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Tendrils was an upscale, modern bar located a block’s walk from the salon. The rain had ended, but it was pitch dark. When Sara got there at 5:45, Marissa was already seated at a table. She was fresh from work as an office manager and still dressed in a long-sleeved blouse and tailored slacks, her light-brown, curly hair pulled back in a large barrette. She brightened as Sara slumped into her seat. “I already ordered two double mojitos. Help is on the way.”
Sara laughed and rested her forehead in her hand. “Thanks. I think I’ll order food too. I don’t want the booze going straight to my head. I had to eat my lunch in frantic gulps. I didn’t even have time to sit down today.”
“Mathilde the Wicked Witch?”
“None other. I can’t believe how much things have changed in just six months!”
The server brought over their drinks and Sara took a long gulp, smacking her lips at the minty taste. She ordered a chef salad before returning to her mojito.
“It must be even more of a shock after relaxing on a sandy beach,” Marissa said, then narrowed her eyes. “On my sandy beach. Hope owes me a lot more than two dozen roses.”
Sara laughed, her bad day slipping away. “You just discovered the raffle. I was the one who entered her in it. And it was damn nice of her to send you flowers, you know.” A week had passed since Sara’s return, and today was the fourth day of rain in a row, making her even more miserable. “I’m having a tough time getting back into the groove.”
“Still, it sounds like a nice getaway. I love weddings! Do you have pictures?”
“Oh, yeah.” Sara swiped through several photos and handed over her phone. She’d brought up a picture of Hope and Alex after the ceremony as they posed against the sunset.
Marissa opened her eyes wide as she zoomed the picture with her fingers. “Gawd! They’re gorgeous. Look at that uniform. He’s quite hunkalicious, isn’t he?”
“Back off, missy. That’s my brother-in-law you’re talking about.” Sara snorted. “They both completely tune me out if the other is in the same room. Trust me. That man is as off the market as a guy can get.”
Marissa passed the phone back. “Only window shopping anyway.” She paused while Sara’s salad came, and she dug in. “Now back to your job conundrum. What are you going to do?”
Sara dropped her fork and told Marissa about her day. “Things just keep going from bad to worse. I pride myself on being dependable, but now I’m thinking about calling in sick.”
“Sounds like it’s time for a new job.”
Sara met Marissa’s eyes head-on. “That’s what I’ve been thinking. Here’s the thing—I’ve been offered one. In St. Croix, at my sister’s spa.” She wasn’t about to mention the $100,000 that was sitting in a bank.
Marissa sat up straight. “Ooh! So, is your flight booked?”
Sara laughed. “No. I’m worried there won’t be enough work to keep me busy.”
“Is that all? Are you worried about working for your sister?”
“No, we get along great. That shouldn’t be an issue.” Yet Sara had been in Hope’s shadow her whole life. Maybe there was a way to make Hope’s spa her own creation.
Marissa paused for a drink. “To be honest, I’m surprised you’re hesitating. I was thrilled when you wanted to move here, but it’s been six years now. That’s a pretty long time for you to stay in one place. You’ve always been the feather, blowing where the breeze takes you.”
Sara finished eating and pushed her plate away. “I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older, but moving seems like a lot more hassle than it used to. Maybe I’m ready to settle down more. But you’re right. I need to look for a new job.”
“Sounds like a hell of an opportunity to me. I think you should take it.”
“We’ll see.”
Marissa had a gleam in her eye now. “Settle down, huh? You looking for Mr. Right?”
“Hardly... But watching Hope and Alex get married affected me more than I thought it would. You’ve been married for a while. Any regrets?”
Marissa reared back. “Sara! Of course not. Blake is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And when Olivia came along, she only made things better. Well, and more tiring. You just need to find the right guy, that’s all.”
“That’s all? Ha—easy for you to say. Honestly, all I want is a man who accepts me for who I am.” Sara held up her mojito. “Carefree, curvy, and fabulous!”
Marissa gave her a tolerant smile. She was well aware Sara’s exuberance tended to cover her self-consciousness. “All I’m saying is that a fresh start seems to have worked out pretty well for your sister, hasn’t it?”
* * *
The next day, work was a repeat. I’m living the movie Groundhog Day. Jenny called in sick again and Mathilde was even bitchier. Sara was currently cutting the hair of one of Jenny’s regulars, while one of her longest-standing clients sat in the waiting area long past her appointment time. Sara tried to ignore the woman glancing at her watch, but a tight ball grew in her gut with each passing second.
