Again she slowed in front of the shop. That time she saw a man with a muscular build, blond hair, full inked sleeves, and several facial piercings, but it wasn’t the blond she was dying to see. She pursed her lips; she couldn’t go by again. Shaking her head, she turned off Saguro and made her way to her aunt’s house.
Her aunt lived in a three-bedroom, two-bath Victorian in the historic district of Alina. She’d always loved Patty’s house when she and Ryan used to come over after school. Her aunt always had fresh-baked cookies or cheese and apple slices waiting for them when they arrived. But what she’d loved most about the house was all the nooks and crannies: a small room under the stairs, corner cupboards, many bay windows, and a hidden staircase behind the wall in the library.
Since coming back to Alina, she’d stayed with her aunt, and now that Patty was in the rehab center, Hailey lived in the wonderful house all alone. She smiled when she entered the sitting room and saw prisms of light from the beveled glass windows dancing on the mosaic-tiled floor. As a child, she’d been fascinated by the small chunky rainbows. She slumped down on one of the cushy chairs and thumbed through the mail.
I hope tonight turns out well. The last blind date she had several months before was a disaster. One of the customers at the floral shop had insisted that Hailey go out on a date with her nephew. When she’d finally relented, she’d found herself fighting him off most of the night.
I wonder if the tattoo guy was at the shop working on someone. I bet he sees a lot of pretty women. Her cheeks heated when she recalled his hands on her butt. She still couldn’t believe she let him see her ass. Why do I keep thinking about him? Even if he were interested in me, he’d turn out to be an asshole. I just know it. Most men are, and you take his good looks and raw sexiness, and he just spells trouble.
Her phone pinged. She looked at the screen. Rory. Why did I think it might have been him? I don’t even know his name. Crazy.
Rory: I think ur white skirt is better than ur black. U always wear black. U don’t want Brent to think u’re goth.
Hailey shook her head.
Hailey: If he thinks I’m goth just bc I wear black, he’s an idiot. See u soon. :)
She slipped her phone into her pocket and went to get ready for her night out.
* * *
With its window boxes of trailing sweet potato vines, orange and yellow marigolds, and red miniature roses, Chianti’s had a homey feel to it. Spread around the front patio were wrought iron tables and chairs under earth-toned umbrellas. Inside, the eatery’s walls were covered by watercolors of Italy. The bar had fancy bottles housing liqueurs and brandies from around the world.
There was always a crowd at Chianti’s, as the family-owned restaurant boasted some of the best Italian food in the county. Hailey, Brent, Rory, and Troy sat at one of the outside tables.
“Isn’t it nice out here?” Rory asked.
“I think it’s too hot. We should sit inside,” Troy replied.
“I’m okay. It’s cold most of the year, so when I can sit out and eat, I enjoy it.” Rory tossed her hair over her shoulder.
“I think it’s perfect,” Hailey said as she reached for the glass of water the busser placed in front of her.
“Works for me.” Brent smiled broadly at Hailey.
“I guess the majority wins on this one.” Hailey chuckled when Troy stared sourly at her.
After they placed their orders, they chatted about the restaurant and the upcoming summer; there was an excitement in the town since the winter had been so bitterly cold.
“It’ll probably rain and ruin most of the summer,” Troy said as he placed a generous portion of the antipasto on his plate.
Rory’s face fell. “Oh don’t say that. It has to be a perfect summer. I was so cold all winter that the only thing that kept me going was knowing summer was coming.”
“Just saying. You know how it goes around here. Remember a few summers ago when it rained and hailed most of the time?”
Changing the subject, Hailey interjected, “Rory and I are planning to have a pool party.”
“You have a pool?” Brent asked.
“My aunt does. I’m staying at her house while she rehabs.”
“If it’s lightning, we may all fry in your pool,” Troy said.
“Troy!” Rory poked his arm.
“If we go swimming while it’s lightning, then we deserve to be torched,” Hailey said. Brent guffawed and Troy glared at her.
Halfway through her pasta carbonara, Hailey excused herself to go to the ladies’ room. The truth was she had to take a break from the doomsayer. Troy was driving her crazy. She fluffed her hair and reapplied her apricot lipstick. Rory always saw the world through rose-colored glasses, so how she put up with Mr. Downer was beyond Hailey’s comprehension. She knew her snippy remarks to Troy’s doom and gloom were starting to irritate him big-time. Rory had thrown her “the look” several times, and she was trying to be good, but Troy was grating on her nerves big time.