“He doesn’t look at you like a friend…”
I had desperately wanted to ask her to explain herself but it had been more important for me to make my point and walk out. There were moments when something exchanged between Sean and me, I couldn’t deny that, but it was probably just a mutual understanding. He wanted the Onslow to succeed just as much as I did. He had just come back to town and the hotel held a lot of memories for the Onslow Boys. That’s why he was so passionate about helping it thrive; it was for the Onslow. It wasn’t about me.
Ditching the denim shorts and T-shirts that I had been knocking around in lately, I opted for one of the two dressy outfits I had managed to pack: a red halter top and black fitted pants. I adjusted my top in the mirror, hoping it wasn’t too sexy for Onslow standards. Oh God! I had no idea. I needed girl advice, but all I had was a load of boys.
I looked at my phone, chewing on my lower lip. Could I call Tess? I shook the idea away. No, she was probably exhausted and catching up with family; the last thing she would want to do was come here and give me fashion advice. Even if she was coming out later, anyway.
I paced back and forth behind the bar, watching the clock tick down until my palms became sweaty and nervous pains twisted my insides. Ah, screw it! If I didn’t have someone here to distract me I feared I might vomit. I picked up the phone and called the McGee house.
***
Not only was Tess eager to see me, she wholeheartedly agreed to come over and arrived in record time.
“Look at you!” She quick-stepped to me across the car park, her arms wide open. She pulled me into a huge hug. “You’re so tall!”
She looked me over and hugged me again. “You are so beautiful, Amy. Gosh, I’ve missed you!”
Tess hadn’t changed a bit. Her golden hair twisted in natural waves to her shoulders, her eyes a beautiful greeny-blue Her petite stature made me feel like a giant Amazon woman next to her.
“Thanks for coming,” I said lamely.
“I was so happy you called. Where is everybody?” She looked around the pub, studying her surroundings.
“There have been a few changes,” I said with a wince.
“Okay, is this a one-drink story or a two-drink story?”
“Tess, there aren’t enough drinks in this entire bar that would cover it.”
“I think I’ll take a seat, then.”
I blabbered everything out to Tess, starting from Dad’s journey of self-discovery, to me rocking up and falling through the balcony (which Tess tried her hardest not to laugh about).
“It’s not funny!” I said, fighting not to laugh myself.
I recapped the horror of the thieving barman, the fallout with Melba, my dad’s health scare and the big plan to put the Onslow on the market.
Tess listened intently, never tearing her eyes from me. “So you’re here doing all of this by yourself?”
I shrugged. “As of today, yeah.”
“You’re going to be running the bar on your own? On a Saturday night?” she asked disbelievingly.
I shifted nervously in my seat. “I have no choice, Tess.”
“Isn’t there anyone that can help out? That wants some part-time work?”
“I haven’t even had a chance to think about it. I fired my barman mere hours ago. I got back from the city this morning; I haven’t exactly had a chance to recruit.”
Tess frowned in deep thought. After a moment she offered me a small smile and reached for my hand. “It’s going to be all right. I just have to get through tonight and then tomorrow – sleepy Sunday shift, right? We can sit down and work out a plan. I’m home for most of the summer. Come Christmas it will run like a dream.”
“That’s if it’s not sold out from under me before then.”
There was sadness in Tess’s eyes; she would be a terrible poker player. “Let’s take one day at a time. We can only do our best.”
“We?”
“You didn’t honestly think you’d steal all the glory, did you? You know, I was kind of worried I might get bored after a while being back in Onslow, but now I see there is little chance of that. Project!”
I smiled wryly. “Be careful what you wish for.”
Tess laughed and lifted her Lemon, Lime and Bitters. “Here’s to Operation Save the Onslow.” She clinked my Coke-filled glass.
“That sounds suspiciously like something Ellie Parker would say.” I curved my brow.
Tess choked on her drink. “Oh, I totally forgot. Ellie’s coming home for the holidays too! She gets back tomorrow morning.”
“Awesome, it’s like the gang is back together.”
“Almost.” Tess’s excitement ebbed and I knew she was talking about my cousin, Adam. Adam, Ellie and Tess had been best friends since kindergarten and continued to be all through school, but as everyone moved from Onslow and discovered new interests and lived their own lives, it seemed sometimes people just grew apart. It’s natural, I guess, but it didn’t mean you didn’t still think or care about them.