Chapter Twenty Three
MEREDITH
"Girls, this is… You're ridiculous. You're young. You don't want this old hag cramping your style."
Natalie laughed. "Jeannie, where do you even get that expression from?"
"I'm trying to keep up with slang. I always had to stay on top of things in my working days. I'd usually bring some modern flare to my interpretations. Not classic ones, of course. I wouldn't make Shakespeare say 'cramp your style.' But as I reached my seventies, I didn't want to be out of touch."
Jeannie lit up when she spoke of her acting days. Natalie and I had gone back and forth about what to do with her, then decided getting mani-pedis was an activity everyone enjoyed.
"This place looks amazing," Jeannie went on.
Natalie nodded. "I discovered it recently. I love the nail bar. It's so relaxing. It's almost like a visit to the spa."
They didn't have an actual bar, despite the name, but they served drinks and had decorated everything, so it resembled an oasis in nature.
The three of us were sitting in a semicircle, and our respective professionals were explaining the procedure to us.
I thought that was pointless because everyone knew how to get their nails done, but Jeannie was having a field day with it, so what did I know?
“I want red nails,” Jeannie exclaimed. “I've had a french manicure for so long. I'm sick of it. They should call it the old lady manicure.”
"Hey, I like them," Natalie said.
"Girls, mark my words. Go for red while you're young enough. You'll have plenty of time for nudes and french manicures when you're an old bat."
I burst out laughing. “If there's anyone who shouldn't refer to herself as old, it's you, Jeannie.” She truly was sharp as a whip. One could only hope to reach that age and be just like her.
"I saw a tea shop next door. I’ll go in after we’re through and buy Abe some hibiscus tea. He loves it.” It was so endearing how she always seemed to be thinking about her husband.
"You spoil him rotten," Natalie said.
"Oh, I do. I think spoiling each other is a prerequisite of a long and happy marriage."
As the manicurists started to work on our nails, I listened to Jeannie intently.
I always liked to listen whenever my parents spoke about their marriage, but she and Abe were an entirely different level altogether.
They must have had something like six or seven decades together.
That was remarkable. Natalie was also leaning in a bit. We made eye contact, and she winked.
"It doesn't even have to be big things. Just small things that show appreciation on a daily basis. It's important to keep it up, especially when you're going through hard times."
Definitely wise words.
"But how can you do that?" I asked. "Typically, when you go through a hard time, you’re not in the best of spirits. The last thing on my mind is someone else."
"You're right," Jeannie said, looking at the nail polish she'd chosen.
It was the brightest red in the color palette.
"And that wasn't always easy.” Suddenly her eyes looked sad.
“After Ryan, the boys’ father and my son, showed his true colors, it was an especially difficult time.
Abe was angry, almost constantly. Bitter that our only son had turned out to be…
well, not the good person we'd hoped we raised.
I have to admit it was a tough time. It's hard showing love when the other person is bad tempered all day long, but that's especially when they need it.
When you both need it. They need the reassurance of knowing you're still there for them even when they're not at their best. Abe was there for me too.
Sometimes it's easier to show up for the other person than it is for yourself. And that's okay."
Her words went straight to my heart. I was going to remember them for the rest of my life.
"I'm sorry your family went through that," Natalie said.
Jeannie shrugged. It was still a sore point for her after all these years. Then again, how could it not be? "I wish we could've protected the boys better."
"Jeannie," I said gently, "you did your very best."
“I hope so. Colton and Jake took it so hard.
They'd wanted to keep their younger brothers shielded, but it was impossible.
And then their mother got ill. My poor girl.
I know the doctor said she'd had the melanoma for a while, but I firmly think it started after Ryan broke her heart, and no one will be able to convince me otherwise. "
"Oh, Jeannie, don't say that," I said. "Illnesses are unfortunate mishaps."
“I think Cade was the angriest out of everyone.
He changed from that boy who played harmless pranks to someone who the school viewed as dangerous.
I didn't know how to reach him. No one could.” And just like that, her expression changed as she said, “But let's not talk about anything sad anymore. I’m making that a rule we follow for the rest of the day. "
"I like it," I said.
"So do I," Natalie replied.
"I do have an important question for you two girls," Jeannie whispered conspiratorially. "You can tell me not to butt in."
Oh yeah, like that would ever work.
Jeannie's eyes twinkled. "Are either of you planning on giving me great-grandkids?"
I'd never blushed so fast in my whole life. Natalie looked like she was about to choke on nothing at all. All three manicurists were fighting their laughter, enjoying our discomfort, I supposed.
"Um… I, um… You know Cade and I just started seeing each other," I mumbled.
"Okay. I take it that's my cue. I'm butting in."
Natalie narrowed her eyes at Jeannie. "You’re doing that thing again that you did when you told Cade about Meredith."
"What's that?" I asked.
Natalie leaned forward, making eye contact with me. "Apparently, when it comes to matchmaking, she has two strategies: one where she's completely sneaky and one where she's only partially sneaky."
Jeannie shook her head. "No, I was completely up-front. Sometimes it helps to tell people what you plan for them. Even if they reject the idea at first, it's there in their brain, percolating."
