Tinsel

by Perry, Devney

  “Five properties. Proud of you.”

  I was proud of myself too. It had been a long-ass winter in Lark Cove. The property I’d had my eye on since before Christmas had been the hardest one I’d ever bought. The negotiations had taken forever and the seller had nearly backed out. Twice. But we’d finally landed on a price and closed.

  Then two weeks later, I’d stumbled across a screaming deal in the classifieds. I’d drained my savings, sold everything I could from my basement and managed to make a down payment.

  The titles to both places had become mine within ten days of one another. I’d signed papers on the second this morning.

  I was in, committed one hundred percent, praying that my renters would all stay put for the next twelve months until I built back up my savings cushion.

  It was always exciting diving into another house, let alone two. The stress was mounting, but these two purchases had been smart. They were each the worst house on a nice block. I’d be putting more sweat equity into my investments than ever before, but it would be worth it in the long run.

  If the market kept going up like it had over the last couple of years, I’d be able to sell both and turn a nice profit.

  And I’d have something to do this spring and summer. I was aching for a distraction.

  The last four months had been long and tiresome. I was hoping by throwing myself into another property, I’d get back to normal.

  Maybe I’d get through a day without Sofia constantly popping into my mind.

  “So what’s next?” Xavier asked.

  I blew out a long breath. “Paint. Lots of paint. See if I can get them both livable. Then I’m hoping to get a couple renters who won’t mind me making updates while they’re living there.”

  “Good plan.”

  “Xavier?” Hazel called from the kitchen.

  My uncle turned his head over his shoulder, looking to the screen door that led inside from the porch. “Yeah, baby?”

  “Would you start the grill?”

  “On it.” He stood from his chair and went to the grill on the other side of the porch. It was still cool outside, but like a lot of folks around here, the second the weather stayed above freezing, Hazel and Xavier busted out the grill.

  They’d invited me over for steaks to celebrate my new property.

  This had become a sort of tradition for us. As nice as it would be to see them, what I really wanted was to talk to Sofia.

  The overwhelming urge to call her after I’d walked out of the title company today had nearly knocked me over. But had I called her? No.

  Over the last four months, I’d become a chicken shit.

  I’d spent the thirty-minute drive from Kalispell to Lark Cove taking out my phone only to put it away. A move I’d perfected since she’d left.

  Fear, something I hadn’t felt in a long time, had become a quiet companion.

  Would she want to hear from me? I was terrified that I’d call her and she’d brush me off. Or worse, that she’d tell me she’d found someone new.

  Christ. It wasn’t like we’d been together. We weren’t even really friends. But the hold that woman had on me after ten days was impossible to shake.

  Hazel came outside with a plate of raw steaks. She handed them to Xavier, gave him her cheek for a kiss, then perched herself on the railing across from our chairs. Settled, she took out her pack of cigarettes and lit one up, blowing a stream of smoke toward the yard.

  “You doing all right?” she asked.

  I nodded. “Doing great.”

  She studied my face, her eyes narrowing on my own. “You’ve been off.”

  “Yeah.” I shrugged. “It’s just the winter. I’m ready for sunshine.”

  Hazel frowned. “Don’t give me that bullshit. Your mood has nothing to do with the damn weather.”

  “Doesn’t it?”

  “Dakota. Spill.”

  I chuckled, taking a sip of my beer. “You never beat around the bush, do you? Why are you asking if you already know?”

  “It’s Sofia.”

  There was no use denying it so I nodded. “She’s in my head.”

  And in my heart.

  No woman had ever crept in there, not even Petah.

  “What are you going to do?” she asked.

  “Nothing to be done. We had fun. She’s back in the city. I’m here. I’ll always remember her though, you know? She’ll stick with me.”

  Hazel’s face softened as Xavier came over and resumed his seat. “Who’ll stick with you?”

  “Sofia,” I told him.

  “Hmm. You talk to her lately?”

