“How long do the shop stay open?”
“Um,” she hummed, “until eight.”
“Damn, so you not getting off until later, huh?”
She shook her head. “Yeah, this is my day to close. So, I’ll probably be here until nine since I have to clean everything.”
Got damn this girl be oversharing like a mothafucka…
Tuck hadn’t taught Hallie shit about being discreet. Noble reached into his pocket and pulled out some cash. Removing the money clip he peeled off two hundred dollars.
“Keep the change, beautiful.”
“Wow, thank you so much.” She picked up the money. “What’s your name?”
He grinned. “Anthony.”
“Okay, Anthony. You enjoy that manicure and make sure you tell someone about us, okay?”
He nodded. “I will. Have a good day.”
Noble exited the shop and got inside his car. He dialed Wilde’s number as he started the engine.
“Yo?” he answered.
“Tonight.”
“Word?”
“Yep, shit is too easy.” Noble peered at the shop.
“A’ight.”
Hanging up, Noble drove away and went to the other side of town so he could knock out the next thing on his to-do list.
Thirteen
“Happy birthday to the baddest, most chocolate, most passionate, and most driven best friend ever! Don't let anyone tell you that you're not the shit, Calia Donielle Harvey, formally known as Campbell.”
Cali grinned at Irish’s toast before they gulped back their drinks. Cali had champagne while she possessed apple juice. Irish had touched down last night in Diamond Falls, and her presence was like breathing in a complete breath. Although she was doused in grief, her spirit had lifted Cali to heights she hadn’t felt in a while.
“Girl, you getting old,” Irish teased. “In four years, you’ll be forty.”
“I know right.” Cali smirked. “But this year is going to be an amazing one. Not just for me but for you, too.”
Irish pinched her middle finger and thumb together. “Claim it because I could use some sunshine right now.”
“Have you spoken to Noble?”
She sipped and shook her head.
“Do you plan to?”
Irish lifted her shoulders. “Yeah, I’ll probably text him for the doctor’s appointment.”
“Ugh, y’all need to get it together. You two belong with each other and y’all got a baby coming. I don't like this.”
Irish leaned on the island, wearing a stony expression. “I don't like this either but… I don't know… I don't really care about a lot right now. The therapist at the Stoplight Booth told me that this grief has altered my brain chemistry and I feel it.”