"Oh, I see. It's sort of like that movie Inception," I said, even though it really wasn't. That movie had boggled my mind, but Leonardo DiCaprio was hot in it, so I'd watched it.
"Okay, got it. I did butt in. I won't ask again." Jeannie looked mighty pleased with herself.
We made chitchat while we got our nails done. Jeannie regaled us with stories from her time as an actress. She'd truly lived an amazing life. She said she hadn't wanted to travel a lot because it would take her away from her family, and that limited her options a bit, but she had no regrets.
Once my nails were dry, I texted Cade with an update.
Meredith: We’re done with our nails. Jeannie is happy. I think she had fun.
Cade didn't answer right away, so I put the phone back in my bag and focused on Jeannie as we entered the tea shop.
The store was packed, which was surprising for a tea shop and the time of day.
On the second floor, they sold very cute cups and plates and other accessories that looked delightful, so I marked this as a place to return to.
“Do you want us to drop you off at home, Jeannie?” Natalie asked after Jeannie bought tea for Abe and we'd stepped back out onto the street.
"Only if you girls have plans later."
Natalie and I exchanged a glance.
"No, not at all. We saved the evening for you. Why? Are you in the mood for something?" I asked.
Jeannie nodded. "Yes, please take me to a fancy bar. I need a cocktail. I haven't even opened a bottle of wine lately because I didn't want to tempt Abe."
Jeannie Whitley was feisty, and I was here for it.
“I know a bar a few streets away,” I said. We were near Beacon Street, where I’d been with Everly a few times.
On the way, we admired window displays, oohing and aahing at the holiday decorations. We stopped in front of the one right next to the bar. It was magnificent, with huge red bows and gold details.
"I can't believe I found my soul sisters when it comes to admiring Christmas decorations. Sometimes I think I'm adopted. My own family doesn't get the fuss either," I said.
"Really?" Natalie asked. "Mine loves it. God, I hope they're going to join us for Christmas."
Jeannie glanced up at her. "They said they would."
"Oh, I know. But now they're having second thoughts because a few hotels around are organizing events for tourists between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and they're thinking maybe they should do the same. I miss them."
“Where are your parents?” I asked.
“Greece.”
Oh man. I understood where Natalie was coming from. If my family moved across the ocean, I'd probably be sad all the time. I couldn't even imagine it.
"Okay, let's go in before we freeze our ears off," Jeannie said.
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and took it out, thinking it had to be Cade. No, it was a message from Sonya.
Sonya: Hey, apparently the gala for all the finalists is in three weeks. Alfred Danvers said he'll be there too. We're invited as well even though we didn’t make it into the finals. I think it's going to be a good opportunity for you to meet him.
Damn. I thought nothing could put a damper on the evening, but that definitely did.
"What's wrong, girl? You look pale," Jeannie said.
"Just some news from work."
"Nothing a cocktail won't solve," she said with a wink.
I looked over her head at Natalie, who just shrugged and smiled.
Is Jeannie intending to get drunk tonight?
Turned out she didn't. The woman could hold her liquor. Natalie and I, not so much.
Cade texted me just as we asked for the bill.
Cade: How is the evening going? I’m picking you up. I’m still going forward with my plan to spoil you.
I grinned as I typed back, bringing the phone close to my face so I could see the letters properly. I wasn't drunk, but I was definitely a bit tipsy.
Meredith: We’re ready to go. Natalie already texted Jake. This is our address.
It took forever for us to pay. Afterward, I had an idea, inspired by the wisdom Jeannie shared earlier. "If you want, you can go downstairs. I need to buy something first."
On the way in, I noticed they were selling bottles of champagne from a local producer.
Usually it was exorbitant to buy bottles of alcohol in the bar, but this one was reasonably priced.
Besides, tonight was a special occasion.
My man was one step closer to winning the contest and cleaning up his company's reputation.
“Sure, I think Jake will be here any minute,” Natalie said as she and Jeannie put on their coats.
After they left, I went to the bar. I had to wait behind a couple who ordered cocktails before my turn came. The neon lights behind the bar seemed ethereal when we first arrived, but now they were hurting my eyes.
"Hi. I'd like to buy one of the bottles you have on display in the fridge by the door."
"Sure thing. Want us to package it as a present?" the bartender asked.
"Not necessary," I said. I was certain we were going to pop it open tonight. It was even chilled, though it would warm up by the time we got to the brownstone.
Five minutes later, I was downstairs in front of the building. Jake and Cade were already here. Natalie and Jeannie were inside Jake's car.
“Wow. You guys got here fast," I said, clutching the bottle of champagne in my arms.
Jake smiled at me, noticing my purchase. "Good thinking. This one just told me he made it to the next round."
"Oh yeah. We’re going to celebrate, don't you worry." I winked.
Cade put an arm around my shoulders. "Come on, let's get inside the car. Your teeth are chattering." And they were.
“It's way colder than when we went inside the bar earlier.”
"Have a good evening," Jake told us.
Cade opened the door for me, and I slid inside, practically melting into the warm seat. I was still holding the champagne bottle.
Let the fun begin.