She moved then, coming around the bar, her arms outstretched.
I wasn’t much of a hugger, but when it came to my Rossy Books family, I was. I stepped into Sarah’s embrace with a rushed greediness, needing to feel another body against mine that wasn’t Captain Top Gun Asshole’s. Sarah was close to the same height as me, but she was taller today thanks to her nude pumps. The scent of raspberries and vanilla surrounded me as she squeezed me tight, humming.
“Thanks for checking in,” I whispered, feeling her hair tickle my cheek.
“Thanks for being honest,” she whispered back.
As she pulled away, my stomach fell to the floor. Still, I managed to play it off with a smile just as two more customers came in, the bell above the door jingling.
“Welcome to Rossy’s!” Cardinal greeted.
I turned my head, my lips parting at the sight of the pair. The man was tall but broad, and he had his arm around one of the local tattoo artists, Maria. My gut picked itself up off the floor and twisted painfully at the sight. The man with her was the light that complemented her dark. From his golden blond hair to her box-dyed black, they were polar opposites. And yet? They fit together perfectly.
“Hey Margo,” Maria greeted, taking a seat on the stool at the end of the bar.
“Sup, Maria?” I said, forcing my feet to move as the blond man disappeared into the stacks. “What can I get ya?”
Maria was a year or two older than me, and her uncle owned the tattoo shop at the end of Main Street. He’d opened it about twenty-five years ago, and when he was ready to retire, Maria would be taking it over. I wouldn’t say that we were friends, because I didn’t have many of those. But she was my tattoo artist, and, in some ways, that was sort of like a friend. Right?
She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “There was something that Pam recommended I get…” She trailed off, pulling her phone out of her jean jacket. While I waited, I scanned the store, looking for the man. “Ooh. She said it’s some caramel drink that you were testing out for the harvest sale.”
My neck snapped back toward her. “Pam wasn’t supposed to blab about the secret menu,” I growled.
Cardinal’s laugh filled my ears. “That was me, not Pam.”
I looked over to her, raising my finger. “I do believe I gave you the caramel cinnamon swirl latte, not the boutique owner.”
She raised her hands in the air. “Look, I had to run down there to pick up a dress and I gave her a sip. She said it smelled divine and then, of course, I told her it tasted even better.”
I rubbed my forehead. “Cardinal, how is anything supposed to be a secret in this town if you keep sharing everything?”
Maria cleared her throat, forcing me to give her my attention. Her jacket was now draped over her lap, revealing her tattooed sleeves to the world. She smirked at me. “Oh, come on, Margo. Just give it to me.”
“No.”
“Margo!” Carrie laughed.
I put my hands on my hips. “It’s part of the harvest menu, dammit.”
“Darling, please.”
I tipped my head back, closing my eyes, hearing Rossy emerge from his secret spot in the store.
“Don’t use foul language in front of the customers.”
“Carrie shared the secret menu,” I told him, turning around to find him coming behind the bar, helping himself to another cup of tea.
“Well, I’m sure Maria could be an excellent judge of the caramel one,” he mumbled, plucking the electric kettle from its base.
“Rossy, have I ever told you that you’re my favorite?” Maria purred.
“Whoa, I thought I was your favorite,” a deep male voice sounded.
All eyes landed on the man as he walked out of the history section with a copy ofOff With Her Headby Eleanor Herman in his hands.
Hmm.Good choice.
“Nah, I just happen to like you today,” Maria said, beaming at him.