“Nina is right,” Lanie says, staring over my head at nothing. “I only see Corinne for my card readings. That’s what we had scheduled with her last week. I’m not so sure she’s the real deal where mediumship is concerned.”
I rub my hands together. “That’s okay. It’s just something fun and different to do.”
Lanie crosses her arms over her chest once more. “Who are you and what have you done with my friend?”
I smile. “Thisisme, Lanie. I’ve just been gone for a while.”
She returns the smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes, as she likely recalls the last two years, and just how gone I was for a large portion of it.
“Call her,” I try again, lifting my head. I meet Nina’s gaze head-on, because of my two friends, she’s the one who needs the most convincing. “For fun. For something different. Tarot seems harmless, and I want to celebrate in a big way.”
Her lips form a thin line as she glances at Lanie. “What time does she close?”
“Ten. She has late hours.” Lanie’s eyes brighten. “We have time for another drink.”
My hands come together like I’m praying. “Please. I want to revive Thursday wine night and I want to see Madame Corinne. I only turn forty once.”
Nina’s shoulders droop and her eyes close in resignation.“Fine. Make the call.” She sighs heavily. “But I’m going to need about three more drinks.”
“Nope. You’re driving,” Lanie singsongs. “Someone has to be responsible, and you have to work tomorrow.”
“Since when are you the voice of reason?” Her tone is terse, but her eyes are sparkling as she pulls Lanie into a side hug.
At that moment, our waitress reappears with my margarita. “Here you go. Cheers.” She places the large salt-rimmed rocks glass down in front of me.
Smiling up at her, I take the drink and bring it to my lips, sucking it down faster than the one before.
AFTER DRIVING TWENTY-FIVEminutes to the next town, Nina pulls into a shopping center, stopping right in front of a storefront labeledCori’s Nail Spa.
“We’re here. Time to be one with the spirit world.”
Nina has a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel. “Don’t promise that,” she scolds Lanie. “We all discussed that this might simply be a night of tarot.”
My head turns to the back, where Lanie’s leaning forward, both hands on the backs of our seats.
“You forced me to lie. If Corinne can’t summon a spirit, I’ll eat crow.”
I smirk, knowing that these two are about to argue. They’re more like sisters than friends, and of our threesome, they’re the two that squabble the most.
Opening my door, I step out of the car to inspect the plaza. It’s your run-of-the-mill strip mall, complete with a T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods on one end, and the nail spa, a Subway, and a kickboxing studio on the other.
My eyes are glued to the tawdry storefront that is Cori’s Nail Spa.
“This can’t be it,” I say, pointing to the dark building, as both of my friends exit the car.
The red neon sign next to the door flashesClosed, and my shoulders relax, hoping that Lanie managed to give Nina the wrong address. Wouldn’t be the first time.
“Where is this place?” I ask, head turning to look at all the options.
“That’s it,” Lanie says, slamming her car door and pointing to Cori’s. “Corinne uses the back room every night after they close.”
I blink several times, waiting for her to say she’s just kidding. No genius medium rents space in a dingy nail spa. However, after several seconds of zero response from Lanie, I know she’s not joking.
“Oh my god, I thought you were messing with me. What kind of medium is this woman?”
My head turns in time to see Lanie’s head loll back on her shoulders. “I am deeply offended on Corinne’s behalf.”
My whole face screws up in pure bewilderment at Lanie’s obvious irritation.
