“You come in here to try to steal more clients from me?”
She crosses her arms. “As if I have to steal them.”
“You know that’s exactly what you’re doing.”
“Maybe you ought to do a better job holding on to them.”
He inches closer, getting up in her space. “You do know there’s a reason why you shouldn’t be doing this?”
She juts her chin up at him, looking unintimidated by the way he towers over her. “And there’s a reason, too, that I enjoy it so damn much.”
I’m pretty sure he growls at her next, and her eyes simmer. I’m also pretty sure that in a parallel universe, they’d go off and fuck it out. But that’s just a hunch.
I turn to Walker. “Did you feel like you just accidentally tuned into the start of a new TV romance or something?”
“That was some of the best theater I’ve ever seen. Rivals, eh? I want to hear more, but now, I need to get back out there and spin some tunes. Why don’t you get on the floor and dance? Everything in life can be solved with a dance-off.”
“I have nobody to dance-off with,” I say.
He gestures to the entire floor. “The place is packed. Find a stranger. Dancing clears the mind. Sorts the thoughts. A few dances, and you’ll know exactly what you need to do next.”
I do move with the crowd for a few songs.
It does clear my head.
I do feel better having seen my friends.
Walker is right. When it comes to work disappointments, you move on, and you don’t let them get you down. You brush them off and keep chasing the dream.
By the time I leave the club, I’ve lightened the load and shed my annoyance. As the thumping subsides in the night air, I check my phone, finding a message from Truly.
Truly: Nailed it like a gymnast hammering pinball machines!
I laugh at the absurd way she’s mixed all three analogies. I smile too, because I’m proud of her. Because I want her to have all her dreams come true.
I read the text again. Then one more time. I can’t wipe the grin from my face. I was a right idiot to be pissed at her. She’s only ever had good intentions. She tried to help Marcus, just as she’s been helping me. For as long as I’ve known her, she’s been supportive of my business and my efforts to help Abby. She’s been available for a chat, a night out, a workout, and a jujitsu class every time I’ve needed it. She’s been everything I could want in a friend, and I’m lucky to have her as one of mine.
Friends don’t only help you through disappointments.
They also cheer you on in good times, like Truly’s.
I’m not far away from Gin Joint.
Not far at all.
I make my way to her bar so I can congratulate her in person on nailing it. Along the way, I follow Walker’s advice and make a donation to an animal rescue. There. I feel better. When I reach Gin Joint, I don’t see Truly behind the counter, so I ask the guy mixing drinks where I can find her.
“She’s in her office. Is she expecting you?” he asks.
A jerk would barge in. A gentleman asks. “No. But I have to see her anyway. Do you need to call her first and tell her I’m here?”
He smiles, shaking his head. “Nah. I’ve seen you around. Go on ahead.”
I turn down the hallway, head to the last door, and knock. When she answers, she’s like a breath of fresh air, and I want to breathe her in all night long.
Because she smells like so much more than a friend.
36
“So you nailed it? Just like I knew you would.”
Her smile is huge as she ushers me into her office, the door falling shut behind us. She’s so giddy that her enthusiasm is practically a new perfume, and it’s going to my head.
“Yes! I met with him today, and I went over all my plans. He said it sounded fantastic. He just needs to check with his partners and”—she stops, crosses her fingers—“then we should be good to go.”
“And do you have a name for this new establishment?”
“I was thinking of something really on the nose like An English Pub because, hey, then won’t I come up quickly on search results?”
“That’s what I admire about you—always thinking.”
“Always hustling.” One corner of her lips curves up, and she shoots me another smile. “Thanks again, Jason. I really couldn’t have done it without you.”
“I’m not so sure about that. I think you had it in you already. I was just company.”
She leans against her neat desk, looks me up and down, and says, “Good company indeed.”
Her voice has changed slightly. It’s softer and a little bit more seductive. How is that even possible?
