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“I think they like being grandparents,” said Heart with a laugh.
I smiled thinking about how their daughter Bridgette had been the driving force behind Heart mending the estranged relationship with her parents. She was a beautiful little miracle. And she was my goddaughter.
The waitress came back with my glass of wine and took our food order. We ordered family style. Green coconut curry, pad Thai, hot and sour shrimp soup, chicken satay. The food came quickly and we barely got any more words in because our mouths were so full. Everything was so good.
“Well, we have some good news…” said Heart, looking at Daniel and back at me with a smile.
“Oh?” I asked, perking up. “Are you having another baby?”
They started laughing and shaking their heads.
“Not yet,” said Heart.
“We’re still catching up on sleep from the last one.” Daniel winked. “No, I actually know someone who’s looking for a personal assistant. Heart told me you did some PA work before becoming a writer. Maybe it could be good for you.”
“Really?” I asked thoughtfully.
Heart nodded enthusiastically. “I know writing hasn’t been easy lately. Maybe it would be good to have another job in your back pocket. You can write on your days off.”
I thought about it for a moment. I hadn’t really entertained the idea of another job besides writing. Writing had been my life for many years, but lately I wasn’t so sure.
“You know. That might actually be great.”
“Perfect,” said Daniel, pulling his phone from his pocket. He typed something out.
“This could be really good for you,” said Heart, squeezing my hand.
A few moments later, Daniel’s phone pinged on the table. He read the text quickly. “All right. It’s settled. You start tomorrow,” he said, putting his phone down with certainty.
My eyes widened. “T-tomorrow? I haven’t even interviewed.”
“The guy owes me a favor. Plus, he trusts me.”
Wow,I thought. That seemed way too easy. I tried not to think that it was too good to be true. Maybe the universe was being kind to me after everything.
Once the bill was paid, which Daniel insisted on covering, we said our goodbyes in the crisp evening air. Despite how the night had started, it had ended on a high note. I thanked them for everything and got into the cab Daniel had hailed for me.
“Where to, miss?” asked the driver, looking at me through the rearview mirror.
I thought for a moment. I should probably go to bed, but I was too nervous about this new job that had suddenly fallen in my lap.
“Are there any new bars around here?”
“Yeah, a place just opened up a few blocks over.”
“Okay, take me there, please.”
He nodded and pulled the car away from the curb.
Maybe a little nightcap would put my nerves at ease.
Chapter 2
Troy
“Back again, Mr. Gunner?” asked the raven-haired bartender behind the counter.
Her eyes danced in a tango of curiosity and desire. A look I had seen before from pretty women. She handed me a drink menu with a sly smile across her baby pink lips.