“Dinner?”
“She coordinated a charity auction for the local food bank, and someone won a dinner at their home with a private chef. When the original chef who was going to do it had to back out, unbeknownst to me, Dad volunteered yours truly as the substitute. Mom quite reluctantly agreed, in order to help kickstart my new ‘foray’ as she calls it. Therefore, she’s been a bit pushy.”
Yes, I should be grateful for the chance, however, I do not want to omit the fact that it did sting finding out my own mother had to be talked into allowing me to do this. I was not asked to do it, instead I had to make a case for myself. Even then, she never confirmed I had the job. I only found out after the charity auction was over that I was doing it when someone called me to set up the date for the meal.
More chuckling. “Pushy, our mom? Never.”
“Are you kidding? Talk about pressure. It’s my first real gig doing a private event and knowing what I do could also affect her reputation, as she keeps reminding me, makes my shoulders knot up.” Dragging my toe along on the concrete, I follow a line in the sidewalk, the old saying “step on a crack break your mother’s back” echoing in my ear. I pull my foot away from it as if my mother can see me. If she did, she’d probably accuse me of trying to kill her. “I swear, Travis, I just want that woman to be proud of me. To tell me she is only one time.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s why I called—I just got off the phone with her. She asked if I’d come back and work with you for a night, to help serve.” His sigh slams against my ear over the line. “She was pretty relentless, to the point I told her to leave it alone. I also reminded her that she’s the one who put your name forward, so she needs to calm down and trust you. But, I figured if she was that intense with me, I should check in with you and see how you’re doing.”
My big brother. Always the best friend a girl could ever ask for. A pain in my rear growing up, since we’re three years apart in age. But he was my hero and protector, and still is, really.
“Thanks for the reminder to hire a server,” I say with a chuckle. “I’m hanging in there. I just don’t want to stress as hard as I am. It’s a bit of a juggle.”
Not that I can’t handle it, I think as I step out into the street and crane my neck, looking around. It’s a pretty street in a quiet part of Sweetkiss Creek. It’s in the business district, but this particular end is also for more industrial businesses like Dubs’ Garage. Across the street, there’s an old renovated Victorian home with a landscaping company and an attached architecture firm, and a row of businesses boasting auto painting, sign making, kitchen joinery, and even carpet.
“And it doesn’t help that I’m late for work and waiting for a ride,” I add.
“Soon, you won’t have a boss that you have to answer to, my dear, because you’ll be the boss.” Always encouraging. Again, best big brother ever. “Georgie knows she’s lucky to have you working for her, but she also knows it’s a pit stop on the Riley Richards parade to awesome.”
“You’re right. Plus working at the bookstore gets me fifty percent off, so there’s that.” A flash of white at the other end of the street catches my eye. I can’t tell if it’s a Fiat, so I keep an eyeon the car ready to flag it down as soon as it comes closer. “So, what were you calling Mom about anyway?”
“Aren’t you a Nosy Rosy?” he teases. “Something has come up and circumstances changed on me pretty quickly in the last few days and, well…surprise! I’m in town.”
“That’s awesome!” Glancing up, the white car appears to be pulling to a stop about two blocks away and is now sitting on the side of the street, hazards blinking. Squinting my eyes, I’m pretty sure it’s a Fiat. “Maybe we can have lunch today?”
“Today could be hard. I have business here that I need to deal with, funnily enough.”
That is funny considering my brother is a sports agent for several high-profile celebrity sports stars. Casting my eyes down the road again, the white car is moving along with its hazards still blinking. It’s close enough now I can see the red circle of the Fiat logo on the front of the car, and I honestly can’t wait anymore.
“What kind of business is it?” I manage as I step into the street again, tucking the phone under my chin and holding it tight against my shoulder while I use both arms to wave madly at the driver of the Fiat. He’s got to be lost.
“Well,” he begins, only to pause. “Ah, Riley, give me a sec, I’ve got a client on the other line.”
The line goes silent, but it’s perfect timing because the little white Fiat with a man behind the wheel has pulled up next to me.
As soon as he slows down, I step out, making sure I’m in his view. I’ve been standing obscured to some degree in between two cars parked on the side of the street. Giving him a wave, I grab the handle of the back door and tug it open.
“Hey there,” I manage, throwing myself into the backseat. “I need to get to the Pages and Prose Bookshop at ninety-nine Magnolia Tree Lane.”
When I don’t so much as get a grunt of recognition or acknowledgment, I turn my attention to the driver in the front seat, who is currently frozen in place with one hand gripping his steering wheel while the other holds a phone to his ear as he stares straight ahead. Slowly his eyes make their way to the rearview mirror and he tilts his head to the side as they narrow. Maybe I spoke too fast because he looks confused.
“Ninety-nine Magnolia Lane, please?” Peering over his shoulder and out the windshield, I point down the street in front of us. “Go to the end of this street and take a right.”
Again, a blank stare meets me. I’m about to point out that he could put his phone on speaker if he wants to talk and drive, but I don’t have to. He mutters a goodbye and ends the call he was on and tosses his phone onto the seat next to him. Finally, he blinks, nods his head, and puts the car in drive.
Right then, Travis is back in my ear. “Hey, sorry about that. I’m back.”
“And I’m on my way to work now.” Maybe. Fingers are crossed and the jury is still out, but we are moving.
“Oh good,” he mumbles. “Then I may get to see you soon.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’ll explain more when I see you, but I’ve got one of my guys coming into town to stay for a break.”
“One of your guys?”
