by Megan Noelle
“Well, then. Let’s promise each other that, no matter what, we will make time for one another. We will always fit in nights like this. Thinking about goodbye will be banned from the evening.” A stray tear rolled down her cheek and another quickly followed.
“I promise.” She croaked out.
My throat was burning with the added effort of trying to hold back my tears. When I heard Gabby’s sob escape her chest, I broke down. Together we wept and tried to hold onto the beautiful memory of the two of us—right here and now.
*~*~*~*~*
Work after my catastrophic dinner with Erik made the work environment less than enjoyable for the last three days I was at the office. Wednesday was my last day at work and Friday was to be my last day in New York. During the last few days at the magazine, I wanted nothing more than to spend time with all the men and women that had become my family. Time did not allow for that. Instead, I was saddled with the task of going through dozens of applications and interviewing people to take my spot. I had to secure my accounts to ensure Empower would continue growing as impressively as it has thus far. Truthfully, the workload I had piled up on my desk should have kept me working through the night—let alone lunch—but this was really the only chance I had to say goodbye.
Erik just about had a heart attack when he walked in from an out-of-office meeting and saw about 99% of his staff leaving for lunch. He couldn’t be heard over the chatter of everyone, so he eventually gave up and told us to make it quick. This continued every day and, on Wednesday, the same group not only went to lunch but for dinner and drinks, too. It was a great way to end my time in New York and the lively atmosphere kept me from being sad about the move. Everything was perfect but, when I woke up Thursday morning and realized I didn’t have anywhere to go, I lost it. I was only twelve weeks into my pregnancy and the hormones were already making me ridiculously emotional.
I cried while I showered. I cried while I vacuumed. And I absolutely cried while I packed. By the time Gabby got home from work, my eyes were so red and swollen she was convinced I got into a fight with someone. Lucky for me, Gabby was fantastic at helping me pack and packing for herself. She planned to drive to Serenity Cove and stay with me for a little while until I was settled. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about that goodbye until later.
*~*~*~*~*
Moving day was upon us. The trunk and backseat were stuffed full of all the clothes, accessories and shoes I couldn’t leave behind. With the little available room left, Gabby stuffed her around-the-world-sized bag and another bag for just shoes in the car. We would drive together to Serenity Cove and then Gabby would use her one-way ticket and return home to New York.
One-way—the idea brought a tear to my eye and a pain in my heart, so I tried not to think about it.
“This feels oddly familiar,” Gabby said, looking in at the filled-to-the-brink car.
“Yeah, except for last time I was sweating my tits off,” I said with a smile, desperately trying to make light of the situation. Gabby let out a single laugh and looked at me, a tear sliding down her cheek.
“I’m really going to miss you.” I closed the space between us and wiped the tear away.
“You can’t cry now, Gabriella, or the tears will freeze to your face.”
“Good point. How ridiculous would I look then?” She asked with a laugh, wiping away the next few tears that slid down.
“Super ridiculous!” I smiled and pointed to the driver’s seat. “You’re taking the first shift, so you better wipe those tears and be ready to navigate through this crazy traffic.”
“You’re right; I’m driving with some pretty precious cargo.”
I rolled my eyes. “Your shoes can be replaced, Gabriella.”
“I’m talking about my best friend and future niece or nephew.” Her words tugged at my heart strings, reminding me why Gabby was taking the first shift. My emotional ass would be a total wreck during the first part of the drive.
“You can’t say stuff like that to me. You’ll make me start crying.” Gabby playfully rolled her eyes.
“Oh, is that supposed to be a big deal? Dani, when have you stopped crying?” I let out a much needed laugh and nodded.
“Okay. Touché.”
With that we both took one last look at Gabriella’s apartment building and held onto this moment. This was our home, in our city that represented our lives together. All of it was going to change and from this moment forward—nothing would ever be the same. We smiled at one another, ready to brave the unknown. I never wanted this to end, but I couldn’t pretend as if life was going to stand still. My baby was growing, life was changing and my heart was in desperate need of one incredible man.
We climbed into the car, ready for whatever came next.
*~*~*~*~*
The drive was long, but we made it fun. Once we were far enough away that I wasn’t worried about seeing something that sparked some sort of nostalgic memory, we actually enjoyed it. We played the alphabet game, took pictures, blasted some music and laughed a lot. One thing was certain—my soul needed this. Truthfully, I think Gabby’s did, too. I was almost sad when we pulled into Serenity Cove. Almost. I pointed out every little thing that had some meaning in my life as we drove past it. Lucky for me, Gabby listened and seemed halfway excited about what I had to say. It felt great to show her where I came from, even if I had been afraid of it all along.
When we pulled up to my house—my very beautiful house—there were two surprises awaiting me. The first thing was the sidewalks and driveway had been cleared of all the snow. I had been dreading that mess the whole ride home. The second was my Grandfather’s truck was parked on one side of the driveway. During the beginning of the drive, I left a message on his voicemail saying I was on my way home and would call later. I never expected him to be waiting for me when I showed up. I had barely put my car into park when I jumped out and ran to the front door. It wasn’t until I saw his vehicle that I realized how terribly I had missed my Gramps.
