45
Sam
Even though we’d only been away for two nights, Luna made short work of re-marking her territory the next morning.
As nice as it had been to spend time with Harry, Imogen, and the baby, I was glad to be back.There was still plenty to do, and I didn’t want to waste any time.I left Luna to her wandering and put the coffee pot on, settling in at the kitchen counter to start a list.
order stock to top up inventory
confirm staff schedule with Devon
Talk to Tiffany
The last one got underlined.Twice.
I had no idea what I would say beyond “I’m sorry” and “I love you,” but I reasoned they were a good place to start.
When our usualopening time rolled around later that evening, I wasn’t surprised to hear the knock on the door.Though Devon had updated our social media sites with the news of the closure, I knew news could slip through the cracks.
But it wasn’t a confused customer at the door.Instead, it was Tiffany’s friend Quinn, dressed in a flattering jumpsuit that accentuated her height.Her face was buried in her phone but snapped up at the sound of the door opening.
“A little birdy sent me this.”She turned her phone around, where the tribute interview was open.“I don’t know what I was expecting from you, Sam, but you and Tiff are two of the gutsiest sons of bitches I’ve ever known.You know you just killed whatever goodwill you had with Pierce, right?Of course, you do.You’re not an idiot.Anyway, I think we can help each other out.”She moved confidently into the bar, and I marveled at the similarity to Tiffany.There was a lack of airs about her, and it made me warm to her instantly.
“Oh?”I locked the door and followed after her.
“Absolutely.You’re not the only one, you know.There are a lot of us who are sick of the Pierce’s of the world holding their influence over our heads.We’ve been talking about a mutually beneficial arrangement, a coalition, to get around him.I wasn’t sure you’d be interested, but after reading this, I’ve changed my mind.”Without waiting for a response, she took a seat at the bar, swiveling the chair around to face me.“Sorry to hear about the permit situation, by the way.If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
I took a seat beside her.“Tell me more about this coalition.”
“It’s not only bar owners.We’re cafés, restaurants, retailers, all small businesses really, across town, and the idea is to get enough of us on board that we can pretty much support each other, try our best to keep our businesses alive, give new startups the best chance possible.Where we can, we supply to each other, cross-promote, mentor each other.Right now, it feels more like an all-hours support group.”She laughed.
“It’s not gonna be foolproof, but it’s nice to know you’re not out here alone, you know?That when you’re faced with a problem, there are people around, people who are in the same position, and who care, that you can talk to about it.That could maybe help with it.Silly idea in this day and age.”
“But a noble one.”
“Most businesses fail, and we’re all just out here trying our best.It’s utter bullshit not to help, in my opinion.Where one succeeds, we all do.All that jazz.”
And there was something in that.A thread, itching under my skin.That coming together, working together, wasn’t a result of giving something up but rather pooling resources together.It bubbled up alongside a jerk reaction of cynicism.I was once that naïve, believing wholeheartedly in the goodness of others.
Then, Piper took that hope and crushed it.
Ever since then, I’ve been holding on to what was mine with both hands and a chain-link fence.Never wanting to give any ground.Not wanting to give away any more of myself than I could spare.
Did I really want to let that become who I was?
What Quinn was talking about was a larger version of what I had with Jordan, and the idea that I could be that for someone else was thrilling.I wanted to be a part of it.
Immediately, I knew there was no one more suited for this than Tiffany.In the time that I’d worked here, could I even count how many stories I’d heard of favors she’d done for others?
“Can I ask you a question?It’s a little left field.”
Quinn nodded, her body language subtly shifting, readying herself for what I was about to ask.
“What has Tiffany done for you?”I heard the question and stammered to rephrase it.“I mean, uh.Hmm.”Christ, this shouldn’t be this hard.“Has she ever—”
Quinn, realizing that I was floundering, cut in with a laugh.“I think I know what you’re getting at.She has a habit of helping out.I know a lot of people who owe her a favor or two, not that she ever keeps count or cares about collecting.It’s just her way.”
“I used to believe it was selfishly motivated,” I said, not ashamed to show my regret.
