Audrey sighed and glanced at the person outside about to come into the shop. “She’s been dropped onto your path for some mysterious reason. You might as well flow with it to see if she drowns you or helps you fly.”
Shaking her head at Audrey’s bizarre metaphor, she texted back.When and where?
Godfrey rooftop. 6:30.
Make it 7. I’ll need to close up here and then get into the city. We can watch Adriana’s segment together.
See you there. #ThirstyEchoes
River laughed, making Audrey stop talking to the customer about what was going to happen in her appointment. “Sorry.” The last thing she wanted to do was encourage them to keep teasing her about it.
After that, the day was back-to-back appointments. It didn’t escape River’s attention that many of the newcomers were from the rainbow brigade, and she managed to duck out of more than a few requests for dates by saying she was too busy with the neighborhood situation. Some of the people who’d booked readings just wanted to talk about the gentrification issue, and she wasn’t thrilled about that coming into the shop.
Audrey had to leave to get to hospital visiting hours, and River wished Leo hadn’t left earlier in the day. Having people waiting at the counter to pay for something wasn’t helpful when she was doing a reading for someone who needed her attention.
By the time she turned the sign to closed, she had a low-level headache and would have liked to head to the gym to work off the energy she’d picked up from all the people in her personal space. But she really hated canceling plans, and she was curious about Marina’s desire to see her.
It was already getting dark by the time she stepped into her place, and Marjorie floated past the living room, the lights flickering in her wake, her perpetual disapproval written in every wrinkle. River dashed upstairs, showered in under two minutes, and was back out the door in less than fifteen. She made sure the comb was in her pocket before she put on her helmet. The only way to get through the city at this time of day was on motorcycle. Thankfully, the weather was dry, and it wasn’t too cold yet.
The roar of the engine made her smile, as did the power beneath her. She made good time cutting lanes and moving ahead of traffic at lights, and she was headed to the rooftop with five minutes to spare. The Godfrey wasn’t a place she’d ordinarily go to. Swanky and overpriced, it catered to a crowd she’d never wanted to be part of. But the private faux snow globes with tables, chairs, and heaters were pretty. And romantic. Why would Marina choose somewhere with that kind of vibe? Was she going to be underhanded again?
She inhaled and was filled with the scent of vanilla. That tugged at some other memory she couldn’t place, but it fled when she looked down at Marina standing beside her.
“Hey.” Marina’s smile was tentative, her gaze searching.
“You look beautiful. As always.” River shoved her hand in her pocket, glad the other was holding her helmet.
“And you look…” Marina touched the leather jacket. “Shall we sit?” She gave her name to the waiting host, who led them to a globe at the far end, one with the best view.
Once they were seated in the intimate plastic sphere, River really looked at her. There were dark circles under her eyes, and her cheeks seemed hollow, like maybe she hadn’t eaten in a while. “How are you?” she asked. “Really.”
Marina didn’t have to answer as she asked the waiter to bring out their pre-ordered wine. River ordered iced tea. At Marina’s questioning look, River tapped her helmet on the seat beside her. “I never have anything to drink when I ride.”
Marina nodded. “Too many people think just one is fine, and then they’re proved wrong. You can lose someone in an instant.” The look of grief that flashed through her eyes was intense, and then it was gone. “I’m fine. How are you? You certainly look comfortable in the zillions of videos you’re in online.”
River ran her hand over her hair. “I knew I’d be in the limelight, but I guess I didn’t think about what that meant in terms of today’s way of digesting information. Leo is going to take over our socials for us.”
Marina laughed. “Smart move. Old people should make way for the young to do the things they’re bad at.”
River put her hand over her heart and did her best to look wounded. “I’m offended and deeply saddened that you see me that way.” She gave her best sexy half-grin. “I’m still better than the young ’uns will be at certain things.”
Marina blushed and sipped her wine, but she didn’t break eye contact. “Oh, I don’t doubt that.”
Before she could say anything else, River put her hand over Marina’s. “Please don’t gloss over real questions. How are you?”
The light in Marina’s eyes dimmed. “Busy. Juggling a lot of egos. Irritatingly concerned with gray areas that haven’t bothered me before.” Slowly, she turned her hand over andthreaded their fingers together. “Thank you for asking.” She squeezed and then gently pulled her hand away.
River felt the lack of energy in Marina’s being. It wasn’t good. She looked for a menu. “Let’s eat.”
Marina motioned to the waiter hovering nearby. “We’re ready for our courses, please.”
River raised her eyebrows. “I can honestly say I’ve never had anyone order for me before.”
“Does it put a kink in your boxers?”
River’s mouth went dry, and she shook her head slowly. “I’m always up for new things, especially to do with kink or my boxers.” This was a game she knew and could play well. Marina’s energy tonight was open and honest, and no shadows shielded her eyes. Not yet, anyway.
“In order to book these tables, you have to order ahead of time. I chose a couple dishes I hoped would work for you, and I’d planned on sharing this wine, but I’m happy to keep it to myself too.” Her fingertip slid along the rim of her glass.