Gabby followed close behind and waited just as anxiously as I tried to unlock the door. Once I did, we just about fell in the front door. We looked up to find my wonderful Grandfather sitting in my living room. He wore a beaming smile on his face that warmed me up despite the cold March air. I ran to his arms as he stood and was quickly enveloped into his large figure. My six-foot-six Gramps always had a way of making me feel like the timid little child I used to be. I loved the way I felt safe and protected every time he was near.
Before I even had a chance to comprehend everything, there were even more tears in my eyes. I was beginning to hate myself for crying so damn much.
“How’s my Dolly?” He asked after a few moments of rocking me from side-to-side.
“I’m okay,” I answered honestly. There was plenty left unsaid but, for now, this would have to do.
“I’m so glad you are home, Danielle. When I got your message, I went to the grocery for you. Then I came over here and cleaned for you so you didn’t come home to a mess.”
More tears spilled out.
“You didn’t have to do all that.” I choked out past my enflamed throat.
“Of course I did.”
“Thank you for shoveling, too. That was one thing I was dreading having to deal with.” Grandpa grabbed hold of my arms and held me away from his chest. His soft, caring eyes looked down into mine.
“Dolly, that wasn’t me.”
“Oh?”
There was no way my Gram did it. Not that she was a bad person, but I doubted if she shoveled her own walkway. Gramps cast a glance around the room and noticed Gabriella standing back by the front door. His face lit up with a smile.
“Hello there! I’m Clayton. You must be Danielle’s friend.”
“Yes, Sir. I’m Gabriella, but you can just call me Gabby.” I heard her walking forward and her hand extended out to shake his. He took it with a smile.
“Great to meet you, Dear. I hope you both had a nice drive in.”
“It was very nice. Not too much traffic and the roads were pretty clear.”
“Excellent.” Gramps answered with a smile.
I wanted to add more into the conversation but my mind was still elsewhere. I tried to let it go—but I couldn’t.
“Grandpa?”
“Yes, Dolly?” He asked, walking around the room to collect his scarf and gloves.
“If you didn’t shovel, who did?” He stopped what he was doing and turned my way. For a minute, he just watched my face to see if I really didn’t know and then decided I truly had no clue.
“Corey shoveled it. He has all winter, actually.” My heart lurched into my throat. Lord—I so did not deserve that man and his unfailing love.
“Oh.” I replied, but had to bite on my lip to hold back the waterfall. Gabby gave my arm a tight reassuring squeeze. I was thankful that she didn’t start saying anything in front of my Grandpa; that was one thing I didn’t want to share.
“Well, I’ll be out of your hair. Just give me a call if you need anything.” I bobbed my head up and down.
“Of course.”
He placed a kiss to my forehead, gave Gabby another handshake and then he left. Before I could sink to my knees and wail, Gabby tugged me towards the kitchen.
“Give me a tour of this gorgeous house!” Her enthusiasm was a nice try to keep my mind occupied, but I knew exactly what she was doing.
“Alright. What about some hot chocolate, too?”
Gabby let out a squeal. “Now you’re talking!”
*~*~*~*~*
After an evening of unpacking, getting settled in and grubbing out in front of the fantastic fireplace that my Grandpa had lit for us—my mind was still elsewhere. Okay, that’s a lie. There was really only one thing on my mind and there was nothing I could do to remedy it. Well, there was something.
“Gabby?”
“Yeah, what’s up?” She asked, only half paying attention while one of our chick flicks played on TV.
“I think we need to go see him.”
That got her attention.
“Go see who?” Her brown eyes looked as if they were about to bug right out of her face.
“Corey.”
“Oh, my. Are you sure? You want to tell him already?!” Before she could continue, I was viciously shook my head.
“No, no! I don’t want to tell him, I just want to see him—know that he’s okay.”
Gabby’s worried expression softened as she understood.
“Okay. We will go visit from afar.”
“Well, I sort of have a plan.”
She watched my face for a few moments before letting out a big sigh.
“Why does that terrify me?”
I coyly shrugged my shoulders. “Because you know me well.”
“What’s the plan?”
I tried to take a moment to find the best way to phrase the bizarre plan brewing in my brain. Really, there was no ‘good’ way to say it—I was going to sound nuts regardless of how I painted this picture,
“So, I know he’s been taking care of my sidewalk and such but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t moved on. Maybe he’s doing it as a favor to my Grandma, right?” I asked to make sure she was following along.
“We both know that’s not true. But continue.”
“I want you to go in there and flirt with him. Just to see what he does.”
“You want me to seduce him?” Gabby practically screamed at me. Yep—it sounded mental.
“Well, yeah, I suppose so.”
“You know how absolutely ridiculous that sounds, right?”
My head hung with my big sigh. “Yes, I do.”
“Well, good! Because, my God, Danielle! Haven’t you put that poor man through enough! Why are you going to do this to him?”
“It’s complicated.” I said with another sigh. This wasn’t a test to see if Corey still wanted me—it was to see if he wanted anyone else. I needed to know how to act for future meetings and there was no better way to tell than this. Besides, I was something of a masochist that apparently really liked self-torture.
