I was sure women loved that bell, but it reminded me of cowbells…specifically, the SNL skitmore cowbell.I covered my mouth with my hand, and Gilly’s lips twitched. Maybe there was a method to the bell madness because the weighted feeling lifted, and all I felt was utter joy for my sister and her wedding with Christopher.
Grace and Gilly went back into the dressing room, and I sat back in the chair and checked my phone. Two emails met me, one from Carla and one from a Peter Dubowski. My pulse raced at seeing Carla’s name, and a million thoughts crashed together.Did it not work without Nora? Did they need more help?
Fritz—I can’t thank you enough for putting us in contact to get a loan and with Nora. Things are moving at a rapid pace. I have a friend who is in the same boat, wanting to start a business that is an organic and vegan café. He’s run into some road blocks, so I gave him your email. I hope that’s okay. Please tell me if you’d like me to not share your information.
I hope you’re well and hope to see you next week at the market.
That was the one minor annoyance about Gilly wanting to do the dress shopping this Saturday morning. No farmer’s market. No Nora in her overalls and too-large smile and no checking in on Carla to see how it was going. But another guy needing to start a business?
My blood hummed. I wanted more details. I clicked the email and read it so fast, I had to read it twice.
Hope you don’t mind me reaching out. Carla spoke highly of you and your connections. My brother and I want to start an organic and vegan café that uses local ingredients and supports the community. Do you have time for a call?
Peter Dubowski
Yes. Yes, I did.
“Fritz, you’re bouncing your leg so much you’re shaking the floor.” Gilly walked up to me and put a hand on my shoulder. “You good?”
“Great actually.” I slid the phone in my pocket and smiled, for real. “Are you good? You better not back out of our dress and mimosas plan.”
“I wouldnever.”
She bought the dress and made all the appointments for alterations. I tuned out and thought about the email. Another local business. Man. That would be something else if I could help two small start-ups in our community. So much better than my day job.
Shit,I was tipsy. For sure. My head buzzed, and the ground swayed beneath me. I could always have a beer or two and be fine, but the mimosas were stronger and unlimited. Gilly charmed the waitress like she always did, and now here I was, stumbling back home at noon on a Saturday with a slight wobble to my step.
I could nap or eat or watch baseball or buy a beanbag chair. Oh. That’s a good idea. They had adult ones now that weren’t that weird Styrofoam. A big-ass beanbag chair. I could see it fitting in my living room. I hummed to myself, picturing how comfortable it’d be, and walked into the foyer of my building.
What if I got beanbag chairs for the entrance area?
“You’re back!” Nora said, her door flying open and her wonderful scent tickling my nose. I grinned at her hard, the same buzzy feeling in my head moving toward my chest.
“Nora! What do you think of beanbag chairs? What if I got a million colors to match your earrings? Or pink! Like your hair?”
She ran a hand through her soft hair, and her eyes twinkled like she was about to tell a really funny joke. I wanted to know the joke. A lot. “You have quite the spring in your step today.”
“I do, don’t I?” I skipped. I literally lifted my knees and skipped in the foyer, and by the time I realized how foolish I looked, Nora laughed, and that sound made it all make sense.Thatwas why I was an idiot. For that laugh.
“What has gotten into you?”
“Ideas, Nora. I have a lot of them. But if you’re thinking specifics, mimosas.”
“Ah, yes. That explains it.” She smiled at me, her brown eyes going all gooey and warm, and visions of her in that wedding dress place assaulted me.
Her wearing a white dress with lots of flowers. Stupid amounts of flowers. She could even grow her own plant babies and use them as accessories.
“You’re frowning. You need some food, which is perfect because I brought you something from the market.”
“You went to the market without me?” I asked, on the verge of pouting. I didn’t know why I was frowning or why thinking of her going toour placewithout me bothered me. She was a free woman. An adult. She could do anything she wanted.
Nora bit the side of her lip and narrowed her eyes before walking up to me and running her dainty fingers over my beard. I hummed and closed my eyes. Oh, her fingers felt good. Very good. “Are you saying you missed me this morning?”
“Yes, I thought that was clear.”
“Nope. You never said it.”
Her voice got closer, and her warm breath hit my face. Tingles spread from head to toe in a terrifyinglywonderfulway. I leaned into her and captured her mouth with mine and sighed. Her full lips tasted like cinnamon, and I reached around to pull her closer to me. I needed more.
