Chapter Seven
chapter seven
MAY
“You need to find someone, principessa !” Vanessa taps the bar top multiple times for emphasis.
“No, I don’t, Vanessa. Plenty of women do just fine on their own. Look at Nora.”
She looks at her friend beside her. “Nora is a lonely old woman.”
“Oi!” Nora smacks her arm.
I chuckle as I watch the two of them. Nora and Vanessa are like my adoptive grandmothers. They’re a part of my everyday life, considering they come to the bar for margaritas more nights of the week than not. I see Nora more here than I do at her art gallery. And I go there a lot, visiting Isla whenever I have an afternoon off.
Vanessa slaps her back. “It’s true! I wouldn’t have to hang out with you so much if you had a man friend.”
“You act as if you would survive seven nights a week alone with your husband, cara . We both know you’d go mad.”
“Mad with desire maybe,” she says, her eyes glaze over lustfully. “That man’s still got it the same way he did when we were in our twenties.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re still gettin’ it, Vanessa,” I laugh .
“You could get it too, you know?”
“Just because I’m single doesn’t mean I’m not gettin’ it,” I say. “Isn’t that right, Nora?”
Her cheeks blush quicker than Vanessa can whip her head in her friend's direction.
“Nora! Who? What have you been keeping from me?”
I laugh as I take my escape, slipping away from the conversation as they start arguing in Italian.
I’m not the first to be struck by one of Vanessa’s matchmaking conversations. Marina’s mom is taking full credit for Isla and Caio getting together, saying that she planted the idea in both of their heads. I’m just lucky I got away. Those two are notorious for sticking their nose in everyone’s business, and it’s even worse when they’ve got a few drinks in their systems.
I wipe down a few tables as the night winds down. I’ve got my routine down after being here for a while now. I have my regulars, and it’s truly starting to feel like home.
My head starts to ache just behind my eyes, the throbbing not easing until I chug a glass of water when I’m back behind the counter. It’s been a couple of days since the deadly drinking competition, but my headache hasn’t seemed to want to let go of its grip.
I used to get terrible migraines when I was younger. Every time my period came around, I’d be stuck on the couch, my whole body aching for the first couple of days. That’s all stopped since I went on contraception, the periods, the migraines, all of it. I never wanted the chance of any guy being able to knock me up whenever he so pleases. Not that any contraceptive is a hundred percent safe, but I couldn’t imagine going all natural. I admire the way that some women have been able to figure their bodies out to know each phase of their cycles and when they are, but I don’t want to risk it. Another part of me that my biological father influenced, plus I’ve had one of those scares before and I don’t ever want to have another one. Not with the way the last one played out .
“You alright honey?” Nora asks from across the bar where she and Vanessa still sit. They’re the only people left in the whole place.
“Yeah, just a hint of a headache. I’m all good, it’s just been a long day.”
“Well, we can get out of your hair.” She grabs her bag from beside her.
“No, don't leave on my account,” I say. “You guys can stay as long as you like.”
“It’s alright, I better get her back home so she can get it as you’ve now got her saying.”
I giggle. “Sorry.” It doesn’t come out very sincere.
“It’s fine. You get an early night, and we will see you tomorrow night, yeah?”
“I’ll be there.” Vanessa is hosting a dinner party at her place tomorrow night for Ferragosto. It’s a holiday that marks the peak of summer. The rest of the country slows down over the next two weeks, with lots of places closing up shop to take vacations near the water. At least that’s what I’ve gathered. But Ruby Cove hasn’t slowed down. I’ve never seen so many people here. It seems it’s the place lots of people like to spend their time off in. But most of the town will be closed tomorrow, everyone taking the day to celebrate, including me.
“Good, I hope you're ready to help me with dessert.” Vanessa winks before they escape out the front door, the bell above it jingling as they go.
I yawn as I flip the chairs up onto the tables, and a wave of nausea nearly knocks me from my feet. God, maybe I do really need an early night.
I do a mediocre vacuum of the floors, and lock up in the next half hour, doing my best to get out of there as quickly as possible, before I remember I have to walk home.
“Ugh,” I groan, and it makes my head pulse. Ow .
Maybe the crisp air will be good for me, and at least this time I’m wearing sensible shoes.