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for an author no one had ever heard about before.
    "This guy must have a hell of a publicist," he grumbled. Checking his watch, he realized it was almost noon. The line would probably move quickly once the signing began. He needed to think about what he wanted to say. He could hardly confront Malone in front of all these people. He'd never expected it to be this crowded.
    "Oh, no!" Natalie said.
    What now? He followed her gaze to the slightly overweight woman crossing the street. Of average height, she had short dark blond hair that just touched her shoulders. She wore black pants and a matching jacket. A heavy black purse hung from one shoulder and she carried a copy of the novel in her hand. Dark glasses covered her eyes, but he had the distinct feeling he knew her.
    "Laura," Natalie muttered, putting her hand on his arm. "I think that's Laura Hart. She's coming this way."
    Cole didn't know if he was more unsettled by Natalie's touch or by the appearance of another member of the Fabulous Four. "It might not be her." He took a step back, putting a good foot between them.
    "It's her. I'd know that walk anywhere."
    Laura suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. She stared at them for a moment, then slipped off her sunglasses to reveal a pair of familiar brown eyes. "Natalie? Is that you?"
    Cole waited for Natalie's reply. But she couldn't seem to say a word. She just stood there and stared at Laura as if unable to believe her eyes. Finally, she cleared her throat and said, "Yes, it's me."
    "I can't believe it. It's been so long." Laura's gaze moved to Cole. Her eyes widened even further. "Cole Parish? You're here, too? You're together? I thought that ended years ago, and—"
    "We're not together," Natalie said quickly. "I ran into Cole last night—by accident. He came into the emergency room at St. Timothy's. I'm a doctor there."
    "You live and work right here in San Francisco? Are you kidding me?" Laura shook her head in amazement. "I live on the Peninsula, in Atherton. I had no idea we were so close." She paused. "I've thought about you so many times in the past ten years, Natalie, I can't even tell you. And here you are. You look good, too, exactly the same. I would have recognized you anywhere."
    "I wouldn't go that far, but you look good, too, Laura."
    "I have two kids now, daughters. Oh, and I married Drew McKinney. Can you believe it?" she asked with a proud smile.
    "You always said you would. How is he?"
    "He's wonderful. He's an attorney and maybe a soon-to-be politician."
    Cole thought politics sounded right up McKinney's alley. He'd met the man a few times when he'd visited Emily and Natalie in Santa Cruz, and he'd pegged Drew as a slick player, the kind of man who didn't mind cutting corners. He was surprised Drew had married a girl-next-door type like Laura. He wouldn't have put money on their relationship lasting this long.
    "This line is really long," Laura said, taking a moment to look around. "I didn't imagine there would be so many people here."
    "I didn't, either," Natalie muttered.
    Laura's expression turned somber. "Since you're here, I assume you've both read the book?"
    "I've read some of it," Natalie replied. "Cole hasn't started it yet."
    "Really? It was reviewed in your paper," Laura said.
    That again. At least it was nice to know people were reading the paper. "That's probably the only page I don't read," he said. "Do you think it's Emily's story?"
    Laura nodded. "Yes. Reading it is like taking a bad trip down memory lane. Don't you think so, Natalie?"
    "Absolutely," Natalie agreed. "Do you know anything about Garrett Malone?"
    "No. That's why I came. I wanted to see him in person. Maybe talk to him about the story. I never expected to run into you two." She took a breath. "Are you married, Natalie?"
    "No. I've been too busy for that."
    Cole turned away from Laura's questioning eyes. He didn't feel like sharing details about his personal life. Just being with Natalie and Laura felt wrong. He'd never