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She crosses her arms and leans over the railing. “Hey.”
“I’ve missed you the last couple times I’ve stayed at the inn.”
“Sorry, had some family things come up.”
I want to believe her, but I’m not sure I do. The last time we spoke was when Stacey met me here. The women at the table next to us kept giving us both an evil glare as though I’d offended them.
“I wanted to talk to you about something. Hang tight up there.” I walk steadily to the door, checking my watch to make sure I have enough time before I have to go see my grandma.
Once I’m in the restaurant, I spot Mandi talking to a couple. I take the time to admire her without her knowing. During the long winter months, Mandi’s face kept popping up in my head, especially late at night. She was like my sunshine, bringing light to the perpetual darkness. Her smile is contagious. She has one of those smiles that makes you want to make her laugh—sort of half smirk, half smile. To see her pink lips part and her long red hair fall back over her shoulders and know that you’re responsible for making someone so beautiful laugh feels about as good as it gets.
But although my attraction to Mandi was instant and I feel as if I know her, it’s absurd because we’ve only shared one night together. There’s a lot working against us. My job being number one and her job being number two. I can’t imagine living in the town next to Greywall. It’s way too close to my parents, and you can’t just up and move an inn that you own.
She says her goodbyes and walks toward me. Her head is always held high, her back straight. I find her confidence appealing. “Sorry, they come every year and I missed checking them in. Wanted to check up on them.”
I shake my head. “No problem. You have to work.” I stuff my hands in my pockets. “I just wanted to explain about Stacey.”
“Stacey?” She raises her eyebrows.
“The woman who met me here in the restaurant that day. She’s just a friend.”
She’s quick to wave me off. “That’s none of my business, Noah.”
“Still, I’d asked you to sit with me. She’d told me she was running late, and I was hoping to catch a few moments with you before she arrived.”
A small blush creeps up her neck, and it only spurs me to keep divulging the truth.
“Then she came and I’m not sure… but were the three women sitting next to me… were they your sisters or something? I couldn’t figure out why they kept giving me looks.”
Her shoulders fall. “Yes, and ignore them. They believe in fairy tales. Expected your white horse to be tied up outside.”
Does that mean Mandi’s been talking about me as much as I’ve been thinking about her? I can’t help the thrill that runs through me with that thought.
She leans in closer, looking around. “But I’m not that kind of woman.”
I lean in even closer. “What kind of woman?”
“I’m not, like, a… a one-night stand woman. You float into town, we sleep together every time, but nothing real ever happens between us.”
I rock back on my heels. “Well, my white horse might not be tied up outside, but I’m not really looking for a fling either. The problem is, there’s no way I can entertain anything more right now. Just so we’re on the same page.” The disappointment I feel is crushing.
She smiles. “Great. So… friends?”
I’ve never hated a word more. “Friends.” I thumb toward the door. “I have to go, but maybe tonight these friends could go on a walk?”
“Um… sure.”
“I’ll check in with you when I get back.”
“Mandi!” the woman from the table from before calls to her.
“See you then.” She waves and turns her back to me.
So that settles that. We’re friends. I’m sure Mandi will be a great friend, as long as I can stop envisioning her naked.
I walkinto Northern Lights Retirement Center, not surprised to find my grandma sitting on one of the couches in the living area, surrounded by a roomful of men. I love her zest for life and the fact that she’s open about her needs as a woman, but sometimes I don’t want to shake a man’s hand at the retirement community because all I can think about is it being on my grandma.
“Noah,” she says, and I bend down to give her a hug.
