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She contemplated ordering a bourbon Manhattan in honor of her grandmother. “I was always allowed to ‘steal’ the Amarena cherry garnish when Bubbe wasn’t looking,” she shared, shedding her hoodie. Just thinking about it made her mouth water; she had always had a taste for both sweetandsour, and those cherries were the best of both worlds.
“Did your grandma give you that necklace?” he asked. “You play with it, when you bring her up,” he added.
Nora hadn’t realized it, but the tiny Chai symbol at her throat had become a chakra touchpoint. More so in recent days.
Chaimeant life, which her grandmother had certainly been full of. Reminding Nora with that mantra to always be true to herself.
“She gave the best presents. This to wear as a Bat Mitzvah, on the bimah. She gifted the famous Jocko, too.” Nora smiled, touching her necklace once more before reaching for the drinks menu. “But like your grandpa, her best gift was her advice.”
When the waiter arrived, she decided to go for a more modern cocktail, one in spirit with the season. “A Fig & Pomegranate Martini, please.”
Beck doubled the order, then leaned in. “That’s a bit classier than those Peppermintinis Hedstrom was throwing back yesterday.”
“Oy, that toothpaste in a glass? Gross.”
“Not such a bad idea, toothpaste in a glass – especially after your bagels.”
She laughed, and he grinned back.
Not one poppy seed to be found in his perfect teeth, dammit.
“Feels like longer ago than just yesterday, doesn’t it?” Beck continued, his thumbs tracing concentric circles on the leather table top. “I feel like I’ve known you longer.”
She watched, entranced. Remembering how he had made similar patterns on her skin last night. Wanting that again, despite her better judgement.
“I’ve been thinking…it feels easy,” she said softly. “Like a Sunday morning kind of easy.” She took a big sip of her Pom & Fig.Ugh, that sounded so cringe.If Avi were here, he would Lionel Ritchie all over that.
Sitting in the cozy confines of the tavern felt safe and familiar. And not just because it was a place of memories from the cherry-stealing days of Bubbe bringing her there for hot chocolates in tea cups. With its old-but-new worn parquet wood floors, green velvet and gilded mirrors.
With Beck.
He was the last person who should make her feel safe. But with his warm hands within reach, the woozy cocktails, and the afternoon sun studding everything golden, she felt that and more.
Safe. Familiar. Seen. Content.
“But I don’t want it to be Sunday yet,” she confessed. “Because Mondays come next. And Mondays are hard.”
“Let’s not rush anything.” His dark eyes channeled many meanings as he glanced up at her. “This holiday is all about making things last, no?”
* * *
Alex had made Nora laugh with his toothpaste crack, which was even more rewarding than the tavern’s heat and booze after their long winter walk.
But was there truth serum in his martini? Because now he wanted to grab her hands and tell her that if it were up to him, she would never have a difficult Monday again in her life.
Did he have the authority – or the right – to promise her that?
Unless Nora told him what was troubling her at work, he didn’t know how he could make that happen. Or if she would even let him.
Unless you fire her, Alex.
That would be one down, only twenty-six to go.
She’d pulled the tie out of her bun, allowing her hair to tumble over her shoulders. Bare shoulders, he noted. That thermal Henley she wore had looked practical and innocent, but once she’d taken off her zip-up hoodie…the unexpected glimpse of her pale skin from the open-shoulder design of her top nearly sent him over the edge.
The edge he had contemplated taking care of in the shower this morning, but not when she ended up ten feet away in her striped socks, drinking his hotel room Nespresso.
The shower had at least cleared his head. Up until now. As had the bracing air outdoors. Now, time had slowed down to the point where it felt like it could go either way. Backward or forward. Could they rewind to that connection prior to the lighting of the first candle? Or fast-forward to see what the second night would bring?
