Free Nolan's Evolution by Sarah Brocious Page B

now Nolan is not around, so it’s pretty much a moot point!" Raina swallowed the last of her coffee, and motioned to the waiter.
                  "It is ridiculous," Emily growled. She smiled up at the cute waiter. "Can I ask you a question?"
                  He smiled. "Sure."
                  "You think the lady is pretty, don't you?"
                  "Oh God, Emily," Raina groaned.
                  "She’s beautiful," he agreed.
                  "If you were, say, dating her...and you got the opportunity to, ah..."
                  "EMILY!"
                  "Do the deed? Would you ever decline because of bad timing?"
                  He flushed, and then shook his head. "No better timing then the moment," he assured her, and hastily grabbed up Raina's cup. He gave her a wink.
                  Raina was mortified.
                  "See? It’s simply the craziest thing I have ever heard."
                  Donna was giggling behind her hand. She wasn’t sure if she should be comforting Raina, or smacking Emily’s hand.
                  "Why do I go anywhere with you?"
                  Emily smiled. "Because you love me! And I'm real!"
                  Raina smiled. "Ok, I will admit it has been nothing but craziness in my life since Nolan came into it. But he made me better...he helped me grow, and brought me out of a place I thought I'd stay forever."
                  Emily sobered and nodded. "He did."
                  "And it’s not all about sex anyway," Raina pouted. "Not that I'm opposed to it, of course."
                  Donna smiled. "Believe me, my husband being gone so long, you really do learn there is so much more than the physical portion to a relationship! Just hearing his voice on those phone calls home is enough to set my heart racing."
                  Raina squeezed her hand. She knew exactly what she meant.
                  "I should try time apart from Bradley then?" Emily quizzed.
                  Raina smirked. "You'd never last!"
                  Donna flew into a fit of the giggles. She was still in its throws when Melinda showed up.
                  Raina felt a leap of joy at her arrival. Yes, Emily was her best friend, but she felt she was a kindred spirit with Melinda.
    She stood to make introductions.
                  Raina could feel Emily’s apprehension. She prayed that there would not be an episode of jealousy here. She loved both women for completely different reasons. All she wanted was to see them get along.
                  “Melinda, I would like you to meet my best friend Emily.” Raina smiled, as Emily gave a genuine smile, and shook Melinda’s hand. “Emily, this is my new friend Melinda.” She also gave introductions to Donna.
                  “Very lovely to meet you both,” Melinda said graciously. She took a seat and offered another smile.
                  “Melinda has become my salvation at work! If I get too overwhelmed, I meet with the sixth grade creative writing teacher,” Raina laughed. “I don’t know how we didn’t meet her sooner in our little town,” she admitted.
                  Emily regarded Melinda carefully. “You do look familiar! Your father was…”
                  “Grant Fletcher,” Melinda offered. “Many years passed.”
                  Emily ducked her head. “I remember him! He was one of the electricians who helped Bradley when he was first building. A very charming man.”
                  Melinda smiled. “He was, thank you.” She lifted her eyes to the kitchen and smiled. She gave a slight wave.
    Raina peeked over her shoulder. "Is Rachel working today?" She turned toward her two other