Chapter 16
Heather
On Thursday, I received a surprise phone call from Tess. I was in my kitchen, whipping up a quick dinner of ravioli and Romaine salad for Avery and me.
“Hi, Heather!”
“Hey, this is a nice surprise.”
“So, listen, I’ve heard through the Winchester grapevine that you and Ryker are going to a movie tomorrow.”
“That’s right.” I smiled, realizing slowly that there were no secrets in the Winchester family.
“Do you have someone to watch Avery? Otherwise you can bring her by at the store. Skye and I will stay here until pretty late. Now that we opened, our to-do list grew exponentially. Mom will also be here, and she said she’d love to spend some time with Avery.”
They were offering to watch my daughter? That was so strange. They barely met us last week. But I had a hunch they were different from most people I met. They were warmer, and so was their mom. In fact, the whole family had been very friendly at the event.
“Thanks, but my neighbor and friend, Natasha, is watching her.”
“Oh, I see.”
Come to think of it, though, Natasha would probably love going to the store, and my girl always liked being in Manhattan. It would be more exciting for them than staying at home, waiting for me.
“You know what? I’ll ask Natasha if she’s up for a trip to Manhattan and let you know.”
“Perfect. What time would you be here?”
“The movie starts at six o’clock, so maybe… five thirty?”
“Let’s make it five.”
“Okay. Oh, shit. I’m overcooking the ravioli. Call you later?”
Tess laughed. “No need. Enjoy your evening. Just let me know what Natasha says.”
The next afternoon, Avery, Natasha, and I arrived at the store at five o’clock on the dot. My girl smiled from ear to ear when we walked inside.
“When I grow up, I want to have my own store, Mommy.”
“If you work hard, you can have whatever you want, baby.”
“This place is amazing,” Natasha said. “Most lingerie stores intimidate me, what with the tiny situation here.” She pointed to her chest. “But this is real nice.”
Skye, Tess, and Amelia were at the counter, fixing gift bags. They all beamed when they saw us.
“Girls, do you ever take a minute off?” I asked them after introducing Natasha.
“They don’t,” Amelia answered.
“Not right now. But we’re planning to take a break as soon as things actually work around here. Should be sometime in the next ten years,” Tess said.
“I’m honestly more relaxed now than when we still had our jobs,” Skye said. “At least now I get to focus all my efforts on one thing. I even have time to go on a date later this week.”
I gave her a thumbs-up. “Is this why you’re in such a good mood?”
“Well, life is generally great. We’ve finally opened the store, and an investor is interested in us.”
“Wow, congrats. Why do you need an investor?” I figured if they’d opened this without one, they could do it on their own.
“It’s always good to have more money coming in—we could expand quicker,” Tess said.
These women were an inspiration for me. They went after what they wanted at full speed, embracing all the risks.
“Avery, we have something for you,” Amelia said. She pointed to a small table next to the counter. A Winnie-themed coloring book, a doll, and a puzzle were lying on it.
“And we have something for you too,” Skye said conspiratorially while Amelia took Avery to the table.
Natasha gave me a surprised look. I’d brought her up to speed on all things Winchester when I asked her if she wanted to come here, but clearly, I wasn’t the only one amazed by how welcoming these women were.
Tess hurried to the door to greet a customer who’d just come in.
“What do you mean?” I asked Skye.
“You’ll see. Come on.”
She led me to a changing room where a gorgeous red wool camisole was hanging.
“Oooh, this is beautiful.”
“Yup. Just arrived. I set aside your size.”
“How do you know my size?”
“It’s my job. Try it on. It’ll go well with your dress and will keep you warm.”
I was ecstatic. I didn’t want to overthink anything tonight. I wanted to feel sexy. I was going on a date. I was wearing a sweater dress and high-heeled boots, and it was as if Skye had read my mind. I had wondered if I wouldn’t shiver a little.
While I changed, Skye talked my ear off about Ryker.
I peeked through the curtains. “Skye, you don’t have to talk him up. I’ve already agreed to the date.”
Skye grinned. “Extra pimping doesn’t hurt. And you look amazing. You can’t even tell you’re wearing a camisole.”
“I agree. I’m buying it.”
“No, you won’t. It’s our gift.”
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
I couldn’t accept it, but judging by Skye’s determined look, I’d offend them if I didn’t take it. And I loved it. I was going to rock this evening.
I strutted out of the changing room with a huge smile. Anticipation coursed through me. I tried to push down the mix of guilt and fear threatening to float up to the surface. It was just a night of fun. I didn’t have to make a big deal out of it.
Avery and Amelia were busy at the table with the puzzle.
Tess was back at the counter, showing Natasha a bra.
“Hey, girl. We’ll stay here for a bit and then go to the pizza place across the street, if that’s okay with you,” Natasha said.
“Sure. Text me when you go home.”
“Will do.”
Turning to Tess, I said, “Thanks for the camisole. How can I make it up to you?”
Skye wiggled her eyebrows. “Oh, we’ll find a way. Now go, or you’ll be late.”
I kissed Avery goodbye, grinning from ear to ear as I stepped out of the store.
I rarely came to Soho, and now I wondered why.
It was wonderfully romantic. Everyone sitting outside was relaxed, not huddled over their warm drinks.
The end of March was usually when the weather resembled spring more than winter.
Adrenaline was pumping in my veins. I was seeing Ryker in twenty minutes. I couldn’t wait. I had a feeling tonight was going to be epic.