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If you think of anything I can do without, you know, getting involved, let me know.”
    â€œSure,” he said. “She says she’s over it, by the way. Your feud.”
    â€œMe, too,” Riley said. “But still...”
    â€œShe said that, too.”
    Riley smiled at her dear friend. They’d been the three musketeers in high school—Emma, Lyle and Riley. She gave a quiet laugh and shook her head. “Can I buy the man in the middle a drink?” she asked.
    â€œBy all means,” Lyle said. “I think she’s forgiven you by now.”
    â€œGood to know. I still hate her, but I’m not mad at her anymore.”
    â€œOh, great.” He started turning off lights. “Let’s go drink.”
    * * *
    Riley stopped by the grocery after a glass of wine with Lyle. They’d been friends for a long time. Usually threesomes don’t work very well, but in this case, Lyle being a guy and all, there was no issue. At least not until Emma and Riley had their epic breakup. Then Lyle was stuck in the middle, trying not to take sides. He’d managed to remain loyal to both women for sixteen years.
    She was lost in thought, her hand absently palming a honeydew melon.
    â€œI’m not sure if you’re going to bowl with that or put it in your cart,” a male voice said.
    She looked up and smiled. She’d seen this guy before. Starbucks, maybe. “Sorry,” she said, taking the melon, though she didn’t really want it.
    â€œThey look good today, don’t they?” he asked. “Hey, do you know where I can find roasted peppers? Fire roasted,” he said, consulting a list.
    She shook herself for a second, coming back to grocery land and leaving thoughts of poor Lyle and their triangle far behind. “Um, over there with the olives are some prepared in the jar. That’s all I know about.”
    â€œArtichoke hearts?”
    â€œSame place in the jar, or some in the frozen section.”
    â€œParmesan?”
    She smiled at him. He was very good-looking. “You’re making artichoke dip, aren’t you? Let me see that,” she said. She glanced over the recipe. “There aren’t any roasted peppers in this recipe.”
    â€œI know—it’s for something else. I’m just picking them up for a...a neighbor.”
    â€œThank goodness. Okay, be sure the artichokes are packed in water, add a half cup of mozzarella, a sprinkle of chili powder and a cup of chopped spinach and some lucky woman will propose.”
    â€œDynamite. Thank you,” he said, turning to go. Then he turned back and said, “Chili powder?”
    â€œWith the spices. Not too much, now.” She blessed him with a sweet smile. Then she resumed her vegetable shopping. Hmm , she thought. A straight guy in the grocery store. If he were gay, he’d know how to make artichoke dip.
    Her thoughts fled instantly back to Emma and Lyle. Well, they were going to have to share Lyle. He was the best friend she had.

Chapter Three
    Emma faced an entirely new set of priorities. She was able to pick up extra hours at Burger Purgatory and in her spare time she looked for a better or second job. They kept her hours just under full-time to save costs on benefits, but she had to buy health insurance anyway—it was now the law. Terrified to touch that emergency money she had stowed away, she was stretching her money as far as it would go—rent for Penny took the top position because she was certain the elderly darling needed it. Plus, she needed a place to live while she starved to death. Utilities for her little bungalow was second and she conserved dramatically, even shortening the length of her hot showers, which was a huge sacrifice as she now smelled like French fries all the time. Car insurance and gas came next and only then did she buy food. She did manage to eat at the burger joint sometimes, though that was problematic. First of all, it