Page 9 of You Had Me at Merlot

“No. We’re not,” Jamie said. It was her job to balance Clarissa. The sky was not falling.

“The world is crumbling!”

Jamie laughed. “Don’t jump to the worst case. Wait and see before expending the negative energy.”

Clarissa crossed her arms like a child whose lollipop had been stolen. “It’s my Thursday vibe, and I’m running with it. It’s raining daggers, and we don’t have steel umbrellas.”

Jamie squinted. “Weirdest imagery ever.”

“Well, it applies!” Clarissa said dolefully.

Regardless, Jamie refused to believe any of the gloom and doom until it was on her doorstep. She prided herself on her positive disposition. Change was a part of life. She’d never been a huge fan of it personally, but she was working on finding the value in new things. The rumor did quietly have her on edge, however. She was thirty-four years old and happily attached to things just the way they were. They didn’t need a giant department store in their midst. She loved their little corner of the city and its historical, personal touches. The new Vans location had already taken out one of her favorite bars on the planet. Hopefully, the Carrington’s buzz was a nothingburger. She touched her stomach. It felt weird, like she was careening down the giant drop of a roller coaster. Was this the Venus interference? For the past few days, she’d had a gut feeling that something was on the way, a giant wind about to blow in and topple everything in sight. She just couldn’t pinpointwhatand prayed it wasn’t a robbery. She’d had two in the eight years she’d been open, and that was plenty. “Whatever happens, we’re going to be fine. Do you hear me?”

Clarissa didn’t appear convinced. “I will defer to your level head.”

“I’m serious. Do not let this ruin your day. You deserve a good one. Look how adorable you are. They don’t make ’em like you anymore.” She gave Clarissa’s cheek an affectionate squeeze.

Clarissa exhaled and settled in to enjoy her latte before heading back to finish out her day at De Colores. On her way out, she slammed a hand on the counter, snagging Jamie’s focus. “Call me if you hear anything about Carrington’s or even if you don’t. We can gossip relentlessly.”

“You got it. Sending smooches.”

“Catching them.” Clarissa made a show of smacking her palm to her cheek. “You’re such a good kisser.”

“I know.” She grinned.

“Here’s what I say about the whole drama,” Marjorie said, gesturing to the door Clarissa just vacated. “If Carrington’s posts something official, that’s when you worry.”

“Exactly where I’m coming from, too,” Jamie said, coming around the counter to the café.

Marjorie gestured around the winter hat she’d been knitting all week. “And I need to come by De Colores for those bright green shoes Clarissa was telling me about. I need more pop in my life. I can’t be the boring schoolmarm.” She raised a finger in the air in declaration. “I refuse!”

“You’re gonna love ’em. My mom has them in pale yellow, and she’s on her feet all day, still giving lectures at the college. Like little pillows from whatever God you embrace. That’s what she says, anyway.”

Marjorie’s eyes lit up. “Sold. I won’t be buying any from Carrington’s.”

Marvin scoffed, unable to resist the lure of the conversation. “If Carrington’s was making the leap to open a downtown store, I’d know. They’re happy with their midtown arm, even if it is a bit small. Nothing to worry about.”

“If you say so.”

“I feel like I’d sense it in the air,” Genevieve told her. “We’re all good here.”

The troops had rallied to assuage her fears. It had honestly helped, too. She shoved the concern to the side and focused on the customer traffic, which was always more plentiful on a holiday.

By early evening, she was uncorking a bottle of her favorite merlot for a cute couple dressed for a date, rang them up, applied her Valentine’s Day discount, and for good measure, handed over a bag of cinnamon sugar doughnuts on the house. Fresh and hot.

“These pair perfectly. Trust me.” She had a mushy heart, after all, and smiled wistfully at the cute pair as they found a quiet table by the window. When she ended her shift an hour later, they were sipping and chatting quietly, passing each other the sweetest smiles. As it should be on a night like tonight.

She walked the twelve blocks home rather than taking the short train ride, smiling up at the stars that were peeking out, ready to make their big debut. The streets were more crowded than usual, and she did her best to dodge the people heading here or there, looking their sharpest. Palpable energy zigzagged across the crowded sidewalks. Shesmiled and wished them well, enjoying the contact high she got from their excitement.

When she arrived at the door to her third-story apartment, her next door neighbor, Marlene, was locking up her place. “Where are you off to, Marlene? Big date?” Her question had been lighthearted because Marlene was seventy-three and lived a fairly quiet life, aside from visits from her grown children. She’d never seen her with a partner or prospect.

“Yes. His name is Edward and he’s taking me to a jazz show at Birdland. We’re gonna drink the liquor and have a time.”

Jamie went still. The universe had to be kidding. Even Marlene had Valentine’s plans. “That’s amazing. Order a fancy cocktail for me and enjoy the music.” Her heart swelled for her neighbor.

“I’m so excited. I can’t wait. And Jamie?”

“Yes?”

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