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Cass walks up just then, looks between Henny and me and says, “Of course, you’ve already made a friend.”
I elbow her and say, “This is Henny.”
Henny shakes her head and says, “Sorry, I have a one-new-person-a-day rule. Come back tomorrow.” Then she picks up her fork and knife and digs into a huge baked potato that’s bursting with what looks like brisket, cheese, sour cream, chives, and butter.
I stand there and watch her for nearly a full minute before I realize she’s serious and isn’t going to respond. Cass doesn’t wait that long before she slides into her seat.
She’s gripping a menu when I sit down. “Oh, this place has the nicest public bathroom I’ve ever seen. It’s cleaner than mine. I wish I’d known about this neighborhood when I was moving back. It’s like living in the suburbs but in walking distance from all the action. I totally would have bought a unit here.”
“Yeah, it’s really convenient. And apparently my new boss’s family owns all of it,” I tell her. She squeals and clutches her menu to her chest excitedly.
“I’m the worst friend. I didn’t even ask how it went. I was so excited to see you! Tell me!” she exclaims and stares at me with goggly eyes.
“Oh my God, it was amazing, Cass,” I say dreamily.
“And you got the job!” she interjects excitedly.
I nod and let my grin have a moment of unfettered shine. “They want me to attend a meeting tomorrow before I leave for the case they’re hiring me for. I’ve got some of the publicly available court records to review. So, I’m going to hole up in my hotel and study up so I can be ready. I want to make sure when I get on my flight tomorrow, he’s not sorry he hired me,” I tell her.
“So, you’re going to leave here and not call Hayes?” she asks with surprise.
Hearing her say his name makes me flinch. Beneath the surface of my happiness for every amazing thing that has happened today has been the terrible sensation of how wrong it is that I’m here and not with him. How shallow my joy is without being able to celebrate it with him.
I forced myself to push him out of my thoughts whenever he entered them today.
“So, you’re not here because you have a huge boner for Hayes Rivers?”
“Of course not,” I snap and look around the restaurant. There’s a loud din. People speaking like they’re in their living rooms instead of in a public place where anyone could over hear.
Just like home. God, I think I love this place.
“Hello? Are you listening?” Cass snaps her fingers in front of my eyes.
I t
urn startled eyes back to Cass. “Yes, I am. And that’s not why,” I lie.
“Yeah, right. He’s worn you down, and you got a lucky break with this offer. Two weeks ago, you would have never accepted it,” she pushes.
“Two weeks ago, I had enough money to live on for another month. Now, I don’t. It’s also right up my alley. This is a developing area of law that I kind of pioneered,” I tell her. “But, I would have taken this job anywhere in the world.”
“Aww, you should see your face. I don’t know how the hell you managed it with him, of all people, after somehow avoiding it for so long.” She shakes her head at me incredulously.
“Avoiding what?” I ask just as our server approaches with the water and bread baskets.
“Being completely head over in heels in love. Wanting something more than your pride,” she says.
“Welcome to Twist,” our server interrupts as she bounces up to our table. Her wide mouth parts to reveal a perfectly straight smile that’s contagious. She’s slightly out of breath and leans on the table in mock exhaustion before she stands up again.
“I’m Kemi, I’ll be your server today,” she says and brushes a braid that’s falling over her eye out of the way before she pulls a small spiral notebook out of her apron pocket. “What are you ladies drinking?” she asks.
“I’m fine with water,” I tell her, wrinkling my nose at the menu. I hate having to decide what to eat.
“The hell she is. We’re having champagne with lunch,” Cass says giving me a fierce scroll that dares me to argue. I don’t. I want to be excited … I wish I didn’t feel so heartsick at the same time.
“Wonderful,” Kemi chirps and scribbles on her notepad. “What are we celebrating?” she asks as she writes.
“She got a job! A great one, and she’s moving to Houston,” she tells her and slides her eyes over to me and smiles proudly.
