Page 26 of A Little Bit Whiskey
Anna wrapped her arms around Tamsyn and hugged her tight.
Affection wasn’t something that came easily to Tamsyn, but it was time to accept her place in the world. Anna and Fred had given her a second chance. They deserved to be part of her life. One that included Noir.
7
TAMSYN
Tamsyn squeezed Noir’s hand as they walked into the local Italian restaurant in the center of town. Ever since they had made their relationship public, the response had been a mixed bag.
Noir smiled at the hostess. “I have a reservation for two.”
“Yes, Mr. River. Please follow me,” the hostess, a young girl named Tiffany, said. She shifted her gaze between him and Tamsyn. Her smirk conveyed the rumor mill had yet to die down.
A few heads turned as they strolled past tables to back of the establishment. All the way in the back. The table was tucked in the corner. The worst seat in the house. Tamsyn had noted they passed eight open tables, including the one that his parents had often ate at near the picture window. The same one Noir had promised. Everyone coveted it when they came to this particular restaurant.
“Your waiter will be Aton. He’ll be with you in a few minutes,” Tiffany said.
“Excuse me,” Noir said. “This is not the table I reserved.” He pointed. “I’d like to be seated over there where Tamsyn and I can enjoy the snowy view and all the Christmas decorations.”
“Noir, it’s okay,” Tamsyn whispered. The last thing she wanted to do was draw more attention to herself.
“No. It’s not,” he said behind a tight jaw.
“I’m sorry. We’re full tonight and have some important guests—”
“Tiffany.” Noir pulled out his cell. “I spoke with Tom. He assured me that I could have the table my father and mother always reserved. They were going to have that one tonight but gave it up because of the Holiday Showcase planning. Now, seat me and my girlfriend over there, or I’ll call your boss.”
Tamsyn bit her tongue. Noir didn’t generally toss his weight around as a River. As a matter of fact, there was a time where he preferred not to be associated with his family. He carried some shame from being called a bastard his entire life, something she could relate to.
“I wasn’t aware your folks canceled their reservation.” Tiffany frowned. “In that case, you may have the table.” She turned on her heel and marched off, not bothering to seat them.
“This is fun,” Tamsyn muttered as he tugged her toward the front of the restaurant. “We should have just ordered in.” For the most part, people in town were kind. Many congratulated her on her newfound relationship status and told her what a catch Noir was.
That always made her chuckle. Why wasn’t she the catch?
“It’s ridiculous, is what it is.” He pulled out a chair, helping her into it. “My father and Fred had put the rumor to rest last week the first time we went out in public. No one should be staring at us anymore. I have a mind to stick my tongue out and act like a toddler.”
“People like to gossip. Although—and this makes me a bitch—I thought having Nix Wilde back in town with what happened to her onstage and her hearing loss would be the thing that took the focus off us.”
“I feel really bad for what happened to her and her career.” Noir lifted the menu and smiled. He turned it, tapping his finger and the fine selection from The River Winery.
“I love her music. She was so talented,” Tamsyn said.
“I’m sure she still is. She has to find a new way to fit into the music business and I have faith that she will. She’s a strong woman.” He laughed. “When we were kids, Nebbiolo had such a massive crush on her it was hilarious. When her first album came out, he stood in line for hours to get it. Then he plastered our room with posters of her. We teased him relentlessly.”
“I wouldn’t kick Nix out of bed.” Tamsyn raised her water glass.
“I’m not sure what to do with that statement.”
Tamsyn winked. Banter with Noir had always been exciting. There was an ease to their relationship that she hadn’t experienced before, even amid all this craziness. “I saw her in town with Ford yesterday. Didn’t they have a thing back in the day?”
“I believe they did.”
Aton appeared at the table. “As I live and breathe,” he said. “Noir. It’s good to see you. It’s been a while.”
Noir stretched out his arm. He’d gone to high school with Aton. They weren’t friends, but they had been friendly enough, at least from what Tamsyn remembered. “How are things? How’s the family?”
“My wife’s pregnant again. This will be our second.” Aton waggled two fingers. “We’re quite excited.”
