Chapter 18
Nina took a long hot shower when she got home from The Gnat, and after pulling on her PJs, she grabbed the leftover pizza from the fridge and sat down to eat it on her sofa because she could. Nina hadn’t had a vegetable in days, but she would get to that—soon.
Mabel jumped up to join her, yowling loudly.
“I’m officially a crazy cat lady, Mabel.”
The cat didn’t seem impressed by that sentiment and glared at her.
She’d spent hours with Hank and Nancy since purchasing Circle Left. Closing was going through in two weeks, which was fast, but there was nothing stopping either party.
But learning the ropes of a business took time. She needed to find a manager she trusted.
Nina picked up her phone when it rang and answered, “Hello?”
“Girl, get that fine ass of yours to girls’ night ASAP!”
“Blue, I—”
“No excuses. I’ll see you there, or I’ll be on your doorstep, dragging you to the Rollaway.”
Blue cut the call before Nina could say anything else.
She knew it was girls’ night but hadn’t been in the mood to go.
Nina felt emotional and was constantly shifting between anger that her mother hadn’t told her about her father and sadness that she’d lost her.
When you added in what Dale Falcon was—well, there was a whole lot going on inside her head.
Her phone signaled a group message from her friends.
Blue - I just called Nina and told her to move her ass to girls’ night, or I’d show up on her doorstep. I’m not sure she took me seriously.
Birdie - I’m sure she’ll come if she wants. She’s grieving.
Zoe - Grieving smieving. Move it, Winter, or we’re coming to get you.
Cill - Is smieving a word?
Blue - Of course. To smieve is to put something off that will really annoy your friends.
Cill - Gotcha.
Nina - Can’t I just stay home?
Blue - angry emoji
Birdie - red heart emoji
Zoe - running feet emoji, which Nina guessed meant she was on her way here.
Cill - dancing girl, champagne bottle, two glasses, and smiley face emojis.
Nina - Fine, but only for an hour or two.
Blue - Make sure you look hot!
Finding a smile, which wasn’t easy lately, she ate the rest of her pizza and then wandered into her bedroom to change. She studied the contents of her closet. Nina loved fashion and usually relished the prospect of a night out with her girls. You’ll enjoy it when you get there.
She chose tight black pants and a white halter top. On her feet were black leather ankle boots with a high heel. After straightening her hair, she applied makeup. Nina then pulled on her overcoat and wrapped a scarf around her neck.
Even though it was cold, she would walk to the Rollaway because there would be a ride home available later if she stayed longer or drank a little too much. Otherwise, she’d just slip away and walk home again when she was ready.
Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Nina stepped outside and quickly closed in the warmth behind her so Mabel was kept toasty until she got home.
The early-evening winter air slapped her in the face. Around her, Christmas tree lights were twinkling in windows. People were preparing meals, doing homework with kids, and getting ready to snuggle in for the night.
Outdoor Christmas displays were popping up, and Nina knew she really had to get into the spirit. She should put up a tree and think about presents. For the first time in her life, her mother wouldn’t be on that list.
Stepping onto the sidewalk, she headed toward the main street.
A wolf whistle from Jay Haddon, who was running by, had her yelling, “You’re an idiot. Get home to your family!”
She could hear his laughter as he ran on. Blue and Jay didn’t live far away from Nina.
The main street was busy, even considering the conditions, but that was something else that was the norm now that the town’s population was increasing. Walking briskly, she scanned the displays as she passed.
“What the actual fuck is that all about?”
Spinning, she found Blue Jay behind her, wrapped in a long jacket with a fur collar, and boots.
“Did you run to catch up with me?” Nina asked.
“I had to wait for Jay, and he told me that he just saw you.”
“So you ran?”
“In these?” Blue pointed to her high-heeled pumps.
“Right. So you walked fast to catch up with me,” Nina amended.
“Exactly. Can you believe that?”
“What?”
“That,” Blue said, pointing to a banner Nina hadn’t noticed had been strung across the street. The words on it read The Lyntacky Bake-Off.
“Hell if I know, but it’s Lyntacky, so it could encompass anything other than baking, really,” Nina said.
“Not sure how something that says ‘Bake-Off’ could be anything but a baking competition,” the man in overalls who was approaching them said. “I’m entering.”
Larry Limpet had once owned the Swing Through Café, and it had been a place to avoid, as the food was terrible and the building infested by rodents.
Now that he’d sold to Ryder Duke, he was a changed man and seemed to have had a personality transplant.
He talked in full sentences these days, which he never used to do.
“You bake, Larry?”
