He drove past Haywood Lake Park and the children’s park. So many little ones were enjoying the merry-go-round, the jungle gym and swings. He slowed slightly, watching. Did Lainey ever bring her son here?
He turned onto Church Street. When he rounded the corner to Pine Street, the historic district came into view. Lainey’s section of the redevelopment was quiet. The constructionfencing was secure and locked. The equipment was idle. No sign of trouble.
Finn slowed as he passed, scanning out of habit.
Something caught his eye.
Two men in street clothes lingered near a rundown building a block away, right on the fringe of the newer redevelopment zone. One leaned against a brick wall. The other lit a cigarette. They weren’t talking. Just standing there.
Watching.
They weren’t dressed like inspectors. Didn’t look like contractors. And they sure as hell didn’t look like tourists or men just passing by.
Nothing they were doing was illegal. Just two guys hanging out on a Saturday.
Still, something about it didn’t feel right. Something about the way they were glancing at Lainey’s buildings.
It bothered Finn. It wasn’t enough to raise the red flag over. Not yet.
But it was enough to keep it at the back of his mind.
By the timeLainey found Lucky’s Bar, she was already questioning her life choices. Getting dressed had been a chore. Not knowing how dressy or not Lucky’s was, she opted for a blue-floral mid-length ruffled-edged skirt with a thigh-high slit, a white sleeveless V-neck top, and a pair of rhinestone sandals. A lightweight kimono-style coverup in blue to match the skirt completed the look. It was casual without being too casual.
Then she had a hard time finding the bar. It was tucked at the end of a string of warehouses and mom-and-pop shops near Haywood Lake. It was easy to miss if you hadn’t been herebefore. The parking lot was packed, but she was able to find a spot under a streetlamp. The twang of country music drifted toward her in the night air.
She stepped inside and was immediately overtaken by noise: conversations, clinking glasses, the sharp clack of pool balls, and the band belting out a love song. Lainey stood by the long wooden bar and took a deep breath. Did she really want to be here?
Bars weren’t her thing. Sure, maybe they were in college, but she wasn’t in college anymore, plus she had a child.
Before Lainey could chicken out, Autumn spotted her and waved from a big table in the back. Weaving her way through the people lined up at the bar, the dancers on the floor, and the tables surrounding the dance floor, she finally made it. She slid into an empty seat between Autumn and Joy.
“Oh my God!” she half-yelled over the music. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this is more, much more.”
“Glad you made it,” said Joy, practically shouting, then turned toward two other women. “Lainey, these are my friends Mallory Chapman and Nicki Vanderdorf.”
Lainey said hi and glanced around the table. She finger-waved to Isabelle and Felicia, who were at the other end of the table. And did a double take when she saw Jessie West. She owned a nursery school in town that many of Luke’s friends had attended. Lainey hadn’t seen her with the other women before and wondered how they all knew her. There she was, sitting next to Mia like this was just any old Saturday night. Lainey gave a small wave.
A server appeared and handed her a menu. She looked over at the other women’s drinks, all colorful concoctions of something yummy and inviting. Her mouth watered.
“I’ll have a frozen Piña Colada,” she said, pointing to a picture of the frosty drink with a lime wedge and sugared rim.
Within minutes, the server set a colorful, slushy drink in front of Lainey.
Joy raised her glass. “To girls’ night out. May there be many more.”
Everyone clinked glasses.
Lainey took a sip of her frozen drink. It was cold, tart, and perfect. Exactly what the night called for.
She glanced around the room. The band was taking a break, and it was blissfully quiet except for the hum of conversation, occasional laughter, the sharp knock of pool balls. Still.
They could talk.
“So, I know what most of you do.” Lainey set her drink down and pointed at Mallory and Nicki. “What about you two?”
Before Mallory could answer, Autumn jumped in. “Mallory owns Spiritual Bliss in town. I just photographed it, and I have to say I’m ready for a hot stone massage, a full-body Swedish massage, anything to get rid of stress.”
“Anytime.” Mallory laughed. “Seriously, you all are welcome. We have a variety of options for the ultimate relaxing experience from facials to yoga.”
