The Liar

“It was magic, or so Griff convinced Callie, so she went to bed with a big smile and the anticipation of being a fairy princess riding a dragon. Before she and Griff get married with all due pomp and ceremony.”

“He’s got a way with kids. I think he’s got a lot of little boy left in there.”

“He kissed me.”

“Was that magic, too?” Emma Kate asked without missing a beat.

“My brain’s still soft. Don’t tell Matt my brain went soft. He’ll tell Griffin, and I’ll feel like an idiot. I don’t know if it’s because it’s been so long since I’ve had a serious kiss, or if he’s just that damn good at it.”

“I’ve heard he’s damn good at it.”

Shelby smiled, curled up. “Did your brain go soft the first time Matt kissed you?”

“It liquefied and leaked out of my ears. Which sounds disgusting, but was anything but.”

“I feel so good, so good I’d forgotten how it feels to feel so good. I just had to call you. I sold the house, and got kissed brainless on High Street.”

“You— Oh, Shelby, that’s great! On both counts, but shedding that house. I’m so happy for you.”

“I’m starting to see my way clear, Emma Kate. I’m really starting to see a clear path. Some more bumps to get over, but I see the clear.”

And part of the clear was being curled up on her bed talking to her best friend.

•   •   •

THE GOOD DAY ROLLED into a good week. She could savor the sensation of being happy and productive, of earning her way.

She mopped floors, filled dispensers, booked appointments, rang up sales, listened to gossip. She commiserated when Crystal complained about her boyfriend, comforted Vonnie when the masseuse’s grandmother passed peacefully in her sleep.

She set up chairs and tables in the little back garden area of the day spa, potted up some flowers.

After checking out the preschool where Chelsea would go come fall, she enrolled Callie. And felt the pride and the pang of what she knew would be the first of many layers of separation.

She had ice cream with Griff and discovered the second kiss could be as powerful as the first. But she hedged when he asked her out to dinner.

“It’s just my time’s so budgeted right now. I’ve got a routine going at the salon, so I’m easier there. But until I sing Friday night, see how that goes, I’m using up my free time rehearsing and planning for the next week.”

“After Friday.” He laid out the elements that would heat the tile floor of the new bathroom. “Because it’s going to go great.”

“I hope so. Maybe you could come by Bootlegger’s on Friday for a set.”

He sat back on his haunches. “Red, I wouldn’t miss it. I like listening to you rehearse in the shower.”

“I’m heading out right now to rehearse in place before the bar and grill opens. I hope Tansy’s right about people wanting to hear somebody sing old songs while they’re eating their pork chops or scooping up nachos.”

She pressed a hand on her belly. “We’re going to find out.”

“Nervous?”

“About the singing? No. I don’t get nervous about singing, it feels too good. About the draw not justifying what they pay me. I’m nervous about that. I’ve got to get on. It’s looking good in here.”

“It’s coming along.” He smiled at her. “Let’s make the word of the day ‘gradation.’ One step at a time.”

“Mmm,” she said, understanding he wasn’t just talking about a new bathroom.

•   •   •

SHE SQUEEZED IN A LAST REHEARSAL Friday morning, and ordered herself not to think about what she could do with the songs if she had a couple of live musicians.

Still, she thought she put a little of her own spin on the old classic “As Time Goes By.”

“Play it, Sam,” Derrick said from behind the bar.

“Of all the gin joints in all the world.”

“Are you an old-movie fan?”

“My daddy is, so we had to be. And who doesn’t love Casablanca? How’d that sound to you, Derrick?”

“It sounded like Tansy had it right. We’re going to rack them, stack them and pack them on Friday Nights.” Restacking glasses freshly cleaned from the night before, he cocked an eyebrow at her. “How do you feel about it?”

“Hopeful.” She stepped down off the tiny stage. “I just want to say, if it doesn’t pull in a big draw, if it just doesn’t work, it’s not a problem.”

“Are you setting up to fail, Shelby?”

She cocked her head, walked toward the bar. “Forget what I just said. We’re going to kick ass so high here tonight, butts’ll be landing on the moon, and you’re going to be obliged to give me a raise.”

“Don’t get carried away. Want a Coke?”

“Wish I had time for one, but I have to head over to the salon.” To be sure she wasn’t already late, she tipped her phone out of her pocket to check the time.

“Tonight should bring people in, just to see,” she said. “There’s me, the girl who wasn’t there for a while, and all the hyping Tansy’s done. Flyers everywhere, and I’m plastered all over your Facebook page. Hell, my family’s big enough to be a crowd, and a lot of them will be here. That’s something.”

“Kick ass high.”

“Kick ass high,” she agreed. “I’ll see you tonight.”