The man’s face was lined after years of neglect and sun and not a single smear of anything remotely close to skin cream. “Course I do. I used to own a bakery, didn’t I?”
“Not sure that’s a recommendation,” Blue said in her usual blunt way.
Larry didn’t take offence and smiled—actually smiled. “I got a coconut cake that will knock your socks off, Blue Jay McAllister.” The man then walked off down the street.
“I hate it when a person changes, and I have to start liking them when I didn’t used to,” Blue muttered.
“No sleep last night?” Nina asked.
“A few hours, but I’m someone who needs at least seven. Jay can function on four or five. I hate him for that.”
“No, you don’t,” Nina said, slipping her arm through Blue’s.
“Come on, girl, let’s let loose because it’s been a crazy time for you,” Blue said, walking with Nina. “How are you holding up?”
“Okay, and Circle Left is helping. I have plans for it.” Nina then outlined a few.
“Nice, and if I can add another one, you could host a fashion show, and I can use my designs,” Blue said.
“Oh my God, yes!” Nina said. “I love that idea.”
“But, you have to continue doing the after-match for the games too,” Blue cautioned her. “Some things have to stay as they are.”
“Agreed, because we don’t want to scare off those who have lived in this town forever.”
“Exactly,” Blue confirmed.
In the seven days since she’d slept with Finch McAllister, Nina had only seen him at a distance, other than the day he’d appeared at The Gnat for a haircut. Jessie had done a good job. The style was short like Finch had in the army and suited his handsome face.
The man was messing with her head, even considering that it was full of other stuff at the moment. She found herself sometimes just staring at nothing, thinking about him. It was unsettling.
“Zoe and I have been discussing the interior, and we came up with some ideas,” Blue said.
“I want to keep the history,” Nina said, not at all surprised by her friends’ meddling. She was always involved—even if they didn’t want her to be—in their business, so it stood to reason they’d be involved in hers.
“Of course, but we’ve made notes and drawings,” Blue added.
“Nice. Saves me doing it, then, seeing as you two have better design taste.”
“Agreed. Maybe you could host Christmas dinners?”
“You really have given this a lot of thought,” Nina said.
“Haven’t you?”
“I have pages and pages of lists and notes written,” Nina confessed.
“Cool. So one day soon, after you take over Circle Left, we need to have a meeting.”
“But you know I own it, right? So I get to make the final decision,” Nina said.
“Not sure why you think that holds any weight,” Blue said. “But okay, if it makes you feel better to think that.”
“Hi, ladies.” Jonathan was walking out of the waffle place with a large carrier bag in one hand.
“Dinner?”
“We’re having waffles because I don’t want to cook, and Caleb is buying.”
“I love waffles,” Blue said, eyeing the building he’d just walked out of.
“So, Nina, I wanted to run something by you,” Jonathan said through the scarf he had wrapped up to his ears. “If you need a manager for Circle Left, I’m your man.”
“No way! Really? Yes!” she cried, hugging him hard.
“The interview process usually runs differently, from memory,” Jonathan said. “There’s reviewing my CV and—”
“You’re a lawyer, and I know you and your people. You’re hired!” Nina cried.
“I will still take the occasional cases, but I need a change,” he said. “If you want anyone to live in, then we can do that, too, as we’re looking for a place to settle down in.”
She couldn’t stop smiling. “Perfect, and yes you can take Nancy and Hank’s suite, but it will need redecorating,” Nina said. “This is so perfect, I couldn’t have picked a better manager.”
“You didn’t pick me, I did,” Jonathan said. “But I’ll do good by you, Nina.”
“Let me know when you’re free, and we’ll have a meeting,” Nina said.
“Sounds good, and I’m soooo excited. Now I need to get these waffles back before they get cold. Talk soon.”
She watched him climb into his car and drive off with a toot and wave.
“Jonathan will be fantastic,” Nina said, hardly daring to believe her good luck.
“He’ll be amazing as your manager, Nina. Good work,” Blue said as they headed up the street.
Nina talked about a few of the things she thought needed changing or upgrading in Circle Left, and Blue added her thoughts. It felt good to think about something that wasn’t her father, Finch, or her mother’s death.
“Talking about needing an upgrade,” Blue muttered as they reached the Rollaway.
“Oh please. There would be a revolt by the locals if Dee changed a single light bulb in there,” Nina said, pointing at the open door.
Looking skyward as something touched her nose, she noted it was snowing.
“Quick, let’s go. I hate snow!” Blue said.
“Who hates snow?”
“Me!” Blue said, dragging her toward the Rollaway.