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Nikki snorted. “No. Because it doesn’t matter. If I still had feelings for him, that might matter. But I don’t.” She found a light blue dress and pulled it out of the closet.
“That would work for you. It’s too small in the chest for me,” Al said.
Nikki brought the floor-length ballgown over to the mirror and held it up in front of herself. It had a plunging neckline with matching back and shimmery straps. The skirt was tulle and had a dreamy, romantic quality that appealed to her.
It reminded her of something, but she couldn’t place it.
“The back is open, so your tattoo will be visible,” Al warned. “How fancy is this thing? Are tattoos acceptable?”
“Hmm.” She could wear a shawl or something. Even though it was July.
“Though if I recall, André really liked your tattoo.”
Nikki shot a glare to Al who remained unfazed.
Maybe it didn’t matter if her tattoo was visible. It was the 21stcentury, people had tattoos.
“What’s the benefit for?” Al got up and went inside the closet.
“It’s to raise money for kids in the arts or something.”
Al came out and handed her a pair of nude heels. “These. And those aquamarine earrings your parents gave you. I’ll pin your hair up.” She moved behind Nikki and pulled her hair back, pulling little tendrils out. “Like that.”
Nikki nodded and her gaze connected with Al’s in the mirror. “I’m so glad you’re good at this stuff.”
Al was still messing with her hair. “I like to be able to reach into any world I want and feel at home.” She let go of Nikki’s hair and sat back down on the bed.
“I know you’re worried about André,” Nikki said gathering the dress and shoes in her arms. “But all that’s over. We happen to be working near each other for a couple weeks and then I suspect I’ll never see him again.”
Al crossed her arms. “How does that make you feel?”
“Fine.” Nikki took a deep breath and really tried to exude honesty with her next statement. “I have no feelings for André.”
“Okay,” Al said, though her tone said “whatever.”
Asa re-entered the room and handed Al a steaming cup of coffee.
“Hey,” Al said, after she’d taken a sip. “Let’s hang out tonight.”
“I have a gig at the Iggy,” Asa said.
“That’s perfect! We’ll come support you!” Al looked to Nikki. “You want to?”
* * *
The Iggy was a piano bar downtown actually called The Blue Iguana. They called it the Iggy for short. It was small, sometimes crowded, sometimes not.
Tonight was not a crowded night.
For a Saturday it was actually pretty calm which worked for them because that way they got to visit Asa in between songs.
Asa worked there off and on, playing the piano for tips. He took requests and usually people asked for the classics. Though Asa’s catalogue was probably deeper than the other players. If someone had an obscure request, he almost always knew it.
“Go save us a table.” Nikki pointed to a high-top table near the middle where they’d be able to see Asa easily. “I’ll get us drinks.”
“Got it.” Al started that way and spotted someone she knew. She swerved to give hugs and hellos.
She’d been gone for a few months, so the first part of the night would be her running into everyone who hadn’t seen her. Which felt like half the city. Al knew everyone. But Nikki was used to the routine.
