“Thank you. We’re trying to visit some places that meant a lot to her. I’m wondering if you could help us. Did you know a Tanya Holden?”
Traci takes a moment to consider, shaking her head after some thought. “Doesn’t ring a bell. I’m sorry.”
“How about Tanya Gaten?”
Her maiden name feels so odd to hear. She wore the name Holden like a badge of honor that could never be stripped from her.
Recognition spreads across Traci’s face. “Oh my God!” she screams, making Dani rear back. “Sorry. I didn’t know her personally, but she’s a legend around here. Her whole family is.”
That doesn’t surprise me at all. Of course she comes from a long line of legends. I’ve always been curious about Tanya’s family. As far as I know, none of the Gatens ever visited Baltimore, and we know she wasn’t going home to Newberry Cove often, if at all. It’s good to see her family legacy is viewed in a positive light, even if she didn’t stick around to add to it.
Traci gives Dani the rundown of which Gaten family members we should talk to, her tacit admiration for one cousin in particular crystal clear.
Dani chats with her like they’ve known each other for years. This is the version of her I’m used to seeing, effortlessly charming, bending anyone to her will. Traci’s entire demeanor has changed from ultimate professional to Dani’s gossiping best friend.
A phone call to the front desk breaks the pair apart, freeing me to grab our room keys.
As we’re walking to the elevator, Traci calls after us. “You should go to Mackey’s tonight. Guarantee you’ll find at least one of the Gatens there.” She pushes a button on the phone and goes back to her call.
When we get in the elevator, Dani sighs. “I really hope Mackey’s is a restaurant. I’m hungry as hell.”
I laugh as the elevator creeps up the floors. “I’m hungry too. Let’s drop our bags and head out?”
She looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. “Um, no. I’m gonna shower first. I smell like I’ve been on the road for six hours.”
I match her expression. “You have been on the road for six hours.”
“Exactly.”
“So, what does that smell like exactly?” I lean toward her neck and take a deep inhale, pleased when her body shudders beneath me. “You smell fine to me.” Better than fine.
She licks her lips as the bell dings and the doors open to our floor. She moves first, sidestepping around me into the hallway.
“Is there a different odor associated with being on the road for five hours? Or seven?” I continue as I catch up to her.
She huffs. “I don’t know, and let’s be clear, I smell fantastic all the time. Sometimes a girl just needs a reset,” she insists.
She’ll get no argument from me.
She stops at the door marked 312, my room. “I can take my bag from here, Micah.”
Her room is only a few doors down at 318, so I allow her to slip her weekender bag off my shoulder, but the way she holds my eyes while her hands caress my arm has me suddenly regretting being a gentleman and booking separate rooms.
“See you soon,” she says as she reaches her door.
“Soon,” I echo.
By the time we get to Mackey’s, the dinner crowd is in full swing. Dani looks relaxed and confident in her black sleeveless jumpsuit, white button-up, gold jewelry, and black heels. Her chosen fragrance tonight is subtle. It’s soft and clean, with a faint essence of roses lingering in the air as she walks.
She catches the attention of many people as we approach the sports bar—unsurprising, but comical nonetheless.
There are a couple of seats here and there at the bar, but we opt to stand at the end, slightly removed from other guests. Of the three bartenders, the middle-aged man with the short curly fro and kind eyes is the one to approach us.
“How you doing, guys? What can I get you?” he asks with a jolly smile spread across his round face.
I start to ask about Tanya and her family, but Dani puts her hand over mine. “Can I have a Tequila Mockingbird? With watermelon juice and no crème de menthe?” She looks over to me, waiting for my order.
“Uh, can I get an old-fashioned, please?” I ask.