  “Nope.” Which didn’t matter. She was still on my mind.

  I thought about her whenever I worked, if I was unloading the dishwasher or sweeping up the floor. I thought about her when I was at home and on the couch watching TV. She’d fit well with me on that couch. I thought about her when I was in my truck, and the kiss I’d given her good-bye the morning I’d dropped her off at Logan and Thea’s place.

  It hadn’t been enough. I hadn’t kissed her enough.

  Because over the last four months, I’d forgotten what she tasted like.

  Xavier and Hazel shared a look, one I ignored because it was full of pity. I didn’t want to be fucking pitied. I hadn’t gotten my heart broken. I hadn’t gotten hurt.

  I just missed her.

  I missed that connection with another person. Maybe I needed to go on a date. Get laid. It wasn’t like I hadn’t had the opportunity. But the idea of another woman in my bed, taking Sofia’s place, didn’t sit well in my gut.

  Maybe this shitty attitude of mine was because I hadn’t had sex in four months.

  “So what’s new with you guys?” I leaned forward on my elbows, more than ready for a change of subject.

  Hazel and Xavier didn’t answer my question. Instead, the pair shared another look. The two lovebirds had basically mind-melded over the last three years.

  “Would you two stop that shit?” I grumbled. “I’m fine. We’re celebrating.”

  Xavier put his hand on my knee, and I braced, ready for him to keep hold of the Sofia topic. “Want another beer?”

  “Please.”

  “I’ll get them.” Hazel snubbed out her cigarette and slid off the porch rail, going inside as Xavier went back to the grill.

  Thankfully, the conversation about Sofia was over. For now.

  We enjoyed our meal at their small kitchen table, talking mostly about my new properties and the plans I had for improvements.

  “I think I’ll take a walk.” I patted my stomach. “I ate too much.”

  “Sounds good.” Xavier stood from the table at the same time I did, each of us clearing our plate to the sink. “I’ll help my wife with the dishes.”

  “I won’t be long.” I went out the patio door, glad for the cool spring air as I walked outside. In early May, there was still the chance that we could get a late snow, but the weather was turning. It had rained this morning and the smell had lingered all day. As I set out across the yard, the woodsy scent from the evergreens towering over the shoreline filled my nose.

  Montana was in my blood. The open plains. The brutal mountains. The sky, wide and blue. I ached to stretch my wings and explore, to experience what other places and people had to offer. But my roots would always bring me back here, where it smelled like home.

  As I walked down the narrow road that wound around this cove of the lake, a weight lifted from my shoulders.

  I’d been cooped up in the bar, working as much as possible to float that last property purchase. I needed to make more time to get outside, reset myself and take a breath.

  I spent the next ten minutes walking in one direction before turning and heading back to the cottage. But instead of going back inside, I took a turn and went to the end of the dock that jutted out into the lake that abutted Hazel’s property.

  The dock was old. The boards had completely grayed and were warped at the edges. But it was a cool spot. Thea
still waxed on about how much she missed this dock. It had been her spot to unwind when she’d lived in the cottage with Hazel.

  I reached the end and looked out over the water. The sun was nearly gone behind the mountains in the distance, and soon the oranges and pinks would fade to black.

  Above me, a few stars had already come out for the night.

  I closed my eyes and took a long breath.

  Maybe it was time to move on. Go on a date or something. Willa had come into the bar the other day with her and Jackson’s new baby daughter Zoe. One of her old friends from high school had tagged along. Hannah was her name. She was good-looking and lived in Kalispell. She’d eye fucked me for nearly twenty minutes. No doubt she’d say yes to a night of fun.

  I dismissed the idea instantly. I didn’t need a local woman getting attached when all I really wanted was to blow off some steam. I’d wait until the summer when the tourists flocked to the bar. I’d never been short on action before, and this summer wouldn’t be any different.

  It wouldn’t be long before I’d be back to myself.

