“When I grow up, I want to have my own store, Mommy.”
“If you work hard, you can have whatever you want, baby.”
“This place is amazing,” Natasha said. “Most lingerie stores intimidate me, what with the tiny situation here.” She pointed to her chest. “But this is real nice.”
Skye, Tess, and Amelia were at the counter, fixing gift bags. They all beamed when they saw us.
“Girls, do you ever take a minute off?” I asked them after introducing Natasha.
“They don’t,” Amelia answered.
“Not right now. But we’re planning to take a break as soon as things actually work around here. Should be sometime in the next ten years,” Tess said.
“I’m honestly more relaxed now than when we still had our jobs,” Skye said. “At least now I get to focus all my efforts on one thing. I even have time to go on a date later this week.”
I gave her a thumbs-up. “Is this why you’re in such a good mood?”
“Well, life is generally great. We’ve finally opened the store, and an investor is interested in us.”
“Wow, congrats. Why do you need an investor?” I figured if they’d opened this without one, they could do it on their own.
“It’s always good to have more money coming in—we could expand quicker,” Tess said.
These women were an inspiration for me. They went after what they wanted at full speed, embracing all the risks.
“Avery, we have something for you,” Amelia said. She pointed to a small table next to the counter. A Winnie-themed coloring book, a doll, and a puzzle were lying on it.
“And we have something for you too,” Skye said conspiratorially while Amelia took Avery to the table. Natasha gave me a surprised look. I’d brought her up to speed on all things Winchester when I asked her if she wanted to come here, but clearly, I wasn’t the only one amazed by how welcoming these women were.
Tess hurried to the door to greet a customer who’d just come in.
“What do you mean?” I asked Skye.
“You’ll see. Come on.”
She led me to a changing room where a gorgeous red wool camisole was hanging.
“Oooh, this is beautiful.”
“Yup. Just arrived. I set aside your size.”
“How do you know my size?”
“It’s my job. Try it on. It’ll go well with your dress and will keep you warm.”
I was ecstatic. I didn’t want to overthink anything tonight. I wanted to feel sexy. I was going on a date. I was wearing a sweater dress and high-heeled boots, and it was as if Skye had read my mind. I had wondered if I wouldn’t shiver a little.
While I changed, Skye talked my ear off about Ryker.
I peeked through the curtains. “Skye, you don’t have to talk him up. I’ve already agreed to the date.”
Skye grinned. “Extra pimping doesn’t hurt. And you look amazing. You can’t even tell you’re wearing a camisole.”
“I agree. I’m buying it.”
“No, you won’t. It’s our gift.”
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
I couldn’t accept it, but judging by Skye’s determined look, I’d offend them if I didn’t take it. And I loved it. I was going to rock this evening.
I strutted out of the changing room with a huge smile. Anticipation coursed through me. I tried to push down the mix of guilt and fear threatening to float up to the surface. It was just a night of fun. I didn’t have to make a big deal out of it.
Avery and Amelia were busy at the table with the puzzle.
Tess was back at the counter, showing Natasha a bra.
“Hey, girl. We’ll stay here for a bit and then go to the pizza place across the street, if that’s okay with you,” Natasha said.
“Sure. Text me when you go home.”
“Will do.”
Turning to Tess, I said, “Thanks for the camisole. How can I make it up to you?”
Skye wiggled her eyebrows. “Oh, we’ll find a way. Now go, or you’ll be late.”
I kissed Avery goodbye, grinning from ear to ear as I stepped out of the store. I rarely came to Soho, and now I wondered why. It was wonderfully romantic. Everyone sitting outside was relaxed, not huddled over their warm drinks. The end of March was usually when the weather resembled spring more than winter.
Adrenaline was pumping in my veins. I was seeing Ryker in twenty minutes. I couldn’t wait. I had a feeling tonight was going to be epic.
Chapter Sixteen
Heather
Friday nights were crazy in Manhattan, but despite being squeezed between other passengers in the subway, giddiness completely overpowered me.
I blinked at the explosion of lights and colors when I came out in Times Square, where I was meeting Ryker. We’d decided on one of the giant billboards as our meeting point. To my astonishment, I noticed Ryker coming out of the subway station as well. He stood out even surrounded by the mass of New Yorkers out to enjoy life. He simply had that magnetic presence that demanded to be appreciated. One look around revealed that I wasn’t the only one affected by him. I counted at least five women appreciating the view.
My heart squeezed. Oh, shit. I couldn’t be jealous... already. But I was. Ryker noticed me the next second.
“Hey!”
“You like to take the subway?” I asked, perplexed.
“Yeah. Cabs take longer in traffic. And why waste money when we have a perfectly good subway?”
I hadn’t expected Ryker to be so down-to-earth. He certainly didn’t have to worry about money.
“Shall we?” he asked.
I nodded, and we started walking in the general direction of the cinema. Ryker immediately put an arm around my shoulders, as if he was afraid he might lose me in the crowd. As if that was even possible. I was so aware of his presence, as if there was a palpable bond between us.
My heart rate sped up when he pulled me closer, touching the tip of his nose to my temple. A knot formed between my shoulder blades.
I can do this.
I’m ready.
I repeated the words a few times, but far from calming down, I was just working myself into a frenzy. My palms grew a little sweaty. I tried to hide them by putting my hands in my pockets. Ryker pressed his fingers into my arm, as if sensing I needed reassurance.
When we entered the cinema, he brought his mouth to my ear.
“You want me to bring you back to my sister’s store?”
“N-no.”
“That’s not very convincing, love.”
He let go of me, but our gazes were interlocked.
“Talk to me, Heather. What’s going on in your mind?”
“I’m not sure I can explain. At least, not in a way that makes sense.”
He brought a hand to my face, caressing my cheek. I loved that he wasn’t pressuring me, that he understood I needed to gather my thoughts at my own pace.
“I’m afraid that this is too soon after my breakup.”
He frowned. “Heather, this is about discovering each other. So far, I love everything I know about you.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. You’re a fantastic woman, a great mother.”
“There you go, being charming again.”