Mikey’s fingers closed around the cookie. He was dazed, speechless.
“It was great meeting you, Mikey.”
“Likewise,” he said, attempting to shake the haze. “You have my number. Call me.”
Turning, he exited slowly, eyes never leaving the cookie. The door tinkled closed behind him.
George stood there for a moment. He felt good. Maybe Mikey’s superpower was real after all.He still had doubts concerning the business—any virginal entrepreneur would—but they seemed... lessened.
Maybe this isa good idea,he thought.Maybe being in the heart of The Circle is magic on its own.
Chapter 4
Later that evening, when May came back, George was hammering a nail into the wall opposite the door.
“That’s good. It looks pretty centered to me.”
“Let’s hope because I’m not looking to patch and paint this wall again.”
He placed the hammer on one of many large boxes—tables and chairs that were delivered that afternoon.
“I love the color. The white brightens things up considerably. These are great too,” she said, rummaging through some linens on the bar with her free hand. She lifted a blue and white gingham tablecloth. “Verytraditional.”
“VeryGreek,” said George. “My grandmother would be proud.”
“I’m proud of you.”
There was a grunt from over near the door.
“She’s proud of you too.”
It was Gertie, her Basset Hound. May had her bed tucked under her arm—a big, plush, donut-shaped—pillow. She put it down in front of the bar and gave it a pat, encouraging the old dog to come. Gertie did, collapsing into it with an exasperated sigh.
“That’s how I feel, Gert,” George said, unwrapping a large picture frame. It was a silhouette of him and David, walking hand-in-hand at sunset. The photo was taken years ago on the pebbled beach of Mykonos. “Help me with this, will you?”
She took one side; he took the other, and they hung the picture on the nail. George adjusted until it was straight, then they both stepped back to give it a good look.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Says the photographer.”
“No, I mean as a central focal point—one large wall, one large picture. I will take credit though.”
“You should. We had so much fun that night, remember?”
“I remember you guys ditched me with that awful German woman... Hulga.”
“She was into you.”
“I know. And it was hard to escape her clutches, especially when you and David deserted me to go skinny dipping in the Aegean.”
George smiled. “Those were good times.”
“I think you picked the right spot. It brings depth and warmth—welcomes you in.”
“It’s not just the memories you associate with it?”
She shook her head. “No. The water, the sunset, the silhouette—it’s timeless... a visual archetype people will relate to.”