  I opened my eyes and watched the sun set. It was nearly dark and I was about to head back inside and say good night to Hazel and Xavier when my phone rang.

  I fished it out of my pocket, not sure what I was expecting, and nearly fell face-first into the lake at the name on the screen.

  Sofia.

  She’d put her number in my phone the night before she’d left. I’d only seen it once, four months ago when she’d called me after getting back to the city.

  My heart was nearly pounding out of my chest as I answered, “Hello.”

  “Hey.” She was nervous. Just that one-word greeting and her voice shook.

  “How are you?”

  She blew out a breath. “I’m good, I think. I-I’ve been meaning to call you. But I’ve been nervous to tell you something.”

  My racing heart stopped cold. And I blurted the first nightmare that popped into mind. “You’re pregnant.”

  “What? No! No, I’m not pregnant.” She giggled. “But thanks for that. I needed to laugh.”

  Fuck. Me. She wasn’t pregnant. My head was spinning so I took a step away from the edge of the dock, not wanting to end up in the water. Would it have been the worst thing in the world if she had been pregnant? No. Yes. Whatever. It didn’t matter because she wasn’t pregnant.

  “Are you good? You’re okay?” I asked.

  “Yes, I’m good. On the cusp of great.”

  My heart had just started beating again, but with that, it flatlined. This was the part where Sofia told me she’d met someone. That she was getting remarried or she was in love with another man. This was the part where I lost her for good.

  “What’s up?” My voice was cold.

  “Are you busy?” she asked. “I can call back later.”

  “No. Tell me.”

  “Okay. Here goes.” She paused. “I found it.”

  “Found what?”

  “My passion.”

  Her passion? What was she—her passion. How could I have forgotten? I’d told her to call me when she’d found her passion. “You found it?”

  “Yes. I’m opening a dance studio.”

  A smile split my face. “That’s fantastic.”

  “I’m really excited. I’ve been renovating this studio over the last three months and it’s almost ready. I’m opening it in two weeks. On May fifteenth.”

  “I’m happy for you, babe.”

  “Happy enough to come over for the opening?”

  I blinked, replaying her sentence. Had she just invited me to New York? Yes, she had. And there was no way I could afford to go.

  If I hadn’t just bought two new properties and sunk all of my reserves into a down payment, I would have blown some extra cash on a flight, no problem. But in two weeks? I couldn’t swing it.

  “I don’t know if I can.”

  “Please? I’m not above begging. I really want you to be here.”

  “Why?”

  “Because so much of this is because of you. I’ve felt different since I left. That magazine article. Working with you in the bar. I guess it inspired me to do more with my life. And honestly, I’ve missed you. I can’t imagine opening this place without you here to see it too.”

  Saying no wasn’t an option now. “I’ll see if I can get some time off.”

  “Thank you. Let me know.”

  I hung up the phone, staring out over the water.

  She’d found her passion. The smile on my face wouldn’t go down.

  A trip to New York City meant something in one of my new rentals would have to get delayed. Maybe new carpet. Maybe I’d find a renter who didn’t care if the fridge was pea green.

  I was brainstorming ideas for coming up with plane-ticket money as I turned and walked back down the dock. I said a quick good-bye to Hazel and Xavier, thanking them for dinner. Then instead of going home, I went to the bar.

  Thea gave me a funny look as I walked through the front door. “Hey. What are you doing here?”

  “I need a favor.”

  “Okay.” She set down the sketchpad in her hand. Whenever it was slow, Thea drew pictures. I’d seen a couple sketches with my own face in them before, but tonight’s was one of Camila.

  “Can you trade me weekends in two weeks? I need it and the following Monday and Tuesday off.” I hadn’t asked for a day off in years. And I never changed the schedule. It felt strange asking for something.

  “Um, of course.” She nodded. “I’m sure either Jackson or I can be here. Is everything okay?”

  “I’m good. Just had a last-minute vacation come up.”