“Do you really need to do this, Danielle? And I mean really need to?”
“I do.” Gabby nodded and shut off the TV.
“Well then, my crazy best friend. Let’s get ready to go to the bar.”
*~*~*~*~*
An hour later, we were ready to go. Gabby was wearing a skin-tight little black dress, had big sexy curls in her hair, and make-up that made her look damn near untouchable. As a final addition, I gave her my favorite purple high heels - the very same ones that became my favorite because they were the ones I wore the night I met the man of my dreams. It just about killed me to watch Gabby slip them on, but I gave in.
While Gabriella decked herself out and became the most gorgeous person I’ve ever seen, I changed my clothes, too. I slid on a pair of jeans, a black hoodie and slid on a purple puffy vest over that. I braided my hair and let it hang over my shoulder and then I was ready. Gabby had a fit when I told her I would just be creeping through the one window in the door and not actually going in.
After arguing and our final plotting, we buckled into my car and drove off towards the Underground for the first time in months.
Chapter Four
Corey
Just another damn night.
Pouring one more drink for yet another drunken guest. Sometimes the faces were new ones but none of them were memorable, most of the time they all blurred together. There was only one face I wanted to see. And each day that passed and I didn’t see it ended with disappointment. It didn’t take long to realize that a life without Dani was simply ordinary. Every day I tried to tell myself that I didn’t need that remarkable woman. That I didn’t miss the way her smile lit up her eyes and seriously just made her glow. The softness of her skin and the way she felt. The way she made me feel. Just being around Danielle was a feeling like no other.
This had to stop. Danielle was gone and it was time to accept that and move on.
The bar door swung open, I shot a look to see who was walking in. I had to suppress my snort—this chick was clearly asking for it. Sometimes it was so beyond pathetic that I wondered why I was still here, putting up with this shit, day in and day out. The girl with the skintight dress and far too much make up on swung her hips like she was real hot shit. If I wasn’t responsible for making her drinks, I’d turn away from this chick and ignore the fuck out of her.
“Hey, Sexy.” Unfortunately, it wasn’t late enough in the night for Sanders’ shift to start so I was stuck dealing with this hot mess.
“What can I get you?” I deadpanned.
Before answering, the chick made sure to flutter her lashes, as if she were pulling me under her spell. No chance of that happening. What this woman didn’t know was once she left the bar, I wouldn’t be able to pick her out of a lineup five seconds later. Nothing about her stood out to me—because she wasn’t her.
“Hmm … Well, what would you recommend?” I heard the flirtatious tone in her voice. I was more irritated than anything else, but I knew I wouldn’t have any customers if I snapped at every woman that tried to flirt with me.
So, I had to play nice. I pressed my hands into the bar and stopped washing glasses, focusing all my attention on Miss Desperation.
“Beer,” I answered. Her face screwed up in repulsion, making me crack a bit of a smile.
“Not a beer girl.”
“How about a Long Island?” I offered. She leaned into her elbow, moving her face closer to mine.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” She asked, with another bat of those lashes.
I leaned in marginally and whispered. “You’re the one that came to the bar. I think it’s safe to say that you are trying to get drunk.” I could see the shock well hidden at my brush off.
“Fair enough,” she concluded. “What about we take a shot together?”
I knew where this was going.
“Tequila,” she added, before I could respond
.
I instantly shook my head, trying to deny the zing of pain at the subtle reminder of her. “Nope.”
“And why not?” Her arms crossed over her chest as if she was seriously offended at my refusal.
“There are two people I’ll drink tequila with and you’re neither of them.”
Now she really did look offended.
“Am I not pretty enough to drink with?” A slow smile spread over my face as I thought of the one woman I wanted to be here, asking me to take tequila shots with her.
“Honey, why don’t you go throw on a hoodie, some hoop earrings and put your hair into a bun and then come talk to me. Because, no offense, but right now—you couldn’t touch her.”
Right as it slipped out I knew I made a mistake. I never talked about Dani to any of my friends or family, let alone to customers. She immediately caught onto the one word I wanted her to forget.
“Her? Who is this mystery woman that I am no comparison to?” There was a smirk plastered onto the woman’s face and I knew I had to get away.
“No one. Think of what you want and I’ll be back.”
“Okay. I want a few shots and a margarita on the rocks,” she called to me when I was about to turn and run.
“You got it.”
I walked to the far end of the bar but, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed she set her bag on the counter before turning to walk off towards the jukebox. At first, I was relieved at the break but then I caught a glimmer of something I couldn’t forget. A speck of purple captured my attention. That was when I noticed those shoes—the same bright color as my favorite pair of Dani’s heels. The ones she wore when I first met her. Normally I didn’t give a damn about what a woman wore, but it was those shoes that I noticed first.
This downright gorgeous woman with a killer body walked into my bar and I couldn’t hold back my amusement at those damn heels. Right away, they told me that the woman I was about to fall in love with had a quirky side that I wouldn’t be able to forget.