Page 64 of By Your Side
She fell into step beside me as I unlocked the door and entered. The bar was quiet, the chairs were still upside down on the tables, and morning light slanted through the blinds, striping the polished wood. I set my bag down behind the bar, checking my phone for a message from the delivery driver. Nothing, damn it. I wanted out of here.
Danielle wandered toward the bar, letting her gaze sweep the place like she was measuring it for curtains. “It’s so cozy in here during the day. I never noticed.”
“You’ve never been here before opening,” I said, moving behind the bar to grab a glass of water.
She smoothed her hair, that perfect fake smile still in place. “Speaking of mornings, do you know where Eli is?”
“I don’t know,” I answered flippantly. “Go back outside and lift up a rock.”
Her smile faltered, just for a second, before she pasted it back on. “Funny.”
“Not really,” I said, grabbing a glass and adding lemon slices to it.
“I was actually coming to talk about Briar and Lark,” she continued, lowering herself onto a barstool like she had all the time in the world. “They seem a little off lately. Maybe it’s the adjustment, or maybe they just need more structure at our house?—”
“Off? That’s cute. As if you don’t know exactly what the problem is. They will be fine,” I cut in, staring her down so she’d get to the point and tell me what she was after.
“I’m only saying this because I care,” she said, leaning forward, voice dripping with phony concern. “Transitions are hard. And Eli’s under so much stress right now with business at the sandwich shop being so slow and the laundromat needing repairs. Meanwhile, you’ve got this place running like a dream…”
And here it was. The pivot. She wanted something from me.
“Yeah, this scenario is exactly my dream come true,” I bit out.
“It’s such a shame Eli doesn’t still have a stake in it,” she added, ignoring my tone. “That income would really help all of us. The girls, too,” she added. “I hated having to suggest Briar quit dance class. She’s such a talented girl. Eli wants her to dance. He wants to provide for everyone. And the bar?—”
“No.” I looked her dead in the eye. “Never going to happen.”
Her brows pinched. “Paige?—”
“No. I built this bar up. I ran it while I was married to Eli, did you know that? I ran all three businesses. I kept the books straight, paid the bills, and did the work while he was chasing bad ideas and showing up when it was convenient for him. I make more now because I know what I’m doing. He doesn’t. He’s not my problem anymore. If he runs the other two businesses into the ground, I do not care. Deal with him yourself and keep me out of it.”
The sweetness in her smile dropped away completely for a heartbeat before she forced it back. “We need the money, and I think it’s only fair that?—”
“You are out of your damn mind. No,” I said, letting my voice drop. “You wantmymoney. You think my bar is your shortcut. It’s not. And by the way? You’ve been treating my daughters like a burden, don’t pretend that you’re aiming for future stepmother of the year. They see how you act. And so do I.”
The air between us went still. Outside, a delivery truck rumbled past without slowing down, not mine, of course.
Danielle pushed back from the bar, chin high. “I was only trying to be helpful. Can we be polite with each other, please?”
“This is me being polite. It’s the best I can do when it comes to you. It’s time for you to go,” I said. “Oh, and if you still can’t find Eli after you leave, think about where he used to be back whenIcouldn’t find him. If he’ll cheatwithyou, he’ll cheatonyou.” I shrugged lightly. “Food for thought.” I guess I wasn’t being polite. Whatever.
She left without another word, the door swinging shut behind her. I ran over to lock it, trying not to lose my shit.
I grabbed the phone from behind the bar and called my supplier, pacing between the tables. The manager answered, his voice chipper until I asked about my cider.
“Oh, uh, yeah, that order was canceled,” he said, confused.
“Canceled? By who?”
“Someone from your number called yesterday afternoon, saying you didn’t need it anymore. I double-checked the order form, and it matched your account info.”
My stomach dropped, a cold, creeping unease settling in. “It wasn’t me.”
There was an awkward pause. “Sorry, Paige. I can put in another order, but it’ll be at least a week before we can get it to you.”
“Thank you. Do it, please,” I said tightly, hanging up before my voice could crack with the mix of anger and suspicion bubbling up.
I stood there in the quiet, my pulse sharp in my veins. The cider wasn’t just late; it was not coming. Someone was messing with me.