  “Good for you. You never take vacations. Going anywhere fun?”

  I tensed because there was no way I could hide this. “I’m actually going to New York.”

  “New Yor—the studio.” She gave me a knowing grin. “You’re going to Sofia’s studio opening.”

  “I’d like to.”

  “I honestly didn’t think you guys were still talking. Sorry. I should have thought of it sooner.”

  “It’s fine. We haven’t been talking. But she called and invited me. Sounds important to her.”

  “It is. She actually didn’t tell us about it until last week. I think she’s really nervous about what we’ll all think. It’s nice of you to be there for her.”

  “She’d do the same for me.” I shrugged, not wanting to make a bigger deal about it than it was. I was just going over as a friend. Right.

  Thea and I hadn’t discussed all that had happened with me and her sister-in-law. So it was no surprise that she hadn’t told me about Sofia’s studio. It had become this non-discussion topic, probably because everyone thought we’d just been a fling.

  No one knew how much I still thought about her.

  “Take as much time as you need,” she said. “Logan is going too, so you might as well fly over with him.”

  “Nah, that’s okay. I can get a ticket.”

  “Or you can fly in a private jet for free.” She rolled her eyes. “The Kendricks have money, Dakota.”

  “I’m aware,” I muttered.

  “There’s no shame in letting them do something nice for you.”

  “It’s not that.”

  She cocked a hand on her hip. “Don’t be that man.”

  “What man?”

  “The one too proud to be with a rich woman. Because it’s not Sofia’s fault she was born wealthy.”

  “That’s not . . .” I stopped myself before I could deny it. Because maybe there was some truth in what Thea was saying. And I really could use a free flight. “Okay. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll let Logan know you’re hitching a ride.”

  I nodded, waved good-bye and left the bar. The second I got in my truck, I pulled out my phone and called Sofia. She answered on the first ring.

  “Hi. So? Are you coming? Please tell me you’re coming.”

  I grinned. “I’ll be there.”

&nbs
p; “Shit. You guys are loaded, aren’t you?”

  Logan chuckled as we left his private jet and walked down the private runway toward a private helicopter pad where a chopper was waiting. “Friday night in the city. Traffic will be a nightmare.”

  I shook my head, trying to figure out what alternate reality I’d stepped into where a middle-class kid from a poor reservation was hanging with one of the richest men in America. From the moment I’d stepped into their cushy Gulfstream, I’d been waiting for someone to pinch me awake.

  We loaded up our bags, got into the helicopter and put on some headphones. I’d never been in a helicopter before, so as the pilot made an announcement and took off, my jaw was on the floor.

  I wanted a helicopter. I mentally scratched it on the list of things I’d buy if I won the lottery.

  “You ever been?” Logan asked as the pilot flew us toward the towering skyscrapers in the distance.

  “To New York? No.” I glanced at him as I spoke, but it was nearly impossible to take my eyes off the view.

  Pictures of New York City did it no justice. The sheer magnitude of the buildings beneath us, the number of people all living in a few hundred square miles, it made my pulse race.

  This was what I was working for. This. To see the world. To experience things firsthand and get this rush of energy.

  When I retired, I wouldn’t be flying in private planes or taking helicopters instead of taxis. But I’d get to see the world.

  In the distance, I spotted the Statue of Liberty, her arm raised high. That statue was a marvel. As an American, I appreciated her as a symbol for my country and my freedom, something my grandfather had fought to preserve in World War II. But as an American Indian, my ancestors hadn’t come through Ellis Island. They’d been here long before, living off the earth.

  The pilot signaled we were approaching our destination, forcing my eyes back to the buildings beneath us.

  “That is the Kendrick Enterprises building,” Logan spoke into the headset, pointing out the window to where we were headed. It wasn’t as tall as some of the massive skyscrapers in the surrounding blocks, but it was wide with gleaming glass windows from top to bottom. “My family’s company. My father and sister Aubrey work there.”