Page 91 of Love's Cure

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

As she’d promised,the next day Crystal took some time out of her day to visit GG, who was waiting to hear how her theater work had gone. It was she who’d encouraged Crystal to take part in school plays. Crystal realized now how therapeutic those activities had been, allowing her however briefly to become a person other than herself.

Walking down the hall to GG’s room, Crystal filled with a sense of peace. Simply knowing she was about to talk things over with a woman she loved and trusted, she felt her mind settle.

Holding a plate of chocolate chip cookies, Crystal knocked on the door and entered the apartment.

GG got up from the couch, came over to her, and gave her a big hug. “It’s good to see you. Thanks for the cookies. Would you like something to drink? Lemonade? Water?”

Crystal shook her head. “No, thanks. How are you? You look fantastic. Is this a new hairstyle?”

GG smiled and patted her silvery hair. “Something a little easier. We’re letting my few curls exist. No more days of trying to tame it. I like it. It doesn’t make the wrinkles go away, but I think it gives me a younger look.”

Crystal chuckled. “You look fine no matter what.”

“Come tell me all about your time as an actor,” said GG, leading her into the living area. “And I heard Emmett’s house is going to be stunning. Whitney told me all about the colors you two chose earlier for wall paint. I may be living here, but I have several informants.”

They laughed together.

“Similar to the color scheme for the cottage, we chose a rich, buttery cream color for the main living area and a soft, light gray-green for the master suite. The work that Dani, Brad, and Aaron’s crew did on the house has transformed it completely. It now has a clean, updated look perfect for some of the Pottery Barn furniture we ordered.”

“It sounds lovely,” said GG. “How was Maine? The girls had a wonderful day with you. They said you were the star of the show.”

Crystal laughed. “No such thing. I was mostly in the background.”

“I heard about the fall that Natalie Chamberlain had at the theater. How is she?”

“She’s going to be fine, we hope. She’s in a rehab hospital upstate. Emmett is very pleased, though his father is not. His father thinks it’ll ruin his political chances.”

Crystal’s disgust brought a smile to GG’s face. “I’ve always thought he was a bit of an ass.”

“I wish my mother had dared to stick with treatment,” Crystal said in a wistful tone.

GG shook her head. “Some people can’t make that choice for a variety of reasons. It would’ve made things much easier if she’d done it. I’m sorry she didn’t.”

“It could’ve made a big difference for all of us,” said Crystal, thinking of all who’d helped her and tried to help her mother.

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After the Café closed, Misty helped Crystal wipe down tables and refill salt, pepper, and ketchup containers. A comfortable silence filled the air as they worked together.

“Any more thought of becoming a partner of sorts?” Crystal asked her. “I want to be able to have more time for myself in the coming months.”

Misty stopped and stared at her, her lips curving. “Has Emmett asked you to take things to the next level?”

Crystal held up her left hand. “No, he hasn’t. And I don’t know what the next level is. Even so, it’s time for me to make some changes.”

“I can’t afford to buy into the Café,” said Misty. “But I could certainly manage it for you with the idea of someday buying into it. I loved being in charge while you were gone, though the early hours can be brutal. I understand why you might want a break from that.”

“Yes, and from the constant pressure of running the Café seven days a week. I thought of closing on Mondays but we have so many regulars that I don’t want to do that to them.”

“Right. They’re the Café’s bread and butter. Let me draw up a tentative agreement for you to look at. I love living here, and I think it might work to eventually be a real partner.”

Pleased, Crystal said, “That would make me very happy. Let’s meet up with the gang at Jake’s to celebrate.”

“Okay, I’ll call some people so we can make it a party of sorts.”

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