Summer’s face says this isn’t entirely the truth. “Um, are you a hockey fan?” She smiles politely. “Not really. Just keeping an eye on Gracie. Since you’re her only neighbor, I thought it important to get a read on you.” She levels me with a serious look. I hold her gaze, recognizing immediately that this is more than just a friendly greeting. It feels like some sort of test. I have no idea what it’s for or why, but if it has anything to do with Gracie, I definitely want to pass. “Summer is a defense attorney,” Gracie says, and suddenly her friend’s scrutiny makes a little more sense. I extend my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Summer. Any friend of Gracie’s is a friend of mine.” Gracie wobbles on her feet the slightest bit, and she grabs the door frame to steady herself. “She came all the way from Silver Creek to see my symphony concert tonight,” she says. “Wasn’t that so nice of her?” There’s a looseness to Gracie’s demeanor that I’ve never noticed before, and I wonder if she’s had something to drink. My eyes dart to Summer, who is standing just behind Gracie, and she makes a motion with her hands, miming taking a drink, then holds up her finger and thumb a few inches apart from each other, confirming that Gracie has at least had enough that Summer feels like she needs to warn me. I’m torn between wan...