Page 11 of Until Next Time
As I’m scanning the crowd looking for Casey, I bump into Mira, She owns Nook & Novel. Which happens to be my favorite place in the whole world—aside from the atmosphere that surrounds Dawsen—Have I mentioned that I’m pathetic?
Nook & Novel is the coziest book store with floor to ceiling bookshelves and those sliding ladders you seem to only see in movies. It’s a book lovers actual dream. I’m a frequent flyer—well, I was before I moved to the city.
“Birdie Banks, My Dear, It’s so good to see you!” Mira says, as she squeezes me into a very tight hug that steals my breath for a moment.
“Hi Mira! I’ve missed you and the bookstore so much. There’s no place like it in the city.”
She rolls her eyes and scoffs, “Well of course not, darling. It’s one of a kind!” She winks and puts her hand on my arm.
“I’ll be paying you a visit sometime soon. I need a new book to sink my teeth into. I’m thinking something extra smutty.” I give her a little shoulder bump and chuckle.
“I’ve got just the thing.” She winks and squeezes my wrist. “I’ll set it aside for you, love.” She smiles.
“Thanks Mira. I’ll see you soon!” I say, as I continue my search for the missing Casey.
* * *
“Where’s my wine?” Casey asks with a confused look as she points to the single glass that I’m holding. “Oh. Uh…” I start to come up with something clever and she cuts me off.
“Dawsen happened, didn’t he?” She crosses her arm and quirks an eyebrow at me.
“Ugh, It wasn’t my fault. I was casual, we were casual, he poured me a glass and we got to talking and as soon as I was about to ask for a second pour for you, this blonde bitch basically shoved me aside so she could get her prissy paws all over him. She basically lifted her leg on him.” I said, not noticing the tension in my face.
Casey takes her finger and rubs it down my forehead to smooth out the tension wrinkle—something she did whenever I’d get worked up and emotional about something. I tend to hold a lot of emotion in my face apparently.
“First of all, eww. I could have gone without the dog pissing analogy. Second of all, point to her. I need to see who this chick is.” She demanded as her head swiveled, scanning the room. I get on my tip toes and look towards the bar where I left them. “They’re at the bar.” I say flatly and layered with disappointment.
Casey begins strutting toward the bar and yanking my arm with her as she passes. I’m being quite literally dragged. Casey wedges herself in between Stephanie and a patron sitting on the very last seat of the bar. She barges in like she owns the damn place and I’m standing awkwardly behind her. I try to act calm and collected, swirling my glass and taking a sip when I hear Casey completely cut off Stephanie. “Dawsen Jones. I need a glass of Pinot Noir. Immediately. It’s an emergency.” I fight back a laugh so I don’t choke on my sip of wine.
“What kind of emergency requires Pinot Noir, Casey?” Dawsen asks sarcastically as he raises an eyebrow at her.
“The worst kind of emergency. A woman being at a wine party for half an hour and has yet to drink any wine.” She dramatically takes a finger and points to herself. “Well shit, you’re right.” Dawsen grabs a fresh glass and starts pouring.
“I wouldn’t consider that an emergency as much as I would consider it a crime.” He says as he hands Casey the glass. She takes the glass and tips it toward him with a nod of approval.
“Oh, and River asked me to tell you that you are needed immediately in the storage room. Something about a leak?”
Dawsen’s eyes go narrow and juts his chin out like he’s trying to decipher something, “Ah, thanks. I should probably go see what that’s about.” He rounds the bar, and gives Stephanie a quick nod. He brushes past me and my body has become very aware of the contact.
Casey and I saunter over to a table nearby. Concerned, I ask Casey, “Do you know if the leak is really bad? Is anything damaged?”
She starts laughing, like really laughing, “You surprise me sometimes. You’re all clever and wit, and then sometimes you’re like a fucking deer in the headlights.”
I scoff and cross my arms like I’m offended, but truth is, I know what she means. I believe people too easily sometimes even when the truth is obvious and I don’t want to see it.
A downfall, if you will. However; I prefer the term,loyal optimist.
“Right. So there’s no leak. You were just wing-manning and broke up the flirt fest over there.” I clarify and take another sip of my wine.
“Bingo, baby. You know I’ve got your back.” She winks at me and we clink our glasses in solidarity of really hating this Stephanie person’s guts.
12
Dawsen
There’s absolutely nothing in the storage room aside from the new shipment of inventory I need to get out this week.
I had a feeling Casey was up to something, and I couldn’t take my eyes off Birdie and the way she was standing behind her, tapping her foot and fidgeting with her wine glass.
