Page 27

“That’s what I’m here for.” I smile at her as she writes. “Almost forgot you were a cat lady.”

She glances up at me and narrows her eyes.

“I love cats,” I blurt out.

Before she can answer, Melissa is back with another sample. “Now, this is our delicious strawberry shortcake, layered with buttercream frosting and topped with white chocolate-dipped strawberries. Enjoy.” She doesn’t stick around this time to wait for our reactions, so I don’t have to fake anything, but this cake is way more up my alley anyway.

“This one is amazing.” I take a second bite. “I could eat ten slices of this.”

“Yes, it’s berry good.” She doesn’t look at me, but I can see a slight smile on her face as she goes in for seconds too.

I smirk. “We could ask her to write something cute on top. Something along the lines of ‘I’m berry sorry for your loss’?”

Robin snorts, and for some reason, it’s incredibly endearing. “Honestly? From what I’ve gathered from your great-aunt, she would love that.”

“Oh, she would.”

“What if we––” She stops as she drops her fork on the ground. “Oops.”

I quickly get up and get her another one from the counter.

“Sorry,” she says, accepting the clean fork.

“Nothing to be sorry for.”

Melissa seems to become more excited with every cake she brings out. “Alright, this one is fancy. Two layers with banana, pineapple, and pecans, frosted and decorated with cream cheese frosting with chopped pecans and a gold leaf garnishing the top.”

The door opens, and another jingle announces a new customer. An elderly woman enters, and Melissa quickly excuses herself, so we get to taste-test another slice in peace.

“Is the gold leaf edible? I’m surprised she even put one on this slice.” Robin studies it intently.

“Maybe she just wanted us to know what it would look like.” I gently pick it up and give it a closer look. “Do you be leaf in the afterlife?”

“Oh my God, stop.” Robin laughs. “And don’t touch it with your dirty hands.” She smacks me on the arm.

“My hands aren’t dirty. Personally, I’m just very interested what a funeral home employee thinks about the afterlife.”

“Well, I think there is no afterlife. The lights go out and it’s dark and we’re gone forever. Happy?”

I grin at her. “Very. I love that you’re a positive thinker. Do you voice that opinion to all the people that come to you for funeral arrangements?”

“Haha,” she quips. “To be honest, I don’t know what to be leaf. What do you think happens?”

“Easy. We get reincarnated, but into a parallel universe where we’re still the same person.”

“That sounds like something my best friend Kora would say.” She chuckles.

Oh, Kora, who probably told you awful things about me?

“How long have the two of you been friends?”

She takes another bite of the cake. “We’ve been friends ever since I moved here. I met her at Bean Me Up, and when she found out that I wasn’t a tourist, she insisted on showing me around.” Robin smiles. “I was a little hesitant. I was still settling in, and I wasn’t quite ready to befriend people yet, but I couldn’t say no to her.”

I nod. “She has that effect on people it seems.”

“You know her?”

“Not really. I remember her from school, but we weren’t friends or anything.”