Well, I’d saved that well. Sure enough, my brain had already switched to replaying the weekend. I chuckled at myself. I was addicted to Skye.
“What’s got you so chirpy today?” Tatiana asked. I hadn’t realized she’d lingered.
“Mind your own business.” I was only semi-serious.
“I will, as soon as you tell me what’s got you so upbeat.”
I glared at her.
“Who is she?”
“Who said it’s a woman?” I asked, utterly perplexed.
“Call it sixth sense, intuition, whatever.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her smile fading. “How is Anne?”
That was the real reason she’d stayed back.
“Moving on.”
“Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing.”
“You did,” I assured her.
“But she’s avoiding me... I think. She’s my friend, and I ju
st don’t know how to reach out to her after all that’s happened.”
“Tatiana, give her a bit of time. She doesn’t blame you.”
“She avoids me.”
“She’s in France now. I’m sure she’ll have moved on even more once she and Lindsay get back.”
They’d gone to high school together, and their friendship went way back. I was sure my sister was grateful to Tatiana, but I could also understand why she wouldn’t want her close right now. I believed the don’t kill the messenger saying, but I didn’t think it was that black and white. Tatiana was a reminder of everything that went down, and that was something Anne didn’t need right now.
“Okay, well... whenever she’s ready, or if she needs anything, I’m here for her.”
“I’ll let her know.”
“Thanks. Oh, and don’t think I forgot about your mystery woman. I’ll get it out of you eventually.”
“Tatiana! Work. Now.” I couldn’t help but smile though, and it was all Skye’s fault.
“I’m going. I’m going.”
I surveyed my agenda for the next two weeks, thankful to my assistant for making reservations at a hotel for me in Manhattan. My days started at six o’ clock, and from previous experience I knew they’d last until past midnight.
I didn’t like that I wasn’t going to see much of Skye for the next two weeks. I wanted her to know that I was constantly thinking about her. Would she relax on her own, without me there?
We’d had a fantastic time together, and I didn’t want her to forget it. I just had to make sure I was front and center in her mind for the following weeks.
***
Skye
On Monday, I was at the store one hour before our opening time, preparing for the week.
I was in the back, working on a backlog of tasks until Tess called me up front.