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‘Why are you all helping like this?’ Melanie asked again, clearly bewildered.
‘Because we’re your friends, and Paige thought we might be able to help.’ Sophie gave Paige the eyes, as if to say, speak now, it’s your turn. But Paige was lost.
‘We can help, so we’re offering to help. Paige was explaining how hard the first two years in a business are. If we do this, it gives you more time to focus on other things? Maybe things you enjoy doing, maybe things outside of work?’ Sophie said with a definite look towards Paige.
Right, enough Sophie — reign it in now.
Melanie still hadn’t said anything, and her face was giving nothing away and Paige was getting no sense of where she was or how this interaction was going to move forward, and even her mojo was at a loss.
‘Do you have a date for the big reveal?’ Sophie asked.
‘Yeah, erm, yes. Selena texted me to confirm the eighteenth.’
‘Great.’ Sophie typed some more. ‘This really is a great app. It’s colour-coded me a time-line now.’ Sophie grinned. Mya ate. Polly observed.
‘Are you sure?’ Melanie asked.
‘Yes,’ Sophie said. ‘Look, see it’s blue right there.’
‘No, I mean about helping.’
Paige nodded as Melanie looked towards her for confirmation.
‘Then thank you, I guess. Thanks.’
Paige was studying Melanie’s response and something was off, but Paige had no idea what. ‘Is that all right?’ she asked softly and watched as Melanie hitched her smile slightly higher.
‘Erm, yeah of course. Thanks.’
‘We should have a night out to celebrate!’ Sophie said.
‘Oh let’s do tonight!’ Polly said.
‘Thanks, but I can’t, I’m on open tomorrow,’ Melanie said.
‘Just a few drinks and maybe dinner at Paige’s?’ Sophie pleaded. Paige’s eyebrows shot up before her frown softened and she shrugged.
‘Yeah, maybe.’ Melanie smiled. ‘Right, eat up before your food gets cold.’
‘I’m nearly finished — this is lush,’ Mya said talking with her mouth full.
Melanie laughed as she walked off, and Paige saw her get a phone out of her bra, clearly going to update the app. That girl needed pockets.
Paige had just put her fork down, belly full when Melanie returned, her cheeks red, her eyes wide open.
‘You really didn’t have to do all the social media stuff, you know? I wasn’t expecting you to do that.’ Melanie shook her head.
‘We know. I still want to do a full makeover in here, but like I said, that can wait. For now, we’re just happy to tell people about Lulu and how great it is.’
‘Our booking system crashed. Louisa just called to tell me. Thank you.’ Paige watched as Melanie’s eyes watered. ‘And . . . we’ve just had the health inspection report back and it has a glowing review.’
Paige grabbed her mimosa. ‘Here, you need this — congratulations!’
Melanie grabbed the drink and necked it. ‘I can’t believe it,’ she said before handing the now empty glass back. Paige could see Melanie was shaking and before she knew what she was doing, she’d stood up and wrapped her arms around her, stroking her back. She was relieved when Melanie leaned right into her, her heels putting their faces almost side by side. Paige took in a deep breath and then slowly let go.
‘Better?’ Because Paige was. That gorgeous mango scent, the heat and feel of Melanie’s body; the fact she was leaning on Paige for comfort.
‘Yes. Thank you. I have so much to sort out. Your brunch is on me, by the way. Thanks, ladies,’ Melanie said as she dashed off.
