Page 309 of Manhattan Bossholes

I grunted, crossing my arms. “You’ve made your point.”

“No, I haven’t. Not yet,” he said, getting in my face, looking into my eyes. The anger that had been there moments ago slipped away, replaced by that disappointment I’d seen earlier. “You found one of those good people in Natasha, Trent. And then you threw it all away.”

His words rang true, and I hated it. “So, you think I’m a bad person?”

Jimmy stepped away, looking sad. “I don’t think you’re a bad person, Trent. But I do think you’re pretty dumb. You had something great, and you broke it. And now I don’t know if it can ever be fixed.”

26

NATASHA

“Hey, guys! That’s great,” I called. “Just this place over here.” I pointed to Dee’s Jamesport home as the small box truck from Gable’s Moving Company pulled up. The mover who was driving nodded, rolling up his window and parking the truck on the side of the street.

I turned, my breath fogging in the November chill as I stared up at the house. After everything, I couldn’t believe I was standing here.

“I’ll just need your signature,” the driver said, walking around the end of the truck with his clipboard. His partner opened the tailgate, revealing the only thing inside—a midsized, solid oak bookcase with repurposed stained glass doors, adjustable shelves, and brushed brass hardware. It was the first of the three matching pieces I was making for Dee—and the only one I’d finished so far. When I’d heard from Jimmy that she was doing better and had been discharged from the hospital, I thought I’d bring it over as a welcome home present.

I pulled my gloves off and scrawled my name at the bottom of the first page.

“And here,” he said, pointing out a space on the second page. “Last one is the damage clause. We’ll hold off on that one until it’s safely inside.”

“Perfect. I’m gonna go get someone to open the door. Just give me a sec.” I hurried up the drive and the front steps, knocking on the door before I could chicken out. This had all seemed like a grand idea when I’d finished the piece a few days ago, but now that I was standing here, knocking, I wasn’t nearly so certain. But I’d already paid for the movers to deliver and unload the piece, so it was a sort of now-or-never situation.

I knocked again, annoyed with myself for my poor planning when there was no answer. I hadn’t considered that Dee might be out when I arrived, but of course she could have any number of appointments following her stint in the hospital. Or maybe she’d gone for lunch with Trent at the office. I supposed I could have the guys unload the bookcase onto the porch. I’m sure Dee could have some of the Lost Boys pop by to relocate it later. I didn’t love the idea of leaving the case out in the cold, exposed to the elements, but what other choice was there if no one was home to let us in?

“We all good?” one of the movers called up to me.

I went to respond when the door creaked open, revealing Dee’s nurse. “Hello?”

“Oh, hi! Sorry to bother you. It’s Sofia, right? We crossed paths briefly on the day I first came by to meet Dee,” I said, smiling. “I’m⁠—”

“Natasha,” she said, pulling the door open wider. “Yes, I remember.” Her voice was carefully neutral, and I found myself wondering what she’d heard about me and about how things had ended with me and Trent. “I didn’t know Dee was expecting you today.”

I laughed uncertainly. “Actually, she’s not. It’s sort of a surprise. A ‘welcome home’ surprise.”

Sofia spotted the movers pushing the bookcase up the drive on a small rolling cart, and her face lit up with a grin. I smiled back, flooded with relief. “She’s gonna love it,” Sofia assured me. “Come in.”

“Thanks,” I said, stepping into the foyer, grateful for the heat pumping through Dee’s house.

“Dee’s just finishing up breakfast. Let me go tell her you’re here.”

I nodded, turning to wait for the movers while Sofia rushed off to summon Dee. When the guys reached the porch, I watched them lift the bookcase, holding my breath. I had every confidence in the quality of my craftsmanship, but I still winced as they made their way up the slippery steps and across the porch. I’d feel so much better once the piece was on solid ground and I could check to make sure none of the glass had cracked.

“In here,” I said, leading the guys into the nearby sitting room. They placed the bookcase down, and I did a quick inspection, making sure there’d been no damage on the drive over. Letting the bookcase leave the safety of my workshop felt like parting with a child. But while part of me was sorry to see it go, I was more than happy to know it had arrived in one piece. “Looks good,” I said. “I just have to check with the homeowner to see where she wants it.”

The driver nodded. “We’re just gonna go put the cart away and close up the truck. Then we’ll position the piece and get you to sign the rest of the contract.”

“Thanks,” I said. It meant a lot to me that they’d been extra careful. When they were done here today, I’d definitely be tipping them well. And looking them up again when the next pieces were ready for delivery.

They hurried off into the cold, and I closed the front door behind them.

“What is it?” I heard Dee say from somewhere down the hall.

“Come and see for yourself,” Sofia said, coaxing Dee along. Sofia appeared in the doorway to the sitting room a moment later, giving me a smile and a wink. Then Dee turned up wearing a black turtleneck, her pearls, and a string of oxygen tubing. She looked a little more worn down than the last time I’d seen her—paler, slower, her hands shaking—but her face broke out into a brilliant grin the moment she laid eyes on me.

“Natasha!” Dee said, pleasantly surprised. “Now there’s a sight I’ve missed.” Dee held her arms out, and I went to her, giving her a big hug. She tightened her arms, her grip stronger than I’d expected. “It’s so good to see you, honey!”

My chest ached at her sweet words. I pulled back. “It’s really good to see you too. Jimmy said you were feeling a bit better.”