Autumn Night Whiskey (Tequila Rose 2)

“Well, you are right about that,” she says and hums in agreement, although her perfectly plucked brow is far too arched for sincerity.

“I believe everything is all set,” I conclude, rocking on my heels.

“You believe?” Her brow somehow arches higher. If she hadn’t done it, I wouldn’t think it was possible.

“It is. Everything is all set.” I’m quick to correct myself and when she smiles broadly, so do I.

“Wonderful, then.” She prepares to end the meeting and just then my phone dings and buzzes with a text, distracting me. Thankfully she doesn’t notice, already busying herself by gathering her empty coffee cup and slinging her cream vegan leather hobo purse over one shoulder. “I’ll be in two hours before.”

“I’ll be there before then so everything is prepared when you arrive.” My assertion earns me a warm smile.

“Thank you, Magnolia.” Mandy dismisses me warmly, taking her leave with her keys jingling in her hands.

The second the chime goes off at the front door, I shake out my hands and exhale. Nerves are still making their presence known through every inch of my fingers. With my lips in a perfect O and my eyes closed, I breathe in and then out. I need Renee’s freaking whistle that’s not a whistle.

If all goes well, I’ll be promoted to manager and Mandy will hire another two employees to help me with, and I quote, “whatever it is I need.” There’s nothing like getting a heads-up via email five minutes before your boss walks through the door to shoot your heart into overdrive.

I could run this place.

Both of my hands reach for the bottle of water as if it’ll steady me at the thought. She said that. She said I could run this place.

Again, I breathe out and shake off the nerves by checking every spotlight once again. The last thing I need tonight is poor lighting. I went to college thinking one day I could restore art or maybe be an artist myself. More than a handful of times Renee’s suggested I go back and finish my degree. Every time I’m given more responsibility from Mandy, each time I dive more into the business side of the art realm, I stray farther and farther from what I used to want. I crave more of this: the planning, the marketing, and sharing the art I love so much with others who want the same. Life has a funny way of shaping a person and giving them what they never knew they needed.

It isn’t until my phone dings again that I remember I had a text. I’m in my own world far too often these days. Grabbing my phone, I check my messages.

How did it go? Both Renee and Robert sent the same question.

Reading those texts makes me feel like I used to. For a very small moment in time, everything is how it used to be. As I text both of them that it went perfectly, it’s just like normal. The everyday ebbs and flows. Until I remember Brody and everything else. It all collides into that bit of familiarity and makes me want to loosen the ribbon around my waist.

The town is talking. I remember what my boss said. I opt to leave that bit out as I fill Renee in with the details, including the bit about Mandy loving the stained glass features.

Give yourself a pat on the back … and a mimosa at lunch, Renee texts back. After texting her Cheers to that, I check Robert’s message, which steals the smile from me.

I miss you.

I almost tell him something he’s said for years. It’s the same thing he’s told me when I’ve been low: I’m right here. But I delete those words as quickly as I typed them. With my throat tight, I’m blunt in my next message: Are you mad at me?

Never, Mags.

I hesitate to text him the truth, but it is the truth and so I do it: I miss you too.

As if they heard me, a group thread lights up at the top of my texts.

Don’t forget, playdate tonight, Autumn messages all four of us, Renee included. Even though not all of us have kids, we all need each other to help us hold on to sheer sanity in this town.

Part of me thinks I shouldn’t be drinking the night before an important event. The other part of me knows I need a drink the night before an important event. A little venting won’t hurt either.

I’ll be there. Sharon answers first, quickly followed by Renee: Me too!

Mags, you’ll be there, right?

Unless she’s seeing your man, Sharon responds in the group chat before I get a chance to say anything. My heartstrings are pulled in every direction at that. Autumn questions, Which man? Before I can even think of clarifying, Renee pipes up in the chat